March 10, 1999
Lenten fish fry is more than fund-raising
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Nearly 600 pieces of Icelandic cod are sizzling in the ovens while huge trays of macaroni and potatoes are steaming nearby, ready to serve. The coffee is brewed, the pies are cut and all systems are a 'go.'
As hungry people begin to gather, talking and visiting while waiting in the dining hall, members of the Immaculate Conception Men's Club swing into high gear. With more than 200 dinners to serve and at least 50 to put together for take out, it's another busy Friday night during Lent for the club.
Their third year of offering a non-meat meal each Friday of Lent, the 15-20 volunteers from the Immaculate Conception Men's Club are old hands at keeping the serving line flowing and the food heaping.
"We don't even call for volunteers, people just show up," said Bill Valleau, a city resident. "The dinners are picking up every week."
The club first offered the fish fry dinners every other Friday during Lent, but this year they decided to host them every week for the entire six weeks. The money raised by the dinners is returned to the church; in the past the Men's Club has helped pay for the furnace, air conditioner and a compact disc and tape player for the rectory. This year they plan to again turn the proceeds over to Father Jim Hayden to use as needed.
"Our main interest was to get people together in the spirit of Lent," said John Dupuis, a city resident and volunteer every week at the Men's Club dinners. "It is a social event and a gathering place. Father comes in and greets everyone and after dinner you can go to the Stations of the Cross service."
The Men's Club at St. Patrick's Catholic Church began offering a weekly fish dinner this year during Lent. Every week they offer meals for both eat in and take out, drawing more than a hundred families from the growing parish plus more diners from other parishes or the general public. The money they take in may be earmarked for food pantries.
"The meal provides an opportunity for people to share a meal with their families and other families from the parish," said Father Jerry Micketti of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Traverse City. "In the old days it was a way for people not to eat meat on Fridays. The Men's Club came up with the idea and I said, 'Run with it!'"
Most importantly, the meals bring people together during the holy days of Lent and the weeks leading up to Good Friday and Easter.
"This dinner is something to do as a community," said Gladys Munoz, a city resident attending the dinner at Immaculate Conception. "It is a good way to unite the community and to get to meet others because if you go to the same mass every week, you don't get to meet new people."
St. Francis Catholic Church offers a Lenten Soup and Salad dinner every Friday night, put on by volunteers.
The Lenten meals at these churches are open to members of the public and other parishes; take out is also available. Call each church for more information on dinner times and cost.