What do you get when you mix 64 pounds of pasta, 15 pounds of meatballs, 40 loaves of bread, the hard work of more than a half dozen parents, and nearly 300 students? The annual St. John’s Rigatoni Luncheon, a tasty Catholic School’s Week tradition.

Hard-working parents prepare the annual Rigatoni Lunch

For the past 11 years, Margaret Deffinbaugh and Kelly Baughman have been spearheading the culinary preparations for this popular event. “I started doing this when my daughter was in kindergarten. Now my niece goes here,” said Deffinbaugh.

“I do it for the enjoyment,” Baughman added. “The kids get so excited about it. We have our own recipe. It’s a touch of mommy and a touch of Italy.”

It’s not easy preparing a tasty pasta lunch for the whole school. Preparations begin at 8:00 a.m., right after dropping the kids off for school. “It’s hard work, but it’s worth it,” explained Baughman. “We have it down to a science now. It’s fun to see how the kids enjoy it,” added Deffinbaugh.

And enjoy it they do, with the meal earning rave reviews from students. “They do a great job,” said sixth grader Ruthie Ngwana. “They use the same recipe each year, and that’s why I like it. Plus, they give us options — plain, red sauce, meatballs.”

“The meatballs have a great taste,” added sixth grader Ashley Bruno. “I love that they do this every year. It’s delicious. I’d never miss it.”

More than a half dozen parents help with the lunch preparations. Some, like Angela Colburn, are long timers — volunteering for the past 8 years. Others, like Bruce Davis, are new to the team. “I’m a first-time helper this year. I used to travel a lot, so I couldn’t participate much, and I missed Catholic School’s appreciation week. I retired last year, and now I have some time to volunteer. It’s so much fun.”

(l-r) Angela Colburn, Ashley Bruno Ruthie Ngwana, and Kelly Baughman

Sister Kathleen praised the parents who give so much of their time to prepare the annual feast. “It’s wonderful. I’m very appreciative of the parents who come first thing in the morning to make sure it’s organized, there’s plenty of food, it’s tasty and good for you,” she said. But just to make sure the kids had their say, she picked up the microphone and called out to the students, “What do you think, does it taste good?” “YES WE LOVE IT,” was their resounding reply.