REC News
This week marks the beginning of a new liturgical season in the Church called Lent. Lent is the time between Ash Wednesday and Holy Week that leads up to the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter. Catholics and other Christians spend this time preparing themselves for the joyful celebration on Easter Sunday. They prepare themselves in three ways.
Pray
Prayer can be vocal, such as a prayer spoken before a meal or before bed. Prayer can be meditative such as reflection upon scripture readings through journalling. Prayer can be contemplative through the simple act of being with God in the silence and stillness. At St Joseph’s we have a particular focus in 2025 on Christian Meditation as a form of prayer.
Fast
Fasting from television, social media, gossip and using unkind words can open our hearts to becoming better versions of ourselves. Intentionally avoiding activities that are not helpful in our lives allows us to spend time more productively in the service of others -using a kind word towards another, looking out for each other and spending time enjoying another person’s company.
Give
Lent is a time for giving to others. Giving of our time, providing a listening ear for those in distress or giving money to those less fortunate than ourselves. CARITAS Australia works with people in Australia and overseas to break the cycle of poverty. One way in which they do this is through their PROJECT COMPASSION program. Each family from St Joseph’s will receive a Project Compassion fundraising box. The idea is to place any spare money in the box, no matter how small. These funds, collected towards the end of Lent, are then used to support the many projects CARITAS supports overseas.
We participated in a special prayer service to celebrate the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. The students were marked with a sign of the cross on their foreheads with ashes as a reminder that we try to grow closer to Jesus each day.
We again pray especially for improved health for Pope Francis.
Loving God, together we pray for Pope Francis. He is a leader who reminds us to be kind, to care for others and to trust in you. He gives us hope by showing us how to love and help our world. We ask you to bless him with strength. May he feel your love and the love of all the people who are praying for him. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)
Parish News:
St Joseph's Parish Street Stall. Friday 7th March and Saturday 8th March. Volunteers and/or donations (cooking, jams, books and good quality saleable goods) will be gratefully accepted. Contact Deidre Caroll (0403480729)
Parish Lenten Groups- Mondays 3.30p.m. during Lent in the School Library. All welcome.
Contact Di Franks (63432230 or 0418619740
Next Weeks Readings: 1st Sunday of Lent Deuteronomy 26:4-10. Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15. Romans 10:8-13 Gospel, Luke 4:1-13.