Sooner Catholic soonercatholic.org February 4, 2018 archokc.org Go Make Disciples Mardi Gras to Pancake Day: Fat Tuesday has religious roots By Eliana Tedrow of the world, the week leading up to Mardi Pancakes were a way to use up fat in the The Sooner Catholic Gras is referred to as “Shrovetide.” The word home – eggs, milk and sugar – before fasting “Shrovetide” is the English version of “Carni- during the Lenten season. Other parts of the Mark Twain once said, “an American has not val,” Latin for “to take away the flesh.” world mark the day immediately preceding Ash seen the United States until he has seen Mardi “To shrive,” meant to hear confessions and to Wednesday by celebrating Mardi Gras, and Gras in New absolve. People used to confess their sins and gorging before a season of fasting. Orleans.” But, their confessor would “shrive” him or her, in “We can think of Lent as a time to eradicate while some use what they should evil or cultivate virtue, Mardi Gras as do for their pen- Shrove Tuesday a time to pull up weeds an opportunity ance, preparing or to plant good seeds,” to overindulge, the way for a time Feb. 13 Venerable Fulton Sheen this misrepre- of renewal during said. sentation can the Lenten sea- “Which is better is overshadow the son. clear, for the Christian deep spiritu- To entice the ideal is always positive al roots of this faithful to partic- rather than negative. A Catholic holiday. ipate in an act of person is great not by Mardi Gras, contrition, plays the ferocity of his hatred French for “Fat and masquerades of evil, but by the inten- Tuesday,” is were performed sity of his love for God. celebrated the that depicted Asceticism and mortifi- day before Ash either the Passion cation are not the ends Wednesday, the of our Lord or the final judgment. of a Christian life; they are only the means. beginning of the The last day of Shrovetide is known as The end is charity. Penance merely makes an Lenten season. “Shrove Tuesday,” a day the faithful used to opening in our ego in which the Light of God Fat Tuesday was consider what wrongs they had done and in can pour. As we deflate ourselves, God fills us. a day marked what areas of their life they needed to ask God And, it is God’s arrival that is the important by eating richer, for help. event.” fattier foods. Shrove Tuesday is marked in many parts of Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the In other parts the world by eating pancakes. Sooner Catholic. 2 February 4, 2018 Sooner Catholic Sooner Catholic February 4, 2018 3 Put Out Into the Deep Luke 5:4 Find more Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Do all things for the glory of God news on the names new chancellor By Diane Clay Dear Brothers and Sisters In Christ, olic Appeal can make website and families,” said the Most Rev. Paul S. Coak- In addition to his service at Saint Gregory’s, The Sooner Catholic the Church stronger as ley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City. Scaperlanda serves as a scholar participant in As chancellor, Scaperlanda will serve as a You are a blessing to the Church in central and we journey together as By Sooner Catholic Staff The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has an- the Blessed Stanley Rother Hispanic Cultural principal leader in the diocesan curia. He will Institute of Oklahoma City and Norman, and western Oklahoma! missionary disciples. nounced the hiring of former Saint Gregory’s Additional coverage of serve as canonical adviser to the bishop and teaches in OU’s Visions of America Summer A strong parish, a strong community and a strong This year’s appeal University president Michael Scaperlanda as Church and archdiocesan will be the top adviser on legal matters and in- Institute for high school teachers. He is a past personal faith commitment all contribute to a strong theme is “Do All Things the diocese’s new chancellor. Scaperlanda be- news and events, only on terpretation of laws, rulings and regulations. member of the Oklahoma Advisory Committee Archdiocese. Your support of the 2018 Annual Cath- for the Glory of God.” In gins Feb. 5. making a financial com- www.soonercatholic.org. Scaper- “I am excited by this opportunity to work to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and mitment to the Annual landa fills alongside Archbishop Coakley, a dynamic arch- the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Legal Ethics diocesan staff, priests, deacons, religious men Catholic Appeal, you ex- a To send photos, event a position Committee. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and women, and lay persons as together we press your faith in God’s information or story ideas, held by A graduate of the University of Texas School answer the Holy Father’s call to be missionary goodness by sharing your God-given gifts for His e-mail [email protected]. Justin of Law, Scaperlanda clerked for the Chief disciples,” Scaperlanda said. “The Holy Spirit is glory. To be Catholic means to look beyond ourselves Byrne who Justice of the Texas Supreme Court and prac- clearly moving in the Church in Oklahoma, and and to share the joys and burdens of our brothers a Oregon Catholic Press success- ticed law for four years in Washington, D.C. I am humbled by this call to use my skills and and sisters in need. Parish Grants Program fully up- and Austin prior to joining the faculty at the experience to serve the archdiocese as chancel- The Annual Catholic Appeal supports vital archdi- Since its inception in 2001, dated the OU College of Law. He and María are members lor.” ocesan ministries that serve all Catholic households OCP has provided more than of Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church office before Scaperlanda most recently served as presi- and families in cities and towns large and small $2.6 million in support of in Norman. They have four children and eight leaving for dent of Saint Gregory’s University in Shawnee. throughout central and western Oklahoma. parishes looking to enhance grandchildren. other career He has worked at the University of Oklahoma Each year, the archdiocese conducts the Annual their worship experience. opportuni- in various academic and administrative capac- Scaperlanda is one of several former faculty Catholic Appeal to support youth, young adult and Any Catholic parish within ties. Prior ities since leaving the practice of law in 1989, and staff members from Saint Gregory’s Uni- campus ministry, vocations and seminarian edu- the United States that did to Byrne, including holding the Gene and Elaine Edwards versity hired by the archdiocese following the cation, evangelization and discipleship formation, not receive an OCP grant the Loutitia Family Chair in Law at the University of Okla- university board suspending operations of the religious education and Catholic schools, clergy for- previous year is eligible to Denison homa College of Law. school in December. mation, marriage and family life, respect life efforts, apply. Recipients of an OCP Eason A nationally known scholar in immigration The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City serves funding for local Hispanic ministry and outreach in grant must use the money served as law and in Catholic legal theory, Scaperlan- Catholics in central and western Oklahoma, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. for liturgical and/or musical chancellor da’s books include “Immigration Law: A Prim- covering 46 counties and 42,470 square miles. I invite you to join me in this mission of loving purposes. Applications ac- for more The original Diocese of Oklahoma erected in service to God and our neighbors by considering a cepted through May 30. Visit er” and “Recovering Self-Evident Truths: Cath- than 13 years. 1905, became the Diocese of Oklahoma City pledge. ocp.org/grants. olic Perspectives on American Law.” He Blessings are multiplied when all of us work togeth- “Scaperlanda’s vast leadership experience, co-authored “The Journey: A Guide for the and Tulsa in 1930, and then the Archdiocese er, and we need your participation to reach our goal his passion for the Catholic faith and his life- Modern Pilgrim” with his wife, María Ruiz of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa in of $3.6 million. Through a pledge to the appeal you long commitment to excellence will be tremen- Scaperlanda, the award-winning author of the 1972. help build the Church in our archdiocese and ad- dous assets for the archdiocese, our parishes biography on Blessed Stanley Rother. Diane Clay is editor of the Sooner Catholic. vance Christ’s mission to “Do All Things for the Glory of God.” Please respond using the pledge card you receive in the mail or the card included on the back page of this Alert prompts Hawaii bishop to give general absolution issue of the Sooner Catholic, or go online to archokc. org/appeal to make your commitment. By Patrick Downes answer his knock. That’s when Bishop Silva, who that forgiveness. In that moment, @archokc Pray for the success of this year’s Annual Catholic Catholic News Service So, he walked the 50 yards to was wearing a T-shirt, stepped for- everything changed and was made Appeal. Please also remember that every gift touches the center’s chapel where nine ward to say he would give every- right. You could feel the presence HONOLULU – Honolulu Bishop lives. Every gift is important. deacon candidates and their wives, one general absolution. He decided Archdiocese of Larry Silva gave general absolution of God in that room.” I pray that the hope and promise of this New Year Oklahoma City visiting for the weekend with their to forgo the stole and skip the to about 45 people in a deacon Following the sacrament, Bish- bring you abundant joy and blessing.