"YES, we have a fish fry." This was the constant refrain of those answering our English-language 'phone lines during the past week. I should have asked the staff to keep a count of phone calls so that we might know whether calls about getting Ashes on Wednesday outnumbered calls about getting fish on Friday. It would be a close race, I think, among the English-language calls, but not contest on the Spanish line. The Spanish-speaking world loves them ashes. They may not come to Mass -- ever --- they may have abandoned the faith of their Baptism and joined Reverend Jose's storefront chapel (Primera Iglesia Hispana del West Side de Columbus or something like that), but by cracky they are gonna get their ashes, and it's the responsibility of Holy Mother to apply them to a a non-practicing forehead. Which we did. There are no videos of this from Wednesday night as my camera phone has no wide-screen capability and we don't want to frighten the children anyway.The Fish Fry was almost as noisy and chaotic as the Spanish Mass Wednesday night but had more of a festive atmosphere...Everyone who came gave the fish high marks. In all 220lbs of perch was sacrificed to facilitate Lenten penitence. In addition to the fish classic (fried) we also offered baked fish and and third option, of which I am especially fond: Perch Francese. White wine + Lemon + homemade crumbing = fish heaven. To those who eat fish, no explanation is necessary. To those who do not eat fish, no explanation is possible.
