MADISON — Last year, four priests battled it out baking some delicious breads and desserts in the Catholic Diocese of Madison Foundation’s (CDMF) Great Mercy Match to raise money for works of mercy.
Fr. Lawrence Oparaji took first place and awarded his prize money to serve the prison and jail ministries throughout the Diocese of Madison.
In his baking video, Father Lawrence shared, “Something that has been dear to my heart is the prison ministry. I really, really loved working in the jail. I find it is a ministry of hope.”
This year, a new batch of priests and deacons are competing, this time teaming up for an Italian cook-off.
Two teams are going head to head and ladle to ladle to create some amazing Italian dishes.
The winning team will receive $5,000 to support a work of mercy of their choice.
Vote for your favorite
The judges determined their scores based on the dishes’ taste, appearance, and creativity or authenticity. But now it’s your chance to have a say.
Individuals of the diocese can vote for their favorite team or work of mercy through Wednesday, July 6.
Video of the Italian cook-off will stream on Friday, June 17 on the CDMF’s Facebook page.
Vote for your favorite team or cause by making a donation to the Heart of Mercy Endowment (HOME).
Each contribution of $5 counts as one extra point for your favorite team.
All funds raised support the HOME fund held with the CDMF.
The HOME fund provides financial support to organizations fulfilling works of mercy in our communities like food pantries, homeless support centers, addiction services, and St. Vincent de Paul councils.
The dishes
Why Italian food? This year, Bishop Hying has chosen St. Padre Pio to highlight the works of mercy the HOME fund serves.
Familiarly known as Padre Pio, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Italy, heard 10s of thousands of Confessions, comforted the sorrowing, and built a hospital to heal the sick.
He performed many works of mercy in his lifetime and is a great example to us of relentlessly serving our neighbors.
The teams cooked up some great pasta dishes in his honor.
Fr. Luke Powers and Fr. Tim Mergen cooked a delicious carbonara pasta.
They hope to take home the prize and award their winnings to Camp Gray, a Catholic camp and retreat center in Reedsburg.
Fr. Chris Gernetzke and Deacon Michael Pipitone cooked a scrumptious salsiccia e crema — sausage in cream sauce pasta.
If their cooking comes out on top, they plan to contribute their winnings to a new ministry supporting pregnancy loss and miscarriage at St. Peter Parish in Ashton.
Check out their scores and consider making a contribution to help your favorite team support the corporal and spiritual works of mercy at: diocesemadisonfoundation.org/mercymatch
Checks can be made out to the Heart of Mercy Endowment and sent to the Catholic Diocese of Madison Foundation at 702 S. High Point Rd., Ste. 223, Madison, WI 53719.
Include the team you’re voting for in the memo line.
Nikki Sena is the communications manager for the Catholic Diocese of Madison Foundation.