Thursday, February 27, 2014

Hamming it up in Goodhue

As hungry souls were lining up in the church basement, Council of Catholic Women (CCW) women were scrambling to find working outlets, as they temporarily lost power as the annual Ham Dinner was drawing in patrons in Goodhue's Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Goodhue is a small, but vibrant community in Goodhue County, situated off Hwy. 58 in some of the best farm land in the state. It's obvious residents are proud of their rural heritage and enjoy their peaceful surroundings.

It was another reminder of the power of Mother Nature, as plows cleared driveways and roads drifted over outside after last Thursday's one-two punch of snow and wind. Although they never considered canceling the event, too many electrical cooking pots almost did them in!But in the end, another successful dinner was served to over 180 people, which included succulent scalloped potatoes with that ham, an assortment of salads and desserts - all handmade - and lots of smiles and helpful hands. Most remember the event has stayed pretty much the same over the 40-plus years, with maybe a slight change in the date due to wrestling tournaments at the local high school or working around President's Day.


"We might have mixed it up over the years and had chili and craft fairs, but we've decided the ham dinner brings in more people," said Judy Lodemeier, one of three chairpeople, with Terry Buck and Diane Opsahl. It was Judy locating alternate outlets to plug in crock pots of scalloped potatoes and warming ham, with a couple landing upstairs in a community room next to the altar.

Don's Grocery just off Hwy. 56 provides the ham and scalloped potatoes and most likely ingredients for most of the donated salads and desserts. It takes quite a few volunteers to cut up the 110 pounds of hams, 12 assorted desserts, 10 fruit salads and 12 salads. About 80 families make up the small church, located pretty much smack dab in the middle of town. Like any other structure in town on this Sunday, February 23, it's hard to manuever around the stockpiles of snow - some higher than 17 feet. It's not unusual to see mailboxes buried into snowbanks with only their front-opening doors visible. And just try meeting a car coming from the opposite direction in an alley - not a good idea. But it didn't hamper the opportunity for a warm meal and catchup time with friends and family in a church basement.

"They predicted the weather would be better by today,"Terry sighed with relief. Postponing would be tough to reschedule and what to do with all the food? Five years ago we got a lot of snow too, and we thought, 'Oh boy,' will anyone come? It probably was one of our more successful ones."

Amongst the hardy able-bodied customers, about 20 people ordered takeouts as well. Any extras are either divied up or people can buy at free-will prices as well. It's all well and interesting to sit snug in the basement eating, where glancing upward you can study the confirmation classes over the years make their individual mark on their church journey on ceiling tiles. (See picture below)

Terry has tried to modernized the CCW at Holy Trinity, hoping to get new faces to join in the volunteer events at the church. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but all three chairmen keep trying. About 12 volunteer on the day, but 34 women donate food.


Terry Buck, Judy Lodermeier and Diane Opsahl
dish up leadership skills for the annual dinner.
In the fall, CCW hosts a "Wine, Women and Worship" to kick off the fall activities, something I thought very inventive - and fun. "We have a good time at our meetings and try to make it so people feel appreciated and not always put upon," said Terry. "We want to blend in new (people) with current members." Terry's been involved with CCW for over 33 years locally.

Judy usually heads the cooking part of the event, Terry does the calling and organizing and Diane backs her up. Between the three they keep volunteers on their toes, hoping all have a good time helping not only their church, but those who benefit from their donations from proceeds from the dinner. Some past organizations helped are the Women's Shelter in Red Wing, Hope Coalition, mission trip for local kids, quilting supplies for church women who sew for missions around the country, Appalachian Project, and many others. They also have a bake sale in December and keep their hands busy with other worthwhile projects locally.

Goodhue's Catholic church has a great history and someone who did extensive work to preserve it. Started relatively late for rural Minnesota churches, Goodhue probably had it's first service in someone's home, but it was mentioned in the history it was possible it could have been in a chicken coop. In 1903 they drew up their official orders. Their first 'meeting' was in 1906 in the first building, with the current church constructed in 1956.
Ceiling tiles completed by confirmation classes.

Today, they share Father Paul Kubista with St. Columbkill of Belle Creek and St. Mary's in Bellechester. In as much as things change, they also stay the same - one priest serving many rural communities as yesterday. This was a change made just last summer.

The website relays the history, "We can only imagine how difficult it must have been to serve such a large area in this period of no cars, trains or telephones. The pastor had no way of letting his parishioners know when he was coming; he tried to get to each parish once a month. St. Columkill's 129th anniversary book states, " How the word got passed around when Father arrived, we do not know, but one can on imagine that every household had someone keeping a close watch on the trail the priest would most likely to pass on foot or horseback."

As the winds continued to howl outside, warm bodies welcomed a home-cooked meal, sitting with their neighbor try and outdo them on storm stories. Understanding such weather instances is really quite simple, if you listen to reason: "God has quite a palette when you go out and look at the snow, it's drifts and how we all react to it," said Terry. "It is quite beautiful."

Judy doing cooking duty.


DIane's Glorified Rice

1 cup raw rice cooked and rinsed
1- 2 lb. can pinapple, drained
2 cans madarin oranges, drained
1 jar maraschino cherries drained and cut in half
Dressing:
3/4 cup pinapple juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons flour
2 eggs
Mix together and cook until thick, add 1 tablespoon butter
Mix the first four ingredients together, add dressing and refrigerate overnight.
Add 1 cup whipping cream whipped.
2 cups mini marshmallows
You may add grapes and bananas if you wish.


Friday, February 21, 2014

Czech out this Soup Supper

Marie Kajer served as bread lady during the Soup
Supper at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.
With the winter Minnesotans have survived thus far, it was a welcome treat to attend the Soup Supper held at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague February 17.

Although there was some melting of snow at the time, Old Man Winter was still apparent at every step. Aside from the heaps of snow around the church buildings, the beauty of this 156-year old church from the outside is only a tease awaiting grandeur inside - meaning not only the tabernacle, but the warmth and spirit emitted from the parishioners.

Over 320 people came through the basement cafeteria, used by children during school week days, but tonight smelled of chili, vegetable beef and chicken noodle soups. If you wanted to try a second soup or just wanted to sample all like me, it was not an easy temptation as an assortment of white and wheat breads and tasty desserts met you after you filled your bowl. My favorite was the vegetable beef but that was a photo finish with the other choices.


In the preparation part of the meal on the Saturday before volunteers meet to sort through the 50 pounds of jumbo carrots, 30 stalks of celery, 50 pounds of onions as they mix each soup with canned ingredients as well. This year the beef was donated by Cedar Summit Farm, which includes 60 pounds of their lean beef. Divided between the vegetable beef and chili, a little bit more has to be purchased to put the final touch on the soups. The breads and desserts are donated. "I refuse to call anyone, we just put a call out a couple weeks before in the bulletin and it gives others a chance to serve as well," said Norb Sticha, the committee leader for the supper. With the close to 1,400 families in the parish, it doesn't take long to fill the order of 70 breads with a dozen or slices each or the dozens of bars and cookies to feed the masses. The kitchen is fill with not only lots of food, but well-disciplined volunteers.

Sticha proudly organizes his troops every year for this fundraiser and it most proud to exclaim all money goes to the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul. The 20th annual event fills their commitment of serving food to needy visitors to the downtown facility, but it also fulfills those who find this ministry most satisfying.

Extras from the supper are taken to the center with desserts reserved for the March meal they will serve.

"Because we in New Prague don't live in the inner city we might now have any idea of life for some people," said Norb. "This (raising money for the Dorothy Day Center) gives us an opportunity for better awareness and a way to help our fellow man." Way back in 1995 the commitment was made to be a part of the monthly meal service at Dorothy Day.


Norbert (Norb) Sticha gives directions for shift duty
during the soup supper.
The Dorothy Day Center provides hot meals served by volunteers 365 days a year, as well as mental health services and medical care - and much more - to people experiencing homelessness. It also houses a women's shelter, which opened in 2007 and provides a dignified emergency shelter for 42 single homeless women. The center is run by Catholic Charities.

The soup supper arose from necessity as funds needed to be raised to continue their monthly commitment, which started in 1995. But for Norb, the Dorothy Day shift has had a profound influence on his life. "It is something near and dear to me," he said. "I get energized by helping these people. It is a fruitful experience. But I also believe you get more than you give in situations like this."

There might be some tweaks into the soup supper date for next year, and other charities to consider helping. With the help of Second Harvest Heartland and the generous parishioners of St. Wenceslaus, volunteers have tremendous backing in the endeavors they take on. This year's supper netted over $2,000.

A couple years ago wintry weather raised its ugly head on the morning before soup supper night, giving Norb more anxiety than usual. They made the decision to hold it and as weather conditions improved, the hungry came in with a strong showing. Aside with a mixup with dividing of the beef for the soups, the 20th annual event continues an event where food and social time is shared by many - without many hitches.

Bill Belkengren, retired but active amateur potter, offered up bowls he made at the supper, with money raised to go towards a charity he supports. On the other side of him is Joanie Tupy, a cousin of Norb's, who both can brag four generations of family going through the church and school. She was working cleanup duty tonight. There are many generations like them in New Prague, many of them passing down their faith and values throughout the years. That's why the church remains strong and active.

The Czech church was established in 1857 as a foundation and integral part of the faith community in New Prague. The parishioners strong family values and traditional faith practices are apparent. It's goals are to promote active participation in church worship, welcome all and offer opportunities for involvement, providing quality education and fostering social justice. It dominates the skyline of New Prague, with two towers that rise to 110 feet. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
New Prague is proud of the Czechslovakian heritage as this
testament for a map of the Old World.

The school has educated over 3500 children since it opened in 1878. At the time the school building of brick and of two stories was quite modern, costing $3,500 at the time to biuld. Its first teachers were six laymen and by 1880 the School Sisters of St. Francis had arrived and served the community 116 years. Nearly 200 nuns served more than 900 years; the first graduation class was in 1908.




The church and school work hand in hand to foster great people into the community and outside New Prague. "I feel the soup supper and projects like it are secondary to the awareness and connection we have to others," said Norb. "This is one opportunity that allows people to become involved, and allow them to grow in knowledge as well as witnessing the strife outside our congregation."

Well said, Norb! Thanks for your hospitality and great faith in man.