Tomorrow is Saint Patrick’s Day. Culturally, celebrating Saint Patrick seems to focus on drinking and music, with occasional guest appearances by soda bread and the writing of James Joyce. But Saint Patrick’s example is so much richer.

As a youth, Saint Patrick was kidnapped and sold into slavery. His experience reminds us that human trafficking remains a problem even today — a problem that deserves our attention.

After escaping from slavery, Saint Patrick returned to Ireland even though he was an outsider and didn’t quite fit in. He reminds us to dare to go beyond our comfort zone in service and in mission and to be welcoming to the outsiders in our midst.

Saint Patrick is best known for his efforts to bring Christianity to Ireland. He shared the Good News with those he met and helped to build up the Church in the places he visited. We can follow his example by learning more about our faith and by sharing it with those we meet, inviting them into relationship with Christ and his Church and accompanying them on their journey.

So in-between the green beer and the too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ras, look to Patrick’s example and try to follow in his path.