For most people, January is a time for new beginnings or undertakings. But for one group of friends, January means the smell of cooking oil and fried fish. Starting on the first weekend of January, the Corpus Christi Fryers begin their pilgrimage through Dayton’s catholic schools and parishes. This pilgrimage starts on the first weekend of January at Holy Angels and concludes at Corpus Christi raising money and creating community along the way.
In the winter of 1990, a small group of parents and friends wanted to raise money to support youth athletics at Corpus Christi elementary school and the Fryers were born. At first, the Fryers hosted one or two fish fries a year. Over the next decade, the Fryers began donating their time and culinary expertise to other parishes, schools, and Catholic causes, including: Chaminade Julienne, Eagle Youth Sports, Holy Angels, Saint Christopher, Saint Anthony, the Ann Moore Szabo Scholarship Fund, and Saint Vincent De Paul.
Besides their donation of time, it is safe to assume the Fryers have helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for youth athletics and other Catholic causes in our community. Each fish fry raises anywhere from five to ten thousand dollars. The Fryers typically host 4 fish fries a year. At each fish fry, the Fryers donate a backyard fish fry for up to 30 people that generally is sold for approximately $800 which goes directly to charitable cause they are supporting.
The real thing the Fryers provide our Catholic community is a reason for our community to come together. Something that is becoming rare in our increasingly digital world. However, the Fryers give parents, alumni, community members, and many more a reason - flaky Atlantic Cod - to come together.