Catholic Identity
PRAYER
Did You Know?
The tradition of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday is a Christian tradition. For us this day is actually called Shrove Tuesday and is the day before our six weeks of Lent starts. During Lent we fast from some things that we love, we pray more and help others who are in need (almsgiving). The tradition of eating pancakes today comes from families using up all the ingredients in their cupboards that they would give up during Lent, such as eggs, butter and sugar. Another important aspect of Lent for Catholics is the invitation to go to Confession as we prepare to celebrate Easter in six weeks time. The word ‘Shrove’ is a derivative of the word shrive, which means absolution following confession.
How Can We Pray More This Lent?
Father Hesburgh was an American Catholic priest and educator who came to prominence last century through his public service work. When asked about how to pray Father Hesburgh said he would often pray, “Come, Holy Spirit,” when in trouble or in doubt or in need of inspiration. “It's a prayer that never fails me,” he said. Such a simple prayer and yet so full of meaning in our faith. Inspired by the Father Hesburgh’s “Come, Holy Spirit”, below is a simple prayer that families could say together this Lent:
Lord God,
You who breathed the spirit of life within me
Draw out of me the light and life you created
Help me to find my way back to you this Lent
Help me to use my life to reflect your glory
And to serve others as your son Jesus did.
Amen
ASH WEDNESDAY LITURGY
Tomorrow we will gather as a school to celebrate the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Liturgy. During the Liturgy we will ‘pack away’ the word Alleluia, which will not be used again at Mass until Easter. The ashes we will receive on our foreheads are a reminder to fast from something we enjoy, pray more and give to others over the coming 40 days. The ashes used are made by burning last year’s Palm Sunday palms and will have been blessed by Fr Albert . In class we will be using a purple prayer cloth during our morning prayers from tomorrow until Easter Sunday.
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SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2025
All baptised Catholic students in Year 3, 4 and 6 will be preparing to celebrate a Sacrament this year. Our Year 3s will be going to Confession for the first time later this term to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Students in Year 4 will receive their First Holy Communion in Term 2 and our Year 6 students will be Confirmed in Term 3.
An important aspect of preparing for any Sacrament is to attend Mass each weekend. Fr Albert is encouraging every child in the Parish of St Andrew’s who is preparing to celebrate a Sacrament this year, to attend Mass regularly, to receive God’s abundant graces.
Recently all students who are preparing for a Sacrament received their Sacramental Journal. These Journals are given to all children in the Parish who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, their First Holy Communion or to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year. The Journal is an easy way for families to record the Masses they attend throughout the year. Please remember to take a pen to Mass so the priest can sign your Journal for you at the end of Mass.
SACRAMENTAL DATES 2025
Below are our Sacramental Dates for this year. These dates are particularly important for Baptised Catholic students in Years 3, 4 & 6. Families need to be aware the Sacrament of Reconciliation has two important dates coming up in March.
COMMUNITY MASSES 2025
Throughout the year we will be holding a number of Community Masses here in our school hall. These Masses are generally celebrated on the fourth Saturday of the month (excluding school holidays or where the weekend is next to a public holiday). Below is a list of this year’s dates, we look forward to seeing many of our families there.
Saturday 22nd March
Saturday 24th May
Saturday 28th June
Saturday 26th July
Saturday 23rd August
Saturday 25th October
Saturday 22nd November
PARISH TAKE HOME SHEET