As the world navigates unprecedented times, a popular Lenten tradition has had to change, too.
St. Margaret of Cortona won t host a fish fry for the first time since 1999, while others make adaptations to continue the popular events.
The pandemic has changed the nature of Friday fish fries for many local Roman Catholic churches, as some have switched to carry-out and drive-through meals only. The Catholic Times did a survey and found that out of 49 responding parishes that hosted fish fries before the pandemic, 23 said they would host a dinner in some fashion this year.
St. Cecilia Parish, on Norton Road on the Far West Side, is hosting its Friday fish fries beginning Feb. 19 via drive-through but it s a method the church has been practicing for 15 years on a smaller scale, said Mark Hunter, fish fry chairman and a member of the Knights of Columbus.