Cheese-fare Sunday is also known as “Forgiveness Sunday” is the last Sunday (and the last day for that matter) before the Great Fast (a.k.a. Lent) begins on Monday (but really on that Sunday evening with “forgiveness vespers”). Cheese-fare Sunday is so called as it traditionally would be the last day to polish off any, well, cheeses and other dairy products in the pantry before the 40-day fast begins the following day. The previous Sunday, known as “Meat-fare Sunday” would have been the last day to empty the house of any meat products in anticipation of the approaching Lent. [Perhaps to help with the meat consumption, the Church grants a dispensation from the meat-fasting rule on the second week prior to Meat-fare – i.e. the week between the Sundays of the Publican and the Pharisee and the Prodigal Son. A bit confused? Ask your parish priest.]
The Sunday is also known as “Forgiveness Sunday”, because it is an opportunity when communities can come together on the eve of the Great Fast and become reconciled by asking the Lord and by asking each other for forgiveness. This is practiced in monastic and other communities of consecrated life, but in recent years, most parishes hold some similar event together with “forgiveness vespers” on Sunday evening. This act of the entire community asking for forgiveness of each other and granting it is truly a powerful action by which to enter into the spirit of Lent.
Bishop Michael visited St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic parish in Vancouver on Cheese-fare Sunday morning for the Ukrainian-language Liturgy. Archpriest Fr. Joe Ostopowich and Deacon Howard Burton concelebrated, while pastor Fr. Joseph Pidskalny, OSBM preached the homily. A highlight of the service was when Bishop Michael welcomed a couple, Lawrence and Sarah, who had just recently officially joined the Ukrainian Catholic Church and were canonically enrolled into the Church and parish. This small, but special event, brought a lot of joy to the parish. “Like a wedding” as one said. [Please keep the couple in your prayer, as they are soon expecting twins…]
Following the Divine Liturgy, everyone was invited to the parish centre for a pancake breakfast hosted by the parish branch of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada. The breakfast actually went well beyond pancakes with a lavish spread of great food that included vast platters of fresh fruits. In the course of the breakfast, the Ladies held a “door prize”. Everyone received a ticket when purchasing their admission and they thus had a chance to win one of many donated prizes. Fr. Joseph also brought attention to parishioner Frank who on that very day was also celebrating his 95th birthday. He is one of those rare souls blessed with good health at that age and lives fully independently with his wife who was also present.
May our good Lord bless St. Mary’s Parish and all the parishes of our New Westminster Eparchy with a powerful and life-changing Great Fast!
