Prayer for Pope Francis

Preparing and Journeying Together Through Lent

As we enter this Season of Lent, we are not called to do only one, but all three pillars to prepare our hearts for Christ on Easter. As Catholics we take up the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving every year. These practices help us to remember the merciful love and compassion that God shows all people. Participating in these practices, we journey with our community and God and toward the celebration of the Paschal Mystery of our Lord. We do not make this journey alone, we try to live more faithfully to God’s call to be merciful, loving, and compassionate to those around us. Our acts of love through sacrifice and prayer are a tangible witness of God’s love to those around us.

This week’s Gospel comes from Luke 6:27-38

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ”

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ”

Then the devil led him to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, ¹⁰for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’

And ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.”

During Lent the church often focuses on repentance, resisting temptation, and the passion of Jesus through its scriptural references. This week’s Gospel reminds us that our capacity to repent and to resist temptation comes from our relationship with God and the grace of his deliverance rather than from our own strength and initiative.

Ashes liturgy

On Tuesday Father Joseph came to school for a short liturgy where he burned the palms from last year to make the ashes for the Ash Wednesday Liturgies. Children from across the school helped Fr Joseph to add palms to the kettle before burning them. He blessed the ashes with holy water and prayed a special prayer over the fire. He told the children that God knows what is in our hearts; the ashes remind us to turn our hearts toward God.

The Church gives us Lent as a time to change, to become a better version of ourselves, and to become more like Jesus. The ashes we receive on Ash Wednesday remind us of our call to repent and believe in the Gospel. Ashes are sacramental just like holy water and everyone can receive them.

Ash Wednesday Liturgies

Thank you to Year 2, Mrs Wallington and Mrs Fry who led the Infants liturgy. It was a very reflective and prayerful time which enabled all the children and parents who attended to begin the Lenten Journey in a prayerful manner. Years 3-6 were very lucky to be able to attend mass in the church and we thank Fr Jospeh for making this opportunity possible.

Term 1 Liturgies and Celebrations:

Sacramental Program 2025

The Sacramental Program for All Saints Parish began last Saturday with the Enrolment Mass. It was wonderful to see so many families gather to support their child through their sacramental journey. This year we have 24 students in Years 4-6 who will be completing the sacramental program. We gathered again yesterday in the Church for the face-to face reconciliation lesson. The children and parents engaged in the lesson and will now continue to prepare at home before the Reconciliation Ceremony on Thursday 27^th March. Please pray for these as they prepare for their First Reconciliation.

Project Compassion

Lent is a special time of year. It is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. As individuals we can help others, but when we come together though Project Compassion, our good becomes great. Our combined kindness grows. And when we unite with each other – and with people living in poverty – we can create BIG, lasting change. Let’s all Unite Against Poverty! There is no time like 2025.

At St James the Social Justice group will be holding a BIG Water Walk to raise money for Project Compassion this Lent. This will be held on Friday 21^st  March. Our target will be to walk a combined 14 km across the school. On this day the children will be asked to bring a donation to take part in the activities. Check out the Thermometer in the entrance to the Office area to see how we can support people in Africa, Asia and the Pacific who have to walk long distances to collect clean water every day.