Prayer and Reflection

Prayer for the Fifth Week of Lent

God of salvation, you call us to start anew,

embrace the cross and follow you.

As we walk this Lenten journey,

open our hearts to your wisdom 

and help us reconcile our relationship with you 

and with others.

Amen. 

(From Daily Reflections for Lent, Year C, 2025) 

Since the first weeks of the year our Mass program has continued with two early morning Masses on the last Wednesday of each month. This term Dominic House staff and students as well as other volunteers came together to celebrate Holy Eucharist before school. 

Lent 

During Lent this year, a number of staff and St Nicholas' parishioners, eighteen in all, have enjoyed meeting and sharing thoughts, insights and experiences prompted by our prayerful reading and reflection on the Sunday Lenten Gospels. Each week has strengthened and clarified our Lenten experience and relationships with each other. One important message is featured in the prayer above which tells us that it is never too late to begin anew our journey of faith. This was the theme for our Lenten group last week. All those present were reinvigorated by the Gospel and reflection to renew our Lenten disciplines of fasting, prayer and abstinence. We talked at length about the different things we could ‘abstain’ and ‘fast’ from, such as being self indulgent or overly concerned about ourselves, participating in hurtful gossip, judging others, being pessimistic and bitter. Lent is very much the ‘pilgrim’s’ opportunity to journey back to God and the grace he gives us freely to turn away from sin. This is a timely reminder also about our Lenten pledge to “Unite Against Poverty” by contributing to Caritas. To date we have raised a total of $1344.00. It is not too late to make a donation either as cash or via our Compass App. 

Student Involvement 

 MCC was well represented at the Jubilee Mass celebrated at Saints Mary and Joseph Cathedral in Armidale on the 26th March, by Mr Whitton and four of our student leaders, Cooper Holzigal, Penny Hutchinson, Sam Salvestrin and Mia Shvili. This event is the first of many mini pilgrimage events that have been organised for the people of the Armidale Diocese. As the year progresses McCarthy students and staff will be able to attend other local events which will enable us to experience the concept of being a Pilgrim of Hope in the world today. 

Five Year 10 students have signed up for the Catechist Assistants program which will begin early next term with a training session with one of the Catechists from St Nicholas’ Parish. After this the student will begin their work of assisting the Catechists with their work of teaching the Catholic children who attend Tamworth Public School about Jesus and the Catholic faith. 

MCC Youth Group

A small group of students attended the first lunchtime Youth Group session held last Friday, 28th March, run by the Sisters of the Imaculata and their mission team. Starting in Term 2 the Youth Group will be held fortnightly and it is anticipated that number will grow. 

Cate Allen

Leader of Mission

The Ignite Conference

Every year, Ignite Youth hosts one of Australia’s most powerful Catholic youth conferences. Ignite Conference draws together a network of high schoolers, young adults, ministry leaders, families, teachers, priests and religious from around the country, sending them out with a passion for mission and authentic faith in Jesus. Students in Armidale Catholic Schools have the opportunity to attend Ignite as a diocesan group.  Last year was a fantastic life changing experience for all those who attended. You can find out more about this at  https://igniteconference.com.au/sydney. If you are interested please see your Religious Education Coordinator for registration details.