Lenten Reflection Series: Lenten Gumbo

by Ali Balfantz, Office Manager, University Ministry

When reflecting on lent, I have feelings of nostalgia from growing up in South Louisiana. Most of my community were devout Catholics and they were very strict about “meatless Fridays” during lent. My church, St. Joseph, had a group of parishioners who called themselves the “gumbo gang.” This group consisted of mostly retirees and grandparents. Every Friday during lent, they would volunteer their time and cook shrimp and crab gumbo outside the church. All the ingredients were donated and this amazing group of volunteers would prepare hundreds of servings of gumbo and potato salad every Friday. Parishioners would donate desserts as well. You could dine-in or take out and it was always a pleasure seeing the “gumbo gang.” They always had smiles on their faces, and all proceeds from the sale of the gumbo would go to a local food bank. It was a time where you would run into friends and family in our small town and it made me happy. I would pick up gumbo for my coworkers and bring it back to the office and we would share a meal together. It was a reminder that lent is about volunteering, sharing, and community.