Attendees of the Oct. 17, 2021 Pioneer Dinner with their pastor, Fr. Anthoni Ottagan, HGN. COURTESY OF TRACY CECIL
Pioneer Dinner honors parishioners ages 70 and up
BY FAYE GABBARD, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
On Oct. 17, St. Alphonsus Parish hosted our annual Pioneer Dinner with an afternoon Mass officiated by Fr. Anthoni Ottagan followed by a soup, sandwich and dessert meal. We hosted 19 current and former parishioners from St. Alphonsus and St. Elizabeth (Curdsville) parishes for Mass and served 30 meals.
Our Pioneer Dinners started in 2017 as way for ours and St. Elizabeth parishes to honor and say thank you to the members and former members of our parishes 70 years old and up for their service. None of us would be where we are at and know the things we know without the ability to tap into their experience and knowledge as we were growing up. Pre-Covid, we gathered in our parish hall and played bingo (giving gift cards as prizes), we served an early supper, and reminisced about how things have changed over the years in our parishes! Since Covid, we have done a drive-thru sending food home with everyone to enjoy following the afternoon Mass. Spending an afternoon with dear friends and neighbors is always a great way to spend a fall Sunday afternoon! It’s our favorite event to host and is a favorite for our attendees as well!
Faye Gabbard belongs to St. Alphonsus Parish in St. Joseph, Ky.
Originally printed in the December 2021 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
