A Daily Prayer for Lent
O Lord and Master of my life!
Take from me the spirit of sloth,
faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity,
humility, patience, and love to your servant.
Yes, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors
and not to judge my brother,
for you are blessed unto ages of ages.
Amen.
St Ephraim the Syrian (306-373AD)
The Wellspring of Lent: Celebrations of St Patrick, St Joseph & the Annunciation
In the next fortnight we will begin the three feasts of March. These feasts provide us with some refreshment and celebration during Lent: 17 March - St Patrick, 19 March 19 - St Joseph, and 25 March - the Annunciation.
17 March - St Patrick
St Patrick took up the Catholic faith later in life, despite being born to a Catholic family in Roman Britain. At the age of 16, he was sold into slavery after being captured by pirates who took him to pagan Ireland. It was in slavery that he turned to Catholic faith that his parents had taught him. Whilst shepherding his master’s flock, he turned to prayer growing closer to God. Through a number of mystical visions, he was able to escape Ireland and eventually devote himself to studying the faith. St Patrick was soon ordained a deacon, then a priest, and finally a bishop. On his return to Ireland, he was responsible for the conversions of many including the King. Some sources suggest he established over 300 churches and personally baptized 120,000 people.
19 March 19 - St Joseph
In 2021, this feast is particularly important with the proclamation by Pope Francis that this liturgical year be dedicated to St Joseph (Patris Corde- With a Father’s Heart). Saint Joseph was a holy man, chosen to be the foster father of Jesus, the Son of God and spouse of the Virgin Mary. Although there is not much that we know about Joseph through Scripture, he has been a spiritual companion for all Catholics, particularly men, throughout the years, "with St Joseph, the Christian learns what it means to belong to God and fully assume one's place among men, sanctifying the world. Get to know Joseph and you will find Jesus." St Josemaria Escriva.
25 March - The Annunciation
The Feast of the Annunciation is one of the most important feasts in the Church Calendar. It commemorates the moment when the angel Gabriel declared to Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus. It celebrates the actual Incarnation of Our Saviour – the Word made flesh in the womb of His mother, Mary. This Marian feast day reminds us of Mary saying 'yes' to the Living Word of God Jesus Christ becoming one with her, so that we too might become one with Him.
Contemplating on the lives and examples of these saints are wonderful models to help us Lent can open our hearts to Christ during this Lenten season. St Patrick shows us how God can work through us when we surrender our faith completely to Him. The virtue of St Joseph’s silence can make us aware of the need for exterior and interior stillness, removing ourselves from the distractions that crowd our lives with so much ‘noise’ that we are unable to hear God. Finally, The Annunciation is a reminder of the great trust Mary had in the will of God and the need for us to pray to put God’s will before our own.
Let us pray for the intercession of these saints that we may open our hearts to Christ so that we may grow closer to Him.
10 Powerful Saint Quotes to Ignite Your Lenten Journey to Holiness
Ask A Priest Session
Last Friday 5 March, a number of students participated in our first ‘Ask A Priest’ session. Fr Richard, Parish Priest of St Catherine of Siena, Caroline Springs and Fr Simeon assistant priest answered questions posed by students on various topics of the faith and convened by Ms Calandra and Mr Sammut. The session generated some great discussion and an opportunity to clarify the Church’s teaching on various matters of the faith. We thank Fr Richard and Fr Simeon for their support in nurturing our students in their faith.
Student Lenten Program – The Search
During Lent, students will have the opportunity to open their hearts to Jesus through learning about the Catholic faith and prayer during Thursday lunchtimes. ‘The Search’ explores the questions: How do I know if God even exists? Do I have a soul? What's the purpose of my life?
We will be screening an exclusive series that uses philosophy, science, art, history and theology to explore life's ultimate journey in all its richness and beauty.
Please encourage your children to attend. Students can register via SEQTA notices.
Friday 8:00am Mass – St Catherine of Siena Parish Church
Students, parents and their families are invited to attend 8am morning Mass.
Fridays during Term 1, 8:00an to 8:25am
St Catherine of Siena Parish, Caroline Springs
The Eucharist allows us the opportunity to receive so many graces from God. Strength, forgiveness and hope are some of the graces we receive. However, the most important is growing in a deeper love for Christ from receiving him in the Eucharist. It is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time in silence and prayer and move our focus away from ourselves and on things we may need to work to allow Christ to reign in our hearts.