Anyway, being that my “not here” living was in Europe, people may not have been *religious* but churches are everywhere and everybody celebrates all fetes, Catholic, Pagan, etc. (far MORE than here–we got off 2 weeks every 5-6 months for what were historic Pagan festivals, although not “celebrated” anymore; people still got off work!).

Point being, I’ve never lived in a “very” secular area. You’re absolutely right that STL is a “very” Catholic area but out by me, there are FEW Catholic parishes and they’re not popular or “strong.” Nevertheless, we have BAZILLIONS of tiny (often not even … I don’t know the word but where they have a larger church organization to “answer to?”) churches and they all do fish fries, etc. (and those are the kind of “Christian” churches who say Catholics aren’t real Christians–so go figure why they do Lent; I can never understand organized religion!).

At any rate, that’s got to be a bummer to miss out on festivals

I didnt’ see any soot smeared foreheads this year either – maybe they all slep in!