RE News
RE Focus: The Season of Lent
What is Lent?
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (5th March 2025) and ends at sunset, with Mass, on Holy Thursday (17th April 2025). It is a 40-day time of prayer (communicating with God), fasting (Giving up a luxury or taking up an extra chore), and giving to the poor (in time, money or donations) that helps Christians become closer in their relationship with God as they prepare to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter.
Why is Lent important?
For Christians it is a time of reflection and repentance. A time to make right with others and God as they are led to the Paschal Mystery, that is the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?
Traditionally Shrove Tuesday was an opportunity to use up ‘rich’ ingredients such as butter, eggs, and sugar before fasting for the Lenten season. Pancakes are the most logical thing to cook. It is a tradition that is still popular with many today, especially children.
Why do people have an ash cross on their forehead on Ash Wednesday?
Catholics have been doing this for centuries. In the Old Testament wearing ashes was a common sign of repentance for sins, and a sign of one’s humility before God. Since Lent is a season of restoring relationships it’s appropriate that this ancient sign marks the beginning of the season.
As a school we celebrate these special days of the liturgical year by having Pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and then attending mass with the OLPH Wingham community on Ash Wednesday.
Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion is a time when Catholic communities across Australia come together in a beautiful act of solidarity and generosity during Lent. Every year, millions of people unite to support vulnerable communities around the world, and each year we have the opportunity to reflect on the power of our actions and the difference we can make in the lives of others. It’s a time when we can really think about how we can embody our faith through compassion and service.
This year, Project Compassion calls on us to Unite Against Poverty this Lent. It’s an invitation to stand in solidarity with those who face immense challenges every day—challenges that most of us can scarcely imagine. By coming together and sharing our blessings, we can bring hope, opportunity, and lasting change to those who need it most.
Project Compassion 2025 shares the stories of three incredible individuals whose lives have been transformed by the generosity of supporters like you:
First, there is the story of Toefuata'iga (Toy-foo-ah-tah-ing-ah) from Samoa, whose primary school overcame severe water shortages through the support of Caritas Australia. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, her school now has access to a sustainable water supply, improving the health and education of her entire community.
Then there is the story of Lam, a young man from rural Vietnam who has lived with the challenges of short stature, a disability that often led to societal stigma and limited opportunities. Through Caritas Australia’s support, he accessed education and vocational training that allowed him to overcome these barriers. Today, Lam is thriving and inspiring others in his community to see that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has something valuable to offer.
And finally, there is Irene from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a country plagued by instability and poverty, Irene’s faced immense challenges in her life. But with the help of Caritas Australia and its local partners, she was able to gain new skills that empowered her to provide for her family and build a more stable life. Her story is one of hope and transformation - a testament to the profound impact of your generosity.
Today, I would like to encourage you to reflect on how you can participate in Project Compassion. You can make a donation, no matter how small, to support life-changing programs like those that helped Toefuata'iga, Lam, and Irene. Donation envelopes are available in the pews, and you can also take home a Project Compassion box to fill throughout Lent. You can also donate online at: projectcompassion.org.au
The 2025 Sacramental Program
Parents or Carers of children turning 8 or older this year who are baptised and would like their children to be Confirmed, receive their first Eucharist and first Reconciliation this year, are invited to attend THE INTRODUCTION TO SACRAMENTS session being held at school in the hall on Thursday 13th March 2025, beginning at 3:30pm. This session will outline the commitment for families for the sacramental program as well as give a brief introduction to each sacrament. Following from this, the session dates for 2025 are listed below:
Information and registration afternoon – Thursday 13/3 @ 3:30pm in the school hall.
Reconciliation preparation – Sunday 30/3 @ 3:00pm in the school hall (Followed by mass @ 4:45pm).
Sacrament of Reconciliation – Tuesday 8/4 @ 5:30pm - OLOR Taree.
Confirmation preparation – Sunday 18/5 @ 3:00pm in the hall (Followed by mass @ 4:45pm).
Confirmation practice – Friday 23/5 @ 5:30pm - OLOR Taree.
Sacrament of Confirmation – Sunday 25/5 @ 9:30am - OLOR Taree.
First communion preparation – Sunday 14/9 @3:00pm in the hall (Followed by mass @ 4:45pm).
Sacrament of First Communion – Sunday 21/9 @ 4:45pm mass – OLPH Wingham.
Parents or Carers of children who are not baptised and are interested in having their children baptised in the church, this sacrament can be done throughout the year and arranged by contact the Parish Office on 0436 312 222 Tuesday – Friday between 9:00am – 3:00pm.
If you have any questions regarding this or would like more information, please contact Mr Buchtmann or Mrs Hunt at school.