Dear Friends
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and the first day of the 40 days of Lent, a time when Christians are encouraged to engage in the three practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. As a young child in Primary School I always wanted to see who had the biggest cross on their forehead, hoping it would be me! I don’t think I really understood the significance of it all. I certainly didn’t equate it with my mortality, after all why would I when I was only 6 years old? I later came to understand the ashes as a reminder of our mortality and underscoring the importance of repentance for sin, but I also recognised the cross formed with the ashes as a symbol of hope with the promise of Easter and new life.
Last week I wrote about seeing my first snowdrop; a hopeful sign that Spring maybe around the corner. Just as spring brings the promise of new beginnings, Lent offers an opportunity for spring cleaning for ourselves, a time to shed unnecessary baggage, make amends for past mistakes and take steps towards becoming the best version of ourselves. In our fast-paced and often hectic world I believe we need this season to pause and re-evaluate and renew our lives; to get things back in balance.
I see Lent not just as a time of temporary self-denial or self-improvement, important as they might be, but it’s about embracing a deeper, more meaningful way of living. It challenges us to live with greater intentionality, authenticity and compassion, both for ourselves and for others. You could say Lent serves as a reset button for how we live our lives, guiding us towards a greater relationship with our values and a deeper connection with the Divine.
So, are you ready to press the reset button this Lent? Mary Greaves
Congratulations to Jim Nicholas and the Fundraising Team for a very successful Seventies Night. We collected £2430.86 for Parish Funds
God Bless
Fr Reginald and Fr Bryan