NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Catholic parishes across Northern Michigan are beginning their annual Lenten fish fry dinners this month. The events, held in cities including Traverse City, Gaylord and Petoskey, feature a variety of seafood menus and dining options through early April.
Most locations offer both dine-in and takeout service with menus featuring fried or baked cod, shrimp and traditional sides. Prices for the community meals generally range from $10 to $20 per person, with many parishes offering discounted rates for families and children.
Christ the King Parish in Acme will host dinners on Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 6, March 13, March 20 and March 27. Meals are served from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the lower level of the church. The cost is $15 per person, while children ages 10 and under eat for free. The menu includes baked and fried fish, french fries, green beans, macaroni and cheese, salad, rolls and dessert. Shrimp is available for an additional cost.
In Traverse City, two parishes have scheduled Lenten meals. St. Francis of Assisi will offer cod loin fillets and rosemary herb potatoes on Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 6, March 13 and March 20. Adult meals are $14, children’s meals are $8 and a macaroni and cheese option is available for $6. Immaculate Conception Church will hold dinners on Feb. 20, Feb. 27 and March 20 at the elementary school cafeteria. Tickets are $15 per person or $5 for children.St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord will hold dinners from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Friday from Feb. 13 through March 27. The $20 meals include cod or shrimp, coleslaw and a choice of french fries, baked potato or macaroni and cheese.
In Lewiston, St. Francis of Assisi will serve fried or baked cod and shrimp from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through March 20. Adult meals cost $15, and tickets for children under age 10 are $10.Several locations in the northern part of the region will also host events.
Holy Childhood of Jesus in Harbor Springs scheduled dinners from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays through April 3. Adults pay $12 and children ages 7 to 12 pay $5. St. Francis Xavier in Petoskey will serve deep-fried and baked fish from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. through March 27. The cost is $15 per person or $7 for children ages 7 to 12. St. Mary of Assumption in Charlevoix will offer cod from John Cross Fisheries on four dates through March 20. Dine-in family rates range from $50 to $70.
In Rogers City, St. Ignatius of Loyola will offer takeout-only meals for $18 starting at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 and March 13. St. Casimir in Posen will host dinners at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Feb. 27, March 20 and April 3. The $16 menu includes three cod loins and sides. In Harrisville, the Parishes of the Resurrection of the Lord will serve fried cod at St. Anne Maria Hall from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. through March 27. Eat-in meals are $10 and carry-out orders are $12.
CPR Parishes in Cheboygan will host fish dinners at Bishop Baraga Catholic School. The events are scheduled for Feb. 27, March 6 and March 13. Specific times, menus and pricing for the Cheboygan events have not yet been determined.
Fish fries will continue at most locations on scheduled Fridays through late March. St. Casimir in Posen and Holy Childhood of Jesus in Harbor Springs have scheduled their final dinners for April 3. Residents are encouraged to check with individual parishes for potential menu changes or sold-out status.