Term 1 Week 5
23 February
24 February
25 February
26 February
Ash Wednesday
27 February
 Ash Wednesday
28 February
29 FebruarY 
23-29 FEBRUARY
ORDINARY TIME

​Lenten Resources
Catholic Teacher
Prep to Year 2 Prayer Library
Years 3 to 6 Prayer Library
Years 7 to 10 Prayer Library
Years 11 & 12 Prayer Library

Sunday
23 FEBRUARY
SUNDAY 23rd February
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
  • Gospel: Matthew 5: 38-48  Jesus teaches abut retaliation and love ​for enemies
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
Teacher Background

Monday
24 FEBRUARY
Preparing for Lent
St. Ignatius throughout the Spiritual Exercises suggests that we prepare ourselves before we enter into the specific exercise. He suggests preparing the night before: “After retiring, just before falling asleep, for the space of a Hail Mary, I will think of the hour when I have to rise, and why I am rising, and briefly sum up the exercise I have to go through” (Puhl SE #73).
Prepare a class Lenten Calendar noting some days when the students will abstain from certain things through Lent.  Create a prayer journal each student can add a prayer through Lent.
Image: https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/preparation-for-lent/​

Tuesday
25 FEBRUARY
Shrove Tuesday
In Australia and Britain the day preceding Ash Wednesday is popularly known as Shrove Tuesday. It is also frequently called Pancake Tuesday.  Organise for the children to bring and share pancakes in the classroom after praying:
God, heavenly Father,
look upon me and hear my prayer
during this holy Season of Lent.
By the good works You inspire,
help me to discipline my body
and to be renewed in spirit. ​
​Image: Food Pancakes - https://pixabay.com/images/id-715541/
https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/shrove-tuesday/

Wednesday
26 FEBRUARY
Ash Wednesday
Gracious God, today begins a period of inner reflection and examination. The days stretch before me and invite me inward to that silent, holy space that holds your Spirit. This special time beckons me to see my life through Christ's eyes and the truth and reality of your love incarnate. Give me the grace to enter the space of these days with anticipation of our meeting. And, when I open my soul to your presence, let your loving kindness flow over me and seep into the pockets of my heart. I ask this for the sake of your love.
Image: Ash Wednesday - Amplitudy - https://pixabay.com/images/id-4036798/ 

Thursday
27 FEBRUARY
Love your Enemies
  • In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells his listeners that he wants them to show and do loving actions to and for others. He teaches them about loving those beyond their family and best friends and he tells them to love even their enemies.
  •  If we reach out in love to others, we are doing exactly what Jesus did.
  • Invite students to pray silently, in their own words, asking the Holy Spirit to help them be generous, forgiving and loving to others as Jesus did. 
Image: skeeze - https://pixabay.com/images/id-1714807/

Friday
28 FEBRUARY
Praying the Glory be
  • Glory be to the Father
  • This is a prayer of praise giving glory to God.
  • Invite students to spend time in praising God by completing the prayer starter: Glory be to God for … e.g. my loving family; my awesome friends; all the gifts of creation. 
Image: Prayer - reenablack - https://pixabay.com/images/id-1308663/