Over 400 guests came to the new Cardinals' Great Hall, on the campus of St. Paul Seminary, to enjoy such entrees as Orrecchiete San Matteo (Father Brian Welding), Fettucini Carbonara (Father Larry DiNardo), Baccala in Bianco (Father Joe Sioli), Farfalla Farnese (Father Jim Farnan), Sausage and Peppers with Polenta (Father Tom Sparachino), and Chicken Piccata (Father Sam Esposito). For dessert we were treated to 2,000 homemade cookies baked by Father Sparacino's mom and her friends in the New Castle area, the "Second Collection" wines of Father Bob Miller and homemade Limoncello of Father Sam.
My associate, Father Nick Vaskov, was also one of chefs. Reaching into his Polish heritage, he contributed Bigos (a hunter's stew) and Mizeria (a cucumber salad). Every priest's dish was excellent, and a yummy to savor.
Another fun part of the evening was a live auction of such neat events as tickets to a Stephen Colbert show in New York City, tutorial in wine by a Duquesne University Spiritan priest, hour-long flight over Pittsburgh with pilot Father Joe McCaffrey, and pilgrimage to the National Shrine in Washington, D.C. personally escorted by Bishop Zubik.
It was a delightful evening, made even more so by the unseasonably warm weather, and the spirit of the Little Sisters. The Little Sisters residence on the North Side has sometimes been called "the holiest place in the Diocese of Pittsburgh," and with good reason. The Little Sisters trust completely in God's providence and their patron, St. Joseph, to provide the means to carry out their ministry to the aged poor. Their founder, Jeanne Jugan, was recently canonized a saint. Their prayer to her, and to St. Joseph, often produce "miracles" on which their ministry rests.
There was a serious note, however, at the end of the auction. Long-time benefactor Dick Fisher told us how the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has cut Medicaid reimbursements by $10 per day per person, leaving a shortfall in the Little Sisters budget for the next year of at least $200,000. Donations have been down as well, and they don't think that they have enough money for the $30,000 a month heating bills for the upcoming winter. So Dick Fisher challenged the audience for greater generosity. He asked everyone to dig deeper for the Little Sisters, and pledged to match the first $100,000 raised toward these shortfalls with an equal amount. I don't like to solict funds through my blog, but if your heart moves you, you may contact the Little Sisters at 1028 Benton Avenue, Pittsburgh Pa 15212. There is not a better expression of the love of Christ anywhere.
God, Frank. A culinary Associate! How'd you pull it off? I had an "Older Vocation" colleague who was a civilian refrigeration tech in Vietnam during the TET Offensive. His Summer Experience comprised placements in parishes needing A/C updating. -TGreen
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