In the days before Easter, coal region Catholics prepare an Easter basket, but not with chocolate and candy.

A tradition started in Eastern Europe continues today, involving the faithful preparing a basket of traditional foods — an assortment of meats, eggs and bread — to be blessed in advance of Easter Sunday.

Barnesville resident Pat Skelson learned the Slovak Easter traditions as a child growing up in Hazleton. In those days, each ethnicity had its own Catholic Church — in her case St. John’s Byzantine. Traditions were strictly observed — on Good Friday, they would remain silent during the afternoon to mark the time when Christ was on the cross.

Each year, she continues some of the tradition, taking two baskets to her current parish, St. Richard’s, to be blessed. In one basket, she’ll take her ham, in the other, the traditional ethnic foods associated with the holiday.

About 30 families still participate in the tradition at St. Richard’s, she said. It’s shared by other immigrants like Ukranian and Polish-Americans.

Each family lights a candle symbolizing Jesus as the light of the world, and the priest blesses the baskets.

After the Mass, many families will eat the contents of the basket. Skelson saves it for Easter Sunday to carry on her own tradition.

“We feel it’s still Lent. It’s still about the resurrection,” she said.

Many of the pieces have a religious meaning behind it.

Some of the items are well-known to people who may not know the history behind them.

Kielbasa signifies God’s favor and generosity.

Butter, usually formed into a cross or lamb, symbolizes Jesus being the Lamb of God and the Way of the Cross.

Salt symbolizes the salt of the earth.

But other items would probably only be recognizable to those with a Polish or Slovak grandparent.

Paska is a sweet bread symbolizing Jesus. The loaf is decorated with a braid, sometimes a braided cross.

Hrudka is an egg dish that looks like a loaf because it’s strained through a cheese cloth for several hours.

Chrin, made of horseradish and red beets, symbolizes the passion.

Traditional hand-painted pysanky eggs, which have become an item prized by collectors, are also found in the basket.

Skelson also throws in a bottle of wine, which is saved until Christmas. Her basket also includes a veal loaf with bacon, which is a tradition in her family.

The basket Skelson uses may look plain, but it’s specifically for her Easter tradition.

“When we’re done, I put it away. I don’t use it for anything else,” she said.

While the tradition is strong in Barnesville, those who practice it aren’t getting any younger.

At age 79, Skelson said she tries to pass along the tradition to younger families whenever possible. And she’s noticed younger families taking an interest in preparing a traditional basket.

“The hope is it’s a tradition that doesn’t die out with the younger generation,” she said.