Taste and See
This is a religious-based potluck of shared family memories, prayers, and recipes. Meetings take place during spring and fall. All are welcome.
Coordinator: Rev. Mr. George Tichacek, 843-0879, gticha@sbcglobal.net.
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JESUS & KIDS
Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them. It is to just such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs. —Mk 10:13; Mt 19:13; Lk 18:15
For the poignant beauty of this passage, remember when it happened. Jesus was on the way to the Cross—and He knew it. It was at such a time that He had time for the children…to take them in His arms…smile into their faces…and maybe to play with them awhile.—W. Barclay.
TASTE & SEE meets again—live— 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, October 14, in the Church Basement Meeting Room. Instead of preaching to parents—the children’s first teachers—we hope to discuss how mothers and dads can show to their offspring the Jesus who dwells within each one of us. And what can we learn from these youngsters themselves?
Afterwards, head for the kitchen, advises dietitians from Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Recipes kids can cook could be Baloney Bean Boats, Blue Food Salad, Ants on a Log, Smiley Faces & Crocodiles, Soft Pretzels, Potato Chip Cookies, etc. When all else fails: Pizzas, Tacos, Chicken.
For your part, bring yourself. If you can, bring a story, bring a treat, bring a prayer, or something to help us understand how generations have reached out to their children in love.
Questions: 314-843-0879.
THOSE PICTURES
We are leaving Church and we spot those pictures in the gathering space. What is this all about? We know that one priest—that’s Fr. Tom Hinni, C.M.—with a nametag yet! We see him substituting at Mass quite often on Sundays and weekdays. That other priest, we find out, is the late Fr. James McHardy, C.M., an associate from 1978-1982 And the nun is Sister Audrey Bergfeld, D.C.
Many of the other people look like younger versions of people we know or see in the pews. Tina Doherty, Pat & Bob Manfrede, Carol & ClarenceTunnicliff, and Bonnie & Bob Goodwin haven’t changed a bit with time. Neither have Ron & Mary Nicoletti, Anita & John Koenig, nor Patti & Don Feltz. Don looks really young there. Speaking of youth, there’s that group picture of future altar boys “horsing around.” Wonder what they’re doing now? On a more serious note, there are many adults pictured here who have gone ahead of us to everlasting life.
We are told that all these pictures were taken in 1980 when hundreds of parishioners took part in Parish Renewal Weekends from June to October. Renewal was before Renew, and before the days we felt comfortable sharing our faith journeys with others, much less digging into Bible lessons or tasting potluck suppers.
The sign reads TASTE & SEE, inviting us to “Swap memories & faith stories over lunch.” The handouts explain that folks from St. Catherine Laboure and other parishes are invited to the Church Basement Meeting Room at 11:00 a.m. any or all Tuesdays, October 7 – November 11. It’s not necessary to sign up. We can just show up at the first session this coming Tuesday—perhaps empty-handed, or with a pocketful of memories, stories, recipes, or even meaningful treats. No charge. The subject is, appropriately, “Bread Broken for Us.” Let’s break bread together.
Any questions? Call Harriet, 843-6493; Pat, 842-0857; Nancy, 843-9139; Shirley, 894-9813; or George, 843-0879.
VINCENT’S SOUP
St. Vincent DePaul found a recipe for soup much like the pottage for which Esau (Genesis 25:30-34) gave up his birthright: coarse bread, lentils, dried peas, seasonings, butter, and salt.
Vincent taught “Put everything that is nourishing into the soup, but remember, there are many mouths and it is better to feed all a little than a few well.” —M. Hubbard, Vincent DePaul, Farrar-Straus 1960
ESAU’S POTTAGE: 1 onion, chopped 1 T olive oil ½ t ground cumin ½ t ground coriander 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 3 C beef or vegetable stock (from bouillon cubes, if necessary) 1 C red lentils ½ pound spinach or young sorrel leaves, shredded, optional S & P to taste
In a large stewing pot, sauté onions in oil with cumin & coriander. Add garlic at last minute & brown. Add lentils & stock. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer 25-35 minutes or until lentils are tender. Add spinach or sorrel 5-10 minutes before serving. S & P to taste. Serves 6 as a side dish.—Goodman/Marcus/ Woolhandler, The Good Book Cookbook, Revell 1995.
TASTE & SEE invites you to help us pass on traditions such as St. Vincent’s the old way—breaking bread together at Church and the family table. Join us for a free “tasting” 11 am, Tuesdays, October 7 through November 11, in St. Catherine’s Church Meeting Room.
Questions? Call Harriet, 843-6493; Pat, 842-0857; Nancy, 843-9139; Shirley, 894-9813; or George, 843-0879
SIMPLIFY! SIMPLIFY!
“Simplicity makes us go straight to God and to the truth, without ostentation, evasion or disguise, and without being influenced by our own interests or by human respect.”—St. Vincent de Paul
In recognition of St. Vincent de Paul’s memorial on September 27, TASTE & SEE reviews its writings on the saint from 1997, 2001, and 2003. Much was taken from the book Windows on His Vision, by our own Father Jack Melito, C.M., and from material from the Vincentian Ordo and Msgr. Leon Cristiani.
Small beginnings often set the stage for tremendous events in the course of history. St. Vincent dePaul was the third child of a peasant family. Pasturing sheep and feeding the hogs, cows and chickens, he longed for more out of life. A local lawyer encouraged the dePaul’s to send Vincent to school; he even hired him to tutor his own sons. Studying for the priesthood, the young scholar earned money for tuition & living expenses by conducting a school for boys.
After ordination, because of money problems at home, Vincent continued with his tutoring. In 1605, in an attempt to collect a small inheritance, Vincent was captured by Turkish pirates. He was sold into slavery to an alchemist, from whom he learned much about medicine and doctoring. The alchemist was himself sold, together with dePaul. Put to farming, the occupation he disliked so much, Vincent intrigued the Turkish wife of his master, a fallen-away Christian. She listened to him singing sacred songs and succeeded in convincing her husband to escape to Christian lands, taking Vincent with him.
Vincent’s life really took off after that, building on the little things of his early life. The poverty of his childhood, according to the Ordo of the Vincentians, was preparation for his being the great advocate of poverty and detachment in later years. Thus, Christ offered this farm boy a wealth highly preferable to transitory riches. We know of Fr. dePaul’s ministry as founder of the Congregation of the Missions and teacher of priests who teach priests.
He concentrated on the needy, the orphans, the sick, country folk, & especially the galley slaves. In the dungeons and the hovels of the poor, he used his knowledge of medicine to help the sick. He prayed on the fact that the rich had nurses when they were sick. He organized the Ladies of Charity and later a religious community, the Daughters of Charity.
From Vincentian Morning Prayer: What guidance you give us now, Vincent, illuminating the path before us with your light from above! In the example of your virtue, you show us the way to heaven...with chastity, modesty, gentleness, and the beauty of your simplicity of life.
Among all those virtues your charity stood out....how many of the poor it has fed, how many hearts it has subjected to Christ!
THE CROSS OF CHRIST
Father Carl Callier, C.M., in a Miraculous Medal Bulletin, wrote these words, which became the basis of a TASTE & SEE meditation: “Look up the word ‘Cross’ in the dictionary…and see a set of diagrams of different crosses: The Latin cross, the Greek, the Celtic, St. Andrew’s, the Tau cross and others. Some are very simple, some are ornate, some are very artistic and beautiful.
“So it is with the crosses all of us must bear in life. Some are simple, some are light, others are heavy and rough; some are temporary, others are life-long. They all have one thing in common…they are symbols of suffering after the example of Jesus, Who said, ‘Take up your cross daily and follow me.’
“If not taken up willingly…they can crush us and leave us without hope, drowned in our own misery. If they are taken up in a spirit of love, they become lighter as Christ helps us. He will lead us to the resurrection and eternal happiness Cross and crown go together.
“The cross on its side was a figure known to everyone…a ‘yoke’—a long wooden frame for hitching two animals to pull a cart or a wagon. Jesus said, ‘My yoke is sweet and my burden light.’ That is because in the Christian life we are bound to Jesus who shares in pulling our load. We are never alone.”
In that same meditation paper, TASTE & SEE people viewed this exercise by Rev. Daniel Durken, O.S.B., in The Bible Today: “Select a number of crucifixes and examine each of them closely and carefully. Are the nails in the palms or wrists of Jesus? Does He wear a crown of thorns? Are His eyes opened or closed? How are His feet arranged? What kind of garment is He wearing? Not all crucifixes are the same. The same content of course is there. But the form differs—like the Gospels.”
TASTE & SEE invites you to its first fall meeting, 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 7, in the Church Meeting Room.
Questions: Deacon George, 314-843-0879, gticha@sbcglobal.net. God bless!
CHAT TIME
Why do we chatter on so much every weekend about TASTE & SEE ? We won’t be getting together live again for a whole month. (11 a.m., Tuesday, October 7, in the Church Meeting Room, to be exact.)
Our small group is made up of adults who happen to like one another. Guests from St. Catherine Laboure and other parishes are always joining us and staying.
We communicate with each other any way we can. We use the live meetings and the weekly appearances in the Bulletin and Website—plus phone calls and e-mails— to help one another do what families can do to introduce God in family occasions.
We emphasize how our parents tasted and saw God and his goodness in every phase of their lives. We share our family traditions and start new ones in an effort to keep them alive and pass them on to the next generation. An added bonus is that we find it just as easy to share Sacred Scriptures and Church teachings as it is to exchange recipes for birthday and feast day menus.
Everybody is invited to take part. Join us between live meetings by sending questions and suggestions to Deacon George, 314-843-0879, gticha@sbcglobal.net . God bless! YOUR MEMORIES
You sit there with a calendar and ask yourself, “What am I going to do for so-and-so’s birthday? Or for the Memorials of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Catherine Laboure, our parish patrons? Or, something for the Angels? Or All Saints? Thanksgiving Day? St. Nicholas? Francis? Lucy? Advent? Christmas? New Years? Epiphany?
TASTE & SEE attempts to pick the minds of great authors, commentators, not to forget moms and dads, so that we might plan family activities that praise and honor God as of old.
You can help by recalling what your family traditions were on these special days. Tip us off at TASTE & SEE so that we might remind others to carry on these time-honored customs. Drop a note off at the Rectory or e-mail gticha@sbcglobal.net with your suggestions.
A simple note like, “My parents served five kinds of fish before Good Friday’s celebration,” will help. Or, “My folks would invite a poor person to our Thanksgiving; then we kids would have a quiz to identify the folks on our family tree.” Or, ”We would put out birdseed pretzels and a wildlife tree.”
Our object: Show those around us how they might demonstrate their love for God in such normal ways as telling stories, cooking traditional dishes, taking part in church liturgies, and remembering His beloved saints.
Let TASTE & SEE tell others of your contributions in God’s name.
A FEAST FOR A SAINT
With the memorial day of St. Louis of France coming up August 25, TASTE & SEE searches the book shelves for ideas for a family dinner to celebrate that day.
The sweetest suggestions are found in a parishioner’s book, Sweetness Preserved: The Story of the Crown Candy Kitchen, by Dr. John L. Oldani, PhD. A bonus is that no cooking is involved; all we have to do is browse the antique candy counter for hand-made chocolates.
There are recipes galore in Great Meals of St. Louis. Take your pick: Café Balaban’s Smoked Trout; Cardwell’s Pecan Wood Grilled Breast of Chicken, LoRusso’s Stuffed Eggplant, Tony’s Zabaglione, etc.
In the Friends of Sacred Heart Program’s Angel Food, we find Carol Burnett’s Broiled Deviled Clams, Bishop J. Terry Steib’s Jambalaya, Steve Allen & Jayne Meadows’ Gingered Beef, Cesar Romero’s Spanish Rice, Bob Hope’s Lemon Pie, etc.
In Baer & Lowenhaupt’s Dining in St. Louis, there are recipes from Al’s, Al Bakers, Anthony’s, Busch’s Grove, Catfish & Crystal, Dominic’s, Duff’s, Kemoll’s, Spiro’s, Trader Vic’s, Yen Ching, etc.
Offering us nutrition that lasts for all time is Saint Louis’ own words to his son in the Liturgy of the Hours: “My dearest son, my first instruction is that you should love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your strength. Without this there is no salvation. Keep yourself, my son, from everything that you know displeases God, that is to say, from every mortal sin… If the Lord has permitted you to have some trial, bear it willingly and with gratitude, considering that it has happened for your good and that perhaps you well deserved it… Be kindhearted to the poor, the unfortunate, and the afflicted. Thank God for all the benefits he has bestowed upon you, that you may be worthy to receive greater…”
With Saint Louis furnishing our opening prayers, let’s just raid the freezer and cook up some of DiGregorio’s toasted raviolis—a treat we had in mind all the time!
LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER
TASTE & SEE live will return at a new time, 11 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Tuesdays for six weeks beginning October 3.
Program, this first of six Tuesdays, will be Bread Broken for Us.
You are invited to share your thoughts above two breads:
• perishable bread, and
• the Eucharist, the true and living bread, the bread of life, the bread that comes down from heaven.
Thanks,
George
OUR LADY’S THIRTY-ONE DAYS
Legend has it that all the flowers and herbs on earth had lost their scents after the fall of Adam and Eve. At Mary’s Assumption, all scents and healing powers were returned.
Moreover, from August 15 to September 15, animals and plants are said to lose their harmful traits. Poisons in snakes and plants prove harmless. Nature is at her best.
TASTE & SEE members take advantage of this time of luscious peaches, plums, grapes, figs, tomatoes, etc. In the midst of these special days, baking members are especially busy as they honor Friday’s feast, the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They bake cakes shaped like a crown, decorated with twelve stars (Rev. 12:1) and with lilies of the valley or roses.
Family members are encouraged to do a special act of kindness these days for girls named Mary, Sharon, Lillian, Rosemary, Alba, Concepcion, Gwen, Blanche, Bianca, Loretta, Lorinda, Lori, Lupe, etc.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, whose memorial is celebrated Wednesday, gives us this prayer: In danger, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary…with her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart…you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear.
Mother of your Son, the King of Kings—our Queen and Mother—pray for us!
THE ASSUMPTION
In sixth century Palestine, the monks held memorial feasts on August 15 to commemorate the Dormition (falling asleep) of the Blessed Virgin Mary. With this memorial it was the traditional belief that the Blessed Mother’s body did not decay but was united with her soul and taken up to heaven. The Latin Church accepted this feast and called it the Assumption (the taking up.)
TASTE & SEE singles out some of the joyful customs connected with this feast:
· Processions: In Austria the faithful walk through the fields imploring God’s blessings upon the harvest. In France and Italy and among Italian-Americans in the United States, the statue of Mary is carried, symbolizing her journey to heaven. · Blessing of Herbs & Fruits: Both the Roman and Eastern rituals ask that God may bless the medicinal powers of herbs, especially in central Europe and Syria. Armenians bring the first grapes from their vineyards to church on Assumption Day. In Sicily, they fast from fruit the first two weeks of August. On the feast day, they bless and eat fruits and present each other with fruit baskets. · Blessing of Nature: In Christian countries the clergy bless the countryside, its farms, orchards, fields and gardens. In Portugal, and in various coastal towns in the United States, the ocean and fishing fleets are blessed. · Folklore: An ancient tradition in England, Ireland, and sections of Europe is the bathing in oceans, rivers and lakes to obtain or preserve good health through Mary’s intercession, on whose great feast all waters in nature are considered especially blessed. · Prayer: Almighty and eternal God, who has taken up into the glory of Heaven, with body and soul, the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Thy Son, grant us, we pray, that we may always strive after heavenly things and thus merit to share in her glory. — Rev. F.X. Weiser, Christian Feasts & Customs. ST.
ROCH
Know anybody called Roch? John Mary Vianney? Sixtus? Cajetan? Domenic? Edith Stein? Chances are, TASTE & SEE people will be searching through saints’ books and religious cookbooks for stories and recipes for this week’s saints.
For example, St. Roch or Rocco became ill nursing plague victims in Rome in the fourteenth century. Legend has it that he was nursed back to health by a dog, shown with him in art. In Calabria today, this feast is celebrated with Italian gingerbread figures which people offer to the saint. To celebrate with St. Roch our healthy bodies and whole souls in God’s love, let’s make
GINGERBREAD MEN:
½ c shortening ½ C firmly packed brown sugar 1 egg ½ C molasses 1 ½ tsp vinegar 3 C flour ½ t soda ½ t salt ½ tsp each ground ginger, allspice, cinnamon ¼ t ground cloves
Cream shortening & sugar. Add egg, beating well. Add molasses and vinegar. Sift together the dry ingredients and stir into wet mix. Chill dough. Roll on lightly floured board to 1/8” thickness. Cut with gingerbread man cutter. Place on greased cookie sheets and use raisins to form features of face and buttons. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove. Cool. Frost if desired with thin confectioners icing. Yield: 2 or 3 dozen.—Ann Ball, Catholic Traditions in Cooking.
Just reading about the other saints this week is exhausting—but not as exhausting as what they suffered. Many died literally worn out after a life of loving service. In addition, this week, we memorialize the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Rome and the Transfiguration of the Lord.
BXVI’s TEXT MESSAGES
“Pope Benedict XVI said July 17 that mankind’s ‘insatiable consumption’ has scarred the Earth and squandered its resources, telling followers that taking care of the planet is vital to humanity.” -- The Associated Press.
The Pope spoke to the world as he addressed the 200,000 young pilgrims at the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day in Sidney, Australia. He reached out to the young people the old way with stirring speeches on Sydney’s harbor. He followed these in today’s high tech fashion, “sending daily mobile phone text messages citing scripture to thousands of registered pilgrims at the event—signed with the tagline “BXVI.”
He answered for all of us the tongue-in-cheek question, “If Jesus were here now, would He use www.godtube.com or http://vaticanmondosearch.com or http://www.archstl.org?” In the first place, He is here, and is the inspiration behind all worthy messages. TASTE & SEE recently had to field this question “What is the meaning of the Chi Rho symbol in SCL’s window #3?” Several books answered that this was the monogram for Christ.
. The Internet, however, provided encyclopedia-long pages of facts about this oldest known letter symbol for Christ. These second century Greek letters, Chi (X=ch) and Rho (P=r) are the first three letters of Christos in Greek. Moreover, web sites provided illustrations, examples of the many variations, stories about Emperor Constantine, etc. Side trips unearthed pages about the Cross.
Browsing produced another bonus for TASTE & SEE cooks. Cook's Illustrated Magazine
CooksIllustrated@americastestkitchencorp.com gave a tip on cracking an egg. “Simply tap the egg on a flat surface, such as a countertop. The cleaner break— through the shell and inner membrane —results in fewer pieces of shattered shell in the bowl (and the food). “ Thank you, BXVI.
SAINTS ALIVE !
“Mom, teacher said that seven saints have their big day this week, and one of them is named after me—or vice versa!” All of a sudden, Mom, you have an opportunity to teach your child about his or her patron saint and celebrate a Nameday party. What are you going to do?
Check out any Book of Saints, or view the Internet at Patron Saints Index, http//saints.sqpn.com/ or http//www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saintofday to learn something about your saint. Every weekday this week has a saint; Saturday has two. They are LAWRENCE, MARY MAGDALENE; BRIDGET; SHARBEL; JAMES; and JOACHIM and ANNE.
Here are some historical highlights you might use.
· LAWRENCE of Brindisi, Cappuchin priest and doctor, knew eight languages and preached in almost every country in Europe. As a chaplain, armed only with a crucifix, he led troops in a victorious battle against the Turks.
· MARY MAGDALENE, present at Our Lord’s crucifixion, was the first to be given the news of Christ’s resurrection. She has been mistaken as the sinful woman who anointed Christ’s feet.
· BRIDGET of Sweden, religious, mother of eight, founded the Order of the Most Holy Savior. She considered herself as a messenger for Jesus, who said to her, “I am not speaking to you for yourself alone, but for the salvation of others.”
· SHARBEL MAKHLUF, priest, Maronite monk, is known as the Hermit of Lebanon. His memorial has just recently been added to the Universal Calendar.
· JAMES, Apostle, brother of JOHN, is called “the Greater” because he followed Christ before the other apostle of that same name. He was the first of the twelve to be martyred, being decapitated.
· JOACHIM and ANNE. In the Preface of their Mass, we pray “…you gave to the couple we honor today a most pure and holy daughter, the Virgin Mary, who by your grace would give birth to the Savior of fallen humanity.”
For your child’s party, speak to any TASTE & SEE member who will help you with such Nameday recipes as Lawrence’s Bizcocho De San Lorenzo (Sweet Chestnut Cakes); Cross Cookies, Hot Cross Buns or Madelines for Mary Magdalen; Nuns’ Lemon Layer Cake for St. Bridget; Fr. Makhluf’s Mint Zalabee crullers; St. James’ Scallops on the Pilgrim Shell; and Grandmother Anne’s and Grandfather Joachim’s Fruit Tarts, Plum or Apple.
At your Nameday party, have child assist in lighting a candle and recounting the story of the saint. For many saints, you can read from sacred scripture involving your patron. Lead your children to think, like, “What if Lawrence had a cell phone?” or “What were Mary Magdalen’s first words to the apostles?” or “What kind of grandpa and grandma did Jesus have?” Last question: Do you know anybody at St. Catherine’s who is named after St. James?
THE EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD
Children, pick up your shovels! First, we are going to plant a one-acre garden next to school. After that, we will tend our flock of chickens. Then we will go to the kitchen; make some recipes; cook some food; set the table; talk with each other as we eat (like we are supposed to do at home); and end up working on the compost pile.
This Edible Schoolyard is the program of celebrated chef Alice Waters, founder of the restaurant Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, famous for introducing organic and locally grown food. The Wall Street Journal calls this venture of using food to touch every single child and provide hands-on experience in the garden and kitchen as revolutionary.
TASTE & SEE has been studying Our Lord’s use of food and eating occasions to open up lines of communication. We look beyond the pleasures of eating to the Goodness of the Lord that the Psalmist described.
Ms. Waters, a Montessori teacher, says “Eating opens up senses. You’re touching, tasting, smelling and looking. It opens your mind not just to the food, but to everything—to the world out there, and to nature. You learn from the cycle of nature—the planting of seeds, the blossoming, and the dying and going back into the earth.”
T & S agrees with all of this. Her words sound like a treatise on the wonders of God as Creator and provider. Next she tells of another concern: “Eighty-five percent of the kids in this country don’t eat with their families. I had a restaurant and I could sit down with my kid at dinner. I think of all the families that don’t have that.”
What can we learn from all this? As parents, we have the obligation—make that opportunity—of involving our children in all phases of food preparation and eating. It can be fun—especially the garden. At the same time, it can educate all of us to get along with one another. Let’s try it: one meal at a time.
BXVI’s TEXT MESSAGES
“Pope Benedict XVI said July 17 that mankind’s ‘insatiable consumption’ has scarred the Earth and squandered its resources, telling followers that taking care of the planet is vital to humanity.” -- The Associated Press.
The Pope spoke to the world as he addressed the 200,000 young pilgrims at the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day in Sidney, Australia. He reached out to the young people the old way with stirring speeches on Sydney’s harbor. He followed these in today’s high tech fashion, “sending daily mobile phone text messages citing scripture to thousands of registered pilgrims at the event—signed with the tagline “BXVI.”
He answered for all of us the tongue-in-cheek question, “If Jesus were here now, would He use www.godtube.com or http://vaticanmondosearch.com or http://www.archstl.org?” In the first place, He is here, and is the inspiration behind all worthy messages. TASTE & SEE recently had to field this question “What is the meaning of the Chi Rho symbol in SCL’s window #3?” Several books answered that this was the monogram for Christ.
. The Internet, however, provided encyclopedia-long pages of facts about this oldest known letter symbol for Christ. These second century Greek letters, Chi (X=ch) and Rho (P=r) are the first three letters of Christos in Greek. Moreover, web sites provided illustrations, examples of the many variations, stories about Emperor Constantine, etc. Side trips unearthed pages about the Cross.
Browsing produced another bonus for TASTE & SEE cooks. Cook's Illustrated Magazine
CooksIllustrated@americastestkitchencorp.com gave a tip on cracking an egg. “Simply tap the egg on a flat surface, such as a countertop. The cleaner break— through the shell and inner membrane —results in fewer pieces of shattered shell in the bowl (and the food). “ Thank you, BXVI.
THE COMMON GOOD
TASTE & SEE is following a suggestion in the Paulist Press Ordo that, for Independence Day, July 4, we pray this prayer from Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers:
God, source of all freedom, this day is bright with the memory of those who declared that life and liberty are your gift to every human being.
Help us to continue a good work begun long ago. Make our vision clear and our will strong: that only in human solidarity will we find liberty, and justice only in the honor that belongs to every life on earth.
Turn our hearts toward the family of nations:
· to understand the ways of others, · to offer friendship, · and to find safety only in the common good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
TIM’S GODPARENTS
TASTE & SEE was given this book by Father LAWRENCE WADDY: Drama In Worship. To illuminate the word of God, this theatrical and television author offers a short play for every Sunday of the year.
For this week, he notes that all children are heirs of Christ, but they must have parents as guardians to control their lives. But the Church recognizes the need of other guardians and has appointed godparents who pray, offer friendship and concern, and provide witness to influence their godchildren.
What happens when there is a crisis? Death of one or more of the parents? Or neglect? Or serious maltreatment? Let’s see.
Scene: LORNA’s living room. It is untidy and run down. She is sitting with a drink in her hand. (The door bell rings; Lorna does nothing. It keeps ringing. She gets up.)
LORNA: Shoot! Who’d be visiting this late? Who is it?
PHILIP (outside): It’s PHIL and EVIE We heard things weren’t so good, so we came.
LORNA: You better come in, I suppose. Really, it’s none of your business!
EVIE: A friend’s troubles are a friend’s business. Can we sit down?
(You can imagine the rest of the dialogue. The story of a broken marriage comes out.) PHIL: We are TIM’s godparents, you know. Do you know what we promised at his baptism? EVIE: Six years ago we promised to see that he was raised to know God, and---
LORNA: So you’ve come to spy on me, to see if I take him to Church every Sunday!
PHIL: No. You know us better than that. Please tell us what we can do for him and you.
EVIE: If you need some time to look for a job—or just to go away and take a rest—TIM can always come to us, and share DOUG’s room. For a start, I’m going to make some coffee. Then we’ll sit and work out a plan. O.K., Lorna?
LORNA: (After a long pause) You know, you’re really something, you two! You mean it, don’t you? Perhaps it isn’t such a lousy world after all. Godparents! I can’t believe it!
MY HEART IS READY
Very often, we dig up an old saying and rephrase it a bit to suit the current situation. Before the exile, King David sang, in Psalm 57:7-8, “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make melody. Awake my soul!” (NRSV and NAB)
Later, the psalmist—it could be a he or a she, Fr. C. Stuhlmueller, C.P., tells us—reused these identical words in Psalm 108: 1-2 to speak to the postexilic community.
What brought this up was that TASTE & SEE people came across a different version of Psalm 108 in the Liturgy of the Hours, Vol. III, page 1193: “My heart is ready, O God; I will sing, sing your praise. Awake, my soul…” Readiness is the theme here.
The Ancient Roots Translinear Bible, which goes back to the original Hebrew translations, carries on this readiness theme. Psalm 57:7-8 reads: “My heart prepares, God, my heart prepares. I sing and make-music. Awake, my honor...” (ARTB) Psalm 108:1: “God, my heart prepares to sing and make-music, even with my honor!” (ARTB)
Webster’s Dictionary helps us:
STEADFAST — firmly fixed in space…not subject to change...firm in belief, determination, or adherence…loyal…faithful.
READY — prepared mentally or physically for some experience or action…prepared for immediate use…willingly disposed…likely to do something indicated…spontaneously prompt…notably dexterous, adroit, or skilled…immediately available.
PREPARE — to make ready beforehand…to work out the details…to put together…to compound…to put into written form…to get ready.
In any case, we have here a situation we can truly sing about and make music. O Lord, please help us be alert to your call! Awaken our hearts! Praise God!
Q & A
TASTE & SEE
Where did you TASTE & SEE people get that name?
We chose that title in the Fall of 1994, because it is familiar and it describes what we are all about.
What exactly are you tasting? What are you seeing?
David, in Psalm 34:8, sings “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” We get together, therefore, to talk about God’s goodness. Our masthead announces that we aim to Help Family Members Rediscover: · History, · Rituals, · Activities, and · Foods that Give Honor to God and His People.
How do you justify potlucks at your meetings?
Every one of us can remember a particular food that our parents served on special Church occasions: Speculaas cookies for St. Nicholas; Crown cookies and gingersnaps for St. Lucy; stollen & fruitcake for Christmas; pickled herring for New Years; Kings’ cake with baby Jesus figure hidden inside for Epiphany; pretzels, broiled fish & lentil soup for Lent, etc.
But why food?
Mom never flipped Bible pages to hear Jesus say, in Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Nor did she read history to find Dorothy Day saying she “always wanted to see how many times Christ dined, supped, picnicked with His disciples; how St. Peter’s mother rose to serve them; how Jesus fed the little girl brought back to life.” No, but it was easier for Mom to share with others—even strangers— how tasty a certain dish was than to say, “Do you know Jesus.?” Food is the key—we all must eat. St. Jerome reminded us, in words from Ecclesiastes, our work is “to satisfy the mouth, yet the spirit will be hungry.” We hope to feed mouth and spirit equally.
SYMBOLS THAT SPEAK
This week of the Most Holy Trinity, TASTE & SEE suggests we look around Church and see how many times we find these special symbols: a triangle, three interlocking circles, a fleur-de-lis, a shamrock, or the abbreviation I H S.
The number three is a giveaway. The triangle’s three sides, three angles, signify the unity of the Holy Trinity, as do three of the other symbols. We sing “God in three persons, blessed Trinity.” In the Godhead, “persons” are not individuals, but three representations, three pictures, three roles of God in action. God is seen as Creator. In Jesus, He is seen as Redeemer or Savior. In the Spirit, He is experienced as Enlightener and Sanctifier.
Tuesday, we honor St. Bernardine of Siena, a Franciscan priest who was an eloquent preacher in Italy. He encouraged devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and was famous for creating the monogram I H S.
Father Bernardine especially preached against gambling. A failing card-maker complained to him about this. Father suggested that, instead of making playing cards, he start printing holy cards with the I H S symbol. At first, he was disgusted. In time, he adopted the idea and became very successful.
Popular translations of I H S include: Jesus; Jesus, Savior of Men; I Have Suffered; In This Sign Shalt Thou Conquer; and in This (Cross) Is Salvation.
EXTRAORDINARY WEEK
Looking to our souls rather than our palates, TASTE & SEE calls attention this week to one Solemnity, (S), one Feast day, (F), and four optional memorial days, (m).
(S) PENTECOST - The Epistle spoke of noise in the upper room like a “strong driving wind” and the Gospel, about Jesus breathing on his disciples. These remind us of Genesis when the “wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” As for people speaking in their own tongues, recall to mind the recent Masses of our visiting Holy Father.
This Sunday is Mother’s Day. At home, with the table blessing, we may pray “Bless our mother. Let the example of her faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, her family, may honor her always with a spirit of profound respect.”—H. B. 197.
(F) MATTHIAS - An early prayer said God cast a special glance of love on this apostle, who witnessed Christ’s ministry and resurrection and was chosen by lot to replace Judas.
(m) NEREUS, ACHILLEUS, & PANCRAS - The first two of these martyrs, once soldiers for Trajan, threw away shields, armor, and blood-stained javelins when they became Christians. Pancras, another convert, was decapitated at the age of fourteen, perhaps with the others.
(m) OUR LADY OF FATIMA – This optional memorial is new to our Roman Calendar. It tells of Our Lady’s appearance to three shepherd children in Portugal in 1917. Her message called for conversion, repentance, and prayer, especially the Rosary.—Paulist Press Ordo.
(m) ISIDORE – This devout man spent his whole life as a farm laborer for the same landowner. Because of many miracles, he and his wife are venerated as saints in Spain
SWEET GLUE
A Chicago Tribune article in the Post-Dispatch, April 17, spoke of a program at Kendall College in Chicago on “Sweets: A Journey Through Midwestern Dessert Traditions.”
This drew a smile from at least two of TASTE & SEE’s charter members all the way from St. Martin de Porres Parish in Hazlewood: Jackie and Audrey have been sweetening just about every potluck gathering here since 1994 with samples from their day jobs. One is a cake-maker/decorator and the other teaches candy-making. The food historians reported “how pioneer women of the Plans built schools, stopped fights, and formed lasting communities with confections made in rough and ready kitchens that were often fueled by fast-burning buffalo chips.
“Hundreds of cakewalks and bake sales served as the ‘sweet glue’ that held pioneer communities together.” Some typical sweet tooth offerings found in Midwest kitchens were:
· the famous Heath bar from Illinois, a favorite of GIs in World War II; · Hoosier cream pie, a “desperation pie” made in winters or when fruit was in short supply in Indiana; · Islamic & African-American bean pie and pecan pie; · Nordic almond-based cakes from Minnesota; · Jewish and Mennonite desserts from their diasporas; · Peanut blossoms, chocolate ice box cake, Rice Krispies treats, banana puddings. Go, Middle America! Go! You’re oh so sweet!
BENEDETTO
The Pope is here! What are we going to serve? What did we have in 1999 when Pope John Paul II came here? Kielbasa? Pirogi? Pascha?
Again, TASTE & SEE people fantasize and dig through religious cookbooks: The Catholic Home, A Continual Feast, My Nameday, Catholic Traditions in Cooking, Angel Food, Pasta Perfetta, The Good Book Cookbook, Latino Holiday, To Dance With God. SCL’s Fifty Years of Favorites, St Louis Review, Savour St. Louis, Heart of the Matter, Sweetness Preserved, Taste of Israel, Simply Heavenly, Romagnoli’s Table, on and on. As usual, we get side-tracked with stories like that of Pope Gregory V in 596 who heard the Regina Cœli, (Queen of Heaven, Rejoice!) sung by angels as he was warding off a plague in Rome. Or look at all the recipes suggested for St. Benedict: Pap