Education in Faith

First Sunday in Lent - Year B

According to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus Christ spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. Lent originated as a mirroring of this, fasting 40 days as preparation for Easter.Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday and placing them on the heads of participants.

As priests draw the crosses on to people's foreheads, they say: "Repent, and believe in the Gospel". The cross is a nod to the Biblical passage “For dust you are and to dust you shall return".Traditionally, ash is used to represent grief, so devout Christians will wear the cross on their head for the entire day to show their sorrow for Jesus' crucifixion. They also represent repentance and show that people have repented of their sins so that they can be prepared for a 'Holy death', like Jesus. The ash cross on the forehead is an outward sign of our sorrow and repentance for sins.The earliest celebration of Ash Wednesday dates to the 8th century and may have come from an earlier tradition of penitents placing ashes on themselves in atonement for their sins. 

The Bible has numerous examples of this type of practice, such as Job, who said, “repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6). The six Sundays in Lent are not considered part of the official “Lenten fast” (every Sunday is a special remembrance of the Resurrection of Christ), and so when subtracting six from 46, we get the famous 40 days of Lent.The ashes have deep spiritual meaning. Ash Wednesday emphasises two themes: our sinfulness before God and our human mortality. At the beginning of Lent, on Ash Wednesday, ashes are blessed during Mass, after the homily. The blessed ashes are then "imposed" on the faithful as a sign of conversion, penance, fasting and human mortality. The ashes are blessed at least during the first Mass of the day, but they may also be imposed during all the Masses of the day, after the homily, and even outside the time of Mass to meet the needs of the faithful.  Ashes are a sacramental. 

Their reception with humility is a sign of penance. We wear them publicly to acknowledge our need to atone for our sins. The act of putting on ashes symbolises fragility and mortality, and the need to be redeemed by the mercy of God. Far from being a merely external act, the Church has retained the use of ashes to symbolise that attitude of internal penance to which all the baptized are called during Lent.

Sacramental News

Dear Parents/Guardians/Caregivers,

As we embark on a new academic year, we would like to share with you important dates for our Sacramental celebrations that will take place throughout the school year. 

Sacraments play a significant role in the spiritual journey of our students and we need to ensure that you are well-informed and can actively participate in these meaningful events. 

Please be advised that attendance is compulsory for the commitment masses and formation nights that take place before the celebration of each Sacrament. Kindly mark the following dates on your calendar:

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Sacramental Program, celebrations or preparation process, please feel free to contact the School's Religious Education leader.

Thank you for your continued partnership in the spiritual formation of our students. We look forward to celebrating these sacred moments with you and your families as a parish community. 

May God's blessings be with you and your loved ones.

Sacrament Levy

There is a $25 Sacrament Levy to cover the cost of stoles.

•  This levy needs to be paid in full to the school in an envelope clearly indicating your child’s name, Home Group and name of Sacrament being received.

God Bless  

Rozeta Ambrose

Religious Education Leader

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

YEAR 5/6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM – MINI VINNIES

“This week, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which 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. 

Please give generously to Caritas Australia this Lenten season and help vulnerable people around the world, now and for all future generations.

With your support, Caritas Australia has been able to assist communities around the world through income generation, water and sanitation, food security, education and disaster risk reduction programs. 

Project Compassion 2024 reminds us that the good we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow.”

Next week Project Compassion boxes will be in the Learning Spaces decorated in House colours. Students are being asked to donate to Project Compassion during the season of Lent. They can place their donations in their House Project Compassion box and each week we will let you know how much each house has donated. Parents can also assist by donating to their child’s house through the boxes kept in the office. If families would like to collect a Project Compassion box for their home, they will be available in the office next week. We will then ask you to return them to school by the end of the term.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT HOUSE POINTS

Last week Mini Vinnies distributed our House Point sheets. Staff have been giving students points for demonstrating community spirit which includes our PBL Values. Foundation parents will be notified shortly of their child’s House. The points for each House after the first week:

Well done to Teresa who is leading!! 

Giuliana

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au