Lenten Dinners in Hancock County

On the Shoofly, March 2026

For many local families, the weeks leading up to Easter mean gathering with neighbors over plates of fried seafood, homemade sides, and desserts prepared by generations of parish volunteers.

- by Shoofly Staff

As Lent begins along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, kitchens are once again heating up for one of the area’s most cherished seasonal traditions: Friday Lenten dinners.
Friday fish fries have become a warm expression of community life across Hancock County. Churches throughout the county host weekly meals that welcome everyone, not just parishioners, offering affordable dinners while fundraising.

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Beyond the meals themselves, Lenten dinners reflect a deeper Gulf Coast tradition rooted in hospitality and shared experience. Volunteers begin preparations hours before serving time, and recipes passed down through families often make their way onto each week’s menu. For many residents, attending at least one fish fry each season is simply part of living on the Coast.

All dinners will run each Friday through Lent, March 6, 13, 20, and 27. We encourage attendees to bring cash, but most of the churches will accepts checks or Venmo payment.

And as longtime Coast residents will tell you, Lent may ask for sacrifice — but in Hancock County, no one goes hungry on a Friday night.
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Shoofly file photo

In Bay St. Louis, St. Rose de Lima Catholic Church continues its long-standing tradition of serving lunches on Fridays during Lent. Volunteers prepare classic Gulf Coast fare featuring fried Mississippi catfish or shrimp with sides of potato salad, green beans, bread, and homemade desserts. Service starts at 11am and runs until meals sell out (or 2 pm), so get there early! Plates are $12, with options to dine in, drive thru, pick up, or delivery. Place orders by calling 228-467-9700. 301 S. Necaise Ave., Bay St. Louis. 

Shoofly file photo | Ellis Anderson

Just down Beach Boulevard, Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church hosts drive-thru evening Lenten dinners. These fried catfish plates will come with hush puppies, fries, coleslaw, and green beans, all for $10. Just pop into the Holy Trinity Catholic School car line to pick up your plate! Service starts at 5 pm and runs until meals sell out. 228 S. Beach Blvd. Bay St. Louis.

Photo courtesy St. Clare | Facebook

In Waveland, St. Clare Catholic Church offers one of the county’s most popular Lenten dinner options with a variety of choices. This drive-thru runs from 5 to 7 pm, and plates are $13 with a choice of entrée, two sides, hushpuppies, and a dessert. Entrée options are fried catfish, fried shrimp, shrimp stew, and seafood gumbo. Pick your choice of sides, from French fries, potato salad, coleslaw, and green bean & artichoke casserole. 236 S. Beach Blvd., Waveland.

Photo Courtesy Church of St. Ann website

Down in Lakeshore, St. Anne’s Catholic Church has fish plates for $15 with three pieces of fish, 2 sides, bread, drink, and a dessert. They also have a kid’s plate for $10, with two pieces of fish and one side. Dine in or take out from 4:30 to 7 pm. 5858 Lower Bay Rd., Bay St. Louis.

​In Pass Christian (or the back of Diamondhead, as the locals say), there is Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church. They are selling fish or shrimp plates with French fries, coleslaw, and hushpuppies for $14. Dinner runs from 5 to 7:30 pm. 9062 Kiln Delisle Rd., Pass Christian.

Although not in Hancock County, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church is just a hop away in Long Beach. Dinner is served from 5 to 7 pm at the community center. Plates are $12 with dine-in or carry-out options. 720 Beach Blvd. E., Long Beach. 

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