By Madelyn Johnson
JACKSON – Beads, feathers, silent auctions, and a chance to win $10,000? Mardi Gras was in the air and the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Jackson knew how to celebrate!
Mardi Gras is a great time for celebration and indulgence as we prepare for the Lenten season. Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” started in Medieval Europe as a time of celebration before Lent. Mardi Gras begins on the Twelfth Night, which is the Holy Day of Epiphany.
Mardi Gras came to Mobile, Alabama in the 1700s, where the first celebration took place. New Orleans soon caught on to the celebrations, and became very popular. Mardi Gras is an official state holiday in Louisiana.
Diocesan Catholic schools use this time of celebration to honor and fundraise. Many of the schools celebrate Mardi Gras with a ball or drawdown event.
First, St. Richard Catholic School in Jackson hosted Krewe de Cardinal at the Westin, where the Roaring 20s theme took over the night with a silent auction including the chance to win a Gold Frame Samsung TV. Mardi Gras King Hilary Zimmerman and Mardi Gras Queen Helen Shirley shared a dance on the dance floor with music by the Groove Factor. Sponsoring the event was Cathead Distillery, St. Dominic’s Hospital and many more.
“From a parent’s perspective, Krewe is ‘the’ event of the school year. This is when those relationships you’ve been building with families and parishioners throughout the year really shine,” says Celeste Sauicer, development director of St. Richard School and parent. ‘And everyone is there for the same reason, to support the best school. To see so many people come together on one night, all in good spirits, really showcases this incredible community and how much of an impact St. Richard has on so many. As a staff member, this is the busiest time of the year, but my favorite time of the year because this event/fundraiser is really parent run and there are a lot of moving parts to creating a successful event. I’m constantly in awe and appreciation of how much our parents truly love this school. I get to see everything behind the scenes and really talk with these parents, so I learn a lot and see constantly how hard these parents will work and all they will do for this school. I always say that if there is one event that will show you the spirit of St. Richard Catholic School, Krewe de Cardinal is it.”
Vicksburg Catholic School celebrated Mardi Gras with their 42nd $20,000 Draw Down at the Levee Street Warehouse in Vicksburg. There, a silent auction took place with many prizes given away. For the grand prize, the last ten names drawn decided to split the cash.
Annunciation Catholic School in Columbus hosted their Mardi Gras event, A Night of Bids and Beads, where the grand prize was a drawing of $10,000. The event was held at the ACS gym, and tickets sold out quickly. A silent auction was held as well.
For St. Elizabeth Catholic School in Clarksdale, a drawdown of $10,000 was the way to go. Hosted by Hopson Hospitality, friendship and good times rolled while silent auction items steadily were bid upon. Farm Bureau sponsored the event, and Ginny Moser went home with the big Drawdown cash prize.
St. Joseph Catholic School in Greenville had a great time at the Delta Men’s Association in Eudora, Arkansas with their Spring Fling. The night started off strong with drawdown for a chance to win $10,000. Tension was high when the last two names were to be drawn, with Joel Henderson winning the grand prize. A catfish dinner with all the trimmings followed with king cake for dessert. Door prizes and raffles continued through the night.
This year’s Mardi Gras celebrations had wonderful turnouts and great times; however, it is now time we prepare ourselves for Lent.
“[Mardi Gras] is a time where we all have Lent in the back of our mind,” says Bishop Joseph Kopcaz. “People understand now it’s 40 days of sacrifice, where we consider the Lord’s sacrifice. And also our sacrifice in baptism and faith to know that we are blessed. We know that we walk the new path of renewal through Him.”