If Thanksgiving is all about sharing time together while enjoying a holiday meals with all of the trimmings, the Benedictine Sisters of Florida and Saint Anthony of Padua parish want to help make that happen for people unable to prepare their own meal, would otherwise dine alone, or do not have the means to make it happen.
Putting on the traditional feast and inviting others to share it has been a tradition for 19 years. The “Food, Fun, Faith and Fellowship” dinner is free, and takes place on Thanksgiving afternoon Nov. 27.
The meal includes turkey, stuffing, salad, mashed potatoes and pie.
Making the mashed potatoes is a gargantuan chore. It involves peeling 100 pounds of potatoes and then preparing them with Sister Donna DeWitt’s closely guarded recipe.
Members of the Saint Anthony Women’s Club get into the act, too, baking pies and making other desserts to top off the holiday meal.
Dinner is served from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., in the parish center behind Saint Anthony Church, 32848 Massachusetts Ave., in San Antonio.
Those who are homebound or who need transportation can call to schedule delivery of a meal, or to get a ride to enjoy the company of others on Thanksgiving. The numbers are (352) 588-8320, or (352) 588-3081.
Sister Jean Abbott, who lives at the Holy Name Monastery that the sisters share, loves the holiday tradition. It is a nice gathering.
“It’s better than a handout because we get to sit and eat with people,” Abbott said.
If people don’t have a way to get there, they don’t need to feel left out. “We can pick people up,” Abbott added.
If they’re simply unable to travel, she said, “we can do home delivery.”
Other Thanksgiving events
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The Northeast Pasco Ministerial Association is having an annual Thanksgiving service Nov. 25 at noon, followed by a meal at Calvary Assembly, 13544 U.S. 98-Bypass, Dade City. A free will offering will be taken.
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The 35th annual Bluegrass Music Festival will have bands, music, workshops and camping from Nov. 27-29, at the Sertoma Youth Ranch, 85 Meyers Road in Brooksville.
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Annual Thanksgiving Boogie and Skillz in the Hillz, Nov. 22-31, at 4241 Sky Dive Lane in Zephyrhills. Buffet dinners are served nightly. For information, visit SkydiveCity.com.
Published November 19, 2014
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