Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, fish fries plentiful
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, a religious season observed by Catholics and many other Christian denominations around the world.
Millions of people will choose to give up something of their choice for 40 days to observe Lent. For Roman Catholics, Lent runs from Ash Wednesday to the evening of Holy Thursday.
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As an act of penance, Catholics avoid meat, including beef, pork, chicken, ham, and lamb, on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and other Fridays during Lent. However, fish and animal products such as eggs and milk are allowed.
The Rev. John Miller of St. Peter's Catholic Church, said, "For Catholics, Lent is the most important spiritual preparation time of the year.
"For six weeks Catholics intensify their prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We do so to grow in spiritual maturity, with the goal of being like Christ. In doing so, we benefit and so does the rest of humanity," Miller said.
"Lent is the time to strip ourselves of worldliness and to take on Godliness. That is hard work, but any worthwhile training program requires the same. The self-discipline and self-sacrifice needed for the spiritual works of Lent enable us to have greater love of God and neighbor," he said.
"If we think about it, we need Lent as much as creation needs springtime. To all those who struggle with committing themselves to the hard work of Lent, remember Jesus' words that if we sow sparingly we will reap sparingly. This Lent, as you endure the hardship of spiritual growing pains, keep your mind and heart focused on the greater purpose and goal of it all. Heaven is well worth it," he said.
According to the Diocese of Toledo, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Roman Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Roman Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own church, according to the diocese.
If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare oneself to share more fully and to celebrate more readily the resurrection of Jesus.
Where to go for local fish fries
Here are some of the places in the area that will be holding fish fries during Lent:
• Knights of Columbus, 1114 Park Avenue West, Fridays March 4 through April 8; 5 to 7:30 p.m. $10 per person, reservations can be made by calling 419-529-5532. Dine in or carry out.
• St. Mary of the Snows, 1630 Ashland Road, Fridays from March 4 through April 8; 5 to 6:30 p.m. $10 adults, $5 children. Dine in or carry out.
• St. Mary School PTO 26 West St. Shelby, annual Lenten Fish Fry Dinners on March 4 and 11 from 4:30 p.m. until food runs out. Drive-thru only. Adults $12, seniors $11, children 5-12 $5, 4 years and younger are free. Proceeds benefit St. Mary PTO.
• Knights of Columbus Fish Fry Friday, drive thru only, March 4 through April 8 from 5 p.m. until sold out; $12 per dinner, cash or credit card. 333 N. Thoman St., Crestline; proceeds support Crestline St. Joseph School.
• VFW 9943, 806 Grace St., fish lunches, Fridays from March 4 to April 15, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., $8; and fish dinners, 5 to 7 p.m. $10. Meals include fish, fries and coleslaw. The post is also doing call-in orders. Call 419-526-1907.
• Plymouth Legion Post 447, 112 Trux St., Plymouth, first Fridays of the month, October through April. Adult meal, $12, kid's meal, $6. Fish only, $1.25 a piece.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
419-521-7223
Twitter: @LWhitmir
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Catholics avoid meat Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, other Fridays in Lent.
