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MANVILLE: Kids learn how to make pierogis

By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
   A Polish tradition was passed onto the next generation as students in the eighth grade CCD classes from Sacred Heart and Christ the King churches learned how to make the favorite food of pierogis. About 40 eighth graders have cut, filled and pinched the pieorgis over two weeks.
   On Tuesdays, Sacred Heart Church parishioners spend two sessions — one at 9 a.m. and one at 6 p.m. — making the pierogis for the upcoming Lenten season. For the past two Tuesday nights, instead of going to their usual CCD class at Christ the King School, the students helping to make the pierogis received service hours necessary for their confirmation.
   Joseph Morella’s class spent one Tuesday helping out while John Snow’s class did their service the other.
   ”They are required to have service hours for confirmation and this is to add to their service hours. If they need us again, we will come down and do this again,” said Mr. Morella.
   Mr. Snow came up with the idea to help after speaking to Dolores Serra, who is in charge of the pierogis, and her daughter, Maribeth Thomaszfski. They agreed and this is the second time that the group of students has helped out.
   Eighth grader Jessica Murray helped.
   ”It is really fun,” she said. “It is part of my heritage because I am Polish and it is just like I am in Poland. My grandma taught me when I was like five and I did it when I was at home with my mom.” Jessica makes pierogi at home, too, so it was easy for her.
   Ms. Serra said she was surprised as the class “dove right into it.”
   ”You didn’t have to tell them two, three times,” she said. “They listened to the ladies on how to pinch and everything. They are great and there are so many that our ladies don’t have that much to do but it will get done early. I think it is a good idea and gives them the service hours.”