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What happens when God helps buy a cow?

Author
Nancy May & Sylvia Lovely
Published
Thu 17 Apr 2025
Episode Link
https://podcast.familytreefoodstories.com/

Food, Faith & Acts of Kindness: Father Jim's Spiritual Journey

Have you ever considered how deeply food connects to our spiritual lives? In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely sit down with Father Jim Sichko, a priest, who tells an extraordinary story of how food became an important part of his ministry. 

Father Jim shares the story of his mother's weekly tradition of cooking meals for garbage collectors, whom she served at the family's formal dining room table.  Everyone was welcome as family to their table.  On one afternoon, Father Jim unexpectedly visited his mom and took a selfie with her while she was cooking; moments later, she collapsed and died in her kitchen while serving others.

In her will, she left him her secret sauce recipe, which he turned into "Miss Marie's Sauce." His mom’s sauce is now served in Delta Sky Clubs, and the proceeds support hospice care and feeding the poor in Appalachia.

We’re pretty sure that you’ll laugh and cry hearing Father Jim's remarkable stories, including how he accidentally purchased two steers at a livestock auction for $20,000 (thinking he was bidding just $15 total!), and only to have the CEO of Delta Airlines personally cover the cost and distribute the meat to food banks.

If you’ve had any experience with 4-H or know farm auctions firsthand, this story will have you smiling from ear to ear.

Three powerful takeaways from this week's episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories include:

  • The ministry of presence is more powerful than words. Sometimes, just being there and sharing a meal speaks louder than anything you could say, do, or stir up.
  • Food creates sacred spaces- Whether at a church altar or family table, gathering around food creates community and connection across all faiths and traditions. Learn from Father Jim’s examples and give them a try yourself.
  • Kindness costs nothing. As Father Jim says, "It costs nothing to be kind. It costs nothing to invite someone to your table."  Sylvia and Nancy endorse this statement with both forks up.

This week, you might think about how you might use food to create more meaningful connections. Could you invite someone unexpected to your table? Share a family recipe with a neighbor? Or perhaps prepare a meal for someone who's struggling?

Sylvia and Nancy hope you'll share this episode with friends and family.

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About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

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Mentioned in this episode:

My Family Tree Food & Stories Book #1

It's more than a book, it's a personal journal designed so you can share your stories, family journey, and memories through the foods you love and share.

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