Tags: Lent
Lenten thoughts from Salesian Brothers - saying no to ourselves
Posted: Tue, 02 Mar 2021 17:16
In the second video offering reflections for Lent from Salesian Brothers, created by St John Bosco College Battersea, Br Augustine SDB offers thoughts on the importance of learning to deny ourselves during Lent.
He reminds us that we have the example of Christian heroes to help us in saying 'no' to ourselves, and that we actually gain benefits from the practice of self-denial, such as better willpower,... Read More »
Lent activities for 2021
Posted: Thu, 25 Feb 2021 18:29
Many of you are following the Camino for Lent 2021, created by Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB and Sr Susan Richert PVBM, and we have now opened registrations for our two online Lent retreats, created and hosted by the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Presentation Sisters, on Saturday 6 and Saturday 20 March from 2-4pm.
The two sessions will stand alone, so you don't need to attend both, and although they... Read More »
Second Sunday of Lent: 'Listen to him!'
Posted: Thu, 25 Feb 2021 15:11
A reflection on the Transfiguration, in Mark 9: 2-10, the gospel for 2nd Sunday of Lent, by Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB. Image: Carl Bloch - The Transfiguration of Jesus, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.
In the gospel today we have Mark's account of the event known as THE TRANSFIGURATION. Jesus takes his friends Peter, James and John on a hike. Last week we saw a Jesus alone in the desert before... Read More »
Caring for all of God's creation
Posted: Tue, 23 Feb 2021 13:56
In a Lenten Salesian Goodnight video from URSpace this week, Sr Gill McCambridge FMA looks at our understanding of God's 'kingdom', when we say the 'Our Father, and when we hear Jesus speak about it in the Gospels.
She asks us to consider what choices each of us can make this Lent, even in small things, to care for God's creation and for each other, especially those who are most in need.
Sr Gill is producing... Read More »
First Sunday of Lent - Walking the walk of Jesus
Posted: Thu, 18 Feb 2021 12:29
Reflecting on the Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent, Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB looks at what Nano Nagle, the founder of the Presentation Sisters, can teach us about making a fresh start to share the life-giving ministry of Jesus. Image by Julian Garcia Mejia via Qumran2.net
The Gospel of Mark gives us the shortest account of Jesus's time spent in the wilderness. Mark is the evangelist who is in such... Read More »
Lent can be 'exceedingly good'
Posted: Wed, 17 Feb 2021 09:19
As Lent begins, Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB reminds us that even in difficult times, with a generous heart, we can find the seriously good in everyone around us this Lent. Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash
There is a certain manufacturer of cake that tells us, in its advertising campaign, that it makes more than just good cakes—it produces exceedingly good cakes. Likewise, a younger, and very... Read More »
Pope Francis: message for Lent 2021
Posted: Wed, 17 Feb 2021 09:00
In his message for Lent this year, Pope Francis reminds us this is a time for renewing faith, hope and love, and explains what it means 'to experience Lent with love' in our difficult times.
'At the Easter vigil, we will renew our baptismal promises and experience rebirth as new men and women by the working of the Holy Spirit. This Lenten journey, like the entire pilgrimage of the Christian life, is... Read More »
Preparing for Lent at home
Posted: Thu, 11 Feb 2021 15:23
As we prepare our hearts for Lent and Easter, it is helpful to create a space at home where we can feel at peace as we pray and reflect each day. Sr Susan Richert has shared some ideas for creating a simple space, and adding symbolic items to it, especially during Holy Week and for Easter Sunday, which are included in the first set of reflections for our Lent Camino, created by Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy... Read More »
Finding signs of hope and joy in our neighbourhoods
Posted: Wed, 10 Feb 2021 17:07
Right now, we're all in need of a smile, and the hope and joy that nature brings us in spring.
The 'Battersea fox' was snapped this week by Bursar, Chee Yan Shek, snoozing happily on the community's garden table in the (admittedly rare) sunshine.
As we move into Lent, even in urban areas, we can look for signs of spring and new life around us, and, like the fox, find opportunities to enjoy the world... Read More »