Welcome to the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time. There is nothing ordinary about Sundays. Every Sunday is a gift from above. It is a day of rest, to reset our prespective, regroup and recharge.
As a girl growing up, Sundays were always special. We attended Mass at Saint Paul’s where Father Doheny was our pastor. He was so Irish, it was sometimes hard to understand what he said. Back then, the Mass was in Latin, so that really made it difficult!
Once a month, Father Doheny would park his old black sedan at the end of the block and walked our neighborhood. With the exception of maybe two or three homes, everyone there was a part of his parish. You never knew when Father would darken your door, and you had to be ready. He asked questions to see if you had been listening to the nuns. You could be told to pray a few extra Hail Marys if you got an anwer wrong, as you asked our Blessed Mother to help you learn your faith.
Sundays were special becuase it wasn’t just us at Sunday Supper. It was our extended family, too. Aunts and Uncles, cousins and close family friends. Our house was the gathering place. We had a big yard, big patio and plenty of picnic tables. We sat down and ate together, after someone gave the blessing. There were even times when a visiting priest joined us for Sunday Supper.
I’ll never forget, years ago, when Hubby and I were speaking at various parishes in the area, seeking volunteers and donations to Catholic Charities Homeless Haven, standing in the vestibule of a massive old church. We were waiting for the introduction so that we could come up and speak with the congregation. A frail, old priest took to the podium. The moment I heard that Irish Brogue, I knew it was Father Doheny. He was still alive and kicking fifty years later. It was nice to catch up with him as a wave of fond emotions swept over me. He asked me my last name, meaning the family name he would have known me by. When I told him, he said what he always said “Aye, that’s a good Irish name.” I’m proud of who I am, of my faith, and where I came from. As we all should be.
Have a blessed and beautiful Sunday. Treasure these moments, gifts from God. Hold close your family. Hold closer your faith.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
3 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 cup Grape Tomatoes, cut in half
3 cups Spinach
2 boneless Chicken Breasts
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Salt to taste
Fresh Black Pepper to taste
2 teaspoons dried Oregano, ground
4 tablespoons Butter
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup White Wine
1 Lemon, for serving
Peel and mince the garlic, set aside. Cut tomatoes in half, set aside. Rinse and spin dry the spinach leaves, set aside.
Split chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner breasts. (You could buy thin cut breasts if you like, but this is so easy to do, at half the cost). Season breast with salt, pepper and oregano. Set chicken aside.
Note: For a finer oregano, place in a motar and pestle, grind to a finer mixture. This is easier to sprinkle evenly over the breasts.
In a skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add chicken, cook until golden and no longer pink, about 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet, set aside.
In the now empty skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, cook until fragrant, about a minute. Add split tomatoes, season with salt and pepper. Cook until tomatoes just begin to burst, then add spinach and continue to cook until spinach begins to wilt.
Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan and wine; bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, simmer until the sauce is slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Return chicken, along with any accumulative juices, to the skillet. Simmer until breasts are tender and heated through, about 12 minutes.
Transfer chicken to a rimmed serving platter. Spoon sauce over the breasts. Just before serving, cut lemon into wedges. Serve alongside the chicken and enjoy.
Great with warm garlic bread and a simple salad.
Lord, in Your great love, answer me.
Welcome to Rosemarie's Kitchen 