Religious Dimension

Lent

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. The marking of the ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday is an expression of our faith. Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and giving to others. When we pray, we come closer to God so that we are better able to realise our baptismal promise to live justly as Jesus teaches us. Fasting helps us remember the needs of the poor, who often have no choice but to go without basic needs such as food, water and shelter. Giving to the poor, or ‘almsgiving’, is a sign of our commitment to justice. It reminds us of our blessings and allows us to give thanks for all that God has given us. As we prepare for Easter, the most important time in the Church’s calendar, we remember Jesus’ messages of love and mercy, and ask God to bless us so that we can ‘Be More’ in our own lives and in the lives of others. 

Once students return to school, they will take part in a special Ash Wednesday liturgy in their classrooms and take a 'Project Compassion' box home. We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each family will receive a Project Compassion box and donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice. We ask for the boxes to be returned to school after Easter.  

Saint Oscar Romero is our inspiration for Project Compassion 2021, so in his words let’s “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”

World Day of Social Justice

World Day of Social Justice on 20 February is an international day recognising the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender equality, unemployment and human rights. At St John's we see social justice as a responsibility and a way of living our faith. We have Social Justice student leaders (Biddy & Abbey) and a Social Justice Student Team that will lead various fundraising and awareness raising events throughout the year.

Sacraments at St John's

This year you will notice some changes to the preparation programs and celebrations of the sacraments. Reconciliation will be celebrated by Year Three children in October, Eucharist will be celebrated by Year Four children in April/May and Confirmation by students in Year Six. The date of Confirmation celebrations this year is Saturday 14 August. Students from other year levels are always welcome to celebrate the sacraments.

Important Dates to Remember:

February

27            Year Five Level Mass 6:00pm

March

4              First Eucharist Student Reflection Day & Parent Information Night 7:00pm

Monica O'Shannassy

moshannassy@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au