Church plans drive-through ‘blessing of food’ Saturday

Following the restrictions in place for COVID-19, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church will offer the annual Blessing of Food by drive-through on historic Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas.

For more than a century, the parishioners brought food to the church on Holy Saturday where baskets would line the aisles.

The food was blessed by the priest during the Croatian Blagoslov or Blessing of Food ceremony.

With social distancing in place, Father Peter M. Jaramillo decided to continue the tradition.

Parishioners are planning to drive by the front of the church without leaving their vehicle as Father Jaramillo blesses the food at 10 a.m. Holy Saturday, April 11.

Father Jaramillo is the pastor for three parishes: St. John the Baptist, Holy Family and St. Mary-St. Anthony’s, all located on historic Strawberry Hill.

The parishioners are planning to go from Fifth and Barnett, east on Barnett down the hill, and then turn left on Fourth Street, driving in front of the church, and then moving on.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church also is planning Easter Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. on St. John’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ourcroatianparish/.