|
|
|
Every
year, around the middle of December, the Parish holds one of our most popular
parish functions - our annual family Christmas dinner. This past Christmas,
the Youth Ministry had primary responsibility for the affair. This gathering
is popular not only because of the wonderful food, but also because we can
renew old friendships and meet newcomers to the parish. And oh yes, there
is that delicious food ... and the desserts ... and more food, and
cookies, and ... well, you get the point.
Although
some families fill a whole table, at most there is plenty of room for
a few others to join the group.
Joining a table gives us a chance to meet fellow-parishioners. In a
parish family this large, there are always many you haven't gotten to
meet before. The Gabor families are seated together at the far right
- Emily, Matt and Karen, with Kevin at the "head" of the table,
Stephanie, Donna and Brian on his left.
The table decorations were the work Of Margret Ryan and Kate McGuire's
Brownies and Girl Scouts. |
|
 |
From toddlers
and babes-in-arms, to teens, parents and parish "Elders" (that's
anyone as old as your webmaster!) everyone has happy smiles of anticipation.
Dean and Marguerite Warlick fill their trays (center) and Daniel Nesmith
can be seen serving. Our apology to the handsome young man and his tray-balancing
dad; we couldn't identify you.
The Sweet-potato Casserole has been a top pick for many years: if you
didn't get enough, we've stolen the recipe to share
with you here. |
|
Of course,
no affair this big could succeed without the volunteers who support
it with their hard work. As you see, not all of the workers are "youth."
Many parents and other adult leaders gave hours of their time. William
and Mary Batts, Barb Dubois and Mike Shipley took care of sanitizing
the dirty dishes, while 8 junior-high teens and Susan Philpott cleaned
and re-set tables.
It takes preparation beforehand to gather and cook the food, 18 turkeys
and 18 casseroles were prepared beforehand by several families, the
parish Religious Education program and St. Jude School.
Dressing,
gravy, turkey carving, green beans; flowed from the willing hands
of Chuck Dailey and Kathy Naber, 22 senior high men and women (not
a "kid" in the group!) along with Cindy and Butch Thomas,
Carl Nesmith and Bob Shapiro.
|
 |
 |
Mary Batts
and Chuck Dailey get a lesson in gravy making from Chef John Weiss.
Check that stirring technique; voila!
|
| Chuck
Dailey concentrates on getting the last bit of dressing out of the pot
and into the serving pan, while in the background, servers load up trays
for hungry parishioners. |
 |
 |
Trish
Fritts and Mark Anderson filled "A little more dressing, please?"
requests from dozens of their friends and fellow parishioners of all
ages.
There were
many others working behind the scenes to make a success of this year's
Parish Christmas Dinner -- among them Barb DeGaetano, Marilyn Derbyshire,
Mike Shipley, and Lisa Shapiro (our Youth Minister and "Straw
Boss" for the event.)
We have
surely missed a lot of others' names, but those of us who attended
and enjoyed the meal know that it would have been impossible without
many, many hours of devoted sweat and effort, so God Bless All! -
- - And, we hope to see you at the next Parish "event."
|
|
OK! Here is the famous "St. Jude's
Sweet Potato Casserole" recipe!
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (canned or fresh-cooked)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
1/4 lb. (1 stick) butter or margarine
Mix all in a large bowl - transfer to a casserole baking dish and
bake for 25 - 30 minutes at 350F.
While baking, prepare topping:
1 cup brown sugar (packed firmly)
1 cup pecan halves and chunks
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup butter or margarine
Spread on top of sweet potato mix and bake another 15 to 20 minutes.
NOTE: If you want to contribute to the next dinner - don't bake the
topping, just add it and bring the dish in to the cafeteria so that
it can be finished there and served hot!
<BACK>
|
|
