Family and Faith
News from our Family Educator - Ms Tracey Bowler
Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)
Tuesday 4th March 2025
Journey with us as we prepare for Shrove Tuesday. Food as you know is essential for us to live but did you know that foods can symbolise characteristics of our Catholic faith? You are invited to explore this idea in the lead up to Shrove Tuesday. Read on to learn how various ingredients needed to make pancakes link to our Catholic heritage.
Historically, Church laws on fasting were much stricter than they are now. No oil, butter, meat, eggs, milk or sugar were to be eaten at all during Lent. The tradition of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday began out of the need to clear the pantry of all the ingredients that were forbidden during Lent, so they would not be wasted. |
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Pancakes at School!
To celebrate Shrove Tuesday (4/3/25) at OLF, the school will be providing a pancake/pikelet for your child to enjoy in the classroom. Gluten free crumpets will also be available upon request. If you do not want your child to receive the food item please let your child’s teacher know.
As we prepare for the Season of Lent let’s explore the significance of each of the core ingredients of a pancake recipe, and how they can remind us that Jesus is central to our Catholic faith.
THE BREAD OF LIFE
The core ingredient of the pancake is the plain flour, which is derived from plant life. In the Bible, plant life always refers to the Lord’s humanity. As a man, the Lord Jesus is so perfect, much like fine flour. We all know that Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is the part that gives us body, and gives us shape. Just like Jesus, plain flour is perfect in its evenness, its fineness, its tenderness, and in its gentleness. Even when Jesus was preparing for death, He remained fine and even. Jesus is the plain flour.
A PINCH OF SALT
WHOLENESS - salt adds flavour and allows the flour to do it’s work when combined to make pancakes. You may like to spend time as a family reading MATTHEW 5:13-16. This scripture encourages us to focus on being the salt of the earth to bring out the flavour and enjoyment of life. During Lent we are called to give ALMS and support our community. By doing this with pure hearts it allows us to make our world a better place. How will you make this world a better place for you and your community?
Merciful God,
You call us to be the salt of the earth and
light of the world…..
Help us to flavour the earth with righteousness and to reflect the light of Your love in a dark world;
through Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
Amen.
EGGS
The egg has always held particular symbolic significance, partly because it is a visual shorthand for new life and unhatched potential. The egg brings hope and purity. From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus' emergence from the tomb and resurrection.
MILK
Despite the vast variety of milk available to us, the one commonality across all of them is they are often the colour white. White is a constant recurring colour within our Church. It is the symbol of light and purity. It speaks of youth, happiness, the harvest, hospitality, love and kindness.
BUTTER
Butter adds flavour and is used to make our pancakes fluffy and full of goodness. Butter is smooth in texture and allows us to be filled with an abundance of a special ingredient which softens our heart. Butter melts in our mouth and makes pancakes taste extra special. May we strive to be that little something special in someone’s day.
Lord, I desire to be truly rich in grace and mercy rather than in material things.
Help me to always set meaningful priorities in life and to purify my desires.
Jesus, I trust in you. Amen
We encourage families to make pancakes together at home. In today’s busy world we are so lucky we can walk into any supermarket and buy pancakes with a mixture in a shaker bottle or freshly made pancakes in the bakery aisle but there is nothing like doing it yourself and eating a freshly made pancake. Please email photos of your family making pancakes to me or your class teacher so they can be placed on the school’s social media platforms.
Here is a simple recipe:
Pancake Recipe
Ingredients 225g plain flour (Bread of Life) Pinch salt 2 large eggs 600ml milk 2 tsp melted butter
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Family Prayer for Shrove Tuesday
Lord, we thank you for the wonderful pancakes we are about to enjoy.
We ask for your blessing upon them and your blessing upon
those who have prepared them for us.
We thank you for the gifts of sight and smell and taste and touch.
We celebrate You in our feasting on Shrove Tuesday,
and we will celebrate You in our fasting on Ash Wednesday.
In the name of Your Son Jesus, who is the Bread of Life we pray,
Amen.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is a religious event on the Christian calendar that is part of the preparations for Easter. Ash Wednesday takes place the day after Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is also called Pancake Day.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Lent is a time when Christians fast. This means that they stop eating certain foods for a while. Christians might choose to give up something like chocolate, sweet foods, cakes or meat.
Lent lasts for 40 days and ends at Easter. This time reminds Christians of the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert.
Why Is It Called Ash Wednesday?
Ashes are used in church as part of the special services
on Ash Wednesday.
The ashes are made from burnt palm leaves.
Sometimes, these leaves would have been used on the
Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter Sunday)
Mass the year before.
The ashes are blessed with holy water
What Happens on Ash Wednesday?
Many people who are Christians go to church on Ash Wednesday.
On this day we receive ashes on our forehead. The priest will say “Follow the Gospels and turn away from sin”. The ashes are a symbol that all living things come from the earth and return to the earth. That one day we will face God and have to account for our sins.
Lent is the season of the church that leads up to Easter.
During this time we examine our life and try to improve. We are asked to do three things.
- Give Out: Through Almsgiving - Give to the poor through project Compassion. We give things up in Lent and use the money saved to help the poor.
- Give In: To Prayer - We move closer to God by praying.
- Give Up: By Fasting - By going without food we can become aware of the pain of the poor and the pain Christ suffered.
Family Mass - All Welcome
Dear Parents/Carers and children, You are kindly invited to attend the Kindergarten and Year 6 Buddies Family Mass to be held on Sunday 16th March at 9.30am in the Church. You are invited to bring a plate to share after Mass in the Church foyer to celebrate.
This is the first Family Mass of the year and it is a great opportunity to share our faith and pray together in the upcoming Season of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday 5th March. Everyone is invited!
At this Mass the Kindy children will be given a small momento in celebration of their first year at big school - the much loved The Our Lady of Fatima Storybook.
Please come along and join in this beautiful celebration of the Eucharist.
Stations of the Cross at Woronora Memorial Park Sutherland
Save the date - 4th April at 11am
Join us for Stations of the Cross
at Woronora Memorial Park
You’re Invited!
Why not join the Family Educators from the Sutherland Shire Catholic Schools for Stations of the Cross at Woronora Memorial Park Sutherland for a true Lenten experience.
Date: Friday 4th April
Time: 11am at the Stations.
Fatima Friends Invitation - Come and join in the fun!
Pre-schoolers, toddlers and babies along with their parents and carers are warmly invited to
attend Friday Fatima Friends in the Library on Friday mornings after Prayer Assembly.
Who: Pre-schoolers, toddlers and babies are also welcome and parents and carers
With: Tracey Bowler Family Educator/Teacher
What: Toddler Tales involves participating in a 30/40 minute teacher directed lesson which includes activities such as praying, singing, free play, gardening, talking, dancing, movement, craft, visiting the resident chickens, sport and games.
Where: Meet in the Mercy Library after Assembly Prayer on the playground.
When: Fridays at 9.00 am - 9:40 am. Please refer to the school calendar for dates.
Fatima Friends begins Friday 14th March!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful celebration of Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday) in preparation for the most significant Season of the Church Year - Lent.
Lenten Concert - Passion -Stabat Mater
Click on this QR code link to book you tickets:
Have a wonderful weekend,
Tracey Bowler | Family Educator
tracey.bowler@syd.catholic.edu.au