St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 3024 S. Ruch St., Whitehall, hosted a fish dinner March 1 in the church social hall. The Knights of Columbus group operating the dinner was Queenship of Mary Council 4050.

The large volunteer staff was nearly all Knights, who checked in patrons, cooked and served the dinners. The kitchen was staffed by 10 Knights, who labored to cook and assemble meals.

There was one teenage volunteer. Aubree Olsovsky, a junior at Allentown Central Catholic High School, has plans to study health care or medicine at a university after high school graduation. She cheerfully assisted attendees who wanted takeout dinners.

The fish dinner included potatoes, corn, rolls and homemade cupcakes for dessert. Coffee, tea, water and wine were included in the dinner cost. Patrons seemed to enjoy the dinner and fellowship throughout the two-hour event.

Whitehall resident and Fourth Degree Knight and leader Bill Fonzone joined other Knights to enjoy a meal and friendly conversation. Fonzone was impressed with the organization and efficiency of the cooking team assembling the dinners.

Knight volunteer Mike Hoffman, a decorated combat veteran, was in charge of the wine cart. Knights Jim Molchany, Pat Klement and Mike Sobchak also were on hand to work the dinner.

The well-organized and well-attended event featured local residents socializing freely with each other. Bob Hauke, a former Coplay resident who operated Hauke’s Funeral Home, and Kevin Reichel, of Reichel Funeral Home, Northampton, held a lively conversation as the two friends chatted about their lives.

Sister Mathilde, of Queenship of Mary Church, Northampton, and a campus ministry instructor at ACCHS, received a takeout meal. She said she has been in what is called religious consecration for 13 years.

Nuns make a formal, public profession of solemn vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to live as a consecrated religious for the rest of their life. A priest’s vows are called holy orders. Only bishops can administer the sacrament of holy orders for a man to enter the priesthood.

Smiles from volunteers and attendees were abundant throughout the fish dinner as all followed the church suggestion to refrain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent.

The Knights of Columbus is a global Catholic fraternal service order founded by the Rev. Michael J. McGivney in 1882 in Connecticut. Membership is limited to practicing Catholic men. The Knights international leader is called the Supreme Knight.

The Knights promote Catholic education and local parishes and serve individuals in need. In 2019, it was estimated there are about 2 million Knights members around the world.

Women may participate in the Knights activities through the Columbiettes program. Young boys can join via a group called Columbian Squires. For more information about the local Knights sponsoring the dinner, visit kofc4050.org.

The Knights of Columbus Council 4050 is also hosting a fish bake 5-7 p.m. March 15 in the church’s social hall.