St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Federal Way was packed with energy and happy diners for the last fish fry of the season on March 22.

Each year, St. Vincent’s sells plates of fried fish, coleslaw and fries as a fundraiser for the Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Council #7528. Table tip jars raise funds for Youth Mission trips for the church.

“What’s a fish fry without socializing?” said Linda Kuniega, who has been attending the fish fry off and on for the past 50 years. She has moved to the East Coast, and was in town visiting her mother, but said she has fond memories of the event over the years and doesn’t have a fish fry at her local congregation. In her memory, even in childhood, the event was just as crowded and full of familiar faces as she finds it today.

The local bishop even attended, who oversees congregations from Vancouver, Washington, all the way up to Port Angeles. Bishop Frank Schuster was also pastor of the Federal Way congregation.

Recalling his time with Federal Way, he said the congregation is “very spiritual and very fun.”

The event stems from the Catholic holiday of Lent and the Catholic tradition of not eating meat on Friday. It is now also an excuse to gather together, have fun and raise money for good causes, according to attendees.

The fish fry serves about 300 heads a night, according to Craig Patrick, who volunteers for the event each year. Knights of Columbus uses these funds on a variety of causes, including Sweats for Vets and Coats 4 Kids. The coat fundraiser purchased 300 coats total for three local high-needs schools, according to Ted Colby. The program also supports funding for Priests in Training through the organization.

Dodging between the packed tables were youth who are gearing up to attend mission trips this year. They all work the fish fry events, volunteering as part of their involvement with the program. The youth mission trips this year will be to Bellingham in partnership with Agape, and to Tijuana, Mexico, in partnership with an organization called Esperanza. There will be about 18 middle schoolers heading to Bellingham and 19 to Mexico this year.

Craig Patrick volunteering at the annual fish fry at St Vincent’s de Paul. Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror

Tony Robinson of Knights of Columbus talks with Bishop Schuster at the annual fish fry. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror

Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror

Bishop Schuster stopped by the annual fish fry on March 22 and caught up with community members. Several of the individuals at that table have attended St. Vincent de Paul for half a century. Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror

The local Knights of Columbus received recognition this year for recruiting members to join the service club in the form of this banner proudly displayed at the fish fry. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror

Fried fish, coleslaw, fries and tarter sauce made up the star dish that provided the fundraising opportunity and community connection at the March 22 event. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror