Archdiocese of Louisville Releases 2013 Lenten Fish Fry Schedule

 (Update: Looking for the 2014 schedule? Here it is.)The Roman Catholic Church has a lot on its hands this week—anexecutive search in the middle of Lent is an affair of global importance. But as Ash Wednesday approached, I came up empty searching the Archdiocese of Louisville's website  for a crucial document of local significance: the 2013 schedule of Lenten fish fries. There's no shortage of restaurants serving fish on Fridays, from the humble fried cod sandwich to James Beard House-approved seviches and specials. But the Lenten fish fry is to spring as church carnivals are to summer, and sometimes you just want to sit in a gym with hundreds of your neighbors and eat a plate of fish. If you're like me, you have your old favorites -- the neighborhood parish hall and the meal you'll travel for—as well as a reach list of fish fries you've heard are worth the drive.  I'm happy to report the schedule has been posted, thanks to a tweet from the Archdiocese this morning: 

Keep this link handy.There are some Ash Wednesday simple meals planned, but most fish fry events begin this Friday and run every Friday through March 22. They run the gamut from the comfortably traditional fish and sides to the surprisingly upscale (St. Francis of Assisi has offered crab cakes in the past). St. Bernard goes high-tech with online ordering for pick-up if you're in a hurry. A couple of notes for the uninitiated: Menus aren't posted on the schedule, so if you absolutely need hush puppies with your fish, call ahead and check it out.The fish fry is not for the late-night diner. Nearly all close by 7 or 8 p.m. or, as some say, when the fish runs out.