“To Fry or Not To Fry?”  That is the question…fish that is!

       What a disappointment it was to end the Fish Fry in 2020 after only two weeks.  We had plenty of product on hand.  Our dedicated volunteers were willing.  We all were enjoying the great food and fellowship that makes our St. Peter Parish Fish Fry the premier Friday dinner in Lent.  Then, we saw that the COVID-19 virus was sweeping through our community, nation and world.  The pandemic inflicted illness on our most vulnerable, and at a great loss to so many families, including our St. Peter Parish Family.  It caused us to cancel the Fish Fry all together in 2021.

       This COVID-19 pandemic, along with its delta and now omicron variants, continues to afflict us, including those who otherwise appeared rather healthy.  This virus is unlike anything we have seen in generations, causing us all to proceed with an abundance of caution…still more hand washing, masks, sanitizing, and social distancing.  It is something that I am most aware of as I visit parishioners who are sick at home, in nursing homes and the hospital.  With us for almost three years now, we are becoming familiar, and maybe a bit more adept, at what it takes to remain healthy and reduce the risk of contagion.  Vaccinations and better therapeutics seem to be working to our advantage, though our local health care systems remain understaffed, and our health care providers are overworked, trying to provide healing and comfort to those afflicted by the virus.

       Ash Wednesday this year is March 2nd.  That puts the first Friday of Lent on March 4th…six weeks from now.  In the light of how things are trending, with the hope that the effects of the pandemic will be easing by then, IT IS OUR PLAN TO FRY this year. 

       At the same time we are so very concerned about the health and welfare of our Fish Fry workers, parishioners and guests.  The pandemic is not going away.  We see the result of asymptomatic and break through infections on our children in school, family members in nursing homes, and people in our general population.  A positive COVID test results in quarantine measures for a person / family / classroom / school / etc.  It could effect a Fish Fry as well.  When we consider what our typical Fish Fry looks like, we might need to take measures to reduce the risk of spreading illness. 

       I remember the joy of so many sitting with family and friends in our Parish Center gymnasium.  Over two hundred people are seated, with another hundred who are circling, waiting in line for their meal.  Our dining room workers are weaving in and out serving drinks, setting tables, taking out the trash.  Our volunteers are hard at it, selling tickets, prepping food and serving the meals.  Of course our guests are not wearing masks.  How can they be?  They are eating!  And there is our concern: so many people, in close proximity, in a confined space, with the real possibility of spreading the virus.

       While we would all want to see this year’s Fish Fry look like those of years past, it is more prudent to take a que from our Sausage Supper this past November.  That is why we are planning to offer our FISH FRY THIS YEAR AS TAKE OUT ONLY.  And, if the environment of things change significantly in the next six weeks, I think we would all be delighted to reinstate dine-in.

       There will be more info regarding our Fish Fry in the coming weeks.  We are working with our suppliers to order the fish, some of which may not be available due to rising costs and supply chain issues.  That may affect our menu and pricing.  So, be sure to watch the bulletin for updates.

       YES…THE FRY IS ON!

Sincerely yours in Jesus,

Fr. John Seper