MARTHA MEALS MINISTRY — Feeding Bodies and Souls
At St. Catherine Labouré, Concord

By Bonnie Gurzenda
Parishioner, St. James, Mason
Writer for Sharing the Wealth

Probably for as long as there have been churches, women's groups have been generously providing funeral lunches/dinners for families grieving a lost loved one. St. Catherine Labouré in Concord has expanded on this service to offer home cooked meals to parishioners facing other difficulties in their lives. About a year and a half ago, the seeds for this program were planted by former pastor, Fr. Eric Weber, when he suggested that the parish provide meals to a couple recuperating from surgery - a wife had donated a kidney to her husband.

Also, a young mother and fairly new parishioner, expecting her fifth child, was a member of the parish Bible study group. The Bible study members thought it would be nice to help the family by supplying some meals. These two experiences were so well received that the Women's Guild decided there might be other folks in the parish who could use this gift. This could include those who lived alone and were recovering from surgery or illness. The next such instance came soon thereafter with a recently widowed woman facing surgery. A nurse- friend offered to stay with her to help with recuperation and the women of the parish set up a meal schedule.

Because it was patterned after the ongoing funeral meal service, when communicating among themselves, the Women's Guild members just fell into the habit of referring to this new support service as "funeral dinners." After a bit, it seemed odd to keep referring to the meals that way. Inspired by the kindness of Martha and Mary in the Bible, the group adopted the more appropriate name: "Martha Meals Ministry."

"When someone calls the office with a request for help with meals," says parish volunteer Betty Jo DeForest, "I'm the one they call. There are four leaders, but, if I'm not available, one of the others is called." Since a functioning system to organize meals is already in place, introducing the Martha Meals Ministry has been a smooth operation.

At St. Catherine, the funeral meals are managed with "circles" of members. There are five circles to manage the funeral dinners, each named for a saint and each with a chairperson. The 50-member circles each take responsibility for funeral luncheons in a geographic area within a 15-mile radius of Concord. The circle that's called depends on where the parishioner lives.

The Martha Meals Ministry is handled a bit more informally. A leader is contacted and parishioners are recruited on a case-by-case basis to provide a meal. They may make the entire meal or divide it up. The typical meal is large enough to last a full day, and meals are usually provided for at least a week, possibly two. Usually, the meal includes meat, potato or pasta, salad, vegetables and a dessert. The leader calls the recipient to find out his/her preferences and what, if any, diet restrictions there might be. The person cooking the meal donates the cost of the food. This differs a bit from the usual practice at funeral lunches where the family typically pays for the meat while the parish women provide the rest of the food. The meal is usually delivered before noon.

By offering a meal, lovingly planned and prepared, delivered in person, the women of St. Catherine Labouré in Concord are easing the minds of those in need while nourishing bodies and souls. Parishioner Mary L., recovering from surgery and one of the first recipients, says, "I am very grateful. They were beautiful meals with enough food for two people - me and the nurse. They planned meals for two weeks but I only needed them for a short time."

Another beneficiary, the mother of a new baby boy, Leslie R., says, "It was really nice. It made my other kids feel so special because all the attention was going to the new baby. When the Bible study group found out my mother wasn't able to help me, they suggested bringing some meals." She added that she intends to repay the "gift" when she's able.

To date, this parish of approximately 300 families has provided meals for a handful of parishioners. Betty Jo DeForest says that since this is a new service for the church, not all members are aware that it exists. She can foresee the Martha Meals Ministry providing home cooked meals for possibly 10 parishioners in the coming year as the parish grows and the word gets out.

Referring to the original suggestion by the pastor that prompted the program, Betty Jo says, "Father asks and we supply. We follow his lead. We were so used to doing meals for others (meaning the funeral dinners) that we decided to make it a ministry." Actually, to hear Betty Jo tell it, it was a "piece of cake!"

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For more information on this ministry, contact:
Betty Jo DeForest
St. Catherine Labouré
211 Harmon Street
Concord, MI 49237