Nourishing the Body and filling the heart

Seton Servers recipes include generosity, kindness

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By Eileen Jevis, staff writer

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10

Formerly known as the funeral luncheon committee at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Baldwinsville, the Seton Servers joyfully prepare meals, desserts and refreshments for hundreds of people each month. The team of over 20 women, supported by close to 100 volunteers, has expanded its ministry to include celebratory occasions as well. The committee provides refreshments during the Easter season, Vacation Bible School and faith formation programs, and other occasions. Last October, the Seton Servers were recruited to prepare New York-themed meals for visiting guests and parishioners for a three-day Steubenville parish mission. They were also on hand to prepare appetizers and desserts for Bishop Cunningham’s 80th birthday celebration.

Before her retirement as a teaching assistant, Deb Martin was looking for volunteer opportunities. She followed her heart and joined the funeral luncheon committee. “I learned the ropes from Donna Walter, one of the ministry leaders,” Martin said. “She was a wonderful mentor to me.” After retiring, Martin became more involved, and when Walter had to step aside, Father Joe O’Connor asked her to take over. “I recruited Pat Felser to assist me and she became my right hand in providing and planning luncheons,” Martin said. She is grateful that Walter was able to rejoin the ministry a few years later and continues to offer her talent and expertise. “Everyone brings something special to our work and I could not do this without them. I am amazed, but not surprised at the loving kindness and generosity of God’s people.”

Loaves and fishes

The group embraces the Bible message of the loaves and fishes, which gives them confidence that all guests at large funeral luncheons will have enough to eat. When Fr. Joe approaches Martin to ask if there will be enough food, she tells him two things: “I tell him I have prayed to everyone who will listen and to have faith in the parable of the loaves and fishes.” They have never run out of food, and often have extra to share with others. They have donated leftover food to migrant workers, Unity Acres and Moyers Corners Fire Department, to name a few. “We also make sure our priests and deacons are well-fed,” said Martin. Seminarian Deacon Joe Ryan has been deemed the resident cookie monster and has frequently been found in the kitchen taste-testing cookies. Martin said she has also caught him “testing” the meatballs to ensure they were hot enough.

Taking their show on the road

One of the most recently celebrated occasions at the parish came in May when the church community celebrated John Brusa III and Joseph Ryan’s ordination to the Transitional Diaconate. Dc. Joe asked the committee to join the women at St. Patrick’s in Binghamton, his home parish, to provide refreshments for a celebratory reception in the Southern Tier. “We took our cookie and punch recipes on the road,” Martin said. “We instantly bonded with our sisters in Christ who were amazing hosts and so welcoming. It established a bond that encourages us to continue to work with other church communities.”

When St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Mary of the Assumption and St. Augustine’s were redefined as a pastoral care area (PCA) in the Baldwinsville-Liverpool region of the Diocese, the parishes joined forces to prepare and serve lunch and dinner to the visiting missionaries from around the country who were leading the Totus Tuus summer Catholic youth program.

“We had special help from Greg Johnson, Kathy King, Carlos Gonzalez and June O’Brien as well as many others who helped serve 280 people,” Martin saud. “We look forward to continuing to form strong friendships and partnerships with our expanded Catholic community.”

“The Seton Servers find a way to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable,” Fr. Joe said. “Their efforts go way beyond providing food and drink. The efforts of this group fuel the work of evangelization and draw people into relationship with Christ and His Church. We are so very blessed by these wonderful and generous parishioners.”

Martin said that it is the joy and comradery among those they serve that is their reward. “Our blessings come from above. We are using the talents and creativity that God gave us that make our ministry so meaningful. It is the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of our Blessed Mother and our patron Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, who sustain us,” she said.

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