Churches will once more host Good Friday fish fry

The people at Pharr Chapel United Methodist, Walmsley United Methodist, Cornerstone Ministries Fellowship and Trinity Episcopal aren’t exactly feeding the 5,000.
And “we have a lot more fish than Jesus did,” Pharr Chapel Pastor John Locascio said, laughing.
But, in the spirit of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, members of the churches will once more invite everyone to a free community fish fry on Good Friday.
The event starts at noon at Lawrence Park on Everett Street in Morgan City.
For a time this year, organizers posted a request for additional donations of catfish. The community responded.
“We’re going to have enough catfish to feed 600 people this year,” Locascio said. “We usually have enough.”
Members of the churches begin planning the event about the time Mardi Gras was ending and Lent was beginning.
Church members will move chairs and tables to the park in preparation for the fish fry.
One member donates and prepares white beans and rice for the crowd.
Other church members will prepare cole slaw, breads and cakes. Each of the congregations contributes.
Businesses help provide the meal, too, by donating sodas and other drinks. Kentwood Springs donates water, Locascio said.
Christian bands will play for the crowd, and there will be fun jumps and an Easter egg hunt for the children.
Sometime between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., people will walk along the Stations of the Cross in the park.
“Anybody can come and eat,” Locascio said. “It’s just a day that we kind of enjoy giving of ourselves to others.”

This story was written by Bill Decker of The Daily Review staff. Reach him at bdecker@daily-review.com.