This week our school celebrated Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. Lent is a time when we are encouraged to think about the mystery of Jesus’ life and death and how we can grow to be more loving by following Jesus’ way. During the season of Lent we reflect upon our lives and turn back to God in preparation for the coming season of Easter.
At our Lenten Mass this morning all community members had the sign of the cross marked on their forehead with ashes. The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes remind us that we belong to God and are preparing for Jesus’ death and resurrection. It reminds us that that we believe Jesus is the source of all life; that just as a forest or bush burns and ashes fall to the ground and in time seeds of new life are sown, so too does our new life come from Jesus. During Lent we pray for and help our brothers and sisters throughout the world who, because of poverty and injustice, do not have the opportunities we have. By giving generously through prayer, going without and showing kindness to others during Lent, we are working towards a fairer world for all.
Thanks to Fr Dave and all the students who participated in our mass today. Thanks also to Mrs Caldwell for all her hard work in preparing for the mass.