During the Lenten season, a forty-day period (exclusive of Sundays) which begins on Ash Wednesday of this month, we are called upon to prepare for the annual commemoration of the Crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. We prepare by prayer, fasting or self-denial, penance, and doing charitable works. The season is noted in church by the use of purple vestments.

Shrove Tuesday or "Fat Tuesday" as it is sometimes called, traditionally was the last day before the beginning of Lent that rich foods and meat could be consumed. This meant that fat, milk, dairy products, and eggs in the household needed to be used up as they would not keep over the Lenten season. In many English-speaking countries, pancakes were a means of using up eggs, sugar, and dairy products, and thus, Shrove Tuesday became also known as Pancake Tuesday. In some countries, the celebration of Carnival or Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) became associated with the feasting.

As part of our celebration of Shrove Tuesday at Good Shepherd, we invite you to join us for a free pancake supper on February 21 from 6-7 p.m. in our parish hall. While we will not have a carnival, we will have a joyful time as we prepare for the Lenten season.

February Calendar

Sundays
9 a.m. Holy Eucharist Wednesdays
8 a.m. Morning Prayer
9 a.m. Bible Study Shrove
Tuesday, February 21 6-7 p.m. Pancake Supper
Wednesday, February 22
Ash Wednesday 8 a.m. Morning Prayer & Bible Study 6 p.m.
Holy Eucharist with the imposition of ashes Friday, February 24
St. Matthias the Apostle
8 a.m. Morning Prayer