ST PAUL, Minn. (May 22, 2026) — Under a cloudy sky and light rain, Minnesota Court of Appeals judges and Supreme Court justices joined law clerks and staff from the Minnesota Judicial Center to serve up a bit of sunshine along with lunch at Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Place in St. Paul today.
Judges and justices served 881 meals of grilled burgers with beans, coleslaw, fruit, chips, and ice cream. Local band The Rhythm Pups volunteered their time to provide a musical backdrop for the event.
"This event really is a highlight for us, a moment where we're all in common together, giving each other our very best smiles," said Judge Diane Bratvold, one of the event's organizers. "Often when we judges are in court, we're seeing people on their very worst day. And many of the folks here have been at the receiving end of that. But ultimately we are one community and one family, and sharing food means a lot to everybody."
The annual barbecue was started in 2003 by Court of Appeals Judge R.A. “Jim” Randall, who was one of the original six judges appointed to the Court of Appeals in 1983. He served on the Court for 24 years and was a committed public servant, especially to those in need. Judge Randall died on August 9, 2024, and the annual barbecue was renamed “The Judge Jim Randall Annual Picnic at Dorothy Day Place” in his honor.
"I really appreciate what the justices and the judges and all the staff are doing here, because they're trying to promote a feeling of welcoming and belonging and gathering and sharing a meal together," said Catholic Charities CEO Jamie Verbrugge. "We are really grateful for the commitment that they have had over two decades and really appreciate their commitment to the community that we serve."
The Judge Jim Randall Annual Picnic at Dorothy Day Place is made possible by financial and volunteer contributions from Minnesota Court of Appeals judges, Supreme Court justices, retired appellate court justices and judges, appellate court law clerks, the State Law Librarian, and other court staff.
Catholic Charities noted that this annual picnic is unique in its scale and the way it brings the Dorothy Day Place community together. The organization said it would be open to other groups sponsoring similar events.
"This event is kind of magical; it's one of the most unique events we have," said John Gambino, Catholic Charities volunteer specialist. "We'd love to do more events like this because it breaks down barriers. We don't see barriers at this event: we see each other."
For more information about Catholic Charities' volunteer opportunities, visit cctwincities.org.
The Judge Jim Randall Annual Picnic at Dorothy Day Place is always held the Friday before Memorial Day. In the first 22 years of the event, judges and justices served nearly 13,000 meals.
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