Jane's Unbeatable Brownies and Brunch with Bulletin Stuffers

"Breaking Bread" with Bulletin Stuffers

Every Friday after the 9:30 am Mass at St. Bernadette Parish, Monroeville, Pa, Deacon Mike will usually remind the officiating priest either Fr. Tony or Fr. John to announce that bulletin stuffers are needed after Mass.  There are around 2000 families that belong to our church and the number of bulletins to be stuffed are usually about the same.  The number of inserts to be enclosed in each bulletin vary from one to even four or five on a given issue.  It is easier that several volunteers help to finish the work. 

Aside from being a eucharistic minister every other Sundays, I volunteer stuffing bulletins when my teaching schedule at IUP allows it.  I am grateful to have this opportunity since I really enjoy the company of the wonderful women and men in our church who take the time every Friday to help stuff inserts in the bulletins.   There is not a dull moment during this session as stories are shared and laughter can be heard miles away.




Some of the frequent bulletin stuffers are shown above.  Starting from the bottom left closest to you, they are, Joan, Sue, Anne, me, Jean, Betty, Jane, Barb and Angie. 

One time I mentioned to Barb and the group that I have unlisted Youtube videos of various events that had occurred at our parish two years ago and they said they were interested in viewing them.  Since Barb was also interested in seeing the renovation done to my house, I decided to invite them for brunch consisting of soup and salad two Fridays ago.

The bulletin stuffers during brunch at my house.

As in most parties, there are dishes or dessert that are just so good that everybody wants their recipes.  Two particular ones were very much sought after that day one of which is featured in this post, Jane's Unbeatable Brownies.  The other one is Jean's Crescent Antipasta which I will feature sometime in the future.

Most of the women who attended the brunch are also members of the Ladies of Charity organization in our parish.  They visit the sick in the hospital, take care of the parish food pantry and also grieve as a group during the wake and funeral Mass for our parishioners or their families.  They also conduct a bake sale during our Parish Festival which will actually be held two weekends from now.

                                                   

If you think they are serious, ultra holy and no fun type of women.  Think again.  They are just as crazy and irreverent like you and me.  Look at what one of them sent to my cell phone after the brunch as her mantra.  

 

Jane's Unbeatable Brownies

(Recipe was generously provided by one of the bulletin stuffers, Jane Flaherty).

This is an awesome recipe for brownies.  It has the wonderful combination of crispy texture on the outside and moistness in the inside.  It also seemed lighter than most brownie recipes I have tasted before.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup butter melted
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt

Procedure:

Beat together the eggs, sugar, butter and cocoa.  Add vanilla, flour, baking powder and salt, mixing after each addition.

Pour into greased and floured 9 x 13 inch pan.  Sprinkle with 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and 1/2 cup chocolate chips, if desired.

Bake at 350 degress for 30 minutes.  Let cool for 45 minutes before cutting.