By Deacon Sal & Mary Fogelson
Pictured above, center: Mary Beth & Evelyn “Queens of Seton Soup.”
Many Catholics believe that the Fridays of Lent are different. Well, for one thing, Catholics abstain from meat during Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays in Lent. The thought behind this is to eat a modest meal, to feel a wanting, as Jesus did when he fasted for forty days in the desert. Some will eat fish, as several fish fries are available around town. Others though, will eat a more modest meal, just a bowl of soup with bread. A good soup, but nothing fancy.
The Seton Ladies, in conjunction with Mary Fogelson who prior to COVID had been making soup meals on the Lenten Fridays, came together to offer this simple meal once again. This year’s “Soup-er Ladies” jumped into action and made the soup with the help of Mary and her friend Evelyn. Each week’s soup was served by a different ministry that set up the tables, served the soup, bread, and water, and cleaned up afterward. Over fifty guests came each week after the afternoon Stations of the Cross to enjoy the modest meal. The first week’s donations paid for the supplies and bread for the remaining weeks. The remaining weekly free-will donations were in the $175-$195-dollar range, and Fr. Williams was grateful for the suggestion that the money would be sent to help the needs of his hometown in Nigeria.
The list of soups and volunteers:
Week one- Minestrone soup, served by the Seton Ladies.
Week two- Potato soup. and Irish soda bread, served by Catholic Daughters of America.
Week three- Tomato Bisque soup, served by the Sacristans and Alter servers.
Week four- Chedder Cheese soup, served by the Holy Spirit prayer group.
Week five- Tortilla soup, served by the Hospitality ministers.
Week six- Vegetable noodle soup, served by the SVdP volunteers.
When the evening was about over, the remaining soup was sold to anyone who wanted it. No soup was wasted as our parishioners were very generous and all the remaining soup was sold each week.
The return of this Lenten program brought our parishioners closer to our Lenten journey and the meaning of our Friday fast. We thank Mary Fogelson and all the ladies of the parish who worked and did a “Soup-er” service for the parish and the needs of those in Nigeria.
