ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Parish kicked off its Lenten fish fry season on Feb. 20 with a feast for the senses: clam chowder, beer-battered cod, fish tacos and more fed hungry parishioners who gathered in Costa Mesa for good food and fellowship.
FR. PASCAL NGUYEN, LEFT, PASTOR OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH, IS GREETED BY PARISHIONER RICK HILLES, 83, RIGHT, DURING THE FEB. 20 FISH FRY. PHOTOS BY JUANITO HOLANDEZ JR./DIOCESE OF ORANGE
The parish’s Knights of Columbus Council organized the event, with food service running from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., but a lengthy line formed well before the designated opening time.
“The St. John the Baptist fish fry, hosted by the Knights of Columbus, has been a successful tradition for many years,” said Fr. Pascal Nguyen, O.Praem, pastor of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. “It is a wonderful Lenten event that brings together many families from both our school and parish.”
Fr. Pascal added that it is great to see so many families stay to attend the Stations of the Cross immediately afterward before heading home.
On a recent Friday, the parish hall was a flurry of activity, starting as early as 3 p.m. with set-up and the start of cooking. Each Friday during Lent, typically, 15 to 20 volunteer Knights assist with the evening’s duties.
Knight Frank Quattrocchi called these events “Knight-powered.”
Additionally, students volunteer to earn service or confirmation hours. The students perform many tasks, including taking individual orders and serving the completed meal.
Over the years, the Knights have developed an efficient process to seamlessly handle all the various functions of the fish fry. There is a full bar run by Knight treasurer John Mourani and his wife Donna, and a dessert table with donated treats from school parents who receive service hours for their donations. To ensure that every food request is met, there is a dedicated to-go station for parishioners who are unable to stay for the meal but want to support the cause and enjoy a delicious dinner. The kitchen and outdoor cooking area are where the magic happens. A diverse menu offers a variety of adult and children’s options, quesadillas, French fries and shrimp skewers.
FR. LOUIS HAGER, A PRIEST-IN-RESIDENCE AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, ENJOYS HIS FRIED FISH DURING THE FISH FRY.
According to Mourani, funds raised from the Lenten fish fry support many worthy causes including the Life Center Santa Ana, Catholic high school scholarships and teacher classroom supplies.
“The fish fry is also a perfect setting for parishioners to come together as a community and forge impactful relationships,” he added.
Fr. Louis Levi Hagar also spoke about the rich community building the Lenten dinners support.
“It is a great joy and consolation to spend this time with family and friends, especially in this season of Lent when we need to rededicate ourselves to the Unity that we must have as Catholics on our way to God,” Fr. Louis said.