Last Saturday, when we saw record numbers at Masses, people asked us: “What are you going to be doing Sunday?” A good question... The snow had cancelled all but one Mass—and that with probably a record low of six souls (including the two priest concelebrants). What were Fr Dias and I to do?

We cooked.

Now, that’s not hugely surprising. One or the other—or both—of us cook most days. But we have a project coming up: Rectory, Set, Cook. I’ve avoided this for years, but Fr McCarroll recommended me to one of the organizers of this very worthy program. Fr Dias seemed willing. (Unlike Fr McCarroll, who refused to collaborate when I suggested it during his pastoral year!) So, we said yes.

And that brings us to Sunday, the Sunday of the “Great Snow”. We’re aiming at culinary fusion. After all, we both come from places on almost exactly the opposite side of the globe—something we particularly realized when we showed the 2nd Graders at St John Neumann just where Fr Dias’ home was. We’re looking for some common ground, some creative rethinking of the culinary traditions we’ve inherited from America and Northern Europe, and from the Asian subcontinent. But because we’re doing this on film, we wanted to practice. So, Sunday was about baking and cooking.

But Rectory, Set, Cook isn’t just about us. It’s a fundraiser for Catholic Social Services. It’s about how we reach out to the poor and marginalized in our Diocese and in our own communities. That’s where you come in! Watch the videos when they come available in early Lent. Vote for what you think is the best (which, of course, will be Fr Dias and me, right?)! And you vote with your donations to Catholic Social Services. Make this one part of our charity during our Lenten fasts. Bear in mind that half the funds we raise come back to the parishes. We intend to put those funds to similar use in our community. Both St Ann and St Boniface parishes have strongly responded to human needs—for food, for shelter, for utility assistance—and our ability to so respond is fueled by your generosity.

We’ve practiced our kitchen skills. We’ll do our best in front of the camera. Join us in supporting the charitable works of our Diocese and our parishes.

Fr. McCreary