We’re calling it the 91^st Annual Italian Dinner, because we have evidence that some version of a fall culinary event has taken place at Assumption since 1933 (Even during COVID we had a Virtual Dinner). The 1930’s were Great Depression years, difficult years for most Americans and especially for Assumption, as the old Italian families were moving away from the neighborhood. The church was in need of new sources of revenue, and turned increasingly to the businesses that now dominated the area, especially the businesses housed in the new Merchandise Mart, to buy tickets for a fundraising dinner. We have pictures of women standing on chairs in the kitchen, stirring huge pots of pasta with wooden oars and guests seated at tables stretching from one end of the Parish Hall to another.

Over time the Italian Dinner evolved into two dinners: one less expensive version marketed to church goers and another more expensive dinner marketed to business owners and prosperous former parishioners, who were encouraged to buy a table for their employees or guests. In the early 2000’s those two dinners merged into one, reflecting the changing demographics of our area. A silent auction was added. A perennial feature of the Italian Dinner in the Parish Hall was the Jack Foy Orchestra, led by jazz saxophonist Jack Foy, who died earlier this year at the age of 94. Our Italian Dinner continued in our Parish Hall, with catering from Phil Stefani’s, until 2016, when the renovation of the Rectory began.

Since we would not be able to use the Parish Hall for a big event for two years, it gave us a chance to evaluate what we were doing. The Dinner attracted a very loyal group of present and past parishioners, but also a very “seasoned” crowd. Attendance had started to decline as more of the regulars had passed away or were no longer able to attend an evening event. Maybe we needed something lighter to appeal to a new generation. We also learned that when we moved back in, our big stoves would be gone, since they never actually met the city code for ventilation. For several years, we did “A Taste of Assumption” at another venue, focusing on “heavy hors d’ouvres” and kept the auction, which now included both a silent auction and an oral auction. This type of fundraiser has worked well for other organizations and churches (including St Peter’s in the Loop), but too many of our people still wanted a seated dinner. So, post-COVID we went back to having a full meal, first at Maggiano’s and this year at Coco Pazo, our neighbor just around the corner  

One of the issues our Events Committee looked at this year was the auction component. Since we moved to other venues, we have had to limit the number of silent auction items because they require a lot of space. Even by being more selective in what we ask for and what we accept for the auction, we have auction winners who never claim their winnings. People have said, “Well, it’s really a donation for the parish” or “I put in a bid to get the auction going” or “I really can’t use it. Why don’t you auction it off again next year?” We end up storing items for people who do not want them. So, assuming it is true, that most diners see the auction as mostly a donation to the church, we are going to try something different—asking you to help with the purchase of stuff the church can really use. It will be a kind of reverse auction. For example, the refrigerator in the Parish Hall kitchen is decades old. Would you be willing to contribute $200 toward the purchase of a new refrigerator? Many of our vestments are from the previous century. Like any garment, they do not last forever. Would you be willing to contribute $400 to the purchase of a new green vestment (the color that gets worn the most). Our present ambo is a commercial model from another church. We have a specially made ambo on order to match the wood of the pews. Would you be willing to offer $500 towards the new ambo? Of course, you won’t be able to walk home that night with a new toaster, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you made a contribution towards something that the church needs and will actually use. Are we abandoning the auction altogether? No, we are not. There will be one fabulous auction prize—a three-night stay in a condo in Cabo San Lucas (which sounds like the perfect place to be in January).

The good news is that at the time of this writing, we have bookings for 70 guests, one half of our capacity that night. So please get your reservations in quickly. The Italian Dinner, in whatever its configuration and wherever it is located, has always been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the extended Assumption family: for people who attend different Masses to spend a fun evening together and for new residents of River North to meet and enjoy the company of those whose families have called Assumption home for generations.

                                          Fr. Joe