Church shares St. Patrick’s tradition one bite at a time

LEXINGTON, Tenn. — For more than 25 years, a West Tennessee church has shared the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day one mouthwatering bite at a time.

“We need nine Reubens here,” Tony Ciallelle said from the makeshift grill room set up inside the Saint Andrew Catholic Church’s fellowship hall.

Ciallelle is in charge of grilling hundreds of Reuben and smoked turkey sandwiches for the church’s annual fundraiser.

What started in 1989 as a traditional meal of corned beef, cabbage and veggies has transitioned into the modern sandwich meal. “It takes several days to get it all put together,” Kathleen Amrhein said.

Each volunteer has a designated role, from grilling to wrapping and packing. The meals can be eaten at the church or by delivery.

Each meal costs $7 and is the church’s only fundraiser. A pickle, chips and a drink are included.

Amrhein said the food is also a way to spread fellowship throughout Lexington. “It just brings us all together,” she said.

In case you were wondering, here’s Ciallelle’s secret to the perfect Reuben. “We put a little olive oil on the bottom on the grill and a little on the top, and that gives it that nice brown,” he said.