ST. LOUIS — On Friday evenings throughout the Lenten season, you can find a fish fry on almost every corner.
But, at St. Raymond-St. Elizabeth’s Maronite Catholic Church in Crestwood, you’ll find more than an authentic American fish fry.
This parish is serving up vegetarian Lebanese cuisine.
Mnsgr. John Nahal says you’ll recognize some dishes from the Wednesday lunches held at St. Raymond Maronite Cathedral downtown.
On the menu, you'll find mjadra (lentils and rice), falafel, hummus, and pita bread.
Parishioner Tony Hamad who immigrated to St. Louis from Lebanon in 2001, says the dishes for the Lebanese fare are family recipes that are at least 100 years old.
But, you can still indulge in your typical American-style fish fry, as they are serving up hand-breaded cod, shrimp, mac and cheese, and coleslaw.
It was only natural that I brought my father along with me on this assignment. As my family has been a part of St. Raymond’s parish since the early 1900s.
This Lenten season is the first time St. Raymond-St. Elizabeth’s partnered on fish fries since the Maronite partnership began between St. Raymond’s Maronite Cathedral downtown and St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in 2020.
"We're happy that this church here now, St. Elizabeth's is a beacon of light for both of our churches. Like Saint John Paul II said, 'the church should read from both lungs east and west'. So, here we have both traditions, the Eastern Church and the Western Church. And we are happy and everybody here is enjoying this richness," Mnsgr. John Nahal said.
And you can take part in Easter celebrations at both churches!
This Friday, March 22, is the final fish fry of the season held at the Crestwood church.
On March 29, Good Friday, the fish fry will be hosted from 4-8 p.m. at The Cedars Hall at St. Raymond’s Maronite Cathedral in Downtown St. Louis.
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