Mardi Gras
February 12, 2002
During morning announcements we learned about some traditions regarding this last day before Lent begins. In England it is called Shrove Tuesday or "Shrovetide", another word for Carnival. Carnival means "farewell meat". At Carnival all meat, butter, cheese, and eggs are used up in a huge feast before the Lenten fast.
The
Irish call this day "Ash Eve". In some countries it is
called Doughnut Day or Pancake Day.
The French called today Mardi Gras, which means Fat Tuesday. The Mardi
Gras season begins on January 6th with the Epiphany. This season is filled
with parades, parties, feasts and dance, and ends at midnight on Fat Tuesday.
Cupcakes were be served during the morning to all
students to represent the traditional ‘Kings Cake’. Thank you to the many volunteers who baked cupcakes for this
event. Two students in each lunch shift found a baby in
their cupcake. These students were crowned ‘King’ and ‘Queen’
at lunch and were honored at a special table.
Mardi
Gras colors have certain historical and symbolic significance.
PURPLE
symbolizes JUSTICE
GREEN stands
for FAITH
GOLD represents
POWER
The Mardi Gras parade began at 2:00. Several classes and some groups of students walked in the parade with colorful masks, costumes, and floats.
The parade was followed with the final Alleluia before Easter.
Thank you to all of the participants for
sharing your creativity with us. The floats and masks were all
wonderful! I am very disappointed that I was not able to get a picture of
each and every float, group, and classroom. PLEASE send any pictures you
have to the school office to my attention with your name on the back. I
will scan them in and return them to you.
~Mrs. Schraeder
