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February 20, 2008
3rd Annual French Dinner at St. Joseph Center
Wheeling, WV—In France, family meals are an occasion. An everyday
event becomes a celebration of one of life’s most basic pleasures.
For the sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph, special meals
are also a celebration of their French heritage.
The Wheeling congregation is one of many which stem from the original foundation
formed in Le Puy, France, in the mid-seventeenth century. In 1853, Bishop Richard
Vincent Whelan, first Bishop of Wheeling, requested sisters to aid in the work
of his new diocese. Four sisters arrived in Wheeling on April 13, 1853 to care
for patients in the newly-established Wheeling Hospital. In May of that year,
two more women joined the other sisters. These six sisters formed the nucleus
of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wheeling.
To commemorate the sisters’ rich French history, the 3rd Annual
French Dinner will be held on Tuesday, March 25, at St.
Joseph Center just off Pogues Run
near Oglebay Park. Beginning at 6 p.m., guests will be treated to Kir Royale
Aperitif (champagne with crème de cassis), cheese, and crackers. Authentic
French cuisine will be served promptly at 6:30 p.m. starting with a standard
bistro fare served so frequently in France that it is simply referred to as
gratinee or more commonly known as French Onion Soup. A roasted beet salad
with greens makes a colourful and unusual starter prior to the main course.
Served on fine china, sumptuous Boeuf Bourguignon with small carrots and potatoes,
baby pearl onions, sautéed mushrooms seasoned with fresh parsley, and
garlic will be the main entrée. Finishing off the meal will be the classic
Crème Brulee for dessert with Truffles au Chocolat boxed as a special
take-home treat for the guests. We encourage the patrons to bring their own
favorite bottle of wine to enjoy with their meal. Coffee, tea or water will
be included.
Preparing this delicious meal will be Sarah Lydick, Director
and French Chef, from Sandscrest Conference and Retreat
Center located on G C & P Road just
a few miles past St. Joseph Center. Sandscrest is the former home of Harry
S. Sands and his wife, Helen Turner Sands, who wanted their beautiful and beloved
estate to be used by the local Episcopal Church as a spiritual retreat for
all to enjoy. Today, Sarah and her husband, Rod, operate the facility on a
daily basis as a not-for-profit conference and retreat center. Sarah studied
in France at L’Ecole Superieur de Cuisine Francaise from the fall of 2002 through
the summer of 2003.
Reservations for the 3rd Annual French Dinner are limited to
40 people at a cost of $30.00 per person or $60.00 per
couple. Deadline for reservations
is
March 21. You can make your reservations by calling Sr. Mary Clark at
304-232-8160, ext. 145 or mail your non-refundable check,
payable to the Sisters of St.
Joseph, c/o Sr. Mary Clark, 137 Mount St. Joseph Road, Wheeling, WV 26003.
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