A New Take on Lenten Dinners
I remember Friday fish Lenten dinners around the Catholic home front when I was growing up. They were simple fare and, because I usually gave up sweets for Lent, there were no cookies, candies, or ice cream lying around to tempt me.
Not so at our local Catholic church! Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Carmel Valley has offered Friday Lenten dinners to their parish and community members for the last nine years. Each Friday, except Good Friday, there is a different Sicilian oriented menu which always has a salad, a fish entree, usually a pasta and garlic bread accompaniment, wine and beer (for those who so desire) AND desserts, as in varied and plentiful. “Eat your heart out, Catholic-Lynn-of-my-youth.” There is also music provided by a singer/ guitarist, or two, and at times an impromptu song by a talented parishioner.
I love these meals–not only because the food is very good (quite amazing considering that a crew of amateur, though talented, parishioner chefs is doing the barbecuing and cooking), but also because of the camaraderie and community feeling of the event. Many church members attend but there are always many other attendees from the neighborhood. Anywhere from 100 to 150 people of all ages appear each Friday and there is always a feeling of exuberance and sharing. Parishioners do the food serving and the cost of the meal is $15 to $25 dollars, depending on whether you are a wine/dessert consumer. All proceeds benefit the church and their social ministries.
SO…next year, check to see if Lenten dinners are happening in your community. Or if you find yourself in Carmel Valley and are hankering for a good meal and “up” feelings with lots of friendly folk, check to see if Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church is again doing their Lenten meals. If so, wend your way there. You, and your sweet tooth, will not be disappointed!
No tuna fish casserole?
No, no tuna casserole! Just good gourmet fish recipes and generous portions. Fun stuff!
I like the idea of community dinners. The ones I see advertised in the San Francisco area are always over 100 dollars!
Yes, I agree. These dinners are a real gift in so many ways!
The most difficult part of Lent in my Catholic household was that, year after year, I could not convince my mother to put potato chips on the tuna nolldle casserole.
And that I never learned to spell noodle.
Ah, but you have now!
Love it, Tom! What a good idea to put potato chips on the tuna casserole. And nolldle, noodle–it’s all good!
What….no Gefilte Fish? Consider yourself lucky!
So glad you have dropped the concept of no sweets, that is just cruel.
Nice that you can engage with your catholiic upbringing in a happy and positive way!
Cheers to great dinners with fun people.
xoxoxo
Sorry about the absence of Gefilte fish! And yes to “great dinners with fun people,” Gefilte fish or no!
I’m delighted our OLMC Lenten dinners have brought you much pleasure, Lynn. Although some funds are raised for our Social Ministries, our primary purpose is to build community within our church and beyond. A success, I think!
A success indeed! The food was great; the fellowship was equally nourishing! Thank you for all the hardwork you and your hubby and all did to give so many of us so much pleasure❤️
I have been to about five Lenten dinners over the last two years.
Often I run into friends and acquaintances and share the communal joy that is adrift in the hall.
These are no fish stick dinners here, but good restaurant quality fish fare . The room is filled with laughter and lively conversation. Communal
enjoyment is felt by all. We didn’t pre-conceive of bringing joy to these tables; joy came to us.
Thank you to OLMC for building community and including the neighbors. I consider it not only a gift, but the best
dinner in town during Lent.
Amen! Aren’t we lucky to have had such fun, easy (for us) opportunities to get together with community folks, some we know, some we didn’t know but do now.