Ash Wednesday/Lent

Ash Wednesday

This week, marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. On Ash Wednesday we would normally attend Mass together to receive a visible sign of our faith when the cross of ash is placed on our forehead. Unfortunately, this won’t take place this year. 

Ash Wednesday begins the forty day season of Lent that leads to Easter. On Ash Wednesday, we come together to remind ourselves that we don’t always follow God’s ways and need to ask God for His mercy and forgiveness. Like God’s people in the time of the prophets, we wear ashes to show that we want to turn away from whatever keeps us from God, and to have a change of heart, so that we can live in the right relationship with God and each other. 

In the coming days and weeks, I invite you to engage in conversation with your children about Lent. Perhaps you could share some memories from your childhood and talk about what Lent means for you and your  family. 

The ashes are made from the blessed palm branches from the previous years Palm Sunday celebrations.

Lent

Lent is the six week period leading up to Easter. It’s one of the most important times of year for many Catholics, the world over.  

Lent is seen as a time of solemn observance and preparation for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. From its start on Ash Wednesday until its conclusion on Easter Sunday, Lent has been a traditional time for fasting, abstaining and alms giving. It is also a time where we can reflect on he values we hold close and how we are able to enact them regularly.

Project Compassion

During Lent, at St. John Vianney's, we support the Project Compassion Campaign.  Perhaps your family could think about donating to help people in need in other countries.  

We do this because during Lent, we focus on three things:

* Praying

* Fasting or making a change on our lives and

* Giving to the poor.

Boxes will be distributed next week to the eldest in the family. At the beginning of Term 2, we will collect the boxes and let you know how much will be donated by our school.  

We will be helping those in need.  Can you help too?