Ash Wednesday Reception – Year 3 Liturgy This Liturgy was modified by Joanne Villis (St Aloysius College, SA) using the resources provided by Caritas Australia for Project Compassion 2014 . Copy right permission to use images and text was received on 24/1/2014 by Kate Andréo, Global Education Coordinator. Permission to upload this document for public access was also received on the 24/1/2014.

For access to all Project Compassion recourses please visit http://www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion . This Power Point may be used for educational purposes only, any modifications that are made and posted online need to be approved by Caritas Australia http://www.caritas.org.au/ .

Reader 1: We gather here today to celebrate the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent.

Credit: Viyan Fernando

Reader 2: As a community ,we acknowledge the original and ongoing owners of the land on which we gather; the Kaurna people.

Reader 3: We begin our liturgy in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.All: Amen

Reader 4: Can the chosen Year 1 students please begin the Procession?

Credit: http://pixabay.com/en/bible-book-catholic-christ-20487/

Reader 5: Please join us as we sing our opening hymn, Saying Yes (music with held for copy right purposes)

Sing: I want to be, just like Jesus every day saying yes, saying yes to our God. I want to love just like, Jesus every day, saying yes, saying yes to our God. Jesus you're my friend (clap, clap), you are here with me (clap, clap); I know you are always by my side. Repeat X 3

Photo credits: Caritas Australia

Reader 6: Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent.

Reader 7: We will be marked with a cross of ashes to remind us that sometimes we think only of ourselves. This Lent we will try to become more giving.

Photo Credits: http://pixabay.com/en/hearts-heart-valentine-abstract-14747/

Reader 8: Giving to the poor is a sign of our commitment to justice and of thanks forall that God has given us.

Photo credits: Paul Jeffrey for Caritas Internationalis

Reader 9: Lent leads up to the season of Easter, the most important time in the Church’s calendar. By praying and giving to the poor we are reminded of Jesus’ death andResurrection.

Photo Credits: http://pixabay.com/en/anglican-catholic-christ-christian-149178/

Reader 10: Jesus brought the promise of hope for all people so that we may “Have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

Photo credits: Paul Jeffrey for Caritas Internationalis

Reader 11: We give thanks for the blessings in our own lives - for the gifts of good food, a safe home, clean water, education and healthcare.

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Photo: Ramadian Bachtiar

Reader 12: We are called to work for a just and fairworld for all people.

Reader 13: By supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion we share in Jesus’ call to give hope to others so that they may also ‘have life to the full’.

Reader 14: God of hope and compassion, You remind us of the need to care for people throughout the world.

Reader 15: We pray that during this time of Lent,We will make a home in our own hearts forthe poor.

Reader 16: May we listen and act on your call to endpoverty, promote justice and make every person feel special.

Reader 17: We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.

All: Amen.

Reader 18: A reading form the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.All: Glory to you LordDuring this time:Jesus: (speaking to his disciples) When you do good things, don’t try to show off.Disciple 1 (speaking to audience): Do good things for others.Disciple 2 (shakes finger at audience): But no showing off.Jesus: This makes your Father in heaven sad and he will not reward you.Disciple 3 (speaking to audience): Because you already have your reward. People think you are cool.Jesus: When you give to the poor do not blow a loud horn. That is what show offs do so that others will praise them.Disciple 1: That is unkind and puts down other people. Disciple 2: But Lord – how should we give to the poor?Jesus: When you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know about it. Then your gift will be a secret.Disciple 3: Even a secret from your Mum?Jesus: Well, maybe sharing with your Mum is a good thing – but you do not have to tell everyone. Put yourself in the place of those who are poor. Does making a big show of your good deed respect them? Disciples shake their heads. Your Father knows what is done in secret and he will reward you. Disciples nod.Disciple 2: So when we share our wealth with the poor we should show respect, Lord?

Reader 18: The Gospel of the LordAll: All praise you Lord Jesus Christ

Reader 19: We receive these ashes as a sign to remind us to ask forgiveness for the times when we could have been more loving members of our family, our school community and our global family. We ask Jesus to help us to be fair, peaceful and just.

Reader 20: Can classroom teachers please collect their ashes from the prayer table and hold them?

Reader 21: Lord, with these ashes we show that we are dust. Forgive our sins and keep us faithful to the ways of Jesus.

All: Amen

Reader 22: These blessed ashes will be used as a sign that we are starting a journey through Lent towards Easter.

Reader 23: Bless us as we receive these ashes today. May we all try very hard to be fair to everyone and to live in peace.

Reader 24: Please stay seated as class teachers distribute the ashes.

Prayers of intercession:Reader 25: We pray for Maristely and her community in the favelas in Brazil. May our support of Project Compassion assist the community to grow in peace, so that its children are able toplay, learn and live without fear of violence... Let us pray to the Lord.All: Lord, hear our prayer

Photo Credits:http://www.caritas.org.au/docs/pc-2014/lower-primary-photocards

Reader 26: We pray for Deng and his community in South Sudan and for all people who have been forced to leave their homes as a result of war. May our support of Project Compassion help families reconstruct their lives and build homes furnished with love, good memories and many friends... Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer

Photo Credits:http://www.caritas.org.au/docs/pc-2014/lower-primary-photocards

Reader 27: We pray for Archie and his community in the Philippines. May our support of Project Compassion help others to build safe and comfortable homes. Bless their homes and may they become places for families to dream and work together for brighter futures... Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer

Photo Credits:http://www.caritas.org.au/docs/pc-2014/lower-primary-photocards

Reader 28: We pray for Martina and her community in the Solomon Islands, who have enjoyed the experiences of singing, learning rhymes, playing and having fun at school. Through our support of Project Compassion may we help other children enjoy play and learning activities that may save lives. We ask that you help those who suffer from the threat of cyclones and other natural disasters to learn skills to stay safe in times of danger... Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer

Photo Credits:http://www.caritas.org.au/docs/pc-2014/lower-primary-photocards

Reader 29: We pray for Lorraine, for First Australians andfor all people who are far from their homes and country. May our support of Project Compassion help to heal their pain and help them find a sense of purpose to become part of new caring communities... Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer

Photo Credits:http://www.caritas.org.au/docs/pc-2014/lower-primary-photocards

Reader 30: We pray for Nirangini and her family from Sri Lanka. May our support of Project Compassion help her community to find peace and become confident and successful farmers as they resettle in their village... Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer

Photo Credits:http://www.caritas.org.au/docs/pc-2014/lower-primary-photocards

Reader 31: This year during Project Compassion we are asked to think about the importance of a home and how its safety and security help us to grow, learn and become the peoplethat Jesus calls us to be.

Photo Credits:http://www.caritas.org.au/docs/pc-2014/lower-primary-photocards

Reader 32: Take up the challenge – live YOUR life to the full. Take action for justice so that others may also share what you enjoy. Everyone here today, will receive a Project Compassion box to take home in order to donate, and help those in need.

Reader 33: For all the needs of our world, let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught us. Join us as we sing Our Father (Janet Mead Version, for copy right purposes music has not been included)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them who trespass against us, Forgive us our trespasses.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Our Lord lead us not into temptation, but save us from evil and the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever will be yours!

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Reader 34: Lord, We thank you for the gifts you have given us and the people who help us live our lives to the full.

Reader 35: Help us to be mindful that we are all responsible for all of your people. Through Jesus’ death and Resurrection we are one body in Christ.

Reader 36: Lord help us join together to pray for justice for all people. Please join us as we sing our closing hymn; Turn Back to God. (For copy right purposes lyrics/music have not been included)

We're Jesus people gathered here.We have been baptized.We try to follow JesusBut we have realized,Sometimes we're not quite as goodas God would have us be,Sometimes we just need to say,"I think I've lost my way".

ChorusAnd we're ready for a change of heart,And we're looking for a brand new start,And we're making out a whole new plan,To change our lives we know we canTurn back to God, turn back to God.

It isn't always easy to be the best we can,But we are not alone here,We must understand,God is always there for us,Waiting for our cry,All we have to say to God is"Come in, change my life".ChorusWe know we need to start again,We need a change of heart,We've turned from You, forgotten You,And wandered from Your path.Lead us out of darkness now,Lead us on Your way,Fill us with Your Living Light,Help us change today.