Lent Begins!

Yesterday we observed Pancake Tuesday/Shrove Tuesday/ Mardi Gras!  That was the day before the first day of Lent, when traditionally Catholics have used up the "fattening" ingredients in their homes as they prepare to fast during Lent.  Fasting means to "give up" food items, in observance of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.  Our St. Gabriel School Advisory Council supplyied everyone at school with pancakes and strawberries.  DELICIOUS!

Thank you parent volunteers!

Lenten observance:  try not to eat meat today!  Try cheese or tuna sandwiches, pasta with marinara sauce, eggs, meatless pizza, tomato soup, macaroni and cheese, salad, etc.  Watch for our Meatless Friday Challenge beginning on Friday!

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.  Lent is a time of preparation for the most important feast day in the Catholic church - Easter.  We will be celebrating mass with our school community, where we will receive and proudly display ashes on our forehead.  Yesterday each of us selected a personal Lenten challenge that we will work to observe for all of Lent.  For some of us, we decided to give up something, for others we decided to pledge to do something special in a positive way.  Our container of promises is displayed proudly on our prayer table in our classroom. 

Here are some rules that Catholics are to follow during Lent:
1.  Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which means consuming only one full mean, and two other snacks.
2.  All Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and Fridays during Lent.
3.  Alms giving/charity - we are asked to give money and/or items to those in need.  
4.  Catholics are asked to pray - and attend Mass - regularly.
5.  Celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation at least once during Lent.  We will be celebrating this sacrament at school, but other times and locations are also available - see the bulletin from Corpus Christi Church.

What will you do?