In preparation of the Season of Lent, Cincinnati area churches are celebrating Fat Tuesday, February 21, 2012. Fat Tuesday is also known as Mardi Gras in french or Shrove Tuesday, it is a day of feasting and merriment before the beginning of the Season of Lent. Yes, Mardi Gras is the day Christians feast and prepare for the somber days ahead during the 40 days of Lenten.
First Christian Church, 1031 Alexandria Pike Fort Thomas, Kentucky 41075
St. Barnabus Episcopal Church, 10345 Montgomery Road Cincinnati, OH 45242
St. Xavier Church, 607 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
First Christian Church in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, (Greater Cincinnati area) is having a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper & Youth Group Charitable Fundraiser from 6-7:30 p.m. and St. Barnabus Episcopal Church (pdf) in Cincinnati, Ohio, is also having a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the undercroft. St. Barnabus newsletter.
What does Shrove mean? Shrove comes from a verb, to shrive, meaning to absolve from sin. In old days faithful Christians would go to confession on the day before Ash Wednesday to be "shriven" of their sin in preparation for the season of Lent.
The tradition of holding a pancake supper on the evening before Ash Wednesday comes from the need to use up all the egss and fat in the house before lenten fast begins such as meat and meat products which are not to be eaten during a fast. Pancakes are a form of unleavened bread, which one can recall from the unleavened bread of the Passover and the exodus from Egypt.
During Lenten, Christians are expected to perform special acts of charity as a sign of their reconciliation with God and neighbor. Another Lenten tradition known as Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday") festival occurs. Mardi Gras is one last big party before Lent begins and preparing ourselves for the 40 somber days of Lent.
St. Xavier Church undercroft is having its Fat Tuesday celebration on February 21, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.at the St. Xavier Church undercroft. The potluck-style dinner will begin at 6 p.m. for all parishioners including families, friends, teens and young adults.
All guests are asked to bring a food to contribute, if your last names ends A-I bring a casserole dish; J-R bring a salad, and S-Z bring a dessert. Drinks and paper products will be provided. All members are asked to bring your palm from the last Palm Sunday (Lent) as dinner will end with a Palm burning service.
Pattern for knitting a Prayer Shawl to make during reconciliation.
Event Source: St. Xavier Church, St. Barnabus Episcopal Church, and First Baptist Church
Prayer Shawl pattern by Lion Brand Yarn
