Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our 40-day journey to the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter – God’s promise of salvation for all. This season is a chance for us to stop and reflect, particularly on our relationship with God. We are called to deepen our connection with God through PRAYER, to reconnect with ourselves and our blessings through FASTING and to connect with others who may be less fortunate through ALMSGIVING. This season is one of preparation – working on ourselves to be ready for when Christ returns and to be ready for the joys of Easter.

To observe this holy day, students and staff engaged in house liturgies to mark Ash Wednesday. Our Student Leaders led house liturgies with the assistance of their Pastoral Coordinators – Mr. Greg McAteer, Mrs. Mel. Price and Mr. Michael Nicoletti. Throughout the liturgy student leaders and year 12 students distributed ashes, reminding us to “turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel”.

Carroll College will unite with the worldwide Christian Community and abstain from meat each Friday during the Lenten period. There will be no meat sold at the canteen on these days and in an expression of solidarity, I encourage the community to join us and refrain from meat each Friday in the Lenten period. Lent concludes Easter Sunday. 

Ash Wednesday also saw the launch of Project Compassion 2020. Caritas Australia works together with the vulnerable, helping them to develop their strengths in turn creating change in their own communities. Every cent we raise for Project Compassion at the College goes directly to Caritas Australia.

A reading taken from the house liturgies suggests some ways we can observe this Lenten period.

During Lent we try to become closer to God by lessening the negative, sinful and destructive

things in our life. We attend the sacrament of Reconciliation, we reflect and pray, and we give up some of the indulgent things in our life and instead turn our energies and resources to serving others. We’ll take a few moments now to consider what our intentions for Lent will be. Perhaps we will take more time to pray; maybe we can attend Mass more regularly; perhaps we can be more considerate of others; maybe we should take a special interest in the poor and marginalised, and make extra an effort to give to Project Compassion.

Reflect for a few moments on the intentions in your heart.

Fr. Francis Carroll … Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts … Forever   

Mrs. Charlotte Nicoletti

Coordinator of Religious Education and Faith Formation