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St. Michael Church sponsors bi-monthly meal
By LINDA M. LINONIS
canfield
For Pete Rich, coordinator of the community meal ministry at St. Michael Church, the key ingredient is people gathering together to share fellowship and food.
He credited the meal ministry at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Boardman as his inspiration. “I saw a notice about St. Charles’ meal and went to it,” Rich recalled. “I thought it was something great to have ... and wanted my church to get one going.”
At St. Charles, Rich sat with an older gentleman, enjoying the food and his company. He realized the essence of a community meal is simple sharing.
Rich started working on the community meal after consulting with the Rev. Terrence Hazel, church pastor. That was about three years ago; the first meal at St. Michael was Feb. 21, 2014. “It took a while to get going,” he said.
The 16-year church member said he envisioned one-pan meals prepared from simple recipes. “I like to cook and know you can keep it simple and be creative,” he said.
The meal ministry involves about 25 volunteers who perform various tasks including cooking, baking, bussing tables and general cleanup. Guests go through a line where volunteers serve food; desserts fill another table.
Rich said one of the most popular meals was a family-style, sit-down pasta dinner in February last year. “It went over very well,” he said.
Meal ministry volunteers sometimes cook in the kitchen of the parish hall and other times prepare food at home and transport it to the hall.
“We want people to understand this is for the community,” Rich said. The event draws church members along with community residents. The April meal broke 100 in attendance, and Rich was pleased. “We want it to be a mix of people.”
In the future, he said, he hopes to arrange live entertainment. “We’re looking for people who have a talent to share.”
It was a family effort of volunteering for Kris Caiazza, a St. Michael Church member for 10 years; her daughter, Angela Brose; and granddaughter, Hannah Brose.
Caiazza said she has volunteered from the beginning and enjoys participating. “I believe God put us here to help one another ... I believe that’s what it’s about,” she said. “I like meeting and talking with people.”
She added that she believes the meal ministry is something that “God would want us to do.”
Brose echoed her mother’s comments. “Faith calls us to help one another.” She added she also saw the participation as a way to set an example.
Hannah, 11, said she gets a good feeling by “helping out” and “serving people.”