Crispy, juicy, beer-battered fish. Golden-brown French fries. Fresh, delicious coleslaw. Hearty bread rolls and hush puppies.
A menu that decadent may sound out of place for the sacrificial, penitential season of Lent. Catholics in the Midwest, however, have long been holding “fish fry” gatherings that feature these sumptuous suppers — with a side of spiritual camaraderie.
The fish fry has now made its way across the Pacific to Island parishes. Local Catholics who want to learn more about the fun tradition can head to Kailua this month, where members of the Knights of Columbus Council 6307 will be hosting fish fries at St. Anthony Church, March 7, and St. John Vianney parish, March 28.
Kailua parishioner and Knights of Columbus member Bob Hoevel will be among the dozens of volunteers cooking and serving dinner at the events. An Indiana native, Hoevel and his wife Tracy came up with the idea to organize the first fish fry at St. Anthony Church several years ago. The Hoevels loved the Lenten custom in their hometown of Fort Wayne, and thought Hawaii’s Catholics would enjoy it as well.
“We really missed it,” Bob Hoevel said.
The fish fry’s rich history is said to date back as far as the 1800s, begun by a large population of German Catholics who settled in Wisconsin. Fish was an abundant food source and popular Lenten alternative for these residents living near the Great Lakes. The fish fry became such a beloved tradition in the 1920s and ‘30s, Midwestern restaurants started hosting them on Fridays outside of Lent to make money during the prohibition era.
Knights of Columbus councils across the U.S. have turned fish fries into much-anticipated Lenten parish socials and fundraisers for charitable causes.
Deep-fried white fish is the main attraction at these events. Halibut, haddock and cod are among the favored seafood varieties, depending on a region’s most prevalent catch. Additional items served alongside the fish typically include French fries, potato salad, slaw and bread.
Hoevel said the upcoming fish fries in Kailua will be featuring succulent, savory catfish. He spent months perfecting a unique, homemade batter recipe specifically for the occasion. Several local food suppliers and restaurants graciously donated about 300 pounds of catfish, which will be cooked on-site for diners to partake in.
“We’re getting better every year,” Hoevel said.
Past fish fries at St. Anthony and St. John Vianney parishes drew “a great response,” he added. Roughly 500 people were served at their most recent gatherings. Hoevel hopes that as word gets out about the tradition, more Island Catholics will embrace the communal spirit of the fish fries and make the events a regular part of their Lenten seasons.
Tickets for the March 7 fish fry at St. Anthony and March 28 event at St. John Vianney are available for purchase at http://kofc6307fishfry2014.eventbrite.com. Cost is $13 for adults, $12 for seniors and $9 for children ages 5-11. Kids age 4 and under eat free.
Organizers are capping the price for a family — mom, dad and children — at $44.
The dinner ticket includes sides and a drink, plus “all the fish you can eat.” Take-out suppers will be available for drive-through pick-up as well.
Meals are scheduled to be served from 5:15-7:15 p.m. on both evenings. The events will also include a raffle, and a sale of specially designed commemorative T-shirts.
The Knights of Columbus Council 6307 will be donating proceeds from the fish fries to Catholic school scholarships and Courage House, an organization that helps young women escape sex trafficking.
For more information, call Bob Hoevel at 223-9529.
