Lenten season kicks off with March 1 Shrove Tuesday pancake dinners

Lent begins March 2, with several Christian denominations observing the 40-day season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter.

This year, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, March 2, and extends through sundown on Holy Thursday, April 16.

Locally, two churches will host a pre-Lenten kick-off by serving Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) dinners on March 1.

Rusk's First United Methodist Church will host its annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, beginning at 6 p.m. at 255 S. Henderson Ave. The church also begins a six-week Lenten study series on the Holy Spirit on March 1, with weekly studies held Tuesdays at the church fellowship hall.

In Jacksonville, Trinity Episcopal Church’s annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is from 5-7 p.m. at 1000 S. Jackson St.

Ash Wednesday services, held March 2, include:

• Alto – Venerable Antonio Margil Mission, 181 S. Main St., 6 p.m. Spanish Mass.

• Jacksonville – Trinity Episcopal Church, at 1000 S. Jackson St. An Ash Wednesday liturgy with imposition of ashes begins at 5 p.m.

• Jacksonville – Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 1023 Corinth Rd. Liturgies will be celebrated at noon and 5:30 p.m. in English, and 7 p.m. in Spanish.

• New Summerfield – Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Mission, 304 FM 235. A Spanish liturgy begins at 7 p.m.

• Rusk – First United Methodist Church, 255 S. Henderson Ave. Services begin at 6 p.m.
• Rusk – Sacred Heart of Jesus Mission, 760 S. Main. 7 a.m. Mass, noon distribution of ashes, 7:30 p.m. Spanish Mass.

For a complete calendar of Lenten events, please read the Cherokeean print or online editions.