Ash Wednesday: Lent Begins
Lent is about to start all too soon and will begin with Ash Wednesday. We will collect all the palms blessed and distributed on Palm Sunday last year. Fr. Matthew and I will collect all the palms and make ashes out of them for Ash Wednesday, which occurs this 14th of February. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten period, leading to Easter or Day of Resurrection. Lent is a period where we exhibit repentance and show signs of remorse.
The essential things that help us experience Lent’s holy nature and not like any other period are fasting, prayer, giving, and penance. During Lent, our focus must always be on God; therefore, whatever we do must be jeered towards things that will enhance our relationship with God. Lent is a period where we seek the face of God and, most importantly, his mercies. Pope Francis once said, “God never tires of forgiving us: we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy”. We must always know that humans are frail; we always make mistakes, which is when we seek God’s mercy through penance.
During Ash Wednesday, the imposition of the ashes on our forehead reminds us of what God said to Adam in Genesis 3:19b: “… for out of it you were taken; for you are dust,” and to dust you shall return.” This is a time of grief; we must not be happy with our misdoings but grieve over them and get the opportunity to reflect on our errors, pray, and repent from them.
It is our prayer that we make this lent a very blissful one, humble ourselves and seek the face of God.
Fr. Josiah
Other News
We are encouraging all those who would like to read in church to please sign up on the sheet at the entrance or speak to Susan.
We are encouraging those who would like to be volunteers of the Boys’ Brigade to please speak to Fr. Josiah. Ladies and gentlemen are welcome.
We will be making the Ash for Ash Wednesday immediately after Mass so we will collect the palms after Mass today.
We are very low on food at the foodbank, all are welcome to donate.
Please support the church generously through your giving at www.stanselm.co.uk/giving