St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 122 Union St., Catasauqua, held its annual Lenten dinner March 6 in its parish center.

There was a time when Roman Catholics were required to refrain from eating meat on any Friday. A Vatican edict changed the requirement of a meatless Friday years ago, with the exception of Ash Wednesday, any Friday in Lent and Good Friday. St. Mary’s kept the tradition of offering a meat-free dinner on a Friday during Lent.

A fried haddock platter was the main dinner, offered for either dine-in or takeout. The platter included green beans, coleslaw and a roll with butter. Also, patrons had a choice of cabbage and noodles or seasoned roasted potatoes and got a dessert and coffee. In place of a fish dinner, diners had the option of a cabbage and noodles platter with a refreshment, green beans or applesauce and a roll with butter.

As the dining hall began to fill up with patrons, the volunteer kitchen staff got busy. St. Mary’s volunteer leader Kim McCurdy worked the kitchen with her large volunteer kitchen staff. McCurdy is also the church secretary.

David Domin, a stalwart St. Mary’s volunteer who works at church fundraising events with the intention to make each a success, staffed the ticket table. He served as a host, directing patrons choosing in-house dining to the social hall.

McCurdy and Domin were the go-to duo for those with questions.

Attendees commented on the quality of the dinners and the opportunity to spend time with friends. Tables allowed patrons to eat and socialize with others.

St. Mary’s is an active church, and it already has its next fundraising events scheduled.

The church’s annual basket social will be held March 27-29 in the parish center. The event is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. March 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 28 and 9 a.m.-noon March 29. The kitchen will be open all three days, and proceeds from the basket social are earmarked for the religious education program.

For additional information about the basket social or to purchase basket raffle tickets in advance, call 610-264-9383.

In conjunction with the basket social, the church is holding a Lenten grab-and-go meal March 27, with pickup available during the basket social hours. The meals are macaroni and cheese with stewed tomatoes or cabbage and noodles. The required preorders were due by March 18.

Contact the parish office at 610-264-0332 or email kim.stmarys122@gmail.com with any questions.

The quote variation of “failing to plan is planning to fail” is attributed by many historians to Benjamin Franklin. St. Mary’s cannot be convicted of failing to plan as they carry out a well-orchestrated event while planning two other future events.

This foresight and dedicated volunteers help ensured the dinners and other St. Mary’s events are a success.