CULLMAN, Ala. – On Wednesday, Sept. 30, the Sacred Heart Altar Society served a traditional German dinner in the church’s Family Life Center.
Altar Society member Pat Arentz told The Tribune, “This started in the 1970s by the women of the parish. It’s a German dinner and we use the same recipes they used.”
The meal consisted of bratwurst from Brickyard Meats, served with sauerkraut, German potato salad, green beans, applesauce, bread and a selection of homemade desserts.
“This is the largest fundraiser of the year,” said Arentz. “What we love about it is the people that come together to help. We have youth, the men assisting with the meat and also with traffic.”
She explained that planning typically starts in June to ensure everything is orderly.
The main focus of the meal is to celebrate Cullman’s German heritage, though she emphasized the community built from sitting with family and friends or strangers and sharing a meal. “It’s kind of like a parish picnic. People sit and stay for a while. It’s social! It’s a way to sit and meet someone again or for the first time,” Arentz said.
After the food was blessed, German polka music played in the background.
