Faith at St Joseph's...

Lent is a time of Reconciliation and Forgiveness

During Lent we come closer to God through prayer, fasting, almsgiving and making sacrifices.

Just as things in our everyday lives go through patterns or cycles, in our Church year we also remember and make time for different seasons and events.

We start with Advent, then Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Ordinary Time.

Church seasons help us to pray, reflect and to respond to Jesus’ message. We are encouraged to do things like fasting or making sacrifices so that we can come closer to Jesus.

Lent is one of these seasons.

The greatest event in all of our Church seasons is Easter. This is when we remember the life and death of Jesus and celebrate that he rose from death to a new life.

Lent – A Time to Pray

The season of Lent is our opportunity to take time to prepare for the amazing celebration in the Church’s year - Easter.

We make a special effort and give time to Pray. We talk and listen to God. We speak to God in our own words, remembering to pray often so that we can be ready in our hearts, for Easter.

Lent a Time to Fast

Lent is also the time in the Church’s year when we fast.

To FAST means to eat a lot less food or treats than we usually do.

Traditionally Catholics have given up food that we like but do not need.

When we give up these things it reminds us about how important Easter is and how we can focus on what we are celebrating.

At Easter we celebrate: