St. Joseph’s tables and the many treats it offers

Joe Jarosz
Northeast News
March 18, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – After weeks of preparation, the time has come. Volunteers at area Catholic parishes have spent countless hours baking cookies and other foods for their annual Saint Joseph’s table.

And in no time, it will all be gone.

Teresa Polito, organizer for the table at St. Anthony’s Parish, said the number of cookies made this year quadrupled from past years. She added that she and her husband would spent countless hours in the church’s kitchen leading up to the event.

“I’ve learned more about the tradition this year [as organizer] than I have in past years [as a volunteer],” Polito said. This is her third year helping with the event.

Deva Flahive, co-chair for the table at Holy Rosary Parish said last year, the even probably sold about 5,000 cookies. This year, as with years prior, more was baked and cooked for the Holy Rosary Parish’s Saint Joseph’s table.

“We’re pretty elaborate and probably the most elaborate [in the area],” Flahive said.

Flahive described the se-up as elaborate because the 70 plus volunteers bake around 50,000 cookies. That amount, she said, usually takes about five weeks of preparation.

“We build on the table each year,” Flahive said. “We usually sell out of everything.”

The St. Joseph table at Holy Rosary is decorated with cookies and other food, as well as flowers.

Reminder
The Holy Rosary Parish Celebration will remain open for viewing and the purchase of cookies and cannoli until 8 p.m. tonight. Tomorrow, the parish will honor Saint Joseph with a mass at 10 a.m., followed by a free lunch, which will include pasta milanese, from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. at Scalabrini Hall, 910 Pacific St. A good will offering will be accepted.

The Saint Anthony Parish, 309 Benton Blvd., will host its table viewing until 7 p.m. tonight. Tomorrow, the church will hold a mass in honor of Saint Joseph at 8 a.m., followed by the blessing of the table. Beginning at 11 a.m. and lasting through 7 p.m. a pasta milanese dinner will be offered in the hall. Donations are welcome and all proceeds will benefit the needy.

Holy Cross Parish will hold mass followed by the viewing and serving beginning at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow. The mass will take place at 8:30 a.m. followed by the serving at 11 a.m. and going until 5 p.m. A good will offering will be accepted.