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COVID-19 crashed into Southwestern Pennsylvania in the middle of Lent last year, bringing the curtain down on fish fries that are the staple of Catholic churches, volunteer fire departments and veterans service organizations after Ash Wednesday.
Back in March, few could have foreseen that the coronavirus pandemic would still be rampant 11 months later, but that reality has led organizations that sponsor fish fries to modify them or call them off altogether this year.
For instance, the fish fry for St. John XXIII Parish, which includes St. Benedict the Abbot Church in McMurray and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Finleyville, is going to be drive-thru only starting Feb. 19. Rather than venturing into the church and placing an order, or even picking one up, customers can place on an order online, and then drive up at St. Benedict the Abbot Church and pick it up. The church is also providing instructions on how to reheat the meal once itâs home.