Lent 2019

A Lenten Journey

In this year’s Lenten message, (for full text see here) Pope Francis appeals to the faithful “to not allow this season of grace to pass in vain” AND invites believers to prepare to celebrate the paschal (Easter) mystery with mind and heart renewed, warning that “Sin leads man to consider himself the god of creation, to see himself as its absolute master and to use it, not for the purpose willed by the Creator but for his own interests”.

Referring to the three key Lenten disciplines and practices, Pope Francis explains:
Fasting means turning away from the temptation to “devour” everything to satisfy our voracity;
Prayer teaches us to abandon idolatry and the self-sufficiency of our ego;
Almsgiving, whereby we escape from the insanity of hoarding everything for ourselves in the illusory belief that we can secure a future that does not belong to us.

Stations of the Cross
Will be prayed in the Church each Friday evening during Lent at 7.00pm. All are welcome.

“The Light is On”
St Agatha’s (and Churches throughout Broken Bay) will be open on Friday evenings in Lent for quiet prayer and the sacrament of Reconciliation. At St Agatha’s, this will be for the hour following the Stations. To see a video & access to resources click here.

Second Rite of Reconciliation
This will be celebrated at St Agatha’s on Tuesday evening 2nd April at 7.30pm.

Special Speaker in Lent
After the Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings, 22nd March, 29th March and 12th April, Robert Haddad (theologian, religious educator and author from Archdiocese of Sydney) will present a reflection on the person of Jesus Christ.

Lenten Reflection Groups

Feel the Word of God. Follow the Sunday Gospels for 6 weeks of Lent.

Each year we have the opportunity to grow in our faith with patience, kindness and gentleness to others. Lent is the ideal time as it is for only six weeks which gives us a nice period to reflect and focus. During Lent our Parish encourages parishioners to come together in groups and using excellent material prepared by the Diocese to pray and reflect on the coming Sunday Gospel and our relationship with the Lord. We are using a prepared programme of readings and reflections over 6 weeks, so we can prepare well for Easter.

Copies of this year’s Diocesan Resource have arrived for anyone wishing to have a copy now “Discerning the Way of Jesus”, Praying the Scripture in Lent, Year C 2019.

The CD + booklets are a gold coin donation for Lenten Groups or $5.00 for individuals + postage if required.

Please complete the form on this page:

• if you wish to participate in a group or;
• if you would like a copy of the booklet.
• if you can lead a group.

It is not complex or difficult to lead a group. All that is needed is basic hospitality, welcoming and outline on how the materials are used. Should you be inspired to lead a group we will be providing training and support.