Ash Wednesday – the beginning of the Church Season of LENT

Next Wednesday our school and Parish community gather for Ash Wednesday Mass in the Church. We will receive a cross symbol with ash on our heads. Ash Wednesday begins the Church season of Lent, when for 40 days, we are called to take stock of our lives and our relationship with God. The ash cross on our foreheads reminds us that we are God’s children, called to follow Jesus and live his way of love, peace, justice, compassion and mercy. The ashes remind us that we need to ask God’s forgiveness for the times we don’t act as Jesus calls us to; and we need to have a change of heart, so that we can live in good relationship with God and each other.

We are now in The Church Season of LENT

Following Ash Wednesday, we enter into the Church season of LENT. The word Lent means springtime – the time of lengthening days. For Catholics, this 40 day period has always been a time for self-reflection and turning back to God. The number 40 is significant because it is how long Jesus fasted and prayed for in the desert (cf. Luke 4:1-13) to prepare for his upcoming mission to spread God’s Word.  

During LENT we are called to take a good hard look at ourselves… How are we living our lives? Are we really trying to be like Jesus? Do we practise… compassion, mercy, Justice, humility, forgiveness, prayerfulness?

Catholics are asked to practise three things during Lent to get them back on track

1. PRAYING – Catholics believe in the need to be spiritually fed/nourished with prayer, God’s Word (in Scripture) and the Sacraments. Praying is spending quality time with God. Pray the ‘Our Father’ or ‘Hail Mary’ really thinking about the words in the prayer; have a conversation with God; reflect on the Scriptures; or simply sit in a quiet place and BE with God. Take time to just BE in God’s presence, experience His love and receive His blessing by attending Mass. There are many websites dedicated to short daily prayer and meditation. Sign up for free and receive daily emails. A couple of great ones are:

• 3 minute retreat; and Lenten Moments of Mercy loyolapress.com
• Daily prayers and Scripture; pray.com.au

2. FASTING – fast from those things that keep us from being close to God and from being the best person we can be (favourite treats, TV, computer, overindulgence, gossiping, selfishness).

For Catholics, fasting is a reminder that food and material things alone cannot make us happy. Fasting from things we enjoy can build will-power for the times in our lives when we need it most.

3. ALMSGIVING – Reach out to help the poor - support Project Compassion; look for works of love and mercy you can do every day; go out of your comfort zone, go over and beyond to spread Jesus’ message of hope, love and joy.

PROJECT COMPASSION … Showing RESPECT through Almsgiving

Lent also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice. As a school community, during the six weeks of Lent, we will be learning about the needs of these communities and giving to this appeal. You can learn more about Project Compassion here - www.lent.caritas.org.au

Our Mini Vinnies team will be working to help us answer Jesus’ call to give alms (almsgiving). Let us all support PROJECT COMPASSION through raising money for ‘the least of our brothers and sisters’.

Please support PROJECT COMPASSION by sending along ANY coin change you can spare for the classroom Project Compassion boxes.