In his introduction to ‘Lent, Holy Week & Easter, Services & Prayers’ (CBF 1986) Douglas Jones writes: The origin of the season of Lent lies not in any conscious re-enactment of our Lord's time in the wilderness, which remains only a secondary theme of the season, but in the rigorous preparation of Christians for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ in Holy Week and at Easter. The observance of Lent was at first undertaken by the baptismal candidates, for w

Genesis 15:-12;17-18. There are many joys in the bringing up and nurture of children whether that be as parent, grandparent, godparent, aunt, or uncle. Seeing them develop, crawl, walk, speak their first words and so on. There are more challenging sides to it of course – times of illness for example. One of the most difficult experiences for parents is when children begin to discover the possibility of not doing just what they are told, getting into danger – and most painful

The 40 days of Lent, which precedes Easter is based on two Biblical accounts: the 40 years of wilderness wandering by the Israelites and our Lord's 40 days in the wilderness at which point He was tempted by Satan. Each year the Church observes Lent where we, like Israel and our Lord, are tested. We see this in the Gospel for Lent 1. We participate in abstinence, times of fasting, confession, and acts of mercy to strengthen our faith and devotional disciplines. The goal of eve