I have modified Caritas Australia's Primary Ash Wednesday liturgy in order to meet the needs of Reception to Y3 students at my school. The modifications have been approved.

1. Ash Wednesday Reception – Year 3 Liturgy
This Liturgy was modified by Joanne Villis (St Aloysius College, SA) using the resources
provided by Caritas Australia for Project Compassion 2014 . Copy right permission to
use images and text was received on 24/1/2014 by Kate Andréo,
Global Education Coordinator. Permission to upload this document for public access
was also received on the 24/1/2014.
For access to all Project Compassion recourses please visit
http://www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion . This
Power Point may be used for educational purposes only, any
modifications that are made and posted online need to be
approved by Caritas Australia http://www.caritas.org.au/ .

2. Reader 1: We gather here today to celebrate the
beginning of the Church’s season of Lent.
Credit: Viyan Fernando
Reader 2: As a community ,we acknowledge the
original and ongoing owners of the land on which we
gather; the Kaurna people.

3. Reader 3: We begin our liturgy in the name of the
Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
Reader 4: Can the chosen Year 1 students please
begin the Procession?
Credit: http://pixabay.com/en/bible-book-catholic-christ-20487/

4. Reader 5: Please join us as we sing our opening hymn,
Saying Yes (music with held for copy right purposes)
Sing: I want to be, just like Jesus every day saying yes, saying yes to
our God. I want to love just like, Jesus every day, saying yes, saying
yes to our God.
Jesus you're my friend (clap, clap), you are here with me (clap,
clap); I know you are always by my side.
Repeat X 3
Photo credits: Caritas Australia

5. Reader 6: Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the
Church’s season of Lent.
Reader 7: We will be marked with a cross of ashes to
remind us that sometimes we think only of
ourselves. This Lent we will try to become more
giving.
Photo Credits:
http://pixabay.com/en/heartsheart-valentine-abstract-14747/

6. Reader 8: Giving to the poor is a sign of our
commitment to justice and of thanks for
all that God has given us.
Photo credits: Paul
Jeffrey
for Caritas Internationalis

7. Reader 9: Lent leads up to the season of Easter, the most
important time in the Church’s calendar. By praying and
giving to the poor we are reminded of Jesus’ death and
Resurrection.
Photo Credits:
http://pixabay.com/en/anglican-catholicchrist-christian-149178/

8. Reader 10: Jesus brought the promise of hope for all
people so that we may “Have life and have it to the full.”
(John 10:10)
Photo credits:
Paul Jeffrey
for Caritas
Internationalis

9. Photo:
Ramadian
Bachtiar
Photo: Sean Sprague
Photo: Sean Sprague
Photo: Sean Sprague
Reader 11: We give thanks for the blessings in our own
lives - for the gifts of good food, a safe home, clean
water, education and healthcare.

10. Reader 12: We are called to work for a just and fair
world for all people.
Reader 13: By supporting Caritas Australia’s Project
Compassion we share in Jesus’ call to give hope to
others so that they may also ‘have life to the full’.

11. Reader 14: God of hope and compassion, You remind us
of the need to care for people throughout the world.
Reader 15: We pray that during this time of Lent,
We will make a home in our own hearts for
the poor.
Reader 16: May we listen and act on your call to end
poverty, promote justice and make every person feel
special.
Reader 17: We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.
All: Amen.

12. Reader 18: A reading form the Holy Gospel according to
Matthew.
All: Glory to you Lord
During this time:
Jesus: (speaking to his disciples) When you do good things, don’t try to show off.
Disciple 1 (speaking to audience): Do good things for others.
Disciple 2 (shakes finger at audience): But no showing off.
Jesus: This makes your Father in heaven sad and he will not reward you.
Disciple 3 (speaking to audience): Because you already have your reward. People think you are cool.
Jesus: When you give to the poor do not blow a loud horn. That is what show offs do so that others
will praise them.
Disciple 1: That is unkind and puts down other people.
Disciple 2: But Lord – how should we give to the poor?
Jesus: When you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know about it. Then your gift will be a secret.
Disciple 3: Even a secret from your Mum?
Jesus: Well, maybe sharing with your Mum is a good thing – but you do not have to tell everyone. Put
yourself in the place of those who are poor. Does making a big show of your good deed respect
them? Disciples shake their heads. Your Father knows what is done in secret and he will reward you.
Disciples nod.
Disciple 2: So when we share our wealth with the poor we should show respect, Lord?
Reader 18: The Gospel of the Lord
All: All praise you Lord Jesus Christ

13. Reader 19: We receive these ashes as a sign to remind
us to ask forgiveness for the times when we could have
been more loving members of our family, our school
community and our global family. We ask Jesus to help
us to be fair, peaceful and just.
Reader 20: Can classroom teachers please collect their
ashes from the prayer table and hold them?
Reader 21: Lord, with these ashes we show that we are
dust. Forgive our sins and keep us faithful to the ways of
Jesus.
All: Amen

14. Reader 22: These blessed ashes will be used as a sign that we
are starting a journey through Lent towards Easter.
Reader 23: Bless us as we receive these ashes today. May we all try
very hard to be fair to everyone and to live in peace.
Reader 24: Please stay seated as class teachers distribute the
ashes.

15. Prayers of intercession:
Reader 25: We pray for Maristely and her community in the
favelas in Brazil. May our support of Project Compassion assist the
community to grow in peace, so that its children are able to
play, learn and live without fear of violence... Let us pray to the
Lord.
All: Lord, hear
our prayer
Photo Credits:
http://www.caritas.org.a
u/docs/pc-2014/lowerprimary-photocards

16. Reader 26: We pray for Deng and his community in South Sudan
and for all people who have been forced to leave their homes as
a result of war. May our support of Project Compassion help
families reconstruct their lives and build homes furnished with
love, good memories and many friends... Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear
our prayer
Photo Credits:
http://www.caritas.org.a
u/docs/pc-2014/lowerprimary-photocards

17. Reader 27: We pray for Archie and his community in the
Philippines. May our support of Project Compassion help others
to build safe and comfortable homes. Bless their homes and may
they become places for families to dream and work together for
brighter futures... Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear
our prayer
Photo Credits:
http://www.caritas.org.a
u/docs/pc-2014/lowerprimary-photocards

18. Reader 28: We pray for Martina and her community in the Solomon
Islands, who have enjoyed the experiences of singing, learning
rhymes, playing and having fun at school. Through our support of
Project Compassion may we help other children enjoy play and
learning activities that may save lives. We ask that you help those
who suffer from the threat of cyclones and other natural disasters
to learn skills to stay safe in times of danger... Let us pray to the
Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer
Photo Credits:
http://www.caritas.org.au/do
cs/pc-2014/lower-primaryphotocards

19. Reader 29: We pray for Lorraine, for First Australians and
for all people who are far from their homes and country. May
our support of Project Compassion help to heal their pain and
help them find a sense of purpose to become part of new
caring communities... Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear
our prayer
Photo Credits:
http://www.caritas.or
g.au/docs/pc2014/lower-primaryphotocards

20. Reader 30: We pray for Nirangini and her family from Sri Lanka.
May our support of Project Compassion help her community to
find peace and become confident and successful farmers as
they resettle in their village... Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear
our prayer
Photo Credits:
http://www.carita
s.org.au/docs/pc2014/lowerprimaryphotocards

21. Reader 31: This year during Project Compassion we are asked to
think about the importance of a home and how its safety and
security help us to grow, learn and become the people
that Jesus calls us to be.
Photo Credits:
http://www.carita
s.org.au/docs/pc2014/lowerprimaryphotocards

22. Reader 32: Take up the challenge – live YOUR life to the
full. Take action for justice so that others may also
share what you enjoy. Everyone here today, will receive
a Project Compassion box to take home in order to
donate, and help those in need.

23. Reader 33: For all the needs of our world, let us pray
the prayer that Jesus taught us. Join us as we sing Our
Father
(Janet Mead Version, for copy right purposes music has not been included)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them who trespass
against us, Forgive us our trespasses.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven.
Our Lord lead us not into temptation, but save us from evil and the kingdom, the power, and
the glory forever will be yours!
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven.

24. Reader 34: Lord, We thank you for the gifts you have
given us and the people who help us live our lives to the
full.
Reader 35: Help us to be mindful that we are all
responsible for all of your people. Through Jesus’ death
and Resurrection we are one body in Christ.

25. Reader 36: Lord help us join together to pray for justice
for all people. Please join us as we sing our closing
hymn; Turn Back to God. (For copy right purposes lyrics/music have not been included)
It isn't always easy to be the best we can,
But we are not alone here,
We must understand,
God is always there for us,
Waiting for our cry,
All we have to say to God is
"Come in, change my life".
Chorus
We know we need to start again,
We need a change of heart,
Chorus
We've turned from You, forgotten You,
And we're ready for a change of heart,
And we're looking for a brand new start, And wandered from Your path.
And we're making out a whole new plan, Lead us out of darkness now,
Lead us on Your way,
To change our lives we know we can
Fill us with Your Living Light,
Turn back to God, turn back to God.
Help us change today.
We're Jesus people gathered here.
We have been baptized.
We try to follow Jesus
But we have realized,
Sometimes we're not quite as good
as God would have us be,
Sometimes we just need to say,
"I think I've lost my way".