This week marks the beginning of Lent. After enjoying an abundance of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday (to clear our pantries of excess food as was the custom) we prepare ourselves for the 40 days of Lent, commencing on Ash Wednesday.

We call it Ash Wednesday because many, many Christians around the world receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads.

Ashes are a sign of sorrow and repentance and God’s people have used this sign for hundreds of years.

This cross of ashes tells friends and neighbours that we are not perfect, and that we know we are not perfect.

It also reminds us that we are followers of Jesus who believe that God is always with us. We can be hope-filled people who encourage, inspire and support others and help them to rise up and live with an optimistic and cheerful outlook, remembering that God is always with us.

Lent is also a special time of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.

Through prayer we come closer to God so that we are better able to live our baptismal promises to live justly as Jesus taught us.

Fasting joins us with the poor who oftern have no choice but to go without enough to eat.

Doing good deeds and giving to those in need, otherwise known as Almsgiving, is a sign of our commitment to justice and of thanks for all that God has given us.

We give thanks for the blessings in our own lives - for the gifts of good food, a safe home, clean water, education and healthcare. As we journey through Lent let us keep Christ at the heart of all our words and actions. We are called to work for a just and fair world for all people.

Project Compassion 2023 focuses on "A Future for all Generations”. It highlights how Caritas Australia is empowering the world’s poorest people to establish sustainable food sources for life, better education, housing and health resources.

By supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion, we share in Jesus’ call to give hope to others so that they may live full and healthy lives. As we journey through Lent, let us keep Christ at the heart of all our words and actions.

Students will be bringing home a Project Compassion Box after celebrating an Ash Wednesday Mass or Liturgy on Wednesday, hoping that families can make some small contribution towards helping those in need.

By supporting Caritas Australia's Project Compassion, we share in Jesus' call to give hope to others so that they may live full and healthy lives. As we journey through Lent, let us keep Christ at the heart of all our words and actions.

Important Dates

RECONCILIATION
Commitment Mass	Sat 29th/Sun 30th July
Family Activity Night	Thursday 3rd Aug 6.30pm
Journey Mass	Thurs 10th Aug 9.15am
Sacrament of Reconciliation	Tues 29th Aug 10.am/12.15pm Wed 30th Aug 12.45pm

Eucharist
Commitment Mass	Sat 4th/Sun 5th March
Family Activity Night	Tuesday 2nd May 5pm/6.30pm
Journey Mass	Tuesday 7th May 9.15am Thurs 9th May 9.15am
Sacrament of First Eucharist	Sun 21st May 12.00pm/1.30pm Sun 28th May 12.00pm/1.30pm

Confirmation
Commitment Mass	Sat 19th/Sun 20th August
Family Activity Night	Thursday 7th Sept 5pm/6.30pm
Journey Masses	Tuesday 5th Sept 9.15am Tuesday 12th Sept 9.15am
Reflection Day	Wednesday 2nd or 9th Aug?
Bishop’s Visit	Wed 4th Oct 11.30am
Sacrament of Confirmation	Thurs 12th Oct 5.00pm/7.00pm

St Louis Newsletter

Term One Week Four · 18 Feb 2023

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