Lenten Friday Nights in my home town

The first Friday of Lent was another cool crisp day that turned into a downright chilly evening. We have been quite cool, ok, cold, this winter. But we arrive at Lent and the this first Friday brings a myriad of activity at St. Jane's Parish in Abita Springs.

Starting in 1999, our local Knights of Columbus Council debated the merits of staging fish fry dinners at the parish hall. Never having this tradition before, as the Council was brand new, some argued that it would turn into a social event and not be in the spirit of Lent. Others argued that folks had to eat dinner anyway, and meat is off the menu. Provide the dinner, charge a reasonable price and use any profits for the good works of the Council. And yet another argued that attendance at Stations of the Cross could use a boost. After all, for a family to make it back to town for 7 p.m. and feeding the crew may be a challenge.

After that inaugural year, the KC Lenten Fish Fry has become "all that". Yes, it is an event that draws many to socialize. It is even a community event now as many of the customers are non-Catholic friends and neighbors. And yes, it has indeed made attending Stations of the Cross more manageable for some, hence more folks are participating in this important Lenten devotion.

Many argue too that dining on wonderfully prepared fried catfish and shrimp is not much of a sacrifice. Even if this be true, giving up something for Lent or avoiding foods that delight must truly be an interior thing. Some have joked that being from south Louisiana maybe the Church should make us eat meat since seafood and fish is such a favorite thing to eat down here.

In the end, the fish fry dinners will continue for years to come. We all have our own responsibility to adhere to Lenten regulations and offer ourselves from deep within. And yes, it is most commendable to attend the Stations of the Cross.

So if you are ever in the Abita Springs area, north of the lake from New Orleans, come and stop by and enjoy a good Lenten meal. And make time to stop in at Stations of the Cross.