Catholic Identity

What is Lent?

Lent is a special time in the Church where we prepare our hearts for Easter. It is a season of reflection, prayer, and growth, where we are invited to pause, think about our choices, and try to become more like Jesus in the way we live, love, and treat others.

Traditionally, Lent focuses on three key practices: prayer, fasting, and giving to others. These help us to grow in faith, self-control, and kindness.

How Families Can Support at Home

Families play a powerful role in helping children understand and live out Lent in simple, meaningful ways. You might:

Spend a few quiet moments together in prayer
Encourage small acts of kindness at home or in the community
Talk about making good choices, even when it’s hard
Choose something small to give up or do differently (e.g. less screen time, more helping)
Support Project Compassion by discussing how we can help others in need

Lent is not about being perfect — it’s about trying our best, growing together, and keeping our hearts open to God and others.

Project Compassion

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten campaign, inviting us to live out our faith by supporting people in need, both in Australia and around the world. Each year, it shares real stories of individuals and communities who are working to overcome challenges such as poverty, lack of access to education, and limited healthcare.

Through Project Compassion, we are reminded that even small acts of generosity can make a big difference. Funds raised go towards sustainable, long-term solutions — helping communities to become stronger, more independent, and full of hope.

As a school community, we are invited to take part through prayer, awareness, and giving, putting our faith into action and standing in solidarity with others.

Find out more about Project Compassion here: Project Compassion 2026 School Films on Vimeo

This week we learn about Monoranjon from Bangladesh. Monoranjon lives in a village in Bangladesh close to the sea, where floods and storms often damage his crops and his home. With support from Project Compassion, he learnt climate-resilient farming techniques and new ways to diversify his income, helping his family survive and build a safer, more sustainable future.

You can watch his story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRSBcJ03Poo&pp=ygUScHJvamVjdCBjb21wYXNzaW9u

Discussion

What is Monoranjon’s job?
What is making farming difficult for Monoranjon?
How did Caritas Australia and Caritas Bangladesh help?
Why did Monoranjon learn to farm fish, prawns and crabs?
What new skills did Monoranjon learn?
How will you share Monoranjon’s story with others?

Gospel Reflection

Easter Sunday

Summary

This passage tells the story of the empty tomb on Easter morning. Mary Magdalene discovers that Jesus’ body is gone and runs to tell Peter and the other disciple. They rush to the tomb and find the burial cloths lying there, but no body. In that moment, the other disciple sees and begins to believe—even though they don’t yet fully understand what has happened. It is the beginning of faith in the Resurrection.

Scripture – John 20:1-9

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.

Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.

Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Reflection

This moment is full of confusion, urgency, and wonder. Mary is distressed. The disciples are running, unsure of what they’ll find. Nothing is clear yet—but something has changed.

The line “he saw and believed” is powerful. The disciple doesn’t have all the answers. He doesn’t fully understand. But something in him shifts—he begins to trust.

That’s often what faith looks like for us too. We don’t always have everything figured out. We don’t always understand what God is doing. But we are invited to notice, to pause, and to trust that God is at work—even when things don’t make sense.

When have you felt confused or unsure, like the disciples at the tomb?
Have you ever had a moment where something just “clicked” and you started to believe or trust more?
What helps you keep going when you don’t fully understand what’s happening?
Where might God be at work in your life right now, even if you can’t see the full picture yet?

Prayer

Loving God, in moments when we feel unsure or confused, help us to trust in You. Like the disciples at the empty tomb, we don’t always understand what You are doing, but we believe that You are at work.

Open our eyes to notice the signs of hope and new life around us. Give us the courage to keep moving forward, even when things don’t make sense. Help us to grow in faith, trusting that You are always with us.

Amen.

Holy Week

Last Sunday was Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of Holy Week. Holy Week is the most sacred time in the Christian calendar. It helps us walk with Jesus through the final days of His life, leading us from the joy of Palm Sunday to the glory of Easter Sunday. It is a time of prayer, reflection, and great meaning — a chance to talk as a family about love, sacrifice, and hope.

Here’s a simple guide to the most important days of Holy Week and what is celebrated in each Mass or service:

🌿 Palm Sunday – Jesus Enters Jerusalem

Mass Time: Regular Sunday Mass times.

What It’s About: Palm Sunday begins Holy Week. We remember when Jesus entered Jerusalem and was welcomed by crowds waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” At Mass, palms are blessed and we hear the story of Jesus’ Passion — His journey to the cross. It’s a mix of joy and reflection, marking the beginning of Jesus’ final days.

🍞 Holy Thursday – The Last Supper

Mass Time: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (usually around 7:00 pm).

What It’s About: On Holy Thursday, we remember the night Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples. He washed their feet to show us how to serve others with love and humility. At this special Mass, we also remember the gift of the Eucharist and the call to love one another. After Mass, we quietly watch and pray with Jesus, just like His time in the Garden of Gethsemane.

✝️ Good Friday – Jesus Dies for Us

Mass Time: No Mass is held. A Solemn Liturgy is celebrated (usually at 3:00 pm).

What It’s About: Good Friday is a solemn and sacred day. We remember Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. During the liturgy, we listen to the Passion story, pray for others, and venerate the cross — a moment to show love and gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice. Even in the sadness, we remember His deep love for us.

🕯️ Holy Saturday – Waiting in Hope

Mass Time: No daytime Mass. In the evening, we celebrate the Easter Vigil (usually around 7:30–8:00 pm).

What It’s About: Holy Saturday is a day of quiet and waiting. Jesus’ body lay in the tomb and His followers waited in faith and hope. The Easter Vigil begins in darkness and moves to light — a powerful symbol of Jesus rising from the dead. It includes readings from the Bible, beautiful music, and celebrations of Baptism and the Resurrection. It’s the most important celebration of the year!

🌅 Easter Sunday – Jesus Is Risen!

Mass Time: Regular Sunday morning Mass times. What It’s About: Easter Sunday is a joyful day — Jesus is alive! We celebrate His resurrection with hope, joy, and gratitude. It reminds us that even in sadness or difficulty, new life and light will come. It’s the heart of our faith, and a beautiful time to celebrate as a family.

The Triduum (Holy Thursday night to Easter Sunday) is a very special time — not just remembering events from long ago, but entering into the mystery of God’s love for each one of us.

🌏 Caritas K’s – Walking in Solidarity 🚶‍♂️💛

This Thursday, our school community will be taking part in Caritas K’s — a walk/run event as part of our Lenten journey and our support of Project Compassion.

Caritas K’s is more than just a walk. It’s an opportunity for our students to step into the experience of others around the world who walk long distances each day for basic needs like water, food, and education.

As we journey through Lent — a time of prayer, reflection, and action — we are reminded that we are called to care for others and make a difference in practical ways.

💡 Did you know? Just $40 can provide two families in Fiji with vegetable seedlings (cucumber, pumpkin and eggplant), helping them grow their own nutritious food and build a more sustainable future.

If you would like to support our efforts, you can donate here: 👉 Caritas Australia - St Kilian's School - Bendigo

We’re looking forward to a great day of community, movement, and purpose as we walk together in solidarity. Thank you for your continued support 💛