2. Special Character - Week 5 Term 1 2017

Faith Fact

1st Ash Wednesday  

The burning of palms of last year’s Palm Sunday calls us to remember the glory of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem in triumph that then quickly turns to rejection. Lent (40 days) is the time to look at our lives and ask about faithfulness in living our baptism. Lent should be a time of fasting, praying and almsgiving.

Our school and parish will be involved with the CARITAS programme – the theme for Lent 2017 comes from Psalm 27: ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek’. This phrase reminds us that when we encounter our brothers and sisters, wherever they may live, we encounter the face of Christ. 

  Just Water: Climate Change in the Pacific is the title of this year's programme  and relates to Pacific communities and highlighting their climate related challenges. Just Water is relevant as many of the issues involve either not enough, or too much, water; but more importantly, access to sufficient, safe, fresh water is a human right and a matter of social justice. 

This year Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 1st March, and lasts until Holy Thursday 13th April. Caritas runs a Lent Appeal on behalf of New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops to support our work of charity and justice for the world's poorest – in New Zealand and overseas.

God Bless

Nicola Winders