This year, the season of Lent began with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 25. Like Jesus, who fasted and prayed in the desert for 40 days before beginning his ministry, more than 5,000 Brentwood Catholics also observe the Lenten season with fasting and prayer in preparation for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, followed by the Easter celebration.

But unlike Jesus, who spent 40 days alone, we are not asked to do the same. At Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Catholic Church in Brentwood, there are several public observances of the season in which we can prepare as a community – including the church’s annual Friday Fish Fry.

As Catholics around the world give up something they enjoy as a spiritual gesture, doctrine dictates that they abstain from eating meat on the Fridays of Lent because Jesus was crucified on Friday. Fish Fridays are a long-standing tradition for generations of Catholic families. Drawing on this tradition of family and community, IHM hosts an annual Fish Fry each Friday during the Lenten season – open to the entire community.

Sponsored by the Catholic men’s organization, The Knights of Columbus, the annual Fish Fry has grown to be one of the largest and most anticipated fundraisers for Brentwood’s only Catholic Church. For six Fridays, starting Feb. 27 and continuing through April 3, the Knights of Columbus host a dine-in or take-out dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dinner includes fried fish, chips, coleslaw and a drink for $10. Last year, the Fish Fry drew more than 200 people each Friday.

For more information, call 925-634-4154.

– Contributed by Father Ken Sales