[Salvation]

One can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without God, who can eat or find enjoyment? (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25)

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends forty days later (minus Sundays) on Easter Sunday. The observation of Lent, for most people, includes periods of denial. In England until 1863 there was a law that eggs, meat, and milk not be eaten during this time and those who violated it could be fined or imprisoned. On Shrove or Fat Tuesday, families ate up all of the forbidden foods so that they would not go to waste. The most common way to use up the foods was to make special pancakes. In England, the pancake was such a popular dish another name for Shrove Tuesday was Pancake Day. Today our observance of Lent isn't as strict, but the components of fasting, reconciliation, and renewal are still present. A Shrove Tuesday Family Night could be a combination of a Pancake Dinner and a Mardi Gras Celebration in preparation for Lent.

[Salvation]

>> For most of us, pancakes are an unusual enough dinner food that our children will begin the conversation with, “Why Pancakes?” This should open the door to briefly explain or review the purpose of Lent. Make the points that Lent is a season that urges us to listen to what God is saying in our lives. It is a time of repentance and recommitment to God. It is our preparation to be Easter people.
>> Discussion (choose one or more options)
1. Have each family member share how they will prepare themselves during Lent for Easter.
2. Help each family member determine a way to prepare themselves during Lent for Easter.
3. Have the family determine a way you will prepare (as a unit) during Lent for Easter.

[HarleyD]

Just curious. I remember my Catholic relatives and friends eating fish instead of meat on Fridays. Is fish considered a meat or is this something you could eat on Fridays during Lent?

[pgkdan]

My K of C Council will be cooking thousands of pancakes tonight. We offer pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage, cinnamon raisin bisquits, grits, and fresh fruit. The Catholic Daughters of America will be on hand selling freshly baked desserts. It's definately Fat Tusday at our parish.