Lenten season of Fish Fry Fridays kicks off

St. Hubert dinner one of most popular

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season, and for many Catholics and Christians abstaining from meat during the fasting leading up to Easter, it also marks the start of fish fry Fridays.

The tradition is not only observed among churches and schools but also community service clubs like the Knights of Columbus, who do the cooking for the Lenten Fish Fry at St. Hubert Catholic Church in Harrison Township.

“It’s fantastic,” said Fr. John Maksym, moderator of the North East Family of Parishes that includes St. Hubert along with St. Peter Catholic Church and St. Mary Catholic School in Mount Clemens referring to their fish dinner.

“I agree. It’s the best,” said a woman, headed to a table in the activity center Friday while carrying a plate heaped with French fries, coleslaw and three pieces of St. Hubert’s hand-battered North Atlantic cod.

Friday’s Lenten Fish Fry at St. Hubert runs from 4 to 7 p.m. and by 6:30 p.m. the hall is filled. Diners of all ages gather with friends and family for supper or share a table with strangers, who become friends by the end of the meal. It’s this social interaction with friendly cooks, servers and guests from a variety of religious denominations that also make it such a popular event.

As for St. Hubert’s fish? It’s true what they say. The batter is crisp but not greasy and the fresh cod is tasty without being fishy.

It’s a great pairing with St. Hubert’s fries, which feature a recipe that keeps them crispy to the end.

Cost for the meal is $15 and includes choice of beverage.

A piece of cake or cookies is not included as with many fish fry dinners. Instead visitors are treated to a marvelous selection of bake sale goods that are sold at each fish fry to provide support for local nonprofit organizations like the Friends of Harrison Township Public Library, who kicked off the season’s first selection of treats.

The annual fish fry dinners are held every Friday through March 22.

St. Hubert Catholic Church and activity hall is at 38775 Prentiss St., in Harrison Township.

PHOTOS BY GINA JOSEPH — THE MACOMB DAILY Cooking up a batch of North Atlantic cod and the hosts for Friday’s Fish Fry at St. Hubert Catholic Church in Harrison Township are Knights of Columbus members Bob Bradley, left, Mike Nelson, Bill Bender. Dipping the fish in batter, at right, is Ron Berges.

Tis’ the sesaon for Fish Fry Fridays. Among the favorite destinations is St. Hubert Catholic Church in Harrison Township, which serves up three pieces of hand-battered North Atlantic cod, fries, coleslaw and a roll for $15.

Happy to serve the fries during Friday’s Fish Fry at St. Hubert Catholic Church is Ernie Boulos. The popular Lenten season dinner is put on annually by the Knights of Columbus and a team of dedicated volunteers.