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The annual Lenten Fish Fry at St. Clare of Assisi Parish will continue in 2026, but with a new change in how the food is prepared.
Church leaders announced that beginning 2026, the Fish Fry meals will be cooked by a licensed catering or restaurant operator, rather than by parish volunteers, in order to comply with updated health, safety and liability requirements.
The update was shared in a letter to parishioners from Most Reverend Albert Bahhuth, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles for the San Fernando Pastoral Region, who acknowledged the Fish Fry’s long history as a cherished parish tradition.
“The Lenten Fish Fry at St. Clare has long been a treasured parish tradition, rooted in fellowship and community,” Bahhuth wrote. “I am deeply grateful to the many parishioners at St. Clare’s whose dedication has made it such a success over the years.”
Recent food-handling training revealed that some long-standing practices used during the event are no longer permitted under current health codes, according to the letter. Failure to meet those standards could result in the health department shutting down the event.
“As the Fish Fry has grown, your parish must now meet current health, safety, and liability requirements,” Bahhuth wrote. “If you do not comply, the health department could shut down the event, an outcome we want to avoid.”
Bahhuth said Fr. Marlon informed him that a licensed operator will now prepare the food inside the parish kitchen. The operator will provide required permits, insurance, and food-safety certifications.
Church officials emphasized that volunteers will still play a major role in the event.
“Parish volunteers will continue to run the dining room and hospitality aspects of the Fish Fry, preserving the community spirit that defines this event,” the letter states.
The change is also expected to ease the physical workload placed on volunteers, clergy and staff during the six-week Lenten season.
“These changes are being made proactively to protect St. Clare’s parish, your volunteers, and all who participate,” Bahhuth wrote. “The goal is simple: to ensure that the Fish Fry can continue safely and responsibly for years to come.”
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“Fish Fry meals will be cooked by a licensed catering or restaurant operator.”
Will the caterers be paid? This will be less for the church? OR are the caterers volunteering?
otherwise……….
THE FISH FRY DINNERS WILL COST A LOT MORE THIS YEAR… SAD.
The health dept should spend it’s time and resources on shutting down all of the temporary outdoor “kitchens” that pop up all over the county. They have no licenses, and if people get sick from the food, there is no traceability. Also there is no way to to know where and how the food prep is done. It is a recipe for disaster. Those bad actors are also putting the brick and mortar restaurants out of business. St. Clare’s has more people with experience doing this food prep than many restaurants.
I just got home from Night 1 of the St. Clare’s Lenten Fish Fry and I use the word ‘fish,’ loosely. This is so terrible what they’ve done. Not only have prices gone up and portions gotten smaller, they no longer include a roll or coleslaw with the fish dinners. Instead of delicious homemade tartar sauce you are lucky if you get one small packet of crap tartar sauce, which they ran out of by 5:30 PM. Someone said they ran to Sam’s Club to get more packets. 🙄 The fish dinner is now only french fries and the worst herb crusted ‘fish’ filets. Mine was chewy. I believe the Gorton’s Fisherman would serve a better meal straight from the freezer to your microwave. I am so sad because it was always something I looked forward to every year. This is an abomination and an affront to God.