“Here we ‘show’ again!” is the familiar catchphrase around Holy Cross Church at this time of the year. The North Atlanta parish has been blessed with musically talented people who are willing—and eager—to use their talents to support the work of Friends of St. Martin de Porres, a food ministry based at Holy Cross.

This year’s production, which is the 22nd annual fundraiser for the ministry, “Good News!” will be presented on two consecutive weekends at performances on Feb. 17-19 and Feb. 24-26. A dinner show will be offered Friday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m., and tickets are $30 per person. The show on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m., includes a buffet dinner and tickets are $20 per person. The show only will be performed Sundays, Feb. 19 and Feb. 26, at 4 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m. for $12 per adult and $6 for children under 12.

The lively show takes a look back to the “Roarin’ 20s.” Paul McDowell, writer for the Holy Cross newsletter “Reaching Out,” says it “takes place at a fictitious Northeast college, where football is king and star running back Tom Marlowe is crown prince.” However, the Big Game might be lost if Marlowe isn’t academically eligible to play. Throw in a romantic twist or two, upbeat songs like “Life is Just A Bowl of Cherries” and “The Best Things in Life are Free” and add a few youthful misunderstandings. Director Gail Goodman adds, “After a year of catastrophic disasters the world over and in a country still at war, what better sentiments than a musical comedy about life, love and yes, football! It might be just the ‘kick’ we need.”

Started in 1979 by Ruth (“Bunny”) Bohaczyk and Dick Narey (later ordained a permanent deacon), the Friends of St. Martin de Porres ministry first worked out of a small room in the church building. Today, food boxes are dispensed from a separate shed on the grounds of the church, and volunteers prepare and transport hot meals to people in shelters. In 2005, St. Martin’s fed more than 10,000 people.

All proceeds raised by the shows, which have grown to rival the quality of the best of Atlanta theatre, underwrite this ministry. Over the years, the group has ably staged and performed a number of theatre classics, including “The Wizard of Oz” (2002), “Fiddler on the Roof” (2003) and “Camelot” (2004). However, the main goal of the group remains the same: to help feed the homeless in the community.

The original name of the shows reveals its genesis and aim: it still is referred to as “The Street People’s Show.” It was nicknamed “Miracle Productions” because of the endless “miracles” from volunteers who are knowledgeable in sound systems, lighting, construction and other technology, and who are willing to work long hours to help pull the show off.

Just before the lights go down and the curtain goes up, a voice intones, “And now, Miracle Productions…” and the audience responds: “If it’s a show, it’s a miracle!” And it usually is.