Student Ministry

Ash Wednesday

NEXT Wednesday we will commemorate Ash Wednesday, marking the 40-day season of Lent that leads to Easter. 

 On Ash Wednesday,  we come together to remind ourselves that we do not always follow God’s ways and that we need to ask for God’s 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 peace and in joy with God and with each other.  It is a time of fasting, almsgiving and prayer. 

Pope Francis (Ash Wednesday 2017) reflects on other ways we might fast.

Fast from hurtful words and speak kind words. 

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. 

Fast from anger and be filled with patience. 

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. 

Fast from worries and have trust in God. 

Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful. 

Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate. 

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Fast from words and be silent so that you can listen.

Our students will attend an Ash Wednesday liturgy and will receive ashes on their foreheads as a personal act of remembrance and as a sign or a witness for others. At the commencement of the liturgy students will be asked to donate a gold coin for Project Compassion the Caritas Australia charity who, during the season of Lent raise funds for countries around the world who are in need. 

Ms M Kyd

(Student Ministry Coordinator)