St. Joseph, other Corpus Christi churches offer fish fries during Lent in 2023

The Lenten season has begun, and for many that means no eating meat on Fridays. Several parishes with the Diocese of Corpus Christi, along with other area churches, offer fish fry fundraisers in the city during Lent.

St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church

St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church at 710 S. 19th St. on the city’s Westside has been serving up its golden fried fish and shrimp and homemade tartar sauce for years.

The Lenten Fish Fry at St. Joseph takes place every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. through April 7. Visitors can also attend the Stations of the Cross in the church every Friday at 5 p.m.

Rev. Ogie Rosalinas has been at the church for 10 years and said the fish fry has been held for about 35 years. People come from all over the city to support the annual event, he said. During the pandemic when only the to-go option was available, volunteers were making 500 plates a day. Before the pandemic, they served between 600 and 700 plates each Friday.

The annual fish fry is the parish’s largest fundraiser and mostly run by volunteers at the church. The church also receives donations, everything from drinks and water bottles to boxes of fish.

“We thank everyone who has been supporting us for years,” Rosalinas said. “We always need more volunteers, and welcome younger volunteers, as some of our parishioners get older.”

Diners can get a plate of fried fish or fried shrimp or a combination of both, along with french fries, homemade coleslaw, buttered corn and a slice of bread. All orders come with a signature homemade tartar sauce, which is a secret recipe, and either a soda or a bottle of water. For those with a sweet tooth, the church is also serving individual desserts for $2 or capriotada, a traditional Lenten dessert in Mexico similar to bread pudding, for $3.

Plates are $12 and can be picked up in the drive-thru or delivered. If you order five or more plates, delivery is free. Orders can be placed by calling 361-882-7912 or emailing stjosephcctx@gmail.com.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church holds a fish fry every year at 5830 Williams Drive. Diners can get a fish plate or a shrimp plate, which includes sides of french fries, coleslaw and hush puppies all for $12. Add-ons are also available, with four shrimp for $3, two crab cakes for $4, a side of mac and cheese for $2 or a gallon of tea for $4.

Orders can be picked up in the drive-thru in front of the parish hall between 3 and 7 p.m. every Friday through March 31. All proceeds benefit the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy, a Catholic school that teaches children from 2 years old through the eighth grade. Contact the church at 361-991-7891 or https://www.olphcctx.org/.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 7522 Everhart Road offers drive-thru fish fry plates on the city’s Southside, cooked up by the Knights of Columbus Council 13250.

Plates include fried fish, french fries, hush puppies and coleslaw for $12, and are available for pickup in the church’s parking lot from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday through March 31. Contact the church at 361-991-4400 or https://sjbcctx.org/.

Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church

Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church at 3210 S. Padre Island Drive hosts its Lenten Fish Fry by the Knights of Columbus Council 5919 from 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday through March 31. Plates are available via drive-thru only at the Msgr. Kasper Youth Center at the church.

Plates include fried fish, french fries, coleslaw and a roll for $9. For fish fry questions, call Grand Knight Joe Abrigo at 361-815-4139.

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church at 2233 Waldron Road in Flour Bluff has fish fry plates available served by the Knights of Columbus Council 8170.

Plates are $12 and diners can select fish, shrimp or a combination of both. Sides are coleslaw, green beans and french fries, and all plates include a dessert and a choice of tea or lemonade. The fish fry will be from 4 to 6:30 every Friday through April 7, and is available as dine-in or pickup. Contact the church at 361-937-3864 or https://www.stpaultheapostlecc.com/.

Christ the King Catholic Church

Christ the King Catholic Church at 3423 Rojo St. offers their annual fish fry fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4:30-7:30 p.m. every Friday through March 31.

Plates include two fish fillets, French fries, hush puppies and coleslaw for $10 a plate, and you can include add-ons of two shrimp for $1 or a drink for $1. Delivery in-town is also available for five or more plates. Call ahead to place an order at 361-883-2821, or check https://ctk-cc.org/ for more information.

St. John's United Methodist Church

St. John's United Methodist Church at 5300 S. Alameda St. has two fish fry events scheduled for Lent. The first will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, and is drive-through only. The second is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, March 31, and will be dine-in or take-out. Both events will be in the Community Life building.

Plate includes fried fish, coleslaw, hush puppies, and tartar sauce and are $10 each, and cash and credit cards are accepted. Contact the church at 361-991-4342 or https://www.sjmethodist.com/.

St. Theresa Catholic Church

St. Theresa of the Little Flower Parish at 1302 Lantana St. near Up River Road has a fish fry fundraiser on Good Friday in 2023. Diners can get fish, shrimp and two sides for $12 a plate. Plates will be available for dine-in at the parish hall or to-go between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, April 7. Contact the church at 361-289-2759 or https://sainttheresacc.org/.

Having a church fish fry this Lenten season? Send your information to calendars@caller.com to be included in this list.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: St. Joseph, other Corpus Christi churches offer fish during Lent in 2023