Ash Wednesday: A Call to Reflection, Renewal, and Action

As a Catholic community grounded in the Mercy tradition, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten journey—a time of reflection, renewal, and commitment to living our faith through prayer, fasting, and charitable giving. Our recent Ash Wednesday prayer services provided a meaningful opportunity for students and staff to come together, acknowledge our call to transformation, and embrace the values that define us as a Mercy school.

At the heart of the service was the marking of ashes on the forehead. More than just a symbol of repentance, the ashes challenge us to reflect on how we live out the Gospel in our daily lives.

The words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” remind us of our human frailty, our dependence on God, and our call to renewal. As followers of Christ, we are called to turn away from selfishness and seek a life of compassion, service, and justice.

The Gospel reading from Matthew 6:1-6 reinforced this message, reminding us that our faith is not about outward appearances but about the sincerity of our hearts. In a world that often encourages recognition and reward, Jesus’ words challenge us to live with humility—choosing to serve not for praise but because it is the right thing to do.

This year, our college theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ invites us to embrace Lent as a journey of renewal, where we turn our hearts back to God and rediscover His call in our lives. Just as the biblical Year of Jubilee was a time of restoration, forgiveness, and new beginnings, Lent offers us a chance to reset, let go of what holds us back, and step forward with faith, hope, and love. It is a time to repair what is broken, seek justice for those in need, and grow in our relationship with God and one another.

Lent is not just a season of giving something up; it is an invitation to take something on—to deepen our faith and commit to acts of charity and justice. One way we do this as a school community is by supporting Project Compassion, Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten appeal. Through our contributions, we extend the Mercy values of compassion, justice, and service beyond our own community, supporting vulnerable people around the world. Every donation—no matter how small—helps provide education, healthcare, and essential resources to those in need.

As we continue through this season of Lent, may we respond to the Prophet’s call to "act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God" (Micah 6:8). Let us use this time to seek renewal, to grow in faith, and to walk as true Pilgrims of Hope, bringing love and mercy to those around us.

We encourage everyone to contribute in whatever way they can, helping to make a real difference in the lives of others. Donations can be made through any of the Project Compassion boxes around the college or by following this link: https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/o/sacred-heart-college-kyneton