Delicious pancakes, maple syrup, strawberries and whipped cream tantalised the taste buds of staff at St Stephen’s Hospital on Tuesday 28 February as they ushered in this year’s Easter season.
St Stephen’s Hospital General Manager and Director of Clinical Services Amanda Cruwys said the hospital celebrated Shrove Tuesday with a pancake morning tea today.
“Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday signals the beginning of Lent and is a time to prepare for Easter (40 days later, not counting Sundays),” Ms Cruwys said.
Hospital Chaplain Pastor Sandra Keay said the day before Ash Wednesday is called Shrove Tuesday (“shrove” meaning to have one’s sins forgiven).
“In ancient times, there were many foods observant Christians would not eat during Lent such as meat, fats, eggs, sugar and milk.
“So that no food was wasted, families would have a feast on the shriving Tuesday and eat all the foods that wouldn't last the 40 days of Lent.
“Pancakes became associated with Shrove Tuesday as they could use all the eggs, fats and milk with just the addition of flour.
“Shrove Tuesday is now also an opportunity to give something to someone else through our donations, this year being UnitingCare Health’s Helena Goldie Hospital project in the Solomon Islands.
“Today we raised $150 – a Shrove Tuesday record for us at St Stephen’s.”
St Stephen’s is a not-for-profit organisation owned by the Uniting Church and is a member of UnitingCare Health, which includes The Wesley Hospital and St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane and The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital in Buderim.