Ash Wednesday and 

the Season of Lent

This week we have certainly experienced a different beginning to the Lenten season, but we are certainly no strangers now to things being different. Even if the usual Ash Wednesday liturgies had taken place, the ashes were to be sprinkled on the congregation's heads, not marked on their forehead in a cross.

“Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19.

This line from Genesis reminds us our lives on this earth won’t last forever. We are a finite people who hold hope in something infinite and beyond ourselves. Bearing a mark throughout the day that is visible to others puts an explanation point on the Genesis passage. We become walking witnesses of that place of truth.

The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are obtained from the burning of the palms of a previous Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday marks Jesus' return to Jerusalem, when people waved palm branches to celebrate his arrival. The ashes are blessed by the priest during the Ash Wednesday Mass after the homily. Then the ashes are usually applied to each person's forehead in the shape of a cross.

I shared a link on Flexischools from Garret Publishing of a virtual Lenten series that you may like to participate in.

For further information and to register click on:

https://garrattpublishing.com.au/blog/post/virtual-lent-series-2021/

At school during Lent we will begin each week at our Monday Assembly linking in with Caritas and the stories of the people they have empowered and supported.  This will be followed up with learning in the classrooms. Caritas' theme this year is 'Be More'. Like our school theme 'Believe the Good News', it is encouraging us during Lent to be positive and to take action beyond ourselves. Project Compassion boxes are being sent home today. This is one way to support Caritas' work.

At our Google Meet prayers yesterday teachers invited children to use their thumb to mark a cross on their forehead, praying, "Repent and believe the Gospel." Believing the Good News of Jesus, believing in a power beyond ourselves, believing that we are finite beings who hold out hope in something finite beyond ourselves.

Take care and keep safe, 

Jo Cowan

Religious Education Leader

Ref: sadler.com