Catholic Activity: St. Peter

The Catholic Church now has a combined celebration for the feasts of Sts. Peter and Paul. There was much bickering between the followers of Paul versus Peter, and how many feast days each saint had. Perhaps legend, but having a combined feast day seems to quell the competition! Since Peter was a Fisher of men, fish should be on the menu of the day, and fish salad is the recipe of Mrs. Berger's choice.

DIRECTIONS

To us, living in the land-locked middle west, St. Peter's Day passes without much notice. It was quite a surprise to find how intensely interested our little land-lubbers were when, on one St. Peter's Day, we began telling fish stories. They had never seen fishing boats or nets or the sea itself, but the tang of salt spray seemed to touch them. We were not describing St. Peter's fishing exploits, but the work-a-day of some Yorkshire fishermen and their festival on St. Peter's Day.

June 29 was their great day of celebrating. St. Peter was their patron and his day was a proper one for feasting. The fishing boats were decorated with paint and ribbons. Each father and son sailed their best before the womenfolk who watched on shore. The priest was there, too, with holy water to bless any new craft. This day a day of great rejoicing. After the ceremonies at the water's edge, the boats were moored and everyone joined in the "fork supper" as the "stand-up help-yourself" buffet was called. The main dish was a fish salad. We have served it on Fridays as well as on St. Peter's Day. The Yorkshire fisherwomen used the best cod or halibut that their men brought home, but you will probably buy your fish fresh or frozen.

Activity Source: Cooking for Christ by Florence Berger, National Catholic Rural Life Conference, 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310, 1949, 1999