Education in Faith
As we go through Lent
Opening School Mass
Thank you so much to all who were able to attend our Opening School Mass which was led by Father Pat.
It was so wonderful to see the involvement of our students in Mass from the very start of the year, whether that be our readers who practiced and spoke with clarity, our helpers working with the projector slides or even students modelling reverent behaviour, particular for our younger students who are just new to attending as a large group. Congratulations to all of our Year Six School Leaders and SRC representatives who received their badges in front of many very proud parents, school staff and members of our community.
The class Prayer Cloth blessed by Father Pat will now play an important role for the remainder of the school year as it is used in prayer, reflection, discussion and meditating.
Staff Commissioning Mass
All families are encouraged to attend Mass each weekend. This Sunday, the 25th of February, will be the Staff Commissioning Mass at 11.00AM. This will be attended by St Anthony's school staff as well as staff who teach at Sunday school, who after the Homily will make special prayers and intentions for the coming school year. This is a special celebration as a Parish Community.
Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
As we know we are now in the season of Lent building towards Easter. We had a series of events last week. On Shrove Tuesday students learnt about the history of this day, and as fun as eating pancakes are, how it has an important historical context! We know that in the past in preparation for Lent, people would aim to use up the last of many supplies in their cupboards before beginning to fast, cooking up quiche type dishes with the odds and ends in their cupboards, which have evolved over many years into pancakes.
We can't thank our parents enough for coming in and cooking up some of these pancakes for our students! A sweet treat but also a resource to help understand Lent even more!
The whole school gathered on Ash Wednesday for the giving of the Ashes which was also a great occasion. Students were reflective and well behaved at church as always!
Week One of Lent
This week our whole school gathered for a Prayer Ceremony that was a reflection of the First Week of Lent. Students were brilliant in their ability to sit calmly in prayer and also put their hand up to share their thoughts and opinions. This was evident from our Year Six Leaders all the way to our newest students!
The theme for this week was the story of Jesus in the desert, which can be found below:
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
The school watched sections of an artistic interpretation of this story as shown below, which allowed students to visualise and relate to Jesus' plight.
As a school we reflected on some of the key takeaways from this story, and the lessons it promotes.
Students then reflected on things that may make them feel a bit nervous, upset or afraid, just like Jesus was in his time in the wilderness. Some things suggested as we reflected can be found below.
Students were able to discuss and agree that it is OK to have times where we feel a bit afraid! A bit stressed! A bit unsure! These times are a normal part of life, and we can work through them knowing that we have support all around us, and that things will be ok.
We ended together in prayer.
This was a wonderful Prayer Service which showed how thoughtful and respectful all of our students are. We look forward to another Lenten Prayer next week, which we will connect to our Friday Assembly.
May we all continue to progress through Lent through Prayer, Fasting and Giving.
Take care,
Tim O'Mahoney
Education in Faith Leader