ANDERSON, Ind. —
New Orleans jazz filled the hallway inside St. Mary’s School Tuesday night, as people snacked on Dorritos, cookies and cake — all part of the church’s Mardi Gras celebration.
Also known as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras marks the last day before the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period Catholics around the world are required to sacrifice for God and keep a more moderate diet. For many that will mean fewer sweets, and foods with limited nutritional value, explained Mary Ann Nivens, director of Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) at the church.
Catholics are forbidden from eating meat on Fridays during Lent. Nivens said the church will be hosting soup dinners each Friday at 5:30 p.m.
About 20 people were in attendance, several of whom were going through the RCIA program, which prepares people for becoming members of the church.
Esmaralda Rosales was there with her two daughters. Rosales said she is going through the program so that her youngest daughter can be baptized, and so her older daughter can receive Communion.
“It was hard for me (to pick a church) because there are so many options, but this felt right to me,” Rosales said.
Another RCIA participant, Charlotte McMahon, came to the event with her family. McMahon’s two young sons plan on being baptized Easter Sunday, which is the culmination of Lent.
“We have an Easter vigil which runs from 8:30 to 11 at night, and after that we have a big party,” Nivens said.
McMahon’s 9-year-old son Darron found a miniature baby Jesus in his slice of King Cake. As part of Mardi Gras tradition, whoever gets the piece is Mardi Gras King and is required to bring the King Cake next year.
Before the celebration began, members sang a hymn titled “Lord of All Hopefullness,” and the Rev. Robert Williams spoke about the importance of Ash Wednesday, which is the day after Mardi Gras. Williams said the ash that will be smeared on members’ foreheads is to remind them of Jesus’ crucifixion and of their mortality.
On Ash Wednesday, Williams and other members of the church will repeat the phrase “Remember you are dust, and dust you will return.”
Attendees were presented palm branches from last year’s Palm Sunday to burn. The ashes from the palms are to be used during Ash Wednesday ceremonies.
Gathered around a small charcoal grill just outside the school, they took turns placing their branches in the fire. As each branch was laid down, each person said what they were asking for God’s help with.
Williams placed his branch for the caticumans, who are people who want to become Catholic but have never been baptized. Nivens said the church has several caticumans going through the RCIA program.
Contact Sam Brattain: 640-4883, sam.brattain@heraldbulletin.com
Local Education
Related Photos
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Warren Brinson adds a palm to the fire during a Mardi Gras party at St. Mary's on Tuesday. Families save their palms from the previous Palm Sunday to burn them before the start of Lent. The ashes from the Palms are used for the church's Ash Wednesday service. Don Knight
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Phyllis McKinney reads from the book of Esther during a Mardi Gras party at St. Mary's on Tuesday. Don Knight
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After the burning of palms, prayer and singing parishioners share a meal during a Mardi Gras party at St. Mary's. Don Knight
Discussion
Mardi Gras celebration precedes Lent
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