Religious Education 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. 

The marking of the ashes on our foreheads on this day is a public expression of our faith and humility. It is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. 

Through prayer, we come closer to God so that we are better able to realise the promises made for us at our baptism, to live justly as Jesus teaches us. 

Fasting joins us in solidarity with people experiencing poverty who often have no choice but to go without the basic human needs. Sharing what we have, or ‘almsgiving’, is a sign of our commitment to justice and our thanks for all that God has given us.

Lent prepares us for the season of Easter, the most important time in the Church’s calendar. By praying, fasting and giving alms, we are reminded of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus brought the promise of hope to all people so that we may, “have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10). As we live into that fullness, may we also be challenged to act with love and hope, now and for all future generations.

Usually, the Ash Wednesday ashes are created by burning palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration. Palm Sunday is the last Sunday of Lent and leads into Holy Week. It is on this day that people laid palms to cover Jesus's path as he arrived in Jerusalem, just days before he was crucified.

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday.  Lent – the 40 days leading up to Easter – was traditionally a time of fasting and on Shrove Tuesday, Christians went to confession and were “shriven” (absolved from their sins). It is historically known as the last chance for a spot of indulgence before 40 days of fasting, and also an opportunity to use up food that couldn't be eaten during Lent. This included eggs, fat and milk, which were made into pancakes and eaten on that day.  

As a school, we will commence next Tuesday with the burning of the palms ceremony led by Father Brendan and Fr Hoang and we invite you all to join us at 9.15am on the soccer field.

The week beginning 12th February,  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 end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. 

The theme of Project Compassion 2024 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good we do today extends to impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.  

We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving in support of Project Compassion. Each family will receive a Project Compassion box next week for donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion

Weekly Masses

Throughout the year, all classes rotate and attend weekly mass with their class at 9:15am.

This year we will be attending weekly Masses on Friday mornings with Bishop Hart. You are most welcome to join in the celebration with your children.

Please note that some of our whole school Masses are on Wednesdays.