Ash Wednesday and Lent
a time for reflection and care
The season of Lent
Next Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday. The name 'Shrove' comes from the old middle English word 'Shriven' meaning to go to confession to say sorry for the wrong things you've done.
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of the Christian season of preparation and repentance, which we know as Lent. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. The season of Lent continues for 40 days.
All students will participate in an Ash Wednesday Liturgy in their classroom. Father Eric will speak to the students via the PA system and the classroom teachers will distribute ashes to the children in their class during the Liturgy.
Why 40 days?
According to the (Synoptic) gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation. Lent first began as a reflection of this event. Today, the season of Lent offers an invitation to actively direct ourselves to God because for Christians, God and Jesus are the heart and the soul of life.
Tradition
Traditionally, Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The colour used in the Church during Lent is violet/purple, which is associated with humility.
Throughout our Lenten Journey, we are asked to be prayerful, live more simply and be generous to those around us.
What can you do?
When you reach out and help someone, you are living as a disciple of Jesus. 👈Each year, during Lent, many Catholic schools donate money to CARITAS during 'Project Compassion'. St John Vianney's is one of these schools. We believe that being part of this wonderful initiative gives our students an opportunity to give alms/be generous to those in need.
This week families will receive a CARITAS collection box.
We ask that your family make an effort to collect coins to put in the collection box. All boxes are to be returned by the end of term. All donated coins will be sent to CARITAS.
As part of the RE program students will learn about some of the CARITAS initiatives during the term. Further information can be found on: https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/
Rudolf Lameijn
Religious Education Leader