Prayer

Preparing for Lent

Dear Lord,

As we await the beginning of Lent,

may we open our hearts, our minds and our souls to God’s love.

Help us to grow closer to You through prayer, kindness and forgiveness.

Teach us to be patient and generous, to care for those in need, 

and to walk gently with one another.

May this Lenten season be a time of reflection, renewal and hope 

for our whole school community.

Through Christ our Lord,

Amen. 

Ash Wednesday 18 February, 2026

On Wednesday 18 February 2026, our Year 1- 5 students and teachers will gather to celebrate Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent is a sacred season in the Church year when we are invited to slow down, reflect and prepare our hearts for Easter. Over these forty days, we journey together in prayer, fasting and almsgiving, seeking to grow closer to God and to one another.

On this day, we hear from the Gospel of Matthew (6:1–6, 16–18). In this reading, Jesus Christ teaches about giving, praying and fasting. He reminds us not to practise our faith in order to be seen or praised by others. Instead, Jesus calls us to act with sincerity and humility. To give quietly, to pray from the heart, and to fast in a way that is joyful and faithful. God sees what is done in secret and knows the intentions of our hearts.

Lent is often associated with “giving up” something, but the Gospel reminds us that it is also about giving, especially giving to those in need. Almsgiving is an important part of our Lenten journey. When we give generously, we reflect God’s love and care for others. At the same time, Lent invites us to look inward. True Lenten practice is about internal conversion, a change of heart. It is not simply about giving up chocolate or screen time, but about turning more fully towards God, letting go of selfish habits, and growing in kindness, forgiveness and compassion.

As ashes are placed on our foreheads in the shape of a cross, we are reminded that we belong to God and are called to live differently. May this Lenten season be a time of deep renewal for our school community, a time not only of giving things up, but of giving more of ourselves in love as we walk together towards the joy of Easter.

Our Ash Wednesday Mass will be led by 5B and will be attended by our Year 1s - 5s at 9:15am tomorrow (Wednesday 18 February).

All are warmly invited.

Lenten Mission

Spanning across the 6 weeks of Lent each year, Project Compassion brings thousands of Australian schools, parishes, and supporters together to raise funds for people living in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world.

St. Margaret’s is pleased to announce that we will be participating in Project Compassion again this year. Last year, our school community contributed $1100.00 to Caritas Australia through Project Compassion Box. 

Tomorrow is the beginning of Lent and each family will receive a Project Compassion Box via their eldest child. These boxes do not need to be returned until the first week of Term 2.

Thank you for your continued support.

Alison Mammone

Religious Education Leader