Media Alerts

WHAT: Lent is a solemn 40-day period devoted to reflection, prayer, almsgiving and fasting before Easter. It is also the arrival one of the Midwest’s greatest and most delicious traditions: the fish fry. And with St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Friday this year, Catholics don’t need to break their Lenten observance to indulge in corned beef when fish fries are always a tasty option.

In addition to St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday is St. Joseph’s Day, the feast day of St. Joseph, and St. Ferdinand Parish’s fish fry will be decorated festively for both observances.

For 30 years, St. Ferdinand’s fish fries draw hundreds each Friday night in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood bringing together a diverse group of American, Polish and Hispanic communities working and dining together in the school’s hall. As much as it’s about the food, the fish fry is really about community and gathering together during Lent.

The fish fry offers traditional staples of cod, perch, shrimp, and baked tilapia; also available are clam chowder, vegetable soup, cheese pizza, and cheese sticks, nachos, along with beverages. It is estimated that 25-30 pizzas are sold during each of the six fish fry nights. Prices are affordable: dinners are $12/plate; a la carte items range from $1-$9; cup of soup $3; slice of pizza $3/whole pie $10. All major credit cards are accepted.

The fish fry also features call-ahead ordering, and, is believed to be the only archdiocesan parish fish fry to feature a drive-thru service for Catholics on the go. The parish averages about 80 carry out/drive-thru orders each week.

This well-oiled endeavor relies on more than 50 volunteers many of whom have been volunteering for decades. Students from area high schools also donate their time to serve up orders.

The first two fish fries drew more than 320 guests, with last Friday drawing nearly more than 460 guests and selling more than 200 pounds of fish. Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, also paid a visit to the parish’s fish fry last Friday (photos are available of his visit, if interested).

WHEN: Every Friday during Lent. Hours of operation: phone order 4 – 7 p.m.; dine – in 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: St. Ferdinand School Hall, 3131 N. Mason Ave., in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood.

WHAT: Most Blessed Trinity Parish in Waukegan is partnering with Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Mobile Market for free food distribution from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14 at Most Blessed Trinity Parish’s Holy Family campus site, 450 Keller Ave., in Waukegan. The parish served 800 families at the November 2022 mobile market distribution and anticipates serving a similar amount of people.

Energy saving items such as light bulbs, insulation, and electrical power strips will also be distributed.

Anyone in need of food is welcome to come to the event and receive free groceries from Northern Illinois Food Bank's Mobile Market on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. No ID or documentation is needed. The Mobile Market is a contactless, drive-thru distribution of pre-packed boxes of groceries.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 14 from 4 - 6 p.m.

WHERE: Most Blessed Trinity Parish at the Holy Family campus site, 450 Keller Ave., Waukegan

WHAT: The Archdiocese of Chicago will hold a job fair on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. aimed at recruiting new and experienced teachers, early retirees and those seeking career change to fill full- and part-time positions for roles in teaching, operations, finance, information technology and administration. The job fair will take place at the Archbishop Quigley Center at 835 N. Rush St., Chicago.

Applicants interested in these roles should bring a current resume. Candidates may be assessed on site and some schools will conduct interviews. Applicants can begin the process by visiting https://bit.ly/3PskDCJ.

The Archdiocese of Chicago serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 221 parishes and 155 elementary and secondary schools in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The archdiocese has more than 15,000 employees.

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE: Archbishop Quigley Center, 835 N. Rush St., Chicago

WHAT: On the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, will join Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak, of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and Bishop Benedict Aleksiychuk, of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Chicago, for a memorial prayer service on Feb. 24, from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 835 N. Oakley Blvd., in Chicago.

Archbishop Gudziak will speak before the traditional Ukrainian Catholic memorial service and Cardinal Cupich will offer a reflection at its conclusion. Additional religious leaders who will offer brief reflections will include: Rev. Fr. Andreas Garabedian, pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Chicago; Rev. Jaime Briceño, pastor of St. Michaels and All Angels Episcopal Church in Berwyn; and Rev. Myron McCoy, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple. Civic leaders have also been invited.

The memorial service is of great importance to the Ukrainian Catholic community, who continue to mourn the staggering loss of life and property in their homeland.

The prayer service will be livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/@stnicholasukr/streams

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 24 from 7:30-8:45 p.m.

WHERE: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 835 N. Oakley Blvd., Chicago

WHAT: The St. Nicholas Cathedral School (SNCS) community will mark the solemn, one year anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine with a prayer service on Friday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. to pray for peace in Ukraine and around the world.

The day after explosions signaled the beginning of the full-scale war, SNCS opened its doors to the first refugee families arriving in Chicago. SNCS has since welcomed more than 95 children, providing a safe and nurturing environment for refugee families seeking security and stability.

Eighth grade students are organizing the prayer service, which will include testimony from students as well as the children singing the Ukrainian national anthem.

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 from 2 – 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: St. Nicholas Cathedral School, 2200 W. Rice St., Chicago. The service will take place in the school’s gymnasium.

WHAT: Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, will celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at 7 a.m. at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State Street in Chicago. Mass will be live-streamed at: https://youtube.com/live/6PfGmZZgjq8.

Catholic parishes throughout Cook and Lake counties will host services where the faithful can receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. Rapid transit, train and air travelers can also receive ashes at CTA “L” stops, Union Station and at both airports.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 2023 Lenten season, a solemn 40-day period devoted to reflection, prayer, almsgiving and fasting before Easter. On Ash Wednesday, people may have ashes applied to their foreheads in the shape of a cross as an outward expression of their faith. The person applying the ashes repeats the words from Genesis: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return.”

In addition to parishes hosting services, clergy and staff will distribute ashes at unique locations:

Old St. Patrick’s Church (West Loop) will distribute ashes at the below locations and times. Visitors are encouraged to look for the Old St. Pat's “Got Ashes?” sandwich board signs at these locations:
• 7:30 - 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Great Hall in Union Station, 255 S. Canal St., Chicago

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Elk Grove Village will have ministers distribute ashes at a community drive-up event rain or shine:
• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: The parish’s drive-up event will take place in front of Tasty Catering, 1900 Touhy Ave. in the Elk Grove Village Industrial Park. Participants are asked to remain in their vehicles to receive ashes and to follow all traffic safety protocols.

The Chicago Airports Catholic Chaplaincy, located at O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport, will offer ashes at Masses and liturgical services throughout the day:
• O’Hare Airport Chapel information:
Mass schedule: 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Liturgical services schedule: 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Each ceremony will be 30 minutes in length. Holy Communion will only be given at Mass. Ashes will only be distributed during Masses or liturgical services.
O’Hare Airport Chapel is located in Terminal 2 - Mezzanine Level (Outside Security)
• Midway International Airport Information:
Mass schedule: 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Liturgical services schedule: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Each ceremony will be 30 minutes in length. Holy Communion will only be given at Mass. Ashes will only be distributed during Masses or liturgical services.
Midway Airport Chapel is located in Concourse C – Mezzanine Level (Inside Security)

*Please note, filming and photography will need to be coordinated through the Public Information Office with O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport.

For more information about airport services, please call 773.686.AMEN (2636) or visit http://www.cacc.us/ or http://www.airportchapels.org/ashwednesday.html

WHEN: Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023