Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and reflection. Lent draws a kind reminder of Jesus Christ fasting and praying for humanity as described in Matthew Chapter 4. Lent brings people together to pray for one another. In a time of a natural disaster, people do come together to pray for each other. The recent earthquake in Southern Turkey and Northern Syria has brought people together to support and pray for each other. In such times, prayer heals wounds and restores friendships. 

We are stewards in this world and as stewards, we need to look after it. The most valuable resource is the human being. We come together to pray in solidarity. Only when we realise our own human existence, then we realise the value for the other.

The NSW Ecumenical Council will hold a Prayer for Peace at St Andrew’s Ukraine Catholic Church in Lidcombe on Tuesday 14 March 2023 at 7.00 pm. The conflicts and wars in and between nations, together with natural disasters cause movements of refugees and asylum seekers. Human beings move because of risks to safety, food and water security, and shelter. The Council is praying for the safety of families, women, and children. The Council is praying for several global conflicts around the world to be resolved. 

World Day of Prayer occurs every year on the first Friday in March. This year the Council joins the service at St Stephen’s Uniting Church on Macquarie Street, Sydney on 3 March 2023. The World Day of Prayer for 2023 is written by the women of Taiwan, with the theme, “I have heard about your faith”. The stories of women from Taiwan resonate with the reality of the struggle for women everywhere. What do we do to make things better for women to raise their families at home and at the same time recognise their enormous contribution to society? I was touched by one of the Taiwanese women who requested the hope to have a church in her local region to pray in. Is this much to ask? 

The Council is preparing the Annual Fund-Raising Dinner to be held at St Paul’s Anglican Church Burwood on Sunday 21 May 2023. Tickets for the event will be made available later this month.  

There are only a few weeks left before the journey of Palm Sunday, the Holy Week, and the Feast of Easter and Resurrection are celebrated.

May God Bless your journey of Lent.