Fish fries a Lenten favorite
It's the beginning of another Lenten season, even though it's the continuation of the same old pandemic.
Butler County organizations are beginning their second season of having fish fries under COVID-19 restrictions.
The Catholic observance of Lent includes days of fasting and abstinence. Those age 14 and older are obliged to abstain from eating meat every Friday in Lent.
Because of this, Friday fish fries are a popular Lenten event for Catholic churches.
This year, Bishop David Zubik has ordered that the food will be available only through takeout or, where offered, delivery options. Parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh continue to follow all local, state and federal COVID-19 health and safety requirements and regulations.
Cindy Cusic Micco, director of communications for the Butler area Catholic parishes, said fish fries will be available from 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday through March 26, only at St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church, 125 Buttercup Road.
The meals will be takeout only. To-go orders can be placed ahead of time by going online and visiting Butlerareacatholicparishes.org/fish-fry.
Micco said St. Fidelis has a nearly 20-year tradition of hosting fish fries, which is why it was chosen to be the location again this year. Volunteers from all the churches in the parish will operate the kitchen and takeout lines.
“Last year, early on, we tried to have fish fries with dine-in, but we stopped the fish fries early because of the pandemic,” Micco said.
Still, she said that this year, $12 will buy a takeout meal of baked or fried fish, scalloped or French-fried potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, bread and butter and a dessert.
Funds raised by the Lenten meals go toward “the general cost of running the parishes,” Micco said.
St. Kilian Parish, 7076 Franklin Road, Cranberry Township, will run a contactless drive-thru fish fry from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. beginning Feb. 19 and running through March 26 in the parking lot of the parish building.Gail Beck, the St. Kilian Parish secretary, said preordering is required by calling 724-625-665, Ext 9, after 1:30 p.m. on the day of the fish fry or visiting www.saintkilian.org.There will be no dine-in or walk-up service available.For $12, callers can choose from hand-battered and breaded cod on a sesame seed bun, with homemade coleslaw, french fries, tartar sauce and, in alternating weeks, either a side of pierogies or macaroni and cheese.Pierogies are served March 5 and March 19. Macaroni and cheese is served Feb. 26, March 12 and March 26.Beck said those ordering food should have their order confirmation printed or on a cell phone for quicker service.St. Kilian's School students and volunteers will deliver food to cars lined up at the parish building, placing the orders in the vehicles' trunks or back seats.
In St. Faustina Parish, St. Louis Roman Catholic Church, 202 State St., West Sunbury, there will be takeout fish dinners available from 4 to 6 p.m. every Friday in Lent except Good Friday, said Donna Bryan who, with Judy Gaiser, is in charge of the volunteers preparing the meals.For $11, diners have a choice of fried or baked fish, scalloped potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, coleslaw and cake.“We'll have a tent set up where people can order and pay there,” Bryan said. “Then, they can drive past the kitchen door and pick up their order.”
Secular organizations are also offering fish during Fridays in Lent.American Legion Post 150, Legion Memorial Lane, Lyndora, will offer $12 takeout-only dinners of baked or fried fish or clams, shrimp or a fish sandwich from 4 to 6 p.m. Fridays in Lent, according to Post Commander Bill McNutt.“They can come up to the side door to order,” McNutt said.“All of the money goes to help the veterans,” he said of the dinner proceeds.The Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company will have its $12 fish or chicken dinners from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, said Rich Perine, who's been in charge of the dinners for the past 15 years. The fire department will add a $15 oyster dinner option March 17, 24 and 31.Dinners come with a baked potato or french fries, green beans, coleslaw, a roll and cake.Perine said people can call 724-352-9948 after 2 p.m. Wednesdays to order dinners or come to the side door of the fire hall to order meals.“The money goes to the ladies auxiliary and for equipment and whatever we need,” Perine said.The Prospect Volunteer Fire Department, 373 Main St., Prospect, is hoping for a good turnout for its fish fries beginning Friday because the pandemic wiped out its fundraising opportunities in 2020, said Jessica Parker, who's in charge of the volunteers preparing the dinners.Takeout-only $11.50 adult meals and $6 children's meals offer the options of fried or baked fish, fish nuggets or chicken fingers with macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, roll and dessert.“Last year, we didn't have any idea the way things would turn out,” Parker said.The fire department lost fundraising opportunities when the Big Butler Fair and its own firemen's parade were canceled during the pandemic.“We really need it,” said Parker of the fish dinners' proceeds, noting the department was short on money to buy equipment and firefighters' gear.“We could do with some community support,” she said. “We can't wait to get the dinners started and see what the outcome will be.”
Some organizations decided to scrap plans for fish dinners this year.Cabot United Methodist Church, 707 Winfield Road, Cabot, decided to cancel its Friday fish fries this year.“It's just too hard,” said a church spokeswoman. “We have posted signs asking people to support local businesses.”The COVID-19 pandemic and the difficulty in preparing takeout meals were the reasons given for the cancellation of fish fries this year by the American Legion Post 474, 308 W. New Castle St., Zelienople.
