WARSAW, Ill. — As in years past, Illinois worship spaces Sacred Heart Church in Warsaw, Immaculate Conception Church in Carthage, and Saints Peter and Paul Church in Nauvoo are hosting Lenten fish fry meals, and locals are showing up for good fried fish and the congenial conversations that accompany such events.
Despite competition from a fish fry benefiting the Jake Burling Field and the Carthage Ball Diamonds at the Carthage Eagles Club, Sacred Heart Church in Warsaw hosted its fish fry on Friday, Feb. 27, with a record number of people turning out for the delicious meal of fried fish fillets, cheesy hash browns, coleslaw, baked beans, a roll with butter, dessert, and a drink. The meals were so popular that the servers reported running out of food.
Diners eagerly enjoyed the stimulating conversations with family and friends in the Bott Center or ordered carry-out meals to enrich their evenings at home.
The congregation’s parish hall, currently the site where they conduct weekly Mass while the sanctuary is being restored, was unavailable, so members were pleased and grateful to have this alternative location to host the highly anticipated meal.
Multigenerational members of the congregation shared behind-the-scenes and up-front responsibilities to serve generous portions of food in a timely manner and provide a pleasant atmosphere for Warsaw residents and those from neighboring towns.
Ladies of the parish started preparing the food the day before, each having their specialty, including table decorations and setup.
As in years past, humor abounded. The fish-frying team enjoyed bantering with one another, and anyone who ventured outside to observe them steadily cooking the tender fillets and having a marvelous time.
Many parishioners were involved in furnishing desserts, helping to serve, manning carry-outs and the dining room, washing dishes and helping to clean up.
Those who arrived were greeted at the door with a basket raffle. People who won the attractive baskets were Courtney Yuskis, Tony Herdrich, Diane Heisler and Ann Longenecker.
Sacred Heart members’ obvious enjoyment in spending time with each other and their ability to joyfully serve the community attracts Warsaw residents and other locals to their events, including the popular pancakes and sausage breakfast scheduled for April 12 in the parish hall.
More details will be forthcoming. Thank you, Sacred Heart Church, for your gracious hospitality!