Religious Education

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is a day when people traditionally used up all the extra food in their cupboards such as fat, eggs, milk and flour in preparation for the 40 days of fasting during Lent. It is believed that fasting helps to free us of earthly distractions and open our hearts fully to Jesus.  

Mini Vinnies will be selling pancakes and offering homemade jam and cream for 50 cents each on Tuesday 1st March. 

Ash Wednesday

On Ash Wednesday we receive the mark of the ashes. The ashes are the blessed burnt palms from the previous Palm Sunday. The Ashes are a symbol of repentance and are placed on the forehead of Catholics around the world. The Ashes are a physical sign that Lent has begun. Ash Wednesday is a day of abstinence (going without meat) and fasting. Lent is a time to rediscover the meaning of life and prioritise what is important in how we live our lives. We try to simplify our lives (fasting), take time out to reflect and pray (prayer), and listen and respond to those in need (almsgiving). Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are concrete ways in which we can demonstrate our relationship with God. It is a time where we focus more fully on making good and better choices. We begin the journey of Lent to become more like Jesus.