Food for the Soul » Blog Archive » Lent and the Food Network Irony

Posted February 17th, 2010 | Uncategorized

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent – a time of fasting, prayers and almsgiving. Every monothesistic religion has a period of time dedicated to “cleansing” the body, mind and soul. For Catholics, this Ash Wednesday means a time of fasting and abstinence. That means, fasting and abstinence: one full meal today only and abstaining from meat products. In other words, we prayerfully pay attention to what we are eating, and focus on God Who feeds us with the Bread of Eternal Life!

We recall Jesus’ forty days in the desert. And like Him, we too will experience temptations in our hungers, personal tests, and discouragement in our trials. With God, we can overcome all challenges, tests and trials! Yet, I had no idea that such a “temptation” would come from me!?! You see, tonight Food Network is re-airing the STEAK Fajita Throw Down with Bobby Flay. (17 Feb 2010 @ 10:30EST)

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How will Catholics and people who are fasting from meat today (as a personal discipline) be able to watch that show without some craving, or temptation to start cooking up some steak fajitas?!?

I’m just grateful that the Food Network continues to re-broadcast that fun and inspiring episode that features our Grace Before Meals movement. Yet at the same time, I just find it so ironic that they would “tempt” our viewers with delicious meat oriented foods on a day that many Catholics are trying to “discipline” their intake.

It just means that we will have to rely on God to help us through the deliciously meat-filled episode and throughout the 40 Days of Lent! Trust in my prayers for you!

But, there are plenty of non-meat dishes on our webshows, perfect for your family’s celebration of meatless Fridays during Lent! Bon Appetitto!

May God bless you and your family during this Holy Season of growing in love of God and neighbor, charity for the poor, and satisfying our hungers through prayer!

Posted in Uncategorized | 22 Comments

22 Responses to “Lent and the Food Network Irony”

Fr. Leo thank you for your ministry. I am one of a few rotating cooks for a weekly Sunday meal here in Pocatello called My Brother’s Table. We feed anywhere from 50 to 100 people on Sunday afternoon–adults and families with children. Some are homeless, some just need a meal. It has always been my view that I want to prepare a meal that makes the people who come in feel as if they were at my house. I try to make very hearty stews or soups ( I have also done lasagna) that have substance and taste. Last week I did a Barbecue chili from Rachel Ray that they all seemed to like. Do you have any suggestions for a group of that size which is scalable in quantity? ( The end of the month when assistance money is running out brings in larger crowds). Thank you john Gregory
Posted by Fr. Leo on February 17th, 2010 at 6:14 pm.
Happy Valentine’s Day Father Leo!
I will pray for the success of the Mount 2010 Retreat!
God bless you and thank you for the news!
Sincerely,
Anna Gleissner – St. Matthew’s Parish at Statesboro, Ga.
Posted by Fr. Leo on February 17th, 2010 at 6:16 pm.
Dear Father Leo:
I just had to write to tell you how much I enjoyed you on Throwdown with Bobby Flay! You are an inspiration to anyone, no matter what their faith.
I don’t live that far from the Mount (Waynesboro, PA) and it was so exciting to see someone local on national TV. Keep up your wonderful work and we would love to see more of you on TV!

Thank you so much,
Paige E. Benchoff
Posted by Fr. Leo on February 17th, 2010 at 6:23 pm.
How can I increase my own devotion to St. Joseph and foster it in my kids? ( I have 9 , 6 boys)
Sylvia
Posted by Fr. Leo on February 17th, 2010 at 6:23 pm.
Dear Fr. Leo,
Maybe you could help us! I am the secretary at St. Mary Catholic Church in Hamburg, PA (Diocese of Allentown). Our pastor, Fr. Don Cieniewicz, has arranged for us to have a parish mission in March. The mission will be conducted by Father Miniscalco, a Redemptorist priest (& located at the shrine of St. John Neumann in Philly). Anyway, Father Don has asked some of us to cook each night for the priests, but the thing is, Fr. Miniscalco is a diabetic, & must watch his carbs (he told us NO PASTA–poor Italian man who cannot have pasta, you know?) Any ideas you could give us would be great!

thank you, Father, and God bless you for all you do!!!!

Laura Ludovici
Posted by Fr. Leo on February 17th, 2010 at 6:25 pm.
Hi Father,

I came to know about Grace Before Meals from an article in the Arlington Catholic Herald, and enjoyed watching you on “Throwdown.” Your cookbook is on my birthday wish list! I am the mother of three wonderful children (ages 9, 6, and 3), and the wife of an amazing husband. I am trying to learn how to cook healthier meals for my family that require more that “heat on high for 5 minutes”. There are so many gadgets and gizmos out there for the kitchen. I don’t have a lot of space to store appliances. Which kitchen appliances and tools do you use the most and recommend for a beginner chef? I’d like to get my kids involved with cooking for me. Any suggestions for kid friendly kitchen tools?

Thanks for all you do!
God Bless You,
Melissa
Posted by Fr. Leo on February 17th, 2010 at 6:27 pm.
Hi Father Leo,

I am Ken Fisher, my wife Patti and we have a young and fast growing BBQ site, Date Night Doins BBQ For Two.
I found yours tonight and really enjoyed it and I would also enjoy getting to know you …
I enjoyed watching you and Bobby tonight, nice job…

We have added a “Guest Chef” page to our web site.
http://datenightdoins.com

My thoughts here are to add more variety to our content with postings from other BBQ fanatics.
We are looking to invite folks that use different cooking styles (charcoal vs. gas vs. pellets, etc.)

Would you look our site over and consider a spot on our site as a guest chef with your posting.
I would like to link our sites.

We are guest chefs on several sites also, it’s fun and we learn from each other.

We are not just looking for content, we are looking to share different cooking styles.

You can call us if you have any questions. 951 242 8348

Look us over and tell me your thoughts,

Ken & Patti

Ken Fisher
Every Day Is A Good Day For BBQ
Date Night Doins BBQ For Two
http://datenightdoins.com
Posted by Fr. Leo Patalinghug on February 18th, 2010 at 6:10 am.
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Dear Father Leo,

I couldn’t help but write you. I just saw you on Bobby Flay’s Throwdown (probably from last year, but never saw before) and watching you on the show really made me feel happy! I like the show but I don’t think Bobby ever had such an engaging competitor.

I’ve been a Roman Catholic my whole life (all 57 years of it) and it’s rare to come across a priest like you – full of life, talented and soulful.

I just wanted to thank you for uplifting me this evening.

I wish you a “good” Lent.

Peace,

Ramona Candy
Posted by Fr. Leo Patalinghug on February 18th, 2010 at 6:12 am.
I must respectfully disagree with your definition of fajita. The word fajita is the diminutive of faja which means belt or girdle. Thank you though for the humor filled episode of Throwdown.
Posted by Fr. Leo Patalinghug on February 18th, 2010 at 6:12 am.
Hi Father Leo!

I’m watching you right now on Throwdown and decided to google you :]

Just wanted to say you’re awesome! My email would be way too long if i tried to list all the reasons why, i already know LOL!
So keeping it simple. You rock

jean kuan
Pasadena, California
Posted by Fr. Leo Patalinghug on February 18th, 2010 at 6:14 am.
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Dear Father Leo,

I’m currently watching throwdown with Bobby Flay, your fajita
battle with him and I was honestly moved. You are a true inspiration.
If only every Priest or Pastor or Community leader would stress the
importance of family togetherness as you do, in such a fun and
straightforward way, I feel our world would be a much better place.
Mealtime is a huge factor in family’s day to day lives. God bless you,
and God bless Bobby Flay for bringing you to national television.

Respectfully,
Melanie Hooper, stay at home mother to a 14 year old and wife for 16 years.
Posted by Fr. Leo Patalinghug on February 18th, 2010 at 6:15 am.
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I saw on your website the Theology of Beauty…what do you mean by that?

Brittany Krempel
(Fellow Marylander)
Posted by Fr. Leo Patalinghug on February 18th, 2010 at 6:16 am.
Father, My Coworker and I watched your show with Bobby Flay. Both of us were excited with your fajitas. We have looked for the recipe but haven’t been able to find it on the Internet. Is there some way that we can acquire a copy? Thanks, John Larson, Mission, TX
Posted by Fr. Leo Patalinghug on February 18th, 2010 at 11:17 am.
Father, I just watched the Bobby Flay throwdown last night and just from watching, your fajitas are the ones that I want to make. I checked out your website and couldn’t find the recipe.

Could you please let me know where I can find the recipe?

Thank you and God Bless.
Posted by Fr. Leo Patalinghug on February 18th, 2010 at 11:18 am.
Dear Father Leo,

My wife and I saw you on Bobby Flay’s “Throw Down” and congrats! That’s unbelievably cool!

Here’s why I’m writing you.

I teach Sunday school to the high school students at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church outside of Harrisburg, PA, by cooking breakfast with them every Sunday morning. It’s an hour-long class and we spend most of our time cooking, horsing around and making sure nobody gets burned or cuts their finger off! When they are eating, I give the students what I call their “10 minutes of Jesus” and discuss the lesson for the day and read from scripture. I have always justified this with a combination “If you cook it, teenagers will come” and by referring to holy communion as, among other things, a meal. After all, what was the Last Supper? Dinner! I often talk about the power of food to bring people together.

Anyway, we have a lot of fun and we’d love to have you visit us some day since you’re just about an hour away. Of course, I recognize you might be a little busy on Sunday mornings, but we could think of something.

Your movement is a a great service. Thanks for your leadership. Happy cooking!

David Bleicken
Posted by Fr. Leo Patalinghug on February 19th, 2010 at 5:44 am.
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I couldn’t locate the Steak Fajita receipe on your website, nor on Food Network. Could you send the receipe

thanks
Posted by Fr. Leo Patalinghug on February 19th, 2010 at 5:46 am.
Father Leo -
I wanted to thank you for your wonderful blend of foodology and theology – and you dedication to family and meal time. Meal time and food preparation have always been a big deal in my home. I have a wonderful wife and five beautiful children – we all try to chip in with making the meal and we have made it a habit to sit together at the table for meals. Even as my two oldest boys (Micah and Caleb) are more involved in high school activities, they still know that dinner time is something we do as a family. I don’t take this simple activity for granted – it is very much a blessing.
I live in rural Missouri where life moves a little slower. My church continues to host Advent and Lenten soup suppers which provide wonderful opportunities for families to sit down together and enjoy a wonderful meal…I know bragging is sinful, but we honestly have some of the greatest cooks in our congregation. I am known as the “principal that cooks” – I have even gone so far as to combine Algebra and cooking – breaking down measurements into algebraic equation. Let’s face it – it all seems to be more fun when there is food involved.
I am sure you get more than you share of cookbooks, but I would love to send you a copy of our school/congregational cookbook – lots of good home cooking and good German cooking which you might enjoy. If you are interested, just let me know and give me an address, I will send it off in the mail.
Again, keep up the wonderful work. What a blessing you are to those you serve.

Joel Witt
Principal
Salem Lutheran School
Farrar, Missouri
Posted by Fr. Leo on February 19th, 2010 at 3:33 pm.
Dear FR. Leo, I saw you on Throwdown and today on EWTN ‘s Life on the Rock. What fun to see a food show that doesn’t make you feel guilty for liking food. Could you possibly put a link to your website or a share button so I and possibly many others could send it to our friends. Your recipes look delicious! Can’t wait to try them. Sincerely,
Posted by betty silvaney on February 26th, 2010 at 6:08 pm.
Father, thank you for the episode with Bobby Flay’s Throwdown consisting of your Fajitas! I couldn’t locate your receipe from the show so would you please email it to me? I loved your sweet-spin on the preparation of these fajitas and would love to have your receipe as followed by Bobby’s show. Thanks Father and may God Bless.
Posted by Jennifer West on March 1st, 2010 at 12:31 am.
I think you can do no wrong making things easier for your readers, and I think this is achieved through preview and subscription functionalities.
Posted by Sam Sochan on March 19th, 2010 at 4:27 pm.
I saw you on the rebroadcast of Throwdown yesterday. You have such great spirit and zest for life. I just loved watching. I so wanted to try your fajitas. Will you post your recipe soon?
Posted by kena on April 3rd, 2010 at 9:57 am.
Thank you! That was very informational, I just Dugg your website.
Posted by Cornelius Gabaldon on April 12th, 2010 at 3:08 pm.

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