Ash Wednesday and Project Compassion

Yesterday, the 6th of March, marked the first day of Lent for 2019. Our Kinder to Year 4 students headed to mass and ELC students had their own prayer celebration. Our 5/6 students on camp in Jindabyne ended their day in prayer and reflection. 

The start of Lent also marks the start of Project Compassion. Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraiser and awareness-raising appeal. With the focus to come together to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Each class has been given a Project Compassion box to place on their classroom prayer table to put small change in. This is encouraged by alms giving. The act of students earning the money they put into the box. Over the coming weeks there will be more information about the fundraising appeal.

To end this week please read the reflection below form the Ash Wednsday Gospel reading.  It explains nicely our faith in connection to Ash Wednesday.

Why gives alms? Why pray? Why fast? Why do it all in secret? And what is the reward for these things? Simply put, when we give alms we love others, and when we repent and practice self-denial, we draw closer to God. 

During decisive points in his ministry, Jesus prayed and fasted-- alone, in 'secret!' -- his prayer and fasting become channels through which he drew closer to the Father. Prayer and fasting aligned his will to the Father’s will. They can do the same for us. Fasting, not just from food but from any of our desires, reminds us of our complete dependence on God. 

On Ash Wednesday, we accept a mark of ashes on our forehead, a mark that will distinguish us publically as sinners. What we know privately about ourselves we show to the world. It is also a sign to the world that we have received something extraordinary and undeserved from the Lord Jesus. – the gift of a new start and the unexpected grace of another chance.

Up coming events:

Parish School Mass- Saturday 16^th March 6pm 

Please come and join the community for our first Parish School Mass for 2019, at 6pm followed by supper. If your family would like to do the Prayers of the Faithful or Offertory please send me an email at Emily.capper@cg.catholic.edu.au. Thank you to our Year Two families who will be supplying supper after mass. The Year Two Class Coordinators will be sending an email out with further details to the Year Two families.