Last Minute Celebrations Before Lent
By: Sydney Hart, KARK 4 News
Updated: February 5, 2008
Move over Super Tuesday, Mardi Gras celebrators are concentrating on what's also known as Fat Tuesday.As the last day of Carnival Fat Tuesday is the last hurrah leading into Ash Wednesday and Lent.
It's time to party it up, eat, play and be merry.
And while this celebration in Little Rock is a bit tamer than the events in New Orleans, the kids at Holy Souls are living it up before Ash Wednesday.
"You get ready for Lent so you just eat a lot of food and celebrate," describes 6th grader, Scottie Taylor.
Described as the last party before the countdown to Easter, students at Holy Souls enjoyed their afternoon playing games, golfing and testing their artistic skills with a little face painting.
In the midst of all the excitement the crowd does know the real meaning behind the party and is eager for the days leading to Easter.
"It's the day before Lent starts and you have to sacrifice something," explains 3rd grader, Dean Sublett.
"It's the beginning of Jesus rising from the dead and Easter and what everything means through the Catholic church," adds Margaret Proctor, 3rd grade teacher.
"It's 40 days when you give up something like soft drinks or junk food or something like that," says Taylor."
Today might be all about beads, eating and celebrating, but come Wednesday these kids are serious about Lent.
"I'm gonna give up fighting with my cousin," explains Kendolyn Bazille.
"I'm gonna give up soft drinks," says Mary Cate Connell.
"Video games is what I'm giving up because I like them so much," admits Sublett.
"I'm probably giving up soft drinks," says Taylor.
And starting Wednesday morning the faithful will head to mass for Ash Wednesday.
