Religious Education with Mrs. Skelly
Ash Wednesday – the beginning of the Church Season of LENT
Yesterday our school and Parish community gathered for Ash Wednesday Mass in the Church and received a sprinkle of ashes 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 ashes on our heads is a sign to remind 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 right relationship with God and each other.
We are now in The Church Season of LENT
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
- 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 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
- 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.
- 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.
Focussing on our school value RESPECT during LENT
During LENT St Mary’s School Community will focus of the value of RESPECT.
Every person is made in the image of God.
Every person is the clearest reflection of God among us.
Every life is created by – and belongs to – God, and so…
Every life is holy and sacred.
As a Christian community, we are called by Christ to value and respect ourselves and each other.
Jesus Himself said: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me!” We should not treat everyone with respect as if they were like Jesus. We should treat everyone with respect because they are Jesus.
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
During Lent our Mini Vinnies team will be working to answer Jesus’ call to give alms (almsgiving). Let us all help them supporting PROJECT COMPASSION through raising money for ‘the least of our brothers and sisters’.
Please support PROJECT COMPASSION by sending along ANY change you can spare for the Project Compassion box.
