YAKIMA, WASH. -- Thursday was more than a day for feasting on plumped turkeys and pumpkin pie and endless football.

It was a time for saying thanks, of course, surrounded by family.

For some folks in Yakima that meant gathering not with their relatives, necessarily, but with family -- their church family.

Every year for the past two decades, parishioners of St. Paul Cathedral have been invited to a Thanksgiving potluck in the Fireside Room of the Catholic school next door.

"It's kind of nice to be able to prepare something for someone who might not have any place to go," Margaret Hagel, one of the organizers, explained.

"This way they feel even more part of the family."

Retiree Bob Hamilton attended the dinner for the second time since he moved to Yakima two years ago. The 67-year-old Hamilton has relatives in Western Washington, but the dinner spares the single man a trip over the mountain.

He likes the event's sense of family, plus the food.

"I like all of it -- all of it," he said.

Connary Gilligan, 15, of Spokane attended with his family and grandparents, Michael and Stella Vay Gilligan of Yakima.

Gilligan said he's more accustomed to the standard family gathering, but the dinner with strangers was made easier because his grandmother knew people in the crowd.

"It's actually not too bad," he said, adding that he was looking forward to the dressing.

Hagel, who is 80, first donned an apron and headed into the
St. Paul kitchen 17 years ago. She has the routine down pretty well by now.

Even though guests -- more than 75 this year -- don't start arriving until 2:30 p.m., Hagel is there stuffing her turkey and putting it in the oven a little after 8 a.m.

Every year Hagel's turkey, stuffing, salad and yams are complemented by at least three more turkeys, as well as ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls and vegetables, all shared by those attending.

And Priscilla Parmentier's coveted pumpkin bars, of course.

There's always plenty of plenty.

Something new nearly always pops up on the table -- last year a family brought tamales -- and there are always new faces to greet.

"There's always a good turnout with a broad spectrum of people," said Hagel. With six different Masses offered every weekend, it's almost impossible to know everyone who attends St. Paul's, Hagel explained, so the dinner is a perfect place to meet.

More than 5,000 people attend church at the cathedral, which is located at 15 S. 12th Ave.

Before Hagel's husband, Tony, died two years ago, he was an unofficial greeter at the door, making sure everyone felt welcome.

It's a happy time, this teeming room filled with babies, teenagers, youngsters, old timers and young couples, as well as Bishop Carlos Sevilla and Monsignor John Ecker.

Sevilla offered a prayer for the meal, and Ecker pleased the waiting crowd with a quick song on the piano.

Hagel noted that the dinner is a particularly nice tradition for single people. The original idea behind offering the dinner was to make sure that everyone would have a place to share in food and fellowship.

"Some people don't have family here anymore, so they would be by themselves," she said.

Which means they would miss her yams mashed with butter and brown sugar and her Waldorf salad topped off with a raspberry vinaigrette.

And that would be a shame, everyone agreed.

A concession or two has been made to convenience through the years, notably paper plates instead of the china. But the St. Paul potluckers still bring out the good silverware, glasses and cups, which means there's always a bit of cleanup at the end.

"Oh, we certainly use the dishwasher," Hagel confirmed.

Still, everyone leaves contented, more than full of turkey and trimmings.

After all, Hagel pointed out, "Who wants to be healthy on Thanksgiving?"

* Reporter Mark Morey contributed to this report.

* Jane Gargas can be reached at 509-577-7690 or jgargas@yakimaherald.com.