Lent begins next week on Ash Wednesday.  This is a season to ask for forgiveness and search our heart to also show mercy to those who have hurt or offended us.  God shares his mercy and forgiveness with us so that we may share it with others.

The Gospel of the First Sunday of Lent (next Sunday) offers us a promise with the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert.  Jesus spent forty days praying and fasting in the desert.  He was tempted 3 times; to change stones into bread, to become King of all the land and to jump off the roof of the temple to prove God’s love.  But Jesus trusted in God’s love.  With God’s help, he could turn away from temptation and choose to do the right thing.  We can begin the journey of Lent with confidence, for this Gospel shows us that we too can change and turn back to God’s love.  It is not always easy to turn away from temptation and choose to do the right thing.  We teachers and parents can encourage our students to do their best and not give up so that they can achieve great things in their learning and in their behaviour.

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal.  Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.  Over the coming weeks, a feature story from the Caritas Australia website will be shared.

The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’.  It is an expression of hope and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come.  It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.  Project Compassion 2022 shares the stories of resilient and inspiring individuals whose lives and futures have been impacted by the ongoing support of our partners and by your generosity. We encourage students to discover the power of giving and the impact that their contribution, however big or small, can have in the lives of others. When we lend a hand to someone in need, they will go on to help others and make better opportunities for future generations.  Compassion is contagious and creates a ripple effect of kindness and prosperity.

Project Compassion shares feature stories on their website.  The first is that of Anatercia who is 12.  She lives with her brother, mother and elderly grandparents in a small hut in southern Mozambique.  Like many rural communities, Anatercia’s village has no electricity, hospital, secondary school or supermarket.  Go to the website to read her story and see how your donation will help those in need.  Visit:  https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/primary-passport-hub/ 

PROJECT COMPASSION BOXES:  Next week, each family will receive a Project Compassion box.  We encourage our students to give up some of foods they enjoy such as MacDonald’s, lollies, soft drink etc. or spend time doing jobs for family and placing the money saved into the boxes to help others in need.  Boxes can be returned to the Office at the end of Lent.  For more information about CARITAS and its work go to www.caritas.org.au 

Loving God,

In the life of Jesus, You have shown us the way of love.

Teach us to follow this way in the great and small events of life.

Grant us a spirit of self-denial and greater love this Lent.

Guide us in the way of compassion, to help our brothers and sisters in need.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord

Amen.

( www.cathnews.com.)

God bless.

Caroline Fuller - APRE