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RELIGION

Food has role in
Lent season openers

Religion Calendar

By Mary Adamski
Star-Bulletin

Food is on the agenda next week at many Christian churches as they prepare to begin the liturgical season of Lent.

Ashes will be applied to foreheads of believers Wednesday, symbolizing sorrow and repentance as they embark on 40 days of spiritual preparation for the celebration of Easter.

The day before Lent, called Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday, was historically a time when eggs, fat and other rich foods were used up and households feasted before embarking on the traditional Lenten fast.

Several local churches will mark Tuesday with pancake meals, which evolved as a modern observance of Fat Tuesday. The Portuguese tradition is to make and consume malasadas.

Other congregations will recall fasting, which is no longer widely observed, by gathering for simple "monastic" meals of bread and soup and prayer during Lent. Strict fasting is still observed by Orthodox church members, and the Catholic Church calls for abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent.

Some events planned include the following:

CHURCH OF THE HOLY NATIVITY
5286 Kalanianaole Highway
Tuesday -- Pancakes and performances by the Covenant Players will raise funds for the youth group, 5 to 7 p.m.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1020 S. Beretania St.
Tuesday -- Pancakes will be served at 6 p.m. in Komuro Hall. The Rev. Bob Morley will speak about the biblical and Christian significance of the day.

Wednesday -- There will be a combined English and Tongan worship service at 7 p.m.

ST. ANDREW'S CATHEDRAL
Queen Emma Square
Tuesday -- Pancake supper, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Wednesday -- Eucharist and imposition of ashes in Parke Chapel, 6 and 7 a.m. and noon; in the cathedral, 5 p.m. Monastic meal will be at 6 p.m. Labyrinth opens in Davies Hall, 1-5 p.m.

ST. TIMOTHY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
98-939 Moanalua Road
Tuesday -- The Litany of Reparation will be recited; dinner, 6 p.m.

Wednesday -- Services at noon and 7 p.m., Eucharist and imposition of ashes.

CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY OF PEACE
1184 Bishop St. 536-7036
Wednesday -- Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo will distribute ashes at the noon Mass. Other Catholic parishes will distribute ashes at daily Mass.

HARRIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
20 S. Vineyard Blvd.
Wednesday -- A service at 5:30 p.m. will be the first of weekly soup and study sessions. Offerings will go to the Hunger Project of the Commission on Global Ministries.

NUUANU CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
2651 Pali Highway
Wednesday -- Ashes will be imposed at 7 p.m. meditation service led by the Rev. Tom Fujita.

OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH
1404 University Ave.
Wednesday -- Lenten vespers at 7:15 p.m. will be held weekly. Starting Wednesday, the service will be preceded by a soup supper at 6 p.m.

ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
1004 Kailua Road
Wednesday -- Communion and imposition of ashes will be at 7 p.m. There will be weekly Wednesday soup-and-bread suppers and worship services.

WAIPAHU UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

94-330 Mokuola St.

Wednesday -- Ashes will be distributed at 7 p.m. service.

Catholics to explore women's role

The role of women in applying gospel teaching to current social issues will be explored during the annual Conference for Catholic Women of Hawaii.

The gathering, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. next Saturday at Star of the Sea Church, will lead participants in expressions of spirituality through sacred gesture and creative arts. It has as its theme, "A Woman Said Yes."

Carol Ignacio, director of the diocesan Office of Social Ministry, will give the keynote speech, "A New Appreciation of Mary Today."

Speakers will include Leelamma Palazzotto, director of the Oahu Office of Social Ministry; art teacher Cheri Rauckhorst; Rita Guinaugh of Holy Trinity parish; and Sister Christine Hilliard, pastoral assistant at Newman Center.

Financial assistance is available for neighbor island attendees. The $12 fee includes lunch. Registration information is available by calling Sharon Chiarucci toll-free at (877) 263-8855, ext. 333.

Course blends Buddhism, psychology

Michele McDonald-Smith will present a four-week introductory course on practical insight meditation on Monday nights, March 13-April 3, at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church, 5339 Kalanianaole Highway.

McDonald-Smith blends Buddhist teaching with contemporary Western psychology. She has taught Vipassana meditation internationally since 1982.

Vipassana Hawaii is presenting the course, 7:30 to 9 p.m., for a suggested donation of $5 or $10 per class. For information, call 735-2708.

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Star-Bulletin staff