Western calories

Details: 13 December 2013

After Mass one sunny Sunday morning, I met Jerry Witte as he exited St. John the Baptist Parish in Cambridge. He slipped me a donation saying, “Father, it was a good year!”
Jerry and his wife Jean have been married 65 years. We gave him a table at our next Catholic Social Services “Bountiful Harvest Dinner” in Hastings. I was elated when I found out he and his wife Jean had purchased my gourmet dinner on the silent auction.
Once purchased, they had a decision to make. They had to choose between a multicourse Spanish, Italian or Czech dinner. Decisions, decisions. They chose Czech. In scheduling dinner at their home, we had to do so around Jerry’s 90th birthday party.
On Sunday, Nov. 24, Pat Walbrecht and I packed one of our CSS vehicles full of the food and beverages to be consumed at the home of Jerry and Jean, just south of Cambridge. The invited guests included their son Steve and his wife Connie, their daughter Brenda and her husband Mark (who is real handy at fixing broken garbage disposals), and their other daughters Sharon and Barb (with their husbands Kelly and Duane). As we pulled up the driveway, we were greeted with a beautiful snow shower which lasted less than 30 minutes followed by a beautiful sunset; a gift to all of us.
The appetizers included an exotic sausage medley over baked wheat sesame seed crackers with cream cheese pickles wrapped in ham. Then came the main course of pork roast, dumplings, sauerkraut, gravy, corn and bread, followed by freshly baked kolaches and cinnamon rolls. Beverages included wine and beer.
Our conversation that afternoon and evening covered many topics and themes including things which matter most, God, our Catholic faith and family. Jerry and Jean were so happy to inform us that most of the grandchildren were able to make Jerry’s 90th birthday just days before. It was wonderful we were all able to sing him happy birthday one more time.
Jerry said he is so grateful to live so close to his church, as he attends Mass every morning with his wife Jean. They are a great example to us all. I was able to thank him for his generosity to CSS, for without him and the rest of our supporters, we would not be able to help the many individuals that come to us on a daily basis in need.
I would like to thank Jerry and Jean for purchasing the dinner, and their guests for a wonderful evening. I would like them to know they are in our special prayers as well as all of our other benefactors who help us love Jesus who is present in the poor and needy. May God Bless you all now and in eternity!