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Maddie
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| Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 12:17pm | IP Logged
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our dear parish priest doesn't have a cook. He makes some of his own meals and I found out from his housekeeper he does McDonald's quite a bit.  His mother, who lives 3 hours away, will sometimes put some meals in the freezer for him but otherwise he's on his own.
I tend to be a mother hen  so I don't want to smother him, so I thought I'd pose the question to you.
1. My daughters and I want to make some easy freezer meals for him. Would you do this? Or I'm I being pushy? Our parish is full of good folk, but no one except our family has invited Father over!  We do live rurally but still, has our culture forgotten hospitality? He is such a dear, young,Orthodox priest and quite frankly there are some in our parish who give him a hard time for being so Orthodox.
2. I need some good meal ideas, if I do this. I've only been able to think of like breaded chicken breasts. I need meals that freeze well. Help!
Thanks, friends. 
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 12:25pm | IP Logged
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look for the threads on taking meals for new moms those are often that type of meal.
I'm in a group that it talking about taking some meals for our priest to have.
I was just starting to think of things.. but like.. a lasanga in a bread pan.. would be a nice small lasagna for when he's home alone.. and two of them and he could have 2 alone meals (with leftovers perhaps) or could use the two together if someone was visiting. Small loaves of french bread freeze well.
Something I found when I was in college was that there are some things that are really hard to make from scratch for 1. Like biscuits.. but if I cooked them and let them barely get brown.. then wrapped them in foil I could freeze them and just toss in the oven to reheat when I wanted a couple.
With it being winter.. small freezer bags of soup could be nice.. especially some chicken soups so if he's fighting off a cold.. he's got something good for him he could manage to heat up with little effort.
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SusanJ
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| Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 12:59pm | IP Logged
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I think this is a great idea. We are good friends with a priest who sounds like yours and we went to visit him after a year at his new parish. He was, in fact, serving four parishes at once and had been made pastor after only one year and NOT ONE SINGLE person had invited him over, yet. Now, I don't mean to disparage anyone here because we all have different situations but I was just appalled that in four parishes he hadn't gotten an invite in one year.
All this to say--we do what we can to take care of our priests. I've only ever heard that they tend to get more sweets than they can deal with (and judging from our current rectory kitchen, this seems to be true).
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MaryM
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Yes, I would totally do this. And I would probably suggest it around so others would as well - in addition to getting more folk to invite him over.
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Maddie
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| Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 6:35pm | IP Logged
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I'm so glad to hear this is a good idea! I don't mean to criticize anyone either, I know how nerve-racking it can be to invite a priest over, but our parish is mostly elderly. I kinda figured someone would have at least taken him out to dinner by now. 
The other families I know at the parish (we're the only h/s family, I believe) most of the moms work, only one other family who may help, but the mom just had #11, so she's got her hands full.
Good idea to check threads on meals for new moms.
I talked to my teen son too. He had some good meal ideas and thinks its a great idea. Father's going on vacation next week, so I'll have his housekeeper sneak me into his kitchen and we'll stock up his freezer.
Keep him in your prayers, he is such a precious Father. He's the kind of priest h/s moms pray for!
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Bridget
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I am going to make our priest a batch of frozen breakfast burritos for Christmas. My family loves them and Father is an egg/breakfast kinda guy. You just take out one at a time to heat in the microwave.
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JodieLyn
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I've started making loaves of bread for neighbors and our priest for Christmas.. everyone loves to make the sweets.. so do I.. but everyone really really appreciates my bread.. not only is it good  but it's not sweet. 
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Maddie
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| Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 9:07pm | IP Logged
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Bridget wrote:
| I am going to make our priest a batch of frozen breakfast burritos for Christmas. My family loves them and Father is an egg/breakfast kinda guy. You just take out one at a time to heat in the microwave. |
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Would you have time to share the recipe? I'm sure Father would love these. Thanks!
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Bridget
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I make these Make Ahead Breakfast Burritos
You're so good to look after your priest!
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Maddie
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| Posted: Nov 13 2009 at 7:49am | IP Logged
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Thank you, Bridget. They look super easy.
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MaryMary
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Maddie,
I am so glad you brought this up, as only recently have my eyes been opened to what a struggle it can be for a priest not to have a cook! In this year of the priest we have really gone out of our way to invite different priests from our area over for dinner. Each one of them mentioned how wonderful it was to be invited over, as many families do not think to do so . There is one young priest who is without a cook who mentioned how hard it can be to "hunt and gather"
(  ) food at the end of a long day. When we invite him over (which has come to be very frequently!)I make extra food so that I can send him home with ample leftovers. He is so appreciative that he jokes that he looks forward to returning my containers so that they can be filled again!
As far as ideas for food that are freezer friendly,I second Jody's suggestion of lasagna and homemade bread. What about something that can be warmed up to be warm and homey like a chili or a beef stew?
Thanks for this thread!
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DominaCaeli
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Yes, thank you Bridget! I might try a batch of these this weekend for my littles' breakfasts this week.
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juststartn
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Note to self:
INvite Father over again.
I don't believe he has a cook/housekeeper...this might be something I can actually do with some of the other ladies in the area...
Thanks for the ideas!
Rachel
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Mary G
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Maddie ... you could do it as an Advent event so Father doesn't feel like you're smothering him. Maybe even do a theme each week ... and get others in the Parish to volunteer.
This would be a great way for teens in the parish to get service hours -- by cooking for Father. Or would the parish hire someone nearby to be his cook, at least to prep meals and/or teach him how to cook?
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Maddie
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I think he knows how to cook but he's busy and a guy! I did drop off some meals today via the housekeeper and I am praying they are received in the spirit they were given. I know several priests who would love meals and then I know priests who would just be annoyed by some busy-body female in the parish. I guess I'll just have to wait and see as he's on vacation.
I would love to organize meals being dropped off to him, or be a part of the effort, but I'll wait and see how this is received.
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Maddie
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Well, didn't go as well as I had hoped! He thanked me in a "why in the world" sorta way... I'm trying not to let it bother me, we had good intentions!
Are bringing meals a cultural thing? Are some areas are more apt to support one another with meals then others? We've only been in the area we are now for 4 years, I've had two babies here and only 1 person brought me a meal. Back in VA, I had meals delivered for a month and cleaning help to boot after my babies were born...Is it a southern hospitality thing? Do Yankees (we're in MI) not do this sort of thing or is it just falling on the wayside of our culture all together?
Maybe it is the small town we're in? When I've brought up the subject to the families we do know here they look at me like, huh? Bring a meal to someone? Can't they cook for themselves?
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MrsM
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Around here (California), we bring meals to people. Mostly it's associated with illness and childbirth, so maybe Father has never been the recipient of such a love offering before. You might be able to tell if more meals would be appreciated when he's had a chance to enjoy your delicious cuisine. Hopefully, he'll rave about how nice it is to have a home cooked meal! And even if it's not his cup of tea, at least he knows that you were thinking about him.
In any case, it was a lovely thing to do, and I think that kind of thoughtfulness makes a person feel cared for. I know it always does for me! 
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Paula in MN
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We bring meals here in MN too, although usually they are casseroles.
I think it was wonderful that your family did that. Maybe he was embarrassed that anyone may have been reading his thoughts?
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SusanJ
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Oh, Maddie. So many wonderful priests don't have the kind of care they deserve and he was probably just (pleasantly) shocked. I'd ask the housekeeper whether to continue
Growing up (in New England) I never thought of bringing meals as a normal thing to do. Once when we were really hard up a neighbor from Alabama brought us several bags of groceries and we were flummoxed. My mom wasn't home and I wasn't sure I should even let them in!
I've had babies in DC and MN and both times was the recipient of weeks worth of meals and housecleaning help--sometimes from strangers. Blaze a new trail, Maddie! This kind of thing should be more common.
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Maddie
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I'm not sure what his true feelings are. He was over for dinner again on Sunday and I know he stifled a comment on my mac and cheese, because he bit into it and was obviously pleased but stopped himself from complementing me. I guess he doesn't want to encourage me...Oh well.
I guess being the mother of 9 I tend to mother everyone. When I hear of someone who is sick, having a baby, etc. I automatically think, can I bring you a meal? Clean your house? My dh says I need to tuck those hearts on my sleeve in my pocket.
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: meals for Father*update pg2
