CROWN POINT – Dine in, drive thru or delivery. No matter how members of the school community chose to support the St. Mary Spaghetti Supper on Nov. 12, the kindness of their participation was felt by all those involved.
Principal Tom Ruiz confirmed that the spaghetti supper is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for St. Mary Catholic Community School, and stated that perhaps just as important as the funds raised is the gesture made by the community.
“They show up in droves to support Catholic education at St. Mary,” he said.
Ruiz shared that he personally enjoyed bringing his own daughters to the spaghetti supper when they were young.
“My daughter Cassie would make a mess and get spaghetti all over her face,” he recalled. “Now, I enjoy young families having that same experience with their little ones.”
One of the traditions that goes along with the event every year is the choosing of a spaghetti supper "Kid of the Year.” The selected student is featured on the school’s billboard, on all advertising, on its buttons and even gets a laminated card granting him or her "Free Spaghetti for Life" at future spaghetti suppers.
“It's a tradition that I started years ago, and now we have adults show up with their little card,” Ruiz said. “It's great to see them return.”
Kerry Devries served as a parent volunteer. She is an alumna of the school, and her daughter is currently enrolled there. During this, her 10th year volunteering, she greeted people and accepted their payment for the meal. She said many coming through the doors shared that they were also graduates of the school, while others mentioned they remembered making batches of sauce for the event.
“It's a great opportunity for people to visit with friends and family members that may be spread out in the community,” Devries said, “or they just know if they come here, they'll see familiar faces. It's a good opportunity for fellowship.”
Cathy Traina, of Cedar Lake, arrived at St. Mary with her husband Joe. Having made plans with friends to meet at the school for lunch, they sat at a table in Hammes Hall waiting for them to arrive. It was their second year attending the fundraiser.
“It's tradition,” she said, reflecting on its history. “I mean, they've been doing it for how many years, so it's nice, and we get to meet with our friends.”
Traina explained the couple usually meets with their peers on Wednesdays, so the day of the spaghetti supper already fit in perfectly with their weekly routine.
“We usually seem to have chicken, but today's pasta,” Trania chuckled.
Rosemary De St. Jean, of Crown Point, also met a close friend for lunch and planned to come back later that evening to meet with another group of friends.
Not only did De St. Jean’s children attend the Catholic school, but so did her nieces and cousins’ kids. She was also heavily involved in the preparations for the spaghetti dinner for many years.
“I was in charge of sauce for 15 years,” she said, “and we’d have 80 people making sauces.”
Father Peter Muha noted the dinner has been around as long as he's been alive – at 64 years. He said he enjoys how the supper brings the community together: members of the parish, parents and kids of the school who all become involved.
“It's great to see everybody working together and having a good time,” said the pastor.
The students at St. Mary are always a part of making sure the spaghetti supper is successful. The 8th-grade class was encouraged to volunteer during the day, while members of the 7th grade assisted in the evening.
Eighth grader Gia Pesabvento said it was nice seeing everyone coming in to eat and enjoys being able to help out. She also commented on the quality of the food.
“The spaghetti is really good, and there’s a bunch of different options for dessert,” Pesabvento said.
Find information about St. Mary Catholic Community School on the school website: https://school.stmarycp.org/. For additional information about St Mary Church, visit https://stmarycp.org/.
The parish’s Family Advent Day will take place on Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. Attendees will make an Advent wreath and participate in other related activities. To RSVP, call 966-2203 or email shartman@stmarycp.org.
