From the APRIM

Dear Families

Last weekend, our Pastoral Associate Bianca and I were talking with Father Mwaura after Mass when he mentioned that Bianca would have to burn the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday in readiness for this year’s Ash Wednesday Mass. Bianca and I looked at each other blankly because neither of us knew how to do that and there was no Palm Sunday Mass last year. We were in lockdown.

If Covid-19 has taught us nothing else, we have learnt to be creative! Erika came to the rescue with some dried-out palm fronds with some more from Adam Starrs. By 8pm on Shrove Tuesday, we had burnt enough (we found out later) for the next five years!

What a lot has happened in just twelve months. When we were in lockdown, we all realised how lucky we are in Australia. Yes, there were things that we couldn’t do, especially seeing friends and extended family. Supermarket shelves were stripped of essential items but none of us went hungry. Our children could still go to school, we still had homes to live in, medical care at the ready and financial concessions were given.

Many people around the world will not have the advantages that we have in Australia. Project Compassion is the international aid program of Caritas. Each week of Lent, a person is featured who has benefitted from Caritas’ support. In the first week, we meet Jamila who lives in a refugee camp in a shelter with no running water. During the pandemic, Caritas has added extra support building hand-washing stations and providing soap and masks. With Caritas assistance, Jamila is also learning to sew, hoping that this will provide her with an income to support her daughter and mother.

Throughout Lent, we can support families like Jamila’s. Going without special treats and giving the money to Project Compassion serves two purposes: it shows that we can survive without that morning take-away coffee and by giving up something as small as that, another family benefits so much.

We don’t have as much loose change as we used to, but we can be Covidly creative in how we can contribute to Project Compassion. Perhaps:
• keep a tally of how much money you have saved and donate it online at https://lent.caritas.org.au
• use the QR code on the Project Compassion box sent home in the ‘Lent in a bag’.
• Continue to keep a tally and then send your box back at the end of Lent as we have done in the past, using notes instead of coins.

Zoe Romanowsky suggests that when we give up things for Lent (which is a form of fasting), it should be out of love for God and it’s even better if it helps us to be more thankful for the conveniences and luxuries in our lives. She also suggests ten alternatives to the usual giving up chocolate and lollies. What do you think?

1. Technology, go without screens except for essential use
2. Hot showers
3. Gossip and negative criticism
4. Non-essential shopping
5. Snacking
6. Music and talk radio
7. Scents – perfumes, air fresheners, scented candles
8. Art – put away some of the art pieces in your home
9. Shortcuts
10. Everything yummy!

https://aleteia.org/2016/02/05/10-things-to-fast-from-this-lent-instead-of-chocolate/

Do-able or not? Stay tuned to hear what our classes will be giving up.

Blessings

Sharyn Black
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission