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Nun-Run Candy Shop
By Sister Julie | January 10, 2007
Here’s a great article by Catholic News Service posted at Catholic Online. Support Sister Evelyn Brokish’s mission by ordering some treats today! Call Poverello Delights at 219-922-0193 or email Sister Evelyn at ebrokish@concentric.net.
Sweet dreams – Imagination leads nun-run candy shop aiding order
By Debbie Bosak
1/4/2007
Catholic News Service
HIGHLAND, Ind. (CNS) - If browsers were to peek into the windows of Poverello Delights in Highland, they wouldn’t be surprised to find the candy store bustling with activity. What might be surprising is that the proprietor is a nun.
Open since October, Poverello Delights is the realization of a dream that Franciscan Sister Evelyn Brokish believes to be the result of divine providence.Sister Brokish has spent most of her 47 years as a religious sister serving as a professional liturgical musician in various parish communities, which often had no budget for the music program.
“We used to collect aluminum cans to finance the music ministries,” she said with a laugh. “Our pastor once commented that we needed to find a different means. All we needed was a little imagination.”
Imagination was something Sister Brokish had in abundance. Born into a large family, she grew up on a farm where they grew their own produce, made their own clothes and learned how to cook and bake.
“My parents taught us to be creative and imaginative,” she said. “If there was a need, you learned to find the solution.”
With that wealth of knowledge behind her, Sister Brokish soon developed her signature candy, the ChocoNutty Trio. When she cautiously tested it on staff and choir members, they gave the sweet treat a resounding “thumbs up.”
“They told me it was equal to or better than those commercially produced peanut butter and chocolate candies,” she proudly recalled.
Her brother, Ray, came up with the name ChocoNutty Trio for the candy’s three layers of dark chocolate, peanut butter and white chocolate. Sister Brokish is in the process of trademarking the name.
The dream of a candy business was a natural progression. When she moved on from St. Mary of the Lake Parish in 2006, she felt the Holy Spirit was guiding her down a new and exciting path. “I always look forward, never back,” she added.
To better prepare for the demands and challenges of managing a new business, Sister Brokish enrolled in an entrepreneurial program at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond, Ind. When she entered her business plan in a school contest, she was shocked and honored to be among the semifinalists.
While she currently markets Poverello Delights through local chambers of commerce and word of mouth, she admits that she is hesitant to grow too fast. “I want to make sure I have a handle on everything and that there is a sufficient variety to offer my customers,” she said.
Inspiration for different types of candy often arises out of a need or suggestion. She tells the story of the man who mentioned he was planning to come into the shop soon and hoped to find something with cashews.
“My first thought was that I didn’t have anything with cashews, but then I thought, all right, I’ll be ready for you,” she said.
As a result, the “cashew wheel,” a combination of the nuts and sweet chocolate, was created. While reflecting on the popularity of pizza, she came up with her own dessert version. The “chocolate pizza” has layers of white chocolate, dried blueberries, papaya, pecans and dark chocolate topped with coconut.
“Everything is homemade and from the heart,” she said. “I think customers appreciate that this store is different from any other candy store.”
Profits from the candy business are contributed to the ministries of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi with the poor and unprivileged.
Aside from the practical aspects, the candy store also serves as a conversation starter. One of the first questions customers ask is the meaning behind the name of the store, Poverello.
A slip of paper that accompanies each purchase talks about the word’s origins in Italian. St. Francis of Assisi was called “Poverello,” or little poor person. The explanation also talks about the Franciscan Sisters and their mission.
“People are usually surprised I’m a nun,” Sister Brokish said, “but it leads to all kinds of questions and discussion about God, vocations, morals and even politics.”
- - -Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Topics: nuns in the marketplace |
January 10th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Cool story. Why shouldn’t a nun run a candy store? Nuns have been founding and running schools, universities and hospitals for centuries. Compared to that, a candy store is a piece of cake (no pun intended)!
Sweet dreams all!
June 28th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Sister Evelyn Brokish is fabulous!!! She is like no one else you will ever meet if your experience is like mine was when she helped me to learn about being organized enough to cope with the complicated and beautiful Roman Catholic liturgy from a musical standpoint. She has a wonderful sense of humour and I remember that twenty years ago whe was thinking about ways to help persons in her order who had served for many years. Apparently she is doing just that. Congratulations, Sister Evelyn, and thank you!!!
June 30th, 2008 at 4:43 am
Thanks for writing and telling us about Sister Evelyn! Peace to you, DrNC
Sister Julie