CRANBERRY TWP — It's usually taboo to discuss religion and politics around the dinner table, especially in the presence of unfamiliar or new guests.

But at this dinner table the conversations are inundated with talk of faith and Christianity. It's the one thing that bonds complete strangers as they share a meal on a Saturday night.

The eight folks positioned around Pam and Gary Baker's Cranberry Township dinner table are all part of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, a fellowship-oriented program created by Fran Huffman, outreach coordinator at St. Ferdinand Roman Catholic Church on Rochester Road.

St. Ferdinand's parishioner population has soared past more than 3,000 people and it continues to grow. It's not hard to feel lost among such a large population, Huffman said. That's why she brought the program with her from a parish in Kansas City nearly 10 years ago.

And as far as she can tell, it's working to transform perfect strangers into new friends.

Gary Baker called the program "beautiful and wonderful" as he and his wife engaged in final preparations for the dinner. After the table was set, the guests seated and a prayer offered by Gary, the conversations began.

"This is just a great time to talk, to be with each other and get to know each other," he said. "It's a great way to find common interests."

As part of the program, those hosting the monthly event have no idea who's coming to their house for dinner. One couple brings salad and rolls; another couple brings vegetables and side dishes while another brings dessert. The host couple provides drinks and the main course.

Bob and Christina Nelson sat at the Baker's table Saturday staring at people they'd never met before. The group dined on stuffed shells and assorted vegetables as they talked about family, faith, vacation and everything in between.

They're looking to join a church and, after visiting a handful of other parishes in the area, said they're probably going to stick with St. Ferdinand.

The Nelsons have spent the past four years traveling across the country in an RV and settled in Cranberry Township in May. Bob talked with Gary Baker about the mechanics of parking an RV while his wife talked with Fran Huffman about gardening.

It was only a matter of minutes before the strangers behaved like friends.

"It doesn't take long before everybody is family," Bob Nelson said. "It's really great and something I really enjoy doing. We talked just about everything, from working to playing to church. We just kept talking."

Pam Baker enjoys participating in the program because it helps develop relationships that eventually evolve into friendships. She's hosted the program two times and has gone to others' homes four times with her husband. She said she doesn't plan to stop anytime soon.

"I think it's a real benefit to our parish community because you really do look forward to seeing them at Mass now," Baker said. "You feel a bond with them and it's more like family and not just a face with a name."

Baker said she loves the experience because "everybody brings something different to the table" and because the conversation always is varied and relaxed. She really enjoys hosting the dinners, however, because of the secret nature behind the program.

"The fun part is when the doorbell rings and you don't know if it's someone you already know or if it's a new friend," she said. "It's the excitement and the anticipation that's the fun part along with the fellowship around the table along with the sharing."

Huffman said she met some of her best friends in Kansas City through the program and already has met scores of new friends here. More than 20 people from St. Ferdinand have tried the program, which runs from September to May each year.

Huffman only started the program last year at St. Ferdinand but already has 22 participants signed up this year.

New friendships aren't the only beneficial aspect of running the program for Huffman.

"I really get a sense of satisfaction from this," she said. "We go to these dinners for the fellowship, for enjoying one another's company. You meet these people and sit for a couple of hours and compare all kinds of stories and then next month you get to do it over again with a different set of people," Huffman said.

"I have yet to meet someone I didn't want to be friends with."