This Friday, Last Lenten Fish Fry in 2018.

Community members are served during the Knights of Columbus Fish Fry on March 16.

The Knights of Columbus Fish Fry organizers have been offering fish during Lent for approximately 25 years at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

This Friday, March 23 is the last evening for the fish fry in 2018.

The fish fry is an observance of Lent in the Catholic Church.

Lent is the period preceding Easter that in the Christian Church is devoted to fasting, abstinence, and penitence in commemoration of Christ’s fasting in the wilderness, according to an online dictionary. It runs from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday and so includes forty weekdays.

“Catholics adhere to no meat on Fridays, as abstaining from meat is a part of Lent,” Mark McCoy, Knights of Columbus member said. “Christ gave his life for us, we are making a small gift back to Him.”

The proceeds from the fish fry go to helping agencies in Fort Scott such as the Beacon, Mother to Mother Ministry and Birthline, McCoy said. “A percentage goes to other helping agencies.”

“We have a great time doing it,” McCoy said. “And there is good food, fun, and fellowship.”

The women of the church bake desserts for the event.

“A lot of people get their dessert first,” McCoy said.

The Kennedy Gym at St. Mary’s Catholic Church was full of people Friday, March 16 for the Lenten Fish Fry.
Men from the Catholic Church serve fish, potatoes, spaghetti, green beans, coleslaw and grilled cheese sandwiches for the community Lenten dinner each Friday evening before Easter. Women of the church provide desserts. Pictured from left Paul Milks, Larry Martin and Jim Bambick who served March 16.

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