CHAMPION — Friday fish dinners are a popular meal during the Lenten season, but many area churches will have to make adjustments as Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has advised that events of more than 100 people not be held because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. William Parish in Champion was having its last dine-in fish dinner on Friday.

The Rev. Michael Balash, pastor of the church, was greeting visitors Friday as they came to either get a dinner to go or stay and dine in at the church’s all-purpose room.

“This will be the last dinner where there will be dining in. We understand with the number of people who attend (the dinners) after today there will no longer be anymore dining in. We will be exploring other possible alternatives,” he said.

Balash said other avenues are being considered, including the possibility of having a drive-thru for takeout dinners, which has not been approved by the Youngstown Diocese.

He said the fish dinners during Lent are a major fundraiser for the parish and as many as 800 people attend each week.

The Rev. Msgr. John Zuraw, chancellor with the Diocese of Youngstown, said while the Catholic Bishops of Ohio this week stated Catholics do not have to attend Mass for the remaining weekends this month, there was no directive given on fish dinners.

He said the Diocese, like many organizations, was following DeWine’s directive on public safety banning public events where large numbers of people would attend. He said many of the fish dinners around the Diocese were allowed to continue since much of the fish was thawed and ready to be served. However, most churches did not offer a dine-in option and instead asked diners to pick up the diners to minimize the risk of illness.

Fish lovers at the Champion church said they were aware of the news.

John and Diana Wilson of Warren, who attend Blessed Sacrament in Warren, said they enjoy eating out and especially attending the weekly fish dinners.

“It will be disappointing not to get to eat here, but we can adjust. We understand why,” John Wilson said.

Diana said Blessed Sacrament does not hold fish dinners, so they looked for another location.

Marje Soltis of Middlefield said she enjoys attending fish dinners, but will have no problem with just picking up a dinner to keep people safe.

“I have been coming here for years and enjoy the food. Whatever changes are made is fine,” Soltis said.

Former Middlefield resident Ron Abrambasick who lives in Bolivia, North Carolina, said his community also advised people to take precautions to stay healthy.

Sylvia Kuna of Champion, a member of the church who works at the dinner, said the congregation will adjust to whatever is allowed.

“We enjoy holding the dinners for the public. We can adjust to whatever is decided,” she said.

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Warren on its social media page stated its fish fry committee decided the dinners would be takeout only.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com