Local parish brings fish to first responders, essential workers
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
St. Andrew the Apostle Parish found a creative way to offer goodwill to first responders and some essential workers in the Mid-Mon Valley while also preventing food that was originally slated to be used for Lenten fish frys from going to waste.
Profits from the fish frys, which are a staple in the Mid-Mon Valley and across Southwestern Pennsylvania, are a large portion of the budget for many churches, including St. Andrew the Apostle’s Mary, Mother of the Church in Charleroi, Our Lady of the Valley in Donora and St. Damien of Molokai in Monongahela.
But because restrictions on public gatherings, stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines were put in place around the same time Lenten traditions were kicking off this year, area churches had to cancel fish frys or reduce the number of volunteers working in church kitchens to pump out fried fish sandwiches, pierogis, haluski and more for take-out only orders.
With a smaller number of volunteers and without being able to offer a sit-down eating option, many churches saw a decrease in profits from the fish frys.
In recent days, the Rev. Kevin Dominik, a Catholic pastor for St. Andrew the Apostle who is known by many as “Father Kevin,” came up with an idea to prevent food from going to waste.
“Fish frys are a huge fundraiser for us,” said parish business manager Joe Caruso. “Unfortunately we had to stop them — I can’t even say mid-season —because we were just a couple weeks in. In the meantime, there is a lot of fish left over here. Father Kevin kind of kicked up the idea that we should give back to first responders while simultaneously preventing food from going to waste.”
Caruso said parish leaders loved Father Kevin’s idea and went to work planning how and where food would be distributed.
“We recognize that these people are on the front lines and we want to show them that we appreciate it and that we care,” Caruso said. “A prayer and a fish sandwich is something we can do right now to show appreciation.”
Around 100 sandwiches, which are famous in the area, were delivered Thursday to medical professionals and staff in the emergency department and intensive care and critical care units at Monongahela Valley Hospital in Carroll Township, police in Charleroi, Monongahela and Donora, Mon Valley Emergency Medical Service employees, Monongahela firefighters and staff members at the Mon Valley Independent and Citizens Bank in Monessen.
“In addition to first responders, when I think about how we have gotten through the pandemic, we realize we have a few key partners that we want to recognize as well,” Dominik said.
He added that he is grateful to Citizens Bank in Monessen for helping the parish apply for coronavirus economic relief loans and the Mon Valley Independent and Director of Digital Marketing and I.T. Kevin Iacovangelo for filming and broadcasting St. Andrew the Apostle’s Sunday morning masses, as well as masses from Epiphany of Our Lord and St. Sebastian churches, live on the MVI Facebook page during the pandemic.
“We have had thousands and thousands of parishioners and people locally and across the country log in to watch the Masses each week.” Dominik said. “We are so grateful for that.
“Without first responders and our partners we would not be able to maintain happiness, healthiness and joy. They take their chances daily and we just want to say thanks.”
Dominik said he knows area residents are not sure what the future holds, but he wants everyone to take a moment to appreciate their loved ones.
“This crisis has brought all of us and our understanding of how important and valuable every person is and how we need to continue to reach out and help one another,” he said. “As Christians and Catholics, we are asked to become like Christ. He went out to those who were sick, those who were working hard, to those who just needed a friendly face.”
Caruso and Dominik were joined Thursday by Director of Faith Formation Kathy Miller and other clergy members for meal deliveries. He said a handful of church parishioners who usually volunteer for Lenten fish frys prepared the food while following state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines concerning social distancing, mask wearing and hygiene.
Dominik offered words of encouragement to those who are feeling lonely and isolated right now.
“We miss having that chance to be with one another, but I know we’ll be together again,” he said, adding that in the meantime, “our prayers are able to connect us with each other.”
