Friday Fish-Fries

[jeanne71350]

I usually try to refrain from judging other people, but am I the only one who thinks going to an expensive fish-fry on a Friday in Lent somewhat silly?

My understanding is that giving up meat is supposed to be a sort of sacrifice. But in our culture today, seafood is usually more of a delicacy than meat is. So instead of Catholics eating a sloppy joe sandwich or a hot dog (although that actually might not be considered meat), many will spend twice as much as they usually do to go to a nice seafood restaurant.

My parish hosts a fish fry on Friday night for $10 a head. That doesn’t quite seem to be in the spirit of sacrificing.

I don’t know… it would be like a parish instructing people not to drink beer on Fridays, but then encouraging them to drink vodka.

Living in South Louisiana, land of crawfish and crabs, you see people saying “Well I gave up meat on Friday for Jesus” but then suck down pounds of boiled shrimp. This is nothing new.

-Jeanne

 

[Joyful_1]

I must admit / agree with another poster that in view of parishes’ need to raise funds, a “fish fry” is a good way to bring in some $$$. Let’s not forget that during this season there’s also St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Feasts. Many parishes hold functions with these themes, as well, also with the intention of raising funds. (If they don’t fall on a Friday, those functions don’t include fish. And if they DO fall on a Friday, let’s not forget the exceptions to the rule (providing they are permitted by the Church), i.e. the year St. Patrick’s fell on a Friday - and the Pope gave a dispensation so as to eat corned beef that day.

It’s true - It is following the “letter of the law” versus the “spirit” - as pointed out by another poster. But if we want to go the extra mile - beyond the letter of the law??? Then, you could just make that fish dinner your one full meal that day…in other words, a fast day w/o the demand of the law. Or be sure to say the Stations of the Cross that day, as well. But eating fish (or any dish other than meat) on Fridays constitutes doing what is commanded/required.

Would we get dispensed from having to fast on Good Friday if St. Patrick’s Day was on that day? (Is that even possible? I haven’t done the math.)

 

[tee_eff_em]

Would we get dispensed from having to fast on Good Friday if St. Patrick’s Day was on that day? (Is that even possible? I haven’t done the math.)

St Patrick’s Day cannot fall on Good Friday because:

• 
  *]As part of the Triduum, Good Friday takes precedence over other liturgical celebrations, and
  *]The earliest date that Good Friday may fall is 20-Mar (and the latest is 23-Apr)
  
  However, 17-Mar can fall during Holy Week, as it did last year. Territories in which St Patrick is celebrated with greater than usual solemnity are permitted to translate the feast to another day (necessarily outside of Holy Week and the Easter Octave), cf. the case last year: [thread=170054]St Patrick’s day moved from traditional date[/thread].
  
  :irish2:
  tee
  Armchair Liturgical Calendar Nerd

 

[Monica4316]

I personally think that on fridays, it’s best to just have some vegetables… unless you really need more energy like if you have a (physically) very demanding job or something.

 

[maryjk]

I personally think that on Fridays, it’s best to just have some vegetables… unless you really need more energy like if you have a (physically) very demanding job or something.

Which is admirable, but not what the Church asks of us.

We are simply asked to abstain from meat.

 

[Cluny]

If the Vatican told you not to drink beer on Holy Thursday, would you find it okay to drink vodka instead?

As a matter of fact, wine and beer are permitted on Holy Thursday in the Byzantine tradition, but not distilled spirits.

 

[The_Catholic]

I usually try to refrain from judging other people, but am I the only one who thinks going to an expensive fish-fry on a Friday in Lent somewhat silly?

My understanding is that giving up meat is supposed to be a sort of sacrifice. But in our culture today, seafood is usually more of a delicacy than meat is. So instead of Catholics eating a sloppy joe sandwich or a hot dog (although that actually might not be considered meat), many will spend twice as much as they usually do to go to a nice seafood restaurant.

My parish hosts a fish fry on Friday night for $10 a head. That doesn’t quite seem to be in the spirit of sacrificing.

I don’t know… it would be like a parish instructing people not to drink beer on Fridays, but then encouraging them to drink vodka.

Funny, I’ve been thinking the same things lately, lol.

 

[tee_eff_em]

Well, I cannot speak for the rest of you, but I think I can safely say my parish gets the seal of approval.

This week, the bishop and our diocesan seminarians will be coming to our fish fry, after which they will lead the Stations of the Cross.

tee

 

[AngelRose81]

I usually try to refrain from judging other people, but am I the only one who thinks going to an expensive fish-fry on a Friday in Lent somewhat silly?

My understanding is that giving up meat is supposed to be a sort of sacrifice. But in our culture today, seafood is usually more of a delicacy than meat is. So instead of Catholics eating a sloppy joe sandwich or a hot dog (although that actually might not be considered meat), many will spend twice as much as they usually do to go to a nice seafood restaurant.

My parish hosts a fish fry on Friday night for $10 a head. That doesn’t quite seem to be in the spirit of sacrificing.

I don’t know… it would be like a parish instructing people not to drink beer on Fridays, but then encouraging them to drink vodka.

Do the proceeds go to a particular cause or anything? Our parish has Friday fish frys for $7 per person and no more than $15 per family (no matter how many!) I think that’s a pretty good deal, plus the proceeds go to our sister parish (a mission in Haiti) and the girls’ orphanage there.