Catholic Identity
ASH WEDNESDAY LITURGY
Tomorrow we will gather as a school to celebrate the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Liturgy. During the Liturgy we will ‘pack away’ the word Alleluia, which will not be used again at Mass until Easter. The ashes we will receive on our foreheads are a reminder to fast from something we enjoy, pray more and give to others over the coming 40 days. The ashes used are made by burning last year’s Palm Sunday palms and will have been blessed by Fr Albert. In class we will be using a purple prayer cloth during our morning prayers from tomorrow until Easter Sunday.
PRAYER
For Lent this year our families might like to deepen their faith through intentional and creative prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As Catholics this 40 day season is a time to pray more, to fast from the things we love and to give alms to those in need. With Lent beginning tomorrow on February 18, families could use one of the Prayer ideas below to prepare for Easter:
"Popcorn" Prayers: A simple, spontaneous prayer where one family member says a short prayer, then names another to go next.
Themed Rosary: Focus on the Sorrowful Mysteries, or start a "54-Day Rosary Novena" on Ash Wednesday that concludes on Divine Mercy Sunday.
Chaplet of the Holy Family: Say this special prayer for families to ask for blessing, guidance, and protection.
The Daily Examen: A short, evening review of the day, reflecting on where God was present and asking for forgiveness for mistakes.
Morning Offering: Start each day by offering all prayers, works, and sacrifices of the day to God.
Silence at 3 PM: On Good Friday, have an hour of silence in the home to honor the time of Jesus’ death.
COMMUNITY MASSES 2026
Throughout the year we will be holding a number of Community Masses here in our School hall @ 5:00pm or at St Andrew’s our Parish Church @ 6:00pm . These Masses are generally celebrated on the fourth Saturday of the month (excluding school holidays or where the weekend is next to a public holiday). A reminder that our first Community Mass of the year will be held at St John’s School Hall @ 5:00pm on Saturday 28th February.
Below is a list of this year’s dates, we look forward to seeing many of our families there.
Saturday 28th February
Saturday 28th March
Saturday 23rd May
Saturday 25th July
Saturday 22nd August
Saturday 24th October
Saturday 28th November
SACRAMENTAL DATES 2026
Below are our Sacramental Dates for this year. These dates are particularly important for Baptised Catholic students in Years 3, 4 & 6. Families need to be aware the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated in March.
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