RE News

Ash Wednesday

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent, a special season of the Church’s liturgical calendar. The word ‘Lent’ means ‘a season of new life’ or ‘spring’.  The season of Lent lasts for forty days, which signifies times of testing, tribulation, endurance and temptation, for example Noah’s flood lasted for forty days and Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert.  On Ash Wednesday, ashes are placed on a person’s forehead.  The ashes are created from burning palms, which were used on Palm Sunday last year.  The placing of ashes on the heads of people symbolises repentance and penance. During Lent we are challenged to change our ways and to be transformed by Jesus.  Through prayer, alms giving and fasting, we become closer to Jesus. The season of Lent ends on Holy Thursday at the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.  

We would normally come together as a school community at Mass to mark such an important day in the Church calendar. Given our current COVID restrictions however, each class had their own special prayer celebration where Mr Rodda, Mrs De Rosa and Mrs Matchett placed ashes on the foreheads of our students. We would like to thank Father Michael for being able to join our Kindergarten students for their prayer celebration. Throughout this season of Lent, we will be using our school’s prayer wall to invite students to think of ways they can grow closer to Jesus through prayer, alms giving and fasting.

Project Compassion 

Caritas Australia’s main annual fundraising campaign, Project Compassion, will run throughout the season of Lent. This year’s theme is ‘For All Future Generations’ and focuses on the stories of five remarkable people from India, Mozambique, Australia, the Solomon Islands and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We are asking all students to consider giving a small amount of money each week towards Project Compassion. Each classroom has a Project Compassion box and there is also one in our front office. We encourage you to donate what you can throughout the season of Lent, even a little goes a long way. We will be having a major fundraising event for Caritas in the last week of school this term.

Reconciliation 2022

Registration for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is still open but will close on March 20. Parents and carers wishing to register their child for Reconciliation will need to do so through the Parish’s QKR account. More information can be found on the Parish’s website: https:stjjvwestoncreek.blogspott.com/p/first-reconciliation-and-holy-communion.html

If you have any questions, please contact me: laura.matchett@cg.catholic.edu.au or contact the Parish office by phone: 6288 1979 or email: westoncreek@cg.org.au