Why?  "So why exactly do Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent?

Some say it was because the church was trying to support the fishing industry when times were tough. The church was trying to keep fishermen ‘afloat’ (yes, pun intended). There is some historical evidence of that, dating all the way back to the second century.

Some say it was safer to eat fish than meat. Everyone knew the specific time frame in which it was safe to eat fish, while people tended to test that time frame with beef. There’s some historical evidence to that too, dating back to about the seventh century.

Some point out that hundreds of years ago only the very wealthy could afford meat. Fish ( in comparison) was the poor man’s meal. It was cheap, humble food that you had to catch yourself."

I prefer to look at it like this: Jesus Christ, my Lord, and my Savior gave up His own body, His own flesh, that Friday so many years ago, for me and for you. He went through the pain of that self-sacrifice, completely mindful of God the Father.

When I go through the incredibly minor act of abstaining from meat on Fridays, it is just one tiny act of self-sacrifice that points me back to that awful but Good Friday. That was the Friday when God loved me so much that He gave up His flesh in the most selfless act in history.  They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I guess you could say that abstinence makes the body (and soul) grow holier… if we embrace it and allow it."  Excerpt from an article written by Mark Hart of Life Teen.

What to expect?  Both Holy Family and St. Augustine parishes offer fish fry during Lent.  This year, due to Covid, both locations will be drive-thru only.  Holy Family's fish dinner is a free-will donation, while St. Augustine's fish dinner (which supports the school athletics program) is $12 per meal.