A friendly drum competition featuring the pastor at the Aug. 6 parish festival at Transfiguration in Oakdale raised more than $500 for its youth ministry programs.  

Father John Paul Erickson and Ojulu Ajak, a parish maintenance worker, took turns drumming during the competition and followed up by drumming together in the school gymnasium on the feast of the Transfiguration.  

Ajak, who emigrated from Ethiopia, said his work on a large drum was in “the African style.” He raised the most money as parishioners contributed by QR code or by placing donations in one of two large glass jars, one labeled with Father Erickson’s name and the other with Ajak’s name. Father Erickson played on a full drum set. He has performed at Archdiocesan Youth Day as the drummer in a band with other priest-musicians called “The Second Collection.”