By Shelby Siegfried
for the Register
In a heartwarming tradition dating back to the 1970s, St. Michael Parish in Lincoln continues to mark children’s first Communion celebrations with a special touch – homemade cakes lovingly prepared by parishioners.
Reflecting on its humble beginnings and evolution over the years, Kathy Rentschler, a member of the parish, reminisced, “We were a small white (frame) church back then, in the little town of Cheney. When they started making the cakes, five or six first communicants were the norm, and they would gather in the social hall afterward to receive their cakes.”
Since those early days, both the town and parish have experienced significant growth. This year, St. Michael Parish celebrated its largest number of first communicants ever, with 80 children receiving the sacrament. Despite the increasing class sizes, the tradition of homemade cakes remains a beloved parish project, evolving alongside the community it serves.
The meticulous preparation for the celebration starts weeks in advance, with Rentschler organizing packets containing all the necessary ingredients and instructions for baking the cakes. As the date approaches, parishioners eagerly gather for a “frosting night,” transforming simple cakes into works of art in a communal effort that reflects the warmth and unity of the parish community.
“We have this down to a science,” Rentschler remarked. “There is a great core of the Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) who are always willing to help, and that is what contributes to our success with this.”
To streamline the process, volunteers set up stations for efficiency. One station counts and labels cake containers, another frosts the base and adds the cake, while another focuses on frosting the top and sides. Next, piping adds intricate details, excess frosting is cleaned, and molded decorations of a chalice and host are placed atop each cake. Finally, the containers are sealed and stored until the morning of first Communion when families pick them up to celebrate and enjoy. Special cakes are also prepared for those with allergies, ensuring everyone gets a cake suited to their needs.
Despite the challenges of adapting to growth, the parish community has rallied together, with more hands joining in each year.
“When this started, only a couple of ladies were involved with making the cakes, Rentschler noted. “This year, there were 13 who each made six cakes, and we had 13 ladies decorating cakes, and we were done in about an hour and half with our frosting, including cleaning up. We have fun, we talk, we teach and we learn.”
For Rentschler and other volunteers at St. Michael, the tradition of gifting homemade cakes is an opportunity to share a special moment with the growing parish family.
“Like a family in the home that celebrates this special event, the parish family gathers to celebrate this event with them,” Rentschler said. “We miss the small parish culture where you know everyone. With this gathering around the sacrament, we come together with this community of first communicants and help them create memories of a special day.”
Father Kenneth Borowiak, pastor of St. Michael, emphasized the significance of this tradition.
“Making cakes for the first communicants gives a large number of parishioners an opportunity to be directly involved in the second-graders’ first Communion,” he said. “It adds to the celebration of this day for these children because it shows in a very real way that parishioners love them enough to do this for them.”
In addition to the beloved homemade cakes, St. Michael Parish incorporates other meaningful traditions into the celebration to enrich the experience for the children and their families. Each child receives a special rosary, crafted with care by the PCCW, further emphasizing the importance of the sacrament and the support of the parish community.
“The children always make decorative banners with images of their first Communion and their names on it that are displayed on the hallway leading to the Church so that all parishioners can see,” Father Borowiak said. “They are also enrolled with the brown scapular, with scapulars made by the Carmelite Sisters of Valparaiso, to encourage and help these children live and lead virtuous lives.” He added, “We try to make the day just as special as we can for them.”
As the St. Michael parish family gathered once more to celebrate this sacred milestone in the lives of its youngest members, the tradition of homemade cakes reflected the parish’s longstanding faith, love, and commitment to community. Each cake, baked and frosted with care, served as a sweet reminder of the shared love and joy of the sacrament.
“The best memory is the smile on their faces as they receive their own cake, and the gratitude from families for honoring their child in a special way,” Rentschler shared. “It’s a celebration that we hope they’ll always remember.”
Expressing her hope for its continuation, she added, “I believe this tradition will endure, as we find joy in coming together to create lasting memories of a special day with Jesus and our parish family.”
SNR photos | Natalie Bender. Click for more photos
