I was reminiscing this past week about Easter season … not really the religious aspects but activities that surrounded it. Growing up Roman Catholic in a neighborhood where 95% of my neighbors were also of that faith, our school at one time was the largest Catholic school in the Diocese. The grounds of our parish were almost a campus compared to the surrounding parishes. The essence of the local Catholic church's Easter preparation effect on home and community included:
The Parish bazaar – I never realized it till was I was older but technically this was a version of “Fat Tuesday” only over a loooong weekend before Lent. Everyone from the parish attended. They gave away great prizes on the chance wheels too! Huge stuffed animals, 10 lb hams and sugar, bikes, small local merchant gift baskets, etc …. The food? It wasn’t this prepackaged stuff you get at the local carnivals now! Parish woman were tripping over one another cookin’ up a fresh storm in the small “social hall” kitchen. And the gambling …… casinos had nothing on this crowd …. No chance getting a seat at the poker tables let me tell you!
Lenten Eating – Lent was a big limiting the meat intake season. So, my Mom made pierogies. I mean HUNDREDS of them. It took her all day. She made two kinds: potato and dry cottage cheese ….. my favorite! I don’t know how she did it. I tried to make one batch …. 75 pierogies ….. for Christmas. First, try to find dry cottage cheese ….. it’s a dying pierogie art I say. Speaking of a dying art …. my mom also made pierogies the old fashion way with two dough circles NOT that circle fold over like everyone else does now. Her pierogies were how her direct from Poland Grandmother made them resembling mini flying saucers. This is how I make them and I was wore out …… EVEN WITH SOME DAUGHTER HELP!
Lenten Torture – Giving something up you enjoyed and attending Wednesday afternoon marathon STATIONS …… if your Catholic, you know what I mean … ENOUGH SAID!
Lenten Fashion-ista Shopping – When else would you look for a pink, lilac or yellow dress topped off with flowery sun hat and a shiny pair of white patent leathers?
Good Friday – School was closed. All offices were closed. Retail stores were open BUT they closed Noon to 3PM. Noon to 3PM no one in the neighborhood left their homes! If you did you better be going to the hospital emergency room or already in the 3 HOUR STATIONS at Church!
My parish has been gone for years. The school, even after merging with surrounding Catholic schools, closed about 5 years ago. The religious rationale for Easter I have “issues” with and will leave the discussion for those who have a better argument than I. All I can recreate …. sometimes …. is the pierogies!
