Ash Wednesday Service in our local Parish Church

Wednesday, 5 March 2025

Today, our entire school community participated in an Ash Wednesday service at our neighboring parish church of St. Mary's (Our Lady of Reparation). During the service, students and staff received ashes on their foreheads, or a blessing, marking the beginning of Lent—the sacred season of spiritual preparation leading up to Easter.

As a Catholic school, we are deeply committed to following the liturgical cycle of the Church. While we celebrate the rich diversity within our school community and welcome children of all faiths, Ash Wednesday holds particular significance for us. It is an essential part of our Lenten duties. The ashes we receive serve as an outward sign of repentance, a powerful reminder of God’s boundless mercy toward those who approach Him with humble and contrite hearts. This season invites us to seek His grace through prayer, reflection, and penance.

The ashes used in today’s service were made from the blessed palms of last year’s Palm Sunday celebration. They were then christened with Holy Water and infused with the fragrance of incense, adding a sacred dimension to the ritual.

As we embark on this Lenten journey, may we all embrace the opportunity for renewal, drawing closer to God through acts of prayer, reflection, and penance.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Parish Priest, Fr. Patrick, for warmly welcoming our entire school community to St. Mary’s, and to Fr. Michael for leading the Ash Wednesday service, along with the entire clergy team. A special thank you to Mr Saint-Prix, and to our altar servers and school choir for their involvement in making the service even more meaningful.