Amid a season when Catholics traditionally sacrifice their favorite indulgences or vices, the parishes of Christ the King Church and St. Paul are offering a traditional alternative for those cutting meat from their Friday diets.
As a way to come together during Lent — the 40-day penance period leading up to Easter — many churches hold fish fries. The event allows Catholics to bear one another’s burdens — one of the things the Rev. Mark A. Moore said they are called to do.
“Lent is important because we need to understand that Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ,” Moore said. “To prepare ourselves to remember and celebrate these holy events (the death and resurrection of Jesus), we take a special ‘time out’ during the year for self-examination, fasting and penance.”
The fish fries serve as a fundraising activity for Catholic community groups who act as sponsors, said John Miller, the event’s organizer. Friday’s fish fry will support the Catholic Ladies of Columbia.
“They also provide a social event for the entire Athens community to enjoy good food at a reasonable price,” Miller said.
Nancy Denhart, director of religious education, said Christ the King Church’s fish fries began with a vision generated by Dan and Renee DeLuca who own the Red Brick Tavern.
“Many years later, Dan and Renee still help sponsor the fish fry by providing much of the food and Rick Collins, who is the cook,” Denhart said.
DeLuca has been part of the fish fry for the past seven years.
“My wife and I grew up in a strong Catholic community and have always went to our church fish fry during the Lent season and thought it would be a great idea for Athens,” DeLuca said.
Even though the fish fry at Christ the King is a religious event, everyone is welcome to attend.
“People do not have to believe the same things we do to come to the fish fries,” Moore said.
A common faith is not always necessary to build relationships, DeLuca said.
“I think it has been a great thing for the local community,” he said. “It has been a meeting place for people of all ages, those who belong to the church and others who do not.”
@daniroc91
dh175309@ohiou.edu
If You Go
When: 4:30 p.m. Fridays
Where: Christ the King Church, 75 Stewart St.
Costs: $7 for a piece of fish or pizza, french fries, cole slaw, rolls and green beans,
$10 all-you-can-eat,
$1 extra fish
