Pope Francis’ annual message for LENT 2022

Lent is a favourable time for personal and community renewal. ‘Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up’ (6:9-10). ‘So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all” (Gal 6:9-10).

Lent is an opportune time! All too often in our lives, greed, pride and the desire to possess, accumulate and consume have the upper hand. Lent invites us to conversion, to a change in mindset, so that life’s truth and beauty may be found not so much in possessing as in giving, not so much in accumulating as in sharing and sowing goodness. Part of this conversion is the willingness to sow goodness in the life of others; even when we do not see the fruits of what we sow, no act of love, no matter how small, will be lost in the eyes of God.

The Lenten season calls us to place our faith and hope in the Lord, since only if we fix our gaze on Jesus (who is the source of all goodness) will we be able to respond to St Paul’s words, “Let us never grow tired of doing good.”

We cannot ‘do good’ by our human effort alone; it is the result of God’s grace that strengthens the weak and gives youthfulness to the old. Faith does not release us from the storms of life, but it allows us to face them with courage in union with Jesus:

During Lent we are called to respond to God’s gift of grace by accepting His word, which is “living and active”. This brings great joy, yet even more, it calls us to become God’s co-workers. By making good use of the present time, we too can sow seeds of goodness.

Pope Francis calls us to be aware of the addiction of 'digital media'. He encourages us to use the Lenten season to cultivate more integral forms of human communication, made up of 'authentic encounters' with real people. What better way to sow seeds of goodness.

Let us ask God to give us the patient perseverance of the farmer and to persevere in doing good, one step at a time.’ And though we stumble and fall, ‘let us not hesitate to return to God who is “generous and forgiving”.

This Lent we are called to sow seeds of goodness by focusing on our school value and treating each other with RESPECT.

What does the word RESPECT mean? The dictionary says…

…to take notice of;

to regard with honour and special attention;

to regard as worthy of special consideration;

hence, to care for; to heed.

During this Lenten season may we open our hearts to God and welcome him into our lives so we may be filled with his love and reach out to each other with respect, sowing seeds of goodness in our homes, our school and our communities.

Check out this website for short but powerful daily Lent retreats: Bruce Downes Catholic Ministries https://brucedownes.org/view/lent22/lent22-mar02/?pc=WVD220302EM

A Prayer for Ukraine

God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.

Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
May they never yield to discouragement and despair,

but become heralds of new hope to one another in this challenging time.

May you continue to inspire all of us to oneness of heart and mind, to work generously for the common good, to respect the dignity of every person and the fundamental rights which have their origin in the image and likeness of God impressed upon every human being.
Grant eternal rest to the dead and quick recovery to the wounded,

We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.

Prayer for Queensland's Flood Victims

Creator God,
We pray for all those on farms, in small towns, and cities
in Australia whose lives have been disrupted
and whose dreams have been dashed
by the floods that have devastated the country.

We pray for those who have lost their homes,

their treasured possessions, their crops, their animals, and their livelihoods.
Be with and sustain those whose entire world
has been torn apart and washed away.
Assuage their fears and be patient with their anger.
Grant them patience and hope that eventually
they can rebuild their lives and start afresh.

We give thanks for the emergency flood workers
and all those who are heroes in helping those
in distress during the floods.
May they continue their missions of mercy.

Be with those who are caring for flood victims
that their compassion and presence
may be life-sustaining.
May they continue their missions of mercy.

May those who serve others
inspire us to do the same.
May healing begin swiftly.

Amen

Project Compassion

Please remember to give what you can to Project Compassion to help those who do not have enough to live life to the full. There is a Project Compassion box for donations in each classroom.