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Oh cod beyond all praising — the secret sauce that keeps parish fish fries afloat

Hint: It’s more than just the homemade tartar sauce…

Jack Figge
Feb 27, 2026
∙ Paid

The Fish Friar at St. John the Baptist Parish in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, can’t hear confessions and doesn’t live in a religious community.

But he’s happy to have a beer with visitors to the parish – that is, after he’s done with his fish frying duties for the evening.

“There are people who actually think I am a real priest,” said Mike Conrad, the parish “…

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