Knights of Columbus have many more fish to fry

LAKE JACKSON — The fish is served for only two hours on Friday afternoons at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Lake Jackson, but Ken Prochaska said the beans start simmering at 9:30 in the morning.

The chairman of the Knights of Columbus Fish Fry Committee said the organization for more than two decades has hosted six fish fries, one for each Friday in Lent, except Good Friday.

The Knight’s of Columbus is not directly affiliated with St. Michael’s, but since it is a Catholic men’s organization, the location is apt.

Although Prochaska has been the committee chairman for more than 10 years, he started as one of the fish fryers. The undertaking is by no means easy. By the end of each fish fry, the Knights cook more than 300 pounds of fish and serve more than 450 meals in the dining area and through the drive-thru.

Even the Knights’ wives lend a helping hand by baking pies, brownies and cakes for dessert.

With plates costing $12 apiece, Prochaska said the fries are the Knights’ biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds all go to good causes, he said, which include Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank, Texas Right to Life, Our Lady Queen of Peace School and the Pregnancy Help Center in Lake Jackson. The Knights donate to international charities, as well. The Archdiocese will send them a list naming anyone in the community who might need financial help.

The fish fry also funds college scholarships for graduating seniors in the Catholic community. Scholarships are earned based on academic performance and college choice, Prochaska said, and usually range from $500 to $1,000. He said the scholarships are presented at a dinner for the seniors in May.

Duke Gamino, a Knights member, provided entertainment at the fish fry Friday. He has provided the entertainment for 13 years, which he enjoys as a way to help the organization, he said.

“We love what we do and we do what we love,” Gamino said.

As well as raising money for charity, hungry customers show up because they love the food.

Suzanna and Clint Kocurek of Richwood have been members of St. Michael’s for 10 years and come to eat the fish, macaroni and cheese, beans and coleslaw every week.

Their son, Emerson, 7, said he enjoys fish but wasn’t going to eat Friday because he already ate. Instead, he spent his time play-fighting with a “double sword” made for him by Tiny the Clown.

The Knights have two more fish fries this season. They are from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and March 23 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 100 Oak Drive S, Lake Jackson.

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