Strengthening our Parish Family one meal at a time.
Breaking Bread Dinner Pictures
Spend an evening with friends old and new.
Share a special meal.
Join Breaking Bread at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. This is an opportunity to get to know and enjoy members of our parish family during casual meals. Participants are randomly assigned to small groups of 8 – 10. A volunteer host/hostess coordinates the date and time with the assigned group and provides the main course at their home. Guests bring accompaniments such as hors d’oeuvres, wine, bread, salad or dessert. Meals will take place on the second weekend of every other month, beginning on March 7th. The host/hostess chooses which day of the weekend to host the meal (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday). Participants will be reshuffled into new groups for each meal (every other month) so that everyone continues to meet new people. The only agenda for these meals is to build up our parish community by getting to know one another as we share a meal.
Breaking Bread is for everyone: new parishioners and veterans, single or married, young and old. Although initially it will be adults only, as the program grows and interest develops, there may be opportunities to include children as well.
Even if you cannot attend every meal (6 throughout the year) we encourage you to sign up to be part of Breaking Bread. When a host calls you with a specific day and time, if it doesn’t work for you, just let the host know. Your name will be reshuffled for the next meal in two months.
Questions? Contact Donna Biggins @ 978.443.9332.
To join, fill out the form below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the meals be held?
Meals will be held in the home of a parishioner who has volunteered to be a host.
Will it always be a dinner?
No, depending on the host/hostess and the group, the meal may be anytime during the day or evening on the assigned weekend. It could be a brunch or lunch if that works better for a particular group.
Who prepares the meals? Do I have to sign up to host?
The host/hostess prepares the main course. Guests are asked to bring accompaniments such as bread, wine, salad or dessert. No, you do not have to sign up to host a meal. You may always be a guest.
Who will decide when the meal takes place?
The meals will always take place on the second weekend of every other month, except for March when it will be held on the first weekend March 7/8. The exact time and date will be set by the host or hostess who will contact the guests.
For 2009 the schedule is: March 7/8, May 9/10, July 10/11, September 11/12, Nov 13/14 and Jan 8/9 (2010).
I would like to take part but I am not sure I can make it to six dinners over the next year. Should I sign up anyway?
Some people will be able to attend all the dinners and others will not. If you are interested, you should sign up. If you know for sure that you cannot attend a particular month, just make note of that on the registration form. In any case, if you receive an invitation for a specific meal, and you cannot make it, let the host know right away, so they can find a replacement. Your name will remain on the guest list for the next round of meals. We will try to keep this program as flexible as possible.
What if I receive an invitation from a host but I cannot make it?
If you cannot attend a meal, please contact your host as soon as possible so they can fill your spot for that meal.
Are there plans for specific topics to be discussed at these meals?
There are no topics specified for discussion. The only agenda for these meals is like most meals: to enjoy one another’s company and get to know one another.
What if I know someone going to another meal and would rather go there than to the one I have been assigned to?
Guests are assigned to groups randomly and reshuffled every month. We are hoping that Breaking Bread will give everyone an opportunity to meet new people as well as see familiar faces. It would be best if you stayed with your assigned group knowing that it will be different next time around.
How many people will be at each meal?
Generally, 8-10 people, though it is determined by however many the host has indicated they are comfortable hosting.
Will married couples be kept together?
Married couples will be kept in the same group.
I don’t drive, but would like to take part. How can I do this?
Let your host know and they could ask another guest to pick you up. Just mention this on your registration form.
I have food allergies? Can I still take part?
Just tell your host about your special needs and you can work on a menu together.
Are children invited?
At this point, the program is for adults only. Depending on the response and how interest develops, there may be opportunities to expand to include children as well.
