FAITHFUL FOOD
O
From Strength to Strength
ctober, one of my favorite months, brings pumpkins, mums, All Hallow’s Eve, a good ghost story and a longed-for break from the heat. October sits in Long a unique spot, a real transition month. We cannot wait to go from summer’s oppressive heat to a lightly crisp and cool atmosphere, but in Louisiana, we are not there yet. We are in the process of changing from one state of being to another. So it is with our lives. Looking back, October has taught me more than I realized. October in my childhood was a truly magical experience providing an invitation to celebrate summer’s end and welcome fall . When the Halloween costumes arrived, we combed the Dollar Store’s racks which offered endless possibilities. With a flick of the wrist, the hangers moved under our fingers changing from princess to nurse to doctor to clown and even witch waiting to be chosen. Jack O’Lanterns guarded every home on our street, its occupants safe and cosseted, as they counted down the days. The anticipation of Halloween and Trickor-treating were palpable. That night was anything except ordinary. Feeling safe and free we explored our “other selves” via our costume choices. When my children were young it was much the same. We added a bonfire, made s’mores and courted ghosts as we sat around the fire full of love and mesmerized by the art of storytelling. Everyone wore a costume and got to “be someone else” for a couple of hours. That seemed as important as the other aspects of the evening, the pumpkins, bobbing for apples, and the standard roasted hotdog. Today we still gather while telling a few stories and eat a little different, though no less traditional, menu. Time passes. The childhood gift of “playing dress-up” has grown into a more adult understanding. In Louisiana, we don costumes and masks at both Halloween 6 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
By Kim Long
Halloween King Cake Ingredients:
• King Cake dough (your favorite recipe) • Whole block of softened cream cheese • ½ pint heavy whipping cream • ½ cup chopped candy corn • 2 Tbsp powdered sugar • ½ cup brown sugar
Directions: 1. Make your favorite King Cake dough (you can use a box dough if you do not have a recipe just make sure to add cinnamon and sugar to the dough as you are mixing it.) and Mardi Gras, attempting to recapture some of the childhood experience which allowed us to slip into an “alter ego” for a brief respite; but we do not, cannot, live there. We reflect on the lessons learned and the change that came as we saw the world through other eyes. The transition which is wrought from those changes comes to us finally like a gift. Like the cool October mornings these changes leave us refreshed, encouraged, and urged forward. Time passes. Scrolling through a list of October saints is like a who’s who of several of my favorite prayer partners. But it wasn’t always the case. I formerly prayed “on my own” and went “straight to God.” After all, I did not grow up Catholic with the tradition of the communion of saints behind me. I transitioned slowly into asking for help, even with “earthly” saints or friends. Growing up with a faith-filled but stoic role model, prayer was understood to be a private thing. My grandmother prided herself on rarely asking for help for personal matters and by osmosis, I followed suit
2. For the filling: mix cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, candy corn, powdered sugar and brown sugar until it holds together and is smooth and you are able to spread it.
3. Spread the filling over the dough, roll and bake. 4. Garnish with whole pieces of candy corn.
for many years. My move away from solitarily entreating God to come to my aid or thanking Him for blessings, which began long ago, is recalled each October when I celebrate the changing of the seasons, both internal and external. So as I fill in my calendar, marking every moment, breeze, and prayers for both, the living and the dead, I ask this October company of saints to keep me and mine close. St. Therese and her heavenly mission of doing good on earth, St. Francis and his willingness to give the literal cloak off his back, to my guardian angels who are begging for a union break. November with its themes of gratitude and grace tries to creep in but I stave it off for just a little bit longer. I want to hold on, to be here, in the moment, experiencing the mechanics of transition, warts and all. God is always with me, with us, in every transition and change. May October find you reveling in that truth! Kim Long is the director of Religious Education at St. Mary of the Pines Parish in Shreveport, LA.
