Ash Wednesday, Lent, and Project Compassion

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of humility and renewal. As a Mercy community, it reminds us that every journey of growth begins with a good beginning, and from a good beginning, Mercy flourishes.

When we receive ashes, we are reminded of the story in Genesis, where humanity is formed from the dust of the earth and given life by God’s breath. We are created, not self-made. The words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” echo that truth.

The ashes call us to humility. We do not have all the answers, and we cannot rely on ourselves alone. We depend on God’s mercy to shape us and guide us. Yet the ashes are also a sign of hope. Because we belong to God, we can begin again by turning back to God with honesty and trust, ready for renewal.

In the Mercy tradition, faith is lived in simple, everyday ways. Catherine McAuley encouraged her companions to bring practical care into ordinary moments. Lent invites us to renew these commitments in our own lives, choosing respect, compassion, justice, service, hospitality, and courage in our community.

This season also calls us to turn our renewal outward, expressing our faith through generous and practical care for those in need.

This Lent, Sacred Heart is proud to once again support Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion, uniting in faith and action to make a meaningful difference for vulnerable communities around the world.

Throughout the term, students will encounter inspiring stories of resilience — including Sisilia from Tanzania, who now has access to clean water and more time for school; Monoranjon from Bangladesh, using climate-smart farming to support his family; Manaini from Fiji, mother of 6 children, developing food processing skills to create new income opportunities; and the dedicated staff of Caritas Jerusalem serving families in Gaza despite immense challenges.

We encourage you to watch the Introduction to Project Compassion film HERE to see the powerful impact your support can have.

Together, our school community can help bring hope and lasting change. Stay tuned for SHC’s fundraising launch.