Ash Wednesday: The Beginning of Lent

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and reflection leading up to Easter. On this day, Christians receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross as a sign of repentance and a reminder of human mortality. The ashes often come from burnt palm branches from last year’s Palm Sunday. Ash Wednesday encourages believers to reflect on their faith, seek forgiveness for their sins, and prepare for Easter.

Yesterday our whole school came together for Ash Wednesday. We were blessed to have the Year 5 and 6  students from St Peter Chanel Primary School. The service was solemn and reflective and Father Hook reminded us the importance of being disciples for Christ especially as we were being reminded by the ash Crosses on our foreheads.

Photos will be in next week’s newsletter.

Prayer for the beginning of lent:

As we begin the Lenten Season, let's pause and reflect on where we want to be in 40 days

In the words of Pope Francis:

Let us pray that as we begin the season of lent we embrace the opportunity to:

Fast from hurting words and say 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 our hearts with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Fast from words and be silent so we can listen.

We pray that

our only desire

and our one choice

is to choose

what better leads

to the deepening

of God's life in us.

Amen.

 

Blessings,

Meadow & Isa