RENews
Ash Wednesday and the Season of Lent
Last Wednesday we gathered together as a school and parish to celebrate Ash Wednesday and the Opening School Mass. It was wonderful to see the children participating in the liturgy by singing beautifully lead by our senior singers and Bruno Fakhry and demonstrating reverence. It was also wonderful to share this occasion with parents, grandparents, extended family and parishioners.
We welcomed Fr Benneth, new families to our school and their was the Commissioning of the teachers. As staff members at St Raphael Parish Primary School we accepted the calling to engage in the teaching ministry of Jesus, accepted the call of the Church to take an active part in the education of the children of this parish community, do our best to live out the example of Jesus in our daily lives and strive to follow and foster the teachings of Jesus and build up the kingdom of God.
Prayer, Fasting and Good Deeds.
The Archbishop asks us the question… “This Lent how can each of us strengthen our relationship with Christ? What will help us to get to know the Lord better?”
As we commence the Season of Lent, it is a time of preparation for the great feast of Easter. During Lent, we give special attention to prayer (attending to quality more than quantity), fasting (emptying ourselves that we may be filled with the life and love of Christ) and the good deeds (not to win admiration for ourselves but to help others). Though it has a penitential character, Lent is a joyful season as we anticipate the resurrection of the Lord.
During Lent there are many things you can do with your children to support what they are doing at school. You can pray together as a family, give to Project Compassion and other charities, give of your time to those in need and reflect on the daily Gospel. (or on the Gospel from the previous Sunday-refer to the section below)
Students have made Lenten promises please discuss this with your child.
Love Your Neighbour… Project Compassion
Each year Project Compassion brings together thousands of Australians in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable communities, to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. The annual Lenten-time event raises both funds and community awareness about important global issues, and Caritas Australia’s role in empowering our neighbours across the world to build a brighter future.
I ask that you keep your Project Compassion box at home during Lent and return all boxes and money to the school the first week back of Term 2.
“To love God and neighbour is not something abstract, but profoundly concrete: it means seeing in every person the face of the Lord to be served, to serve him concretely. And you are, dear brothers and sisters, the face of Jesus” – Pope Francis, 2013
PROJECT COMPASSION PRAYER
God of all peoples and nations
You accompany us on our Lenten journey. Through the life and mission of Your son, You give us the gift of mercy.
May we learn to walk Your way of mercy and compassion with all Your people.
In a special way, we keep in mind our neighbours, the men, women and children around the world, who are most vulnerable to extreme poverty and
injustice. Bless our prayers, our fasting and our Lenten gifts to Project Compassion. Through these actions, may our hearts be open to receive Your grace to love our neighbours as our-
selves.
We ask this in the name of Jesus.
Amen
Sunday’s Gospel Reflection
5/3/17
Mt 4:1-11
Jesus fasted for forty days and nights.
Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was very hungry, and the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.’ But he replied, ‘Scripture says:
Man does not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
The devil then took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down; for scripture says:
He will put you in his angels’ charge,
and they will support you on their hands
in case you hurt your foot against a stone.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Scripture also says:
You must not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. ‘I will give you all these’, he said, ‘if you fall at my feet and worship me.’ Then Jesus replied, ‘Be off, Satan! For scripture says:
You must worship the Lord your God,
and serve him alone.’
Then the devil left him, and angels appeared and looked after him.
Please Pray……...
We ask you to pray for all the children in Year 6 who will be Confirmed on Saturday 18th at 4pm. All are welcome to the ceremony.
Start typing your article in here...