ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Catholics around the world observe lent this time of year. An Escanaba school is taking the opportunity to bring the community together and to raise funds for a student trip.
“Lent is the season before Easter, so it’s a penitential and a preparatory season,” explained Mark Surrell, Headmaster of Holy Name High School – A Chesterton Academy. “One of the things Catholics observe during that time is abstinence from meat on Fridays. Fish is excepted from that, so it’s very common for Catholics to eat fish during Lent.”
Each Friday through March 17, Holy Name Catholic School is hosting Fish Fry Fridays. Surrell says the meal—which includes sides, dessert, and a drink—is open to all community members, Catholic or otherwise.
“The fish is really delicious, and it’s a great place to meet and hang out with your friends on a Friday night,” he said.
Holy Name students, like sophomore Michael Rexford, participate in Fish Fry Fridays by welcoming guests and accepting payments.
“We’re just here to have a good time and bring people together,” Rexford said. “We’re all pretty close to each other as a school and we’re kind of like a big family here. It’s top-notch food and just a good time.”
The proceeds brought in each week will go toward a Rome pilgrimage for juniors and seniors at Holy Name High School – A Chesterton Academy.
“It’s a really beautiful opportunity for those students to walk the streets of the history that they learned about, study the philosophy and the theology, even read the Latin inscriptions above some doors,” Surrell said.
“Looking in all the textbooks and stuff and it actually coming to life, I think that’s pretty sweet,” added Rexford. “I think it’s a good experience for anyone.”
Headmaster Surrell invites Delta County to support the high school students and enjoy a delicious meal at the upcoming Fish Fry Fridays.
“A few of the tenets of lent are prayers, almsgiving, and fasting,” he said. “You can give alms and support your community and your students here, you can observe the abstinence with the fish fry, and you can pray together over your meal here with us.”
Fish Fry Fridays run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Holy Name Catholic School multipurpose room. Click here for prices and additional information.
