This Week at St. Mary’s

Dear Friends,

This Sunday, March 6 is the Last Sunday of the Epiphany. Each year, we mark the end of the season by hearing about Jesus’ magnificent Transfiguration.

On Tuesday, March 8 we bring an end of Epiphany season with a Pancake Supper. All over the world Christians mark the end of the season with a celebration. In Brazil it is called Carnival, in New Orleans Mardi Gras, in Europe Shrove Tuesday. At St. Mary’s we will prepare for Lent with pancakes, lots and lots of pancakes.

Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foodstuffs like eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. The liturgical fasting emphasized eating plainer food and refraining from food that would give pleasure: In many cultures, this means no meat dairy or eggs for the Lenten season. Mary Jane Burgess, Alicia Bowman and friends have organized a feast for all ages featuring music and stacks of pancakes. We’ll begin at 6:00 p.m. and young people can come in pajamas if they’d like.

On Wednesday, March 9 we will have two solemn services with the imposition of ashes and Holy Eucharist at 9:30 am and 7:30 pm.

-George