MIDLAND, Mich. (WJRT) – There will be no fish fries this Lenten season in one mid-Michigan church community.
Many fish fries have been scaled back or cancelled the last two years because of the pandemic, but this cancellation is a little different.
With COVID-19 restrictions lifting, this might have been the first time in three years St. Brigid in Midland would have had it’s typical Friday fish fries, but this year, another problem has arisen.
“It calls us to a joyful return to the Lord,” says Father Andy Booms of St. Brigid of Kildare Church in Midland.
It is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season for many Christians and at St. Brigid, a number of parishioners turned out for the traditional noon mass. The religious tradition of not eating meat on Fridays will be a little more challenging for them.
“There will be no fish fries at St. Brigid this year,” says Father Booms.
He says the church’s fish fries were scaled back or cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic.
“This year we have run in to supply chain issues, and the fish that would normally be utilized for fish fries is just not available, the price was quite volatile,’ he says.
Church leaders checked with two vendors who told them this.
“We’re just not able to make a commitment to deliver the fish that we needed, when we need it,” says Father Booms.
“I am a little surprised by the shortage of fish in our area,” says parishioner Loretta Osmer.
She says she will adjust.
“So now we will cook at home, “she says.
“We are used to having 600 to 800 people on every Friday night during Lent,” says Cathy Leikhim.
She is not happy the supply chain woes have now crept into the church community celebrations.
“It’s tough because the reason for it is completely different, it has more to do with the economy and what is happening in our country,” she says.
Father Booms says it hurts the church and school financially not having the fish fries, but they have diversified fundraising so they can handle the setback.
“We are planning to return in 2023,” he says.
The church serves walleye and cod when they have fish fries. Another church in the Saginaw Diocese, the Prince of Peace Parish in Linwood has also announced no fish fries, citing supply chain issues and potential lack of workers.
