An All-American Fish Fry

A fish fry is an American institution, where the community turns out for not only the fish served with all the fixin’s to raise funds for fire departments, libraries and other good causes in a small community. Since the late 1980s at St. Mary Catholic Church has offered their own fish fry in early spring during Lent.

Lent is a special time for most Christians. Lent is forty or so days before Easter, spent in doing good works, penance with the giving of alms for the poor. Part of the penance of Lent is the giving up of meat on Fridays, the day of the Crucifixion.

But St. Mary’s Fish Fry is an event in itself, religion aside. Good tasting fish, coleslaw, beans, hush puppies and at ‘all you eat’ draws Wimberleyites from all walks of life and all faiths or non-faith. All are welcome. Orders to go are quickly filled by volunteers, and the fish beats the taste of fast food fish fillet by miles.

On any given Friday they can use 180 lbs. of catfish, French fries 180 lbs., Hush puppies 80 lbs., slaw 60 lbs., tartar sauce 6 gallons, and four gallons of coleslaw dressing. Over forty Knights of Columbus members help out every Friday.

The Knights of Columbus of St. Mary’s are the sponsors of the fry, and it is their second largest fundraiser of the year behind Hunter’s Night Out. Providing well needed funds to nonprofits in the area, including those that help the poor is their main goal.

They support the local EMS, Crisis Bread Basket, St. Vincent dePaul Society, the Barnabas Connection, college scholarships, religious education and much more.

“It’s a wonderful community event every year. Many in the community look forward to it,” K of C member Len Brinkman said.

The fish will be frying by the K of C every Friday with the last Friday April 12. They open at 5 p.m. and serve up the fish and fixings until 8 p.m. St. Mary’s is located at 14711 Ranch Road 12,Wimberley, 78676