The call to celebrate Shrove Tuesday (21 February) with pancakes was resoundingly answered by the amazing St Agnes’ Catholic Parish community! The six parish schools, our residential care services and the Parish Pastoral Office and Admin Centre all found creative ways to get involved (See Facebook posts here)

All our secondary colleges picked up the Shrove Tuesday pancake idea with MacKillop Senior students sharing pancakes on the morning to mark the day. The Youth Ministry team at St Joseph’s Regional College took the Parish’s ‘service before self’ value to heart by cooking and serving pancakes for other students to enjoy. The students at Newman Senior Technical College had the bright and generous idea of kicking off their fundraising for Project Compassion by making theirs a ‘purchase a pancake’ event!

There were many happy pancake-fed smiles at our Primary Schools too!

St Peter’ Primary invited families and friends to bring a picnic to Lunch 1 and were treated to pancakes, too, cooked by the school leaders and served willingly by students. St Agnes’ Primary had a band of merry helpers who prepared and served pancakes to every child in the school.  While St Joseph’s Primary enlisted parents, Year 6 Leaders, and staff to cook up a bunch of yummy pancakes to share.

Residents and staff at the Parish’s Residential Care service, Emmaus and St Agnes’ Site (made up of St Agnes’ Site, Mount Carmel and Maryknoll), were delighted to be part of Pancake Day! Pancakes were cooked on BBQs and in frypans; served with syrup and love; there was even room service for those with limited mobility!

Around 60 people attended our Pancakes @ PAC (also known at the Parish Administration Centre) event! There was a real BUZZ as everyone chatted and took advantage of the opportunity to connect with others from our Parish community. Many came after their morning exercise or before they headed off to work. Many expressed their gratitude at being able to gather and to meet others in such a social situation.

A big thank you to everyone who flipped a pancake, served a pancake, ate a pancake, posted a picture of their pancake celebrations, or attended one of our Parish Shrove Tuesday events! Communities grow strong when they celebrate together with love and laughter!