The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate serve poor and abandoned people in the United States and 70 countries around the world.

Fat Tuesday Tradition Continues at King’s House Belleville

King's House - Belleville, IL

For as long as anyone in Belleville can remember, “Fat Tuesday” has been celebrated with a New Orleans-style buffet lunch King’s House Retreat and Renewal Center. All the members of the local “Mazenodian Family” are invited: employees, Associates, former retreatents, friends, neighbors, and of course, the Oblates themselves.

Creole favorites like red beans & rice, Chicken Gumbo, Seafood Étouffee’, and more are prepared and served by the King’s House staff to the enthusiastic crowd. Truly a culinary “Last Hurrah” before Lent!

The dining room at King’s House was full of Oblates, friends, Associates and employees reveling in New Orleans fare.

(L-R) Michelle Delfel and Billy Kauling from MAMI share the table with Cheryl Hertfelder of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

From MAMI (L-R) Sheila Miller, Mike Hall and Diana Baranski. (Sheila seems to have her eye on Mike’s Mardi Gras beads)

(L-R) Diane Green, Pat Schnyder, Matt Barnard,  Bill Magrath and (by a nose) John Wagner, all from MAMI

(L-R) Mami’s Gwen Campbell with Courtney Edwards, future daughter-in-law of King’s House’s Carolyn Hofstetter.

(L-R) Thinking about a siesta are: Bro. Bill Lundberg, OMI, Fr. Urban Figge, OMI, and Oblate Associate, Gene Wescovitch

A nice group shot of some folks from The Esquiline. A Life Plan Community at the Shrine (formerly the Apartment Community). (L-R) Fr. Joe Ferraioli, OMI, Fr. Tom Hayes, OMI, King’s House’s Rich Dahm, Esquiline Exec. VP, Barb Prosser, Pastoral Care Director, Michael Inyart

 

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