Good Morning

What is Lent? The forty days before Easter is known as Lent. This is the time of year when the days begin to get longer with the coming of Spring.

Lent begins the day after Pancake Day. When does Lent begin? Lent begins the day after Pancake Day. 1st March 2017

In the old days there were many foods that our Grandparents would not eat during Lent: such as meat and fish, fats, eggs, and milky foods.

So that no food was wasted, families would have a feast on Shrove Tuesday, and eat up all the foods that wouldn't last the forty days of Lent without going off.

Pancakes were made on Shrove Tuesday as they were a dish that could use up eggs, fats and milk in the house by just adding flour.

During Lent we remember the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert Why is Lent 40 days? During Lent we remember the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert praying and fasting. I don’t think any of us here today could imagine how hard that was!

After Jesus was baptised, he went off alone into the desert After Jesus was baptised, he went off alone into the desert. He spent a long time there praying and preparing for the work God had for him to do. He went without food for 40 days.

There are many special days in Lent leading up to Easter. Mothers Day is celebrated on the 4th Sunday in Lent. St. Patricks Day usually takes place during Lent also.

On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, we go to mass and have a cross of ash put on our foreheads. This ash is made from burned palm leaves. It is a symbol of asking God to forgive our sins.

Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

Lent is the time when we get ready for the events of Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Lent is a time to pause and before we try and carry on as God’s children throughout the rest of the year.

During Lent people try to give up something like chocolate.

about making more room for God in our lives. Lent is not about wanting to show other people how good we are at not eating chocolate, but about making more room for God in our lives.

Instead of giving something up during Lent, we could decide to do something good instead!

We could support our 6th & 7th Year pupils who are going to Zambia at Easter.

All form classes will be given a Trócaire box during Lent, Or support Trócaire. All form classes will be given a Trócaire box during Lent, so please be generous!

Lent is a time to pause and prepare ourselves.

Lent is a time to sort things out to make things right and make a fresh start

to think about what is really important

ready to be the best we can It is a time to make ourselves ready ready to be the best we can

saying sorry for things. Lent is a time for saying sorry for things.

And knowing that God will forgive us.

How then, can we prepare for Easter?

We can start, like all things, by setting ourselves a goal… something to aim for.

Something that shows we are capable of doing anything

Think about getting closer to God.

Let us pray

A Young Person’s Prayer for Lent Lord, please show me what I should give up for Lent And when I've given it up Remind me to pray to You instead To thank You To love You To hear from You Each and every day in Lent Amen