Author Topic: How's Lent going?

CYW.com · « **on:** February 22, 2012, 11:21:10 AM »

A topic for Chaplains to talk about how Lent is going, what ideas they've had and stuff like that...

Jack Regan · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2012, 11:24:20 AM »

On a personal level my Lent started off badly when I forgot what day it was and had a meaty snack at the garage on the way to work. D'oh!

On a school level, it's going well. Our services were really lovely. We had two massive services for the two halves of the school and a lot of students received the ashes. We also had an extra service at 8.30am for any staff who couldn't make the big services in the hall.

For the services, we used the idea of Lent being a journey toward Easter and reflected on what we want to get from that journey. We explained Lent well, and reflected on the day's Gospel, as well as using a clip from 'the Way' - a film which I really love and plan to write some resources around soon.

The highlight of my day so far was seeing the Sixth Form students distribute the ashes to the younger students. Really lovely.

annathechaplain · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2012, 12:01:14 PM »

All going well at school so far. Time of prayer and reflection in all form classes this morning and ashes being distributed at lunch time for those who wish to come for them. Year 9 pupils from the Chaplaincy team will be distributing ashes - think it will be a moving time for them and for us.

On a personal level - struggling with deciding what to give up/do for Lent this year! Will need to make a decision soon!

Jack Regan · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2012, 12:04:28 PM »

I'm giving up fizzy drinks. It's gonna be tough!!

Dennis · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2012, 02:00:00 PM »

Quote from: Jack Regan on February 22, 2012, 12:04:28 PM

I'm giving up fizzy drinks. It's gonna be tough!!

Same here! And meat and alcohol! But I'm doing it all with a smile on my face

Two services for staff and a voluntary Ash Wednesday Mass for the students which was very well attended and well participated in. Now I'm tired!

Annie · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2012, 02:37:06 PM »

I always find Lent really difficult...mainly because it is meant to be! I find that it is hard for me to separate the "school work" from my own spiritual needs by providing so many opportunities for others to become more holy...if that makes any sense. I think I am kind of saying I find myself neglecting my own spiritual needs by working too hard

Aside from that, Ash Wednesday has gone fine here in school and our major almsgiving begins next week. We have our Lent retreat at Ampleforth this weekend which is mainly led by students and a couple of parishioners. It will nice not to have to be responsible for much of it.

Totally struggling to come up with any "new" ideas for my Lent assemblies in 2 weeks and a full on service with 6th form and then the parishes. I am hoping that after the retreat this weekend though the ideas will come rushing to me.

Keep up the good work folks!!!

Jack Regan · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2012, 02:43:40 PM »

I'm always well impressed when schools are able to have Ash Wednesday Mass. I find that, even in an area where the priests are amazing and 100% supportive of the school, it's impossible to get anyone for Ash Wednesday. I don't even try anymore...

ClareLouise · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2012, 02:56:50 PM »

We had a voluntary service in school this morning, and had around 200 students present.

We used some of our Sixth Form Extraordinary Ministers to distribute the ashes, which is always lovely.

I've just finished putting up a giant version of the Calendar I shared the other day- we have a big display with it on, and are linking it into our daily prayers each morning. Lots of the pupils have thanked me for it

I'm giving up snacking for Lent (I'm awful at work! I've cancelled my graze boxes

) and for the first time in my life, ate something sweet on Ash Wednesday as our school nurse made cake for her birthday today, and got upset because people wouldn't eat it because it was Ash Wednesday. I had some to celebrate with her, then suddenly everyone was happy to have some... hmmmm...!

Jack Regan · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2012, 03:07:14 PM »

Quote from: ClareLouise on February 22, 2012, 02:56:50 PM

I'm giving up snacking for Lent

I read that in a hurry and thought it said smacking...

Jane Porter · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2012, 03:27:29 PM »

Well, after just 4 weeks in post I've had my first experience of Ash Wednesday here in Luton. I'm very fortunate in that the school is great about coming off timetable for days like today. We had a 25 minute liturgy in the Hall for each of the 6 year groups with ashes. Focussed on the 3 elements of today's gospel, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and used a clip from Pay It Forward. Also put images to Adele 'Make You Feel My Love' which worked well as they came to receive ashes - keeping the focus on God's love for us which enables us to be all we can be. Staff have always given ashes here so stayed with that for this year, but planning on it being Sixth Form next year!

chaplain · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2012, 07:28:51 PM »

Am all 'ashed out' after 10 services today but response from pupils was good even though they had to be there.

CYW.com · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2012, 07:33:18 PM »

Thanks folks.

This is the first busy thread in the public boards for like ages and ages.

hbalkwill · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2012, 07:41:24 PM »

Our Liturgy went very well - the boys were all really positive about the liturgy and seemed to get a lot out of it (a lot of volunteers for our charity collections too!).
Here's a photo of our worship space about 2 minutes before the boys started to file for the first Ash Wednesday liturgy.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/83238/Ash%20Wednesday%20Hall.jpg

We also have a new Headteacher appointment at the school so a lot to celebrate!

ClareLouise · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2012, 09:34:43 AM »

I was told by one of the pupils later in the day:

"The service was really nice. Your voice is nice to listen to. It's really gentle. You should narrate nature programmes."

I can't help but wonder whether that was what he was thinking about during the service!!

Jack Regan · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2012, 09:42:42 AM »

Quote from: ClareLouise on February 23, 2012, 09:34:43 AM

"Your voice is nice to listen to. It's really gentle. You should narrate nature programmes."

That's such a quality comment!!

Augustine · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2012, 09:58:55 AM »

We had a whole school Ash Wednesday liturgy with the local priest in attendance. The students were amazingly well behaved and participated really well. Everyone recieved ashes and I was really pleased at the end of the day to see just how many of them hadn't rubbed them off! In fat I even had quite a few requests for me to re-do their ashes at 3.30pm as they were starting to fade!

I even had a lovely email from the Head last night saying how great the service was and letting me know that several staff had been to see him over the course of the day to tell him how great I was!

hbalkwill · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2012, 10:30:09 AM »

Quote from: ClareLouise on February 23, 2012, 09:34:43 AM

I was told by one of the pupils later in the day:

"The service was really nice. Your voice is nice to listen to. It's really gentle. You should narrate nature programmes."

I can't help but wonder whether that was what he was thinking about during the service!!

I wonder if I have that sort of voice too - I received a letter of apology saying

Quote

Dear Henry,
I am sorry for falling asleep in your mass about Ash Wednesday. I only fell asleep because I had areally late night yesterday and woke up early. I will never fall asleep in mass again. Sincerely Sorry.
From (name written in teeny tiny writing so that I won't be able to identify him)

I also received two A4 sides of lines saying "I shall not fall asleep in mass"

I'm very, very tempted to approach the lad and say "It wasn't mass, it was a Liturgy.... redo the lines and the letter!"

annathechaplain · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2012, 10:44:50 AM »

First of the Lent assemblies went well today as did morning prayer which was really well attended and a lovely calm start to the day.

Henry - I just love that letter! You need to frame that and keep it near your desk!

Clare - you should record something and post it on here so when we're all stressed we can listen to it! Gentle voices to listen to are a must during Lent!

hbalkwill · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2012, 05:38:49 PM »

Quote from: annathechaplain on February 23, 2012, 10:44:50 AM

Henry - I just love that letter! You need to frame that and keep it near your desk!

Way ahead of you there!

hbalkwill · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2012, 05:47:48 PM »

Our Ash Wednesday Liturgy rehearsals

... and 2 minutes before the liturgy actually begun

Lent publicity around the school

c.knowles · « **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2012, 08:13:19 PM »

my ash wednesday service went so well i got made permanent, full time and got a pay rise! boom!

we've got a lent theme, (which i think helps focus and make more of it with the students) which is water! So we've got bags of CAFOD things going on along with a whole load of other stuff. water is a gift of a theme because the metaphors and biblical references are (almost) endless...

Augustine · « **Reply #21 on:** March 01, 2012, 09:56:20 AM »

WOW! I reckon' you'd better send us all copies of your Easter services since your Ash Wednesday one had such dramatic results! I wouldn't say no to a pay rise! :-)

hbalkwill · « **Reply #22 on:** March 03, 2012, 09:39:39 AM »

I've adapted the Message Translation of Mark's Passion for dramatic use at the school for the end of term liturgy.
Would any of you like to look through it?

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/83238/Passion%20Drama%20Mark.pdf

c.knowles · « **Reply #23 on:** March 04, 2012, 09:24:59 PM »

Quote from: Augustine on March 01, 2012, 09:56:20 AM

WOW! I reckon' you'd better send us all copies of your Easter services since your Ash Wednesday one had such dramatic results! I wouldn't say no to a pay rise! :-)

hahahaha! I'm very lucky and blessed to have such a supportive staff and a senior management team who 'get' and value chaplaincy!!

ClareLouise · « **Reply #24 on:** March 19, 2012, 03:09:55 PM »

Everyone still going strong? Starting to feel ready for Palm Sunday/Holy Week/the Tridiuum/Easter Sunday?

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND CAMPUS MINISTRY

Author Topic: How's Lent going?