RE News
Shrove Tuesday - 13th February
Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent – the 40 days leading up to Easter – was traditionally a time of fasting, and on Shrove Tuesday, Anglo-Saxon Christians went to confession and were “shriven” (absolved from their sins). A bell would be rung to call people to confession. This came to be called the “Pancake Bell” and is still rung today. Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday. Shrove Tuesday was traditionally the last opportunity to use eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast, and pancakes were the perfect way to use these ingredients.
During Recess tomorrow, the children will be served with a large pancake to commemorate this feast day. Please bring in a gold coin, which will be donated to the school's Project Compassion box. If you have concerns about your child eating one of these pancakes, please notify the school ASAP.
Upcoming Mass: Ash Wednesday, Opening School & Induction of our School Leaders
Our first whole school Mass for the year will be held this Wednesday, 14th February, at 12:30pm in the Church.
During this Mass, ashes will be blessed and distributed to all children and adults, and we will also induct our 2024 school leaders. Parents and families are most welcome to attend.
Our office will be closed for the duration of the Mass to allow all staff to attend.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. The sprinkling of the ashes on our heads on Ash Wednesday is an expression of our faith and a sign that we are asking God for forgiveness. It is a time of prayer, fasting and giving to others.
When we pray, we come closer to God to better realise our baptismal promise to live justly as Jesus teaches us.
Fasting helps us remember the needs of the poor, who often have no choice but to go without basic needs such as food, water and shelter.
Giving to the poor, or ‘almsgiving’, is a sign of our commitment to justice. It reminds us of our blessings and allows us to give thanks for all that God has given us.
On this day, think about what you will pray for, what you will give or give up and how you can make a difference to others or the environment this Lent.
As we prepare for Easter, the most important time in the Church’s calendar, let us remember Jesus’ messages of love and mercy and ask God to bless us so that we can ‘Be More’ in our own lives and in the lives of others.
Project Compassion Boxes
Spanning across the six 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.
Each family will receive a small Project Compassion box on Wednesday to keep in their home during Lent. The theme of Project Compassion 2024 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good we do today will extend and impact the lives of future generations. It invites us to improve the world by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.
We are particularly encouraged during Lent to give greater attention to those who might be in need. One way we are able to do this as a Catholic Community is by supporting Project Compassion, run by CARITAS Australia, and over the next forty days of Lent, we should be looking to make monetary contributions (big or small) to these boxes.
Your generous support can help change lives today - and For All Future Generations.