FAITH MATTERS

Shrove Tuesday - or Pancake Tuesday

With the help of our Faith and Mission captains (Anna and Evita), school captains and staff helpers, students were served pancakes as they arrived at school on Tuesday this week.

The name “Shrove” shows its religious origins. Shrove is the past tense of the English verb “Shrive” which means to obtain absolution for one’s sins by way of confession and by doing penance.

With Shrove Tuesday taking place before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, it was the day when Christians were encouraged to go to confession in preparation for the beginning of Lent.

Ash Wednesday

As a faith community, we marked the beginning of LENT with our Ash Wednesday service this week. Through LENT we journey with Jesus who spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for his mission, and with the Israelite people who spent 40 years in the wilderness on the way from slavery to the Promised Land. 

We are called to fast, pray, and give alms during this time. Fasting could involve not only giving up something for Lent but also refraining from harsh words or judgment. We could choose to involve ourselves in praying for ourselves, others, and the world around us. Giving alms may involve contributing to the Project Compassion collections, giving to charity, or “paying it forward” to those less fortunate in our community.

Beginning Year Mass

To finish off a very busy week on the Catholic Identity calendar, was our school community coming together and celebrating the beginning of the new school year through liturgy.

It was a beautiful celebration that also involved the commissioning of our 2024 student leaders and the presentation of their badges.

I sincerely thank everyone involved in the preparation and set-up of the mass and to those who helped me during the service. A big thank you to Fr James for leading us in the celebration.