Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the Holy Season of Lent. This is the time every year when we make a special effort to focus on our faith and to prepare for Holy Week and Easter. It is through the events of the first Holy Week that we are redeemed.

On Ash Wednesday we wear ashes on our foreheads to remind us that we came from the earth and to the earth we will, one day, return. As the ashes are placed on our foreheads, we think of the words of Jesus, “Change and believe in the Good News.” The Good News is that we are loved by God and by his Son, Jesus Christ.

The ashes remind us that  that life on earth is temporary and that the fate of each of us is in God`s hands. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year’s Palm Sunday Mass. This reminds us that earthly glory fades, but God’s love endures.

Nowadays, people like to observe Lent by examining their own  personal habits that may need to be changed work or to reach out to people in need. The priority always is to be good to others and to grow closer to Christ. We are not asked to be perfect, but to make a good effort. We can pray, fast, or help to people who are poor or in need.

For almost 50 years our people have contributed generously to Trocaire during the Lenten Season.  Trocaire is the Irish language word for “compassion”. Trocaire turns the compassion of the Irish people into life-changing support for some of the poorest people in the world.

From the Ennis Parish Newsletter – Adapted.