Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Parishioners at St. Teresa of Calcutta Church in Fairdale, Kentucky, are preparing and delivering meals to community members every third Sunday of the month. The initiative, known as St. Teresa’s Kitchen, was started during the COVID-19 pandemic by Deacon Nick Dachille.

“We’re living out St. Teresa’s motto of doing small things with great love,” said Sandy Moore, a parishioner who now coordinates the effort.

On August 17, volunteers prepared 185 meals consisting of fried chicken tenders, salad, baked beans and cookies. Young people from the parish packed the meals before other volunteers delivered them throughout Fairdale and Highview.

Deacon Dachille originally proposed the idea to the parish council after feeling called to address local needs during the pandemic. “Deacon Nick came to the parish council with the idea. He said something was laying heavy on his heart and that God was calling him to do this,” Moore explained.

The first event took place on August 8, 2020, when volunteers distributed 150 turkey dinners via a drive-through line in the church parking lot while wearing masks for safety.

After Deacon Dachille stepped away due to health issues, Moore volunteered to coordinate ongoing efforts. “We didn’t want to see it end,” she said. “It’s like anything: You do what you need to do, and it doesn’t take that much time.”

The ministry is supported by a small group of volunteers over five years. Funding for groceries comes from the parish itself while desserts are donated by parishioners.

Special menus are prepared for holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas; summer months feature foods like hot dogs and burgers while soups and chili are served in colder months.

Anyone can receive a meal without being asked questions; individuals may sign up online or call the church office. Most recipients have their meals delivered directly by volunteers rather than picking them up themselves.

Currently, an average of 300 meals are served each month with one recent high reaching 380 meals.

Deacon Lucio Caruso serves as pastoral administrator at St. Teresa and noted that it is a significant ministry for a small congregation—St. Teresa has just 223 registered families according to data from the Archdiocese of Louisville (https://www.archlou.org/parishes/).

“Even with the challenges, it’s the right thing to do… We’re trying to be the parish Pope Francis spoke about,” Deacon Caruso stated. “We’re the only Catholic presence in the Fairdale and Hillview area. I think it’s important we’re not thinking only of ourselves but reaching out.”

Youth involvement has increased through participation in meal preparation activities; middle school students working toward Confirmation have contributed significantly in packaging food for delivery. Deacon Caruso expressed hope that more young people seeking service hours would volunteer at St. Teresa’s Kitchen.

Volunteers also look out for additional needs among those they serve—for example, when an elderly woman was found using multiple space heaters due to a broken furnace last winter, donations from both St. Teresa's and nearby St. Ignatius Martyr Church enabled her furnace replacement.

“We’re here to serve others. The parish is not just the congregation," said Deacon Caruso." Parish — in our understanding of the church — is the whole neighborhood, whether they are Catholic or not.”

More information about volunteering or receiving meals can be found by contacting St. Teresa of Calcutta Church or visiting their website at https://teresaofcalcuttafairdale.weebly.com/.