Our Faith - Religion - Prayer 

St Patrick's Church Walcha 

For Baptism or Marriage enquiries phone Monsignor Ted Wilkes 67784070.

Monsignor Ted Wilkes would like to invite parishioners to Sunday Mass 10am.

Covid-19 restrictions for Mass are in place.

Reflection

Has Lent begun to seem long? We are around two thirds through the 40 days of Lent, and that is good news! That means we are getting closer to Easter. We count the 40 days from the First Sunday of Lent through to Holy Thursday.

The number 'forty' appears in the Bible many times. The most important '40' is the 40 years that the Hebrew people lived in the desert after their lives of slavery in Egypt and before they moved into the Promised Land. That certainly was a long time, but whn they thought about it later, they decided that God had kept them in the desert for as long as it took to make them ready to hear God's word and to live as that word commanded.

Do you remember the story about Noah and his ark? In that story, the rain fell for 40 days and nights. Maybe the author meant that God kept Noah and his family away from their 'Promised Land' until they were ready to hear God's word and live by it.

Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the desert before he began his preaching. Maybe God was giving him a chance to become strong before his work began. Has God been making us strong during Lent? Our forty days are not over yet, so it's not too late to make a fresh start.

Prayer

Forgiving Lord,

even when we wander

you long for us to return to you.

Forgive us always

and open your arms to welcome us.

Amen.

First Reconciliation

We pray for Florence, Ellody, Benji, Rebee, Adelaide, Katie, Grace S, Lochie and Claire who will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time tomorrow. Each of these students will receive their First Reconciliation after Mass on Friday 1st April. Everyone is invited to join us for this celebration.

Good Friday Liturgy

Even though Good Friday this year is in the school holidays, the school will be having a Good Friday Liturgy as part of our school assembly on Friday 8th April commencing at 11.30am in the school library. All members of our school community who are double vaccinated are welcome to join us.

Sacrament Dates for 2022

First Reconciliation: Tomorrow Friday 1st April 2022.

2022 First Eucharist Date has been set for our Catholic students in Year 3 for Sunday 19th June 2022.

CARITAS-Project Compassion

This Lent, let us consider how we can ensure that we work ‘for all future generations' around the world. 

Together, we can make a difference now, and For All Future Generations.

FEATURE STORIES 

Across the six weeks of Lent, CARITAS share stories of resilient people trying to ‘be more’ for their families and communities. Read their inspiring tales, and see how your generosity makes a difference.

Project Compassion Boxes 

We are encouraged during Lent to give greater attention to those who might be in need. One way we are able to do this is by supporting Project Compassion over the forty days of Lent by making monetary contributions (big or small) to these boxes. 

Please return your Project Compassion Boxes to school during the first week of next term. 

Catherine McAuley

Catherine’s spirituality was centred on the mercy of God…prayer in action…action in prayer.