Fish fry Fridays in full swing at Divine Redeemer Parish in Sewickley

Food and fellowship can be found in abundance on Fridays at Divine Redeemer Parish in Sewickley, as its Lenten fish fry is in full swing at St. James Church on Walnut Street.

Last year was a return to indoor dining after the pandemic.

The Rev. Brian Noel anticipates more people participating this season.

“It’s back bigger and better,” he said. “First and foremost (it is for) fellowship and building community here at Divine Redeemer and to the larger region, because that’s what we’re all about. Have some fun along the way and have some great fish.”

About 75 volunteers come together each week to make the Friday feast of a fundraiser happen, including parishioners and school students.

Noel said it is a great opportunity for young learners to earn service hours, learn responsibility and build hospitality skills.

Menu items include fried and baked cod, seared salmon, pierogies, crab cakes, buttered noodles, fries, green beans, coleslaw, mac and cheese and a variety of desserts. The hand-breaded fried fish is served on a Mancini roll.

There are gluten-free options as well. Food is available for dine-in or take-out.

Those dining in head downstairs to the social hall. Take-out is on an upper floor run by parishioner Dan Kerner.

Kona Ice has its tropical shaved ice in the take-out room.

Bill Monski, parishioner and fish fry coordinator, said last year’s fundraising effort generated more than $20,000 — well over its $17,000 goal.

More than 2,000 pounds of cod, 275 pounds of salmon and 100 pounds of crab cakes were served.

Monski, who is in his fourth year as coordinator, said the goal is to at least match the 2023 numbers.

“We’re getting smarter,” he said. “The online ordering has really smoothed things out because people can order on their phone. We’re just trying to bring the community in to see that we’re a dynamic parish. Let them come and enjoy a nice meal with their families and enjoy themselves.”

The parish also purchased a new point-of-sale service system to streamline transactions.

“I have real-time data on the sales and I can keep track of what my inventory is doing,” Monski said. “I know when to take things off of the menu so we don’t run out of food. We don’t want someone to order something and us not have it.”

Most of the food is supplied by Nappie’s Foods. Vegetables are from Sunfresh Food Service.

Homemade haluski was replaced with buttered noodles. There is no fish fry on Good Friday.

Monski said people have requested pizza, which may return next year.