Faith, Justice & Formation 

Ash Wednesday and Lent at SPC

Today begins our Lenten Season and so we gathered as a College community to prepare with an Ash Wednesday Liturgy. (We also note that Lent began for our Maronite Catholic brothers and sisters on Monday.) With wet weather and some restrictions, the liturgy was streamed live from the Chapel to the classrooms and was led by Fr Jack and the three Identity Prefects, each taking on a particular component of the service. The ashes placed on our foreheads today are a reminder of our search for mercy and promise to return to God.

In accordance with our Christian action in Lent to return to God, our liturgy was divided into the three core components – Prayer, Almsgiving, Fasting. Each boy was asked to write on a purple slip, during the liturgy, how they can fulfill each one of these areas this season and then they were asked to stick it in their diary as a constant reminder to them. Below is an outline from the liturgy plus the opportunities at school during Lent, as we tie all three together.

Prayer, led by Patrick Tandiono (Faith Formation Prefect), centred on scripture, prayers and the distribution of the ashes. Repent, and believe in the Gospel. Prayer is what strengthens our resolve to fast and inspires our call to give. There will be many opportunities for prayer at the College in Lent including Friday Morning Mass, lunch time prayer offerings and reconciliation with Fr Jack.

Almsgiving, led by Harry Richardson (Social Justice Prefect), allowed for reflection on our good fortune and the need to support others, along with an outline of our Lenten Partners for the SPC Lenten Appeal and prayers for them. Throughout Lent boys are asked to donate spare change to their Homeroom collection, as well as develop fundraising initiatives with their Homerooms. They can also give donations in the donation boxes at the Canteen.  (We will outline our partners and some initiatives in next week’s Especean.)

Fasting, led by Vincent Younes (Sustainability Prefect), looked at the many things we can fast from in Lent as well as food. We were given a challenge to help SPC Go Plastic Free This Lent and shown ways of packing a more sustainable lunch, because our modern convenience is taking a massive toll on God’s creation. As a physical reminder of our promise to fast, no meat will be sold in the Canteen or around the College on Fridays during Lent, and we share the Carbon Fast with an emphasis on the reduction of plastic with the community (this will be available on Canvas and the Parent Portal on Sentral later this week). It is also a good time to reduce screen time as a way of fasting at this time.

Lent is a time to simplify our lives and return to God. If we remind ourselves of these three areas being central in our days this season, then our lives automatically move in this direction. Putting others including God at the centre of our lives guides our heart and our wellbeing, as we journey towards the triumphant joy of Easter. God bless you all throughout this Lent. May Christ walk with you each day.

Gillian Daley

Director of Identity