RE NEWS
Religious News: Thursday the 22nd of February 2024
Shrove Tuesday
Last Tuesday we came together in the Mary Mackillop to celebrate a prayer service for Shrove Tuesday. The students were involved in Shrove Tuesday activities, making and eating pancakes together. Shrove Tuesday is the day before the Season of Lent begins. It is a time to reflect on how we can make better choices in our lives.
Dating back to 1000 AD, over the years Shrove Tuesday not only became a day for Confession but a time for Catholics to feast on eggs, sugar and dairy which were traditionally restricted during the Lenten fast.
Not only was Shrove Tuesday a last chance to enjoy such foods but it was also a way to use them up before the fasting of Lent began.
We are now in the Liturgical Season of Lent. Last Wednesday we celebrated a beautiful Mass with the St Mary’s Parishioners. It was led by our senior students. Due to the power outage, it was a quiet and reflective Mass allowing us time to think about the Season of Lent.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. On this day, when we receive the ashes, it is a reminder for all on how we can follow in Jesus’ footsteps.
During this season of Lent, our loving God asks us to look closely at our lives so that we can see how to lift up others and bring them hope. Let us take a few minutes to think about how we have missed opportunities to be positive and inspiring and bring the light of hope into their lives. We pray that the love and guidance of Jesus will help us to open our hearts to others.
During Lent, our students will be inquiring and learning about the wonderful work of Caritas Australia. Our children are learning how they can partake in social justice initiatives and are gaining a greater insight into how the Catholic Church is living out its Lenten season through the many charitable works that strive to bring about change for those living in unjust and impoverished situations.
Project Compassion boxes are available for our students, where our children are able to donate money to support those in need. This is a great example of how our students can demonstrate they are following in Jesus’ footsteps.
School Mass
We will celebrate a whole School Mass on Thursday the 7th of March at 10:00 am. During this Mass we will commission our Grade Six leaders and welcome all our new students. All families are invited and encouraged. After Mass there will be a morning tea for families at the school. Please put this date in your calendar.
Pray for Peace
On February the 24th it will be two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. Please Pray for peace not only for Ukraine but for all countries.
World Day of Prayer
World Day of Prayer is an ecumenical prayer event held on the First of March each year all around the world. Each year a different country prepares the services, highlighting their culture, joys and problems. This year we pray for Palestine. The people of Palestine want us to ‘hold their hands,’ pray with them and support them. There will be a prayer service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church starting at 10:30 am on Friday the 1st of March. Everyone is welcome
Kind Regards,
Sue Benc