Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day in the season of Lent. Lent is a beautiful way to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us and prepare us for the Easter season. During Lent, we can try to become closer to God through prayer, fasting, and giving to others.
On Ash Wednesday we usually go to Church to receive ashes on our forehead, which are the burned up palms from last Palm Sunday. If you are unable to go to Church this year your family could reflect at home using the Ash Wednesday At Home resource provided by the Diocese of Westminster.
When we are at school we take our Lenten promises for a special blessing from Father Christopher.
Every year during Lent we traditionally support the Catholic Children’s Society (CCS) and during this pandemic some of our families have really appreciated the help they have received from the CCS. This year the CCS Lenten Challenge is: “Will we bend down and help another to get up?”
In his recent encyclical ‘Fratelli Tutti’, Pope Francis sets us a challenge:
“Each day we have to decide whether to be Good Samaritans or indifferent bystanders . . . Will we bend down and help another get up? This is today’s challenge, and we should not be afraid to face it.”
This Lent the CCS is asking schools to take up Pope Francis’ challenge and help local disadvantaged children and families in their time of need.
Giving is one of the ‘5 Ways to wellbeing’ and it’s important to remember that Lent is not just about giving something up-but more importantly giving to others, for example if you give up chocolate, you could put the money you save into the CCS collection box and thus help someone in need.
Have a look at the resources below and think about how you can help others and the difference that you can make:
Lenten Challenge Overview: An introduction to this year’s appeal and activities
Interactive Lenten Calendar: Pupils can reflect on how they are helping others during Lent
Although we are not at school, our school family will still continue our Lent traditions. CCS boxes will be available for collection outside school and Father Christopher will be joining our live assembly on Monday. Before then, reflect on your Lenten journey this year and please do share your thoughts below.
What is your Lenten promise for 2021?
How can you rise to the challenge set by Pope Francis and be a good samaritan?
How will you become closer to Jesus during Lent?
Hi , 🙂
My Lenten promise for 2021 is:
I am going to give up electronics ( when not in school) as they are habits that are keeping me from being who God is calling me to be. It is a small sacrifice which will ultimately bring me closer to God.
I am also going to try and pitch in and help our ecosystem as soon we may have a future with irreversible damage on it. So, I am going to make sure I am going to make sure I turn the tap off when I clean my teeth, recycle, eat more sustainable foods and try to make my house more energy efficient. My goal is that one day the world will be as God left it.
As said by Pope Francis I will get my hands dirty and not just sit around this Lent. I will help others and try to put a smile on their faces, baby steps to becoming a good Samaritan, each step guiding you to Jesus. This is of course everything I will try and do to become closer to Jesus this Lent.
Hi Lavinia, this is a beautiful, thoughtful Lenten promise. Thank you for sharing. You have put a smile on my face already and it was lovely to see you earlier at the Pupil Chaplaincy Team meeting.
my Lenten promise is to do all my homework without objecting .
That’s a promise that I am sure your family will appreciate William. Good luck!
Thank you Miss Coleman! It means a lot 🙂
My Lenten promise is to stop playing the game Among us. Also i will stop eating sweets.
That’s a good promise Lily as that game is more suitable for teenagers. Good luck giving up sweets-if you manage to do this think about giving some of the money you have saved to charity so that you are also helping others.