St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, 3024 S. Ruch St., Stiles, hosted a Lenten dinner March 14, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Queenship of Mary Council 4050.

The large volunteer staff was nearly all Knights, who wore their deep blue with gold-embroidered golf-style shirts. They checked in patrons and cooked and served the dinners.

Leticia Rolon, Amaris Valdez and Cecelia Riedy, students at Allentown Central Catholic High School, served soft drinks and handed out takeout dinners.

Whitehall’s Bill Fonzone joined Mark Woods, of North Whitehall, and Marc Grammes, of Slatedale, in selling tickets at the door. Fonzone said he was impressed with the organization and efficiency of the cooking team and assembling of the dinners.

Volunteer Mike Hoffman, a decorated combat veteran, was in charge of the wine cart that provided diners with the choice of a glass of red or white wine with dinner.

John Halko, of Egypt, staffed the raffle ticket table that provided large cash prizes.

Pat Klement helped in the kitchen, and Mike Sobchak assisted with delivering meals to the attendees. Smiles from volunteers and attendees were abundant throughout the dinner, as all followed the church requirement to refrain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent.

The fish dinner also included potatoes, corn, a roll and homemade cupcakes for dessert. Coffee, tea, water and wine were included in the cost. Also offered was a pierogi dinner with butter and onions, corn, coleslaw, applesauce, dessert and a beverage.

Patrons seemed to enjoy the dinner and fellowship throughout the two-hour event. Both the pierogi and fish dinners sold out by 6:30 p.m.

Arnold “Nick” Nicklas, of Northampton, and his friend Lisa Queen, of North Whitehall, joined her son and daughter-in-law, Dan and May Queen of Washington, D.C., to share a family dinner.

The Knights’ final date for this year’s Lenten fish and pierogi dinners will be March 21 in the church social hall.

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 referred to as the Supreme Knight.

The Knights promote Catholic education, local parishes, serving individuals in need and political causes. They operate money management firms and other financial services including life insurance. In 2019, it was estimated there are about 2 million Knights 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.