Religious Education News
This week we began our Lenten journey at St. Mary’s.
On Tuesday the students participated in pancake making (and eating of course!) to commemorate and learn about Shrove Tuesday; the day where traditionally all the ‘good’ food was used up to prepare for a more simple life during Lent.
Yesterday, all students participated in an Ash Wednesday service: the Grade 3-6 students celebrated with the parish at mass (with the students from St. Brendan’s and Sacred Heart also) and the Grade 1 and 2 students were led in prayer and reflection by staff back at school. These celebrations reminded us of the journey we are all about to undertake as Catholics during Lent and how we can ‘turn back to Jesus’ during this time by almsgiving, praying and fasting. Fasting traditionally involved ‘going without’ something food related, but we can also interpret this as giving up different things like limiting screen time or devices, less arguing with our siblings, fasting from negativity etc; anything that allows for some personal reflection and growth during Lent and prepares us well for the Easter season.
The ‘almsgiving’ pillar of Lent lends itself beautifully to our annual participation in the ‘Project Compassion’ campaign run by Caritas. This year’s theme is ‘Unite Against Poverty’ and comes from John’s gospel when, on the night before he died, Jesus prayed that we may all be one. For the 6 weeks of Lent we are encouraged to donate to the Project Compassion campaign and students will listen to stories and learn about the impact our donations have on those living in marginalized communities. Each family will come home with a Project Compassion box and we encourage families and students to think of ways they could donate to their Project Compassion box e.g. giving up their allowance/icypole/coffee etc money and instead put it into their family Project Compassion box. There are many videos and activities on the Caritas website if you google it, including ‘The Long Walk for Water’ which is an individual challenge during Lent.
Another reminder about our Beginning of Year Mass which will be held on Wednesday the 15th of March at 10am and includes our Prep Buddy Blessing. All warmly invited to attend.
Prayer Gatherings will begin the following week after the Beginning of Year Mass (Week 7: Friday the 13th of March) starting with the Grade 6s celebrating leadership and introducing our new school leaders. Other classes will be allocated dates soon once I’ve finalised the Prayer Gathering roster.
Rachel Downard
Religious Education Leader
rdownard@smcolac.catholic.edu.au
