IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR LENT 2012

Each year during Lent we are asked to do something extra as an expression of our ongoing conversion. On Ash Wednesday as we receive the ashes we will hear the words: Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.

ASH WEDNESDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2012 Masses: 8.30am, 10.00am (St. Mary's School) and 7.30pm. Ashes are distributed after the Gospel at each Mass. A Liturgy of the Word with the distribution of ashes for children from kindergarten to Year 3 will be held in the church at 11.50am.

PROJECT COMPASSION Caritas Australia is the Catholic agency supporting development projects in Africa, Asia, East Timor and many other places. Each year we are invited to become sharers in these projects through our support of Project Compassion. Take a set of Project Compassion envelopes home with you today. It is an important way we can assist people in the developing world. They are doing so much but with your help through Project Compassion they could do much more.

LENTEN GROUP: Living Faith is the program prepared by the Diocese of Wollongong.  The sessions follow the scripture readings for the Sundays of Lent from the first Sunday of Lent to Passion Sunday. The invitation was extended last Sunday for people to express interest in this program. Unfortunately, at short notice, only a few parishioners were able to make a firm commitment.

The parish Faith Sharing Group that meets in St Mary's Villa Chapel on Tuesday evenings at 7.30 pm will be using the Lenten program and they welcome anyone who wishes to join them during Lent. They will begin on this Tuesday, 21 February. Please meet at the main door of St Mary's Villa before 7.30 pm so that you may enter together without needing to ring the bell and disturb the nursing staff. If you did not leave your name on the list last Sunday, it is still possible to participate. All are welcome but we do need you to contact the parish office by Tuesday 21 February.

Lectio Divina Praying the Scriptures in Lent: Lent is a time when most Catholics make an extra effort to prepare for Easter. Project Compassion is an excellent way not only to give up something for Lent but to reach out to those in need. Another important Lenten practice is to give of our time both to help others and to spend some time in prayer.Once again this year the Diocese of Broken Bay with the Australian Bishop' Commission for Mission and Faith Formation has produced a resource to help individuals and families to reflect on the Sunday readings for Lent. It is not Bible study program nor is it a discussion group. It is a way of reading a passage from Sacred Scripture and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us to reflect on the message of the Word of God. To find more information about this method of prayer visit www.dbb.org.au/ourworks/Pages/Lectio Divina.aspx

A free booklet, Lectio Divina: Your Face O Lord I Seek, is available today from the table at the back of the church and the table near the side door. It begins with Ash Wednesday and then follows the Sundays of Lent. The introduction explains how this method of prayer can be used alone, or in a family, or in a group. The Lectio Divina booklet is an excellent way to prayerfully reflect on the Sunday readings. Please take a copy and use it each week.

PENANCE FOR LENT: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting and abstinence from meat. All those who have completed their 18th year and have not begun their 60th year are bound to fast on those two days unless health reasons prevent them. All those who have completed their 14th year are bound to abstain from eating meat on those days. See the church notice board for full details of Lenten Penance.