PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Along with the Ash Wednesday services, you have probably seen or smelled a fish fry in your neighborhood.

KDKA’s Rick Dayton visited one church where a group of retirees have been at it for a very long time.

If you want it, they’ve got it. Haluski, pierogies, baked mac and cheese, various kinds of croissant sandwiches – it’s much more than a Lenten fish fry at Epiphany Catholic Church.

“Just like the father said this morning, Lent is not about all doom and gloom,” Mary Louise Horton, of Shadyside, said. “It’s about a re-commitment to what really is important in making us happy.”

“It’s for the church,” added Rose Torregrossa, an 89-year-old parishioner. “Like I say, at my age I don’t get to do too much, and this is something for me to do.”

For decades they volunteered at the fish fry. Dolores DiPofi should chair the marketing department.

“We have lines outside, all the way outside, all the way around,” she said. “It’s unbelievable.”

It takes a lot of people doing a lot of different jobs to make sure the fish fry goes off without a hitch. For example, it is Jimmy Williams job to make sure the fish is perfect every time.

“We bread it ourselves. Secret recipe; can’t share that,” he said.

He’ll cook nearly a half ton of fish this Ash Wednesday, at least 750 pieces of cod.

There is some age to this group, but none have been at it as long as a 92-year-old they call “Sis.”

“I’m doing it for my church. I love my church,” said Katherine Gaito, who has served for 50 years. “I’ll never stop unless the man upstairs calls me and that’s when I’m going.”

So for now, they’ll just keep the fish coming.

RELATED LINKS:
Epiphany Catholic Church
Fish Fry Guide 2012