This Tuesday, February 21, marks the return of Church of the Holy Spirit’s annual Pancake Supper, which this year also will honor the memory of Mike Carlucci (above, center), beloved parishioner, Sunday School teacher, and pancake chef.
“Fat Tuesday” (also known as Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday), is the day before Ash Wednesday, which begins the Christian church season of Lent. During the 40 days of Lent, we’re asked to spend some time in self-reflection, and many people “take on” or “give up” something to mark the 40-day season; fasting is also a traditional practice for some. Pancakes are associated with Mardi Gras because they are a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting season begins.
After two years without this traditional public event, Holy Spirit Verona, located at 36 Gould Street, will once again host a Pancake Supper, and all are invited to attend. This year the event will honor Mike Carlucci, a long-time parishioner who was the pancake-making chef at this event for years and who passed away in September 2022. “Mike also was a Sunday School Teacher, he preached on several Sundays during worship, was on Holy Spirit’s Vestry, mowed the lawn, volunteered in our Food Pantry, shopped for inventory for the Food Pantry, and the list goes on and on,” said Fr. Jerry Racioppi, rector of Holy Spirit. Proceeds from this Pancake Supper will be earmarked for youth events.
Join Holy Spirit on Tuesday, February 21, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., for this festive event. The cost for a plate of pancakes, sausage, fruit, and dessert is $10 adult / $5 for children ages 6 to 12; under age six is free. Pancakes are also available to go. You can pay online or pay at the door.
Also this year, the church will be selling “Soup for the Soul” at the pancake supper. The soups, which traditionally have been sold at the Fair in the Square, will be mostly meatless for Lent. Soups will be sold for $8/quart, or 2 quarts for $15.
On Ash Wednesday, February 22, Holy Spirit will once again offer “Ashes to Go” in front of the Church on Gould Street from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and from 2 to 3:30 p.m. A service of Holy Eucharist and imposition of ashes will be held at noon in the historic Chapel, and a service of Evening Prayer and imposition of ashes will be held at 7 p.m. There will also be an Ash Wednesday Service for Children at 3:30 p.m., when the kids will bury the “Alleluia” banner, a symbolic tradition that serves to remind us that the word “alleluia” is not using during Lent. For more information on these and all Holy Spirit events, visit holyspiritverona.org.
