Submitted by
S. Daly

Age Group
11-13

Aim
To mark the beginning of Lent

Faith Group
Christian

Resources
Ashes made from last year's burnt palms, from Palm Sunday
A large sheet of paper showing the RENEW prayer

Time of Year
Ash Wednesday

Other Details
This can take place in the school hall, or at the local church or chapel
A priest can be asked to take part
Taped music or reflective silence can replace a hymn

Script
PRIEST
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.
Lent is forty days, leading up to Easter, when we think especially about our relationship with God.
It reminds us of the time when Jesus spent forty days in the desert, thinking deeply about HIS relationship with God, his Father.
While there, Jesus prayed for the strength and courage to do his Father's will - to save Man from sin.
Today, we receive the Ashes. We will carry a sign of the Cross, on our foreheads, drawn in ash. We are showing everyone that we are sorry for living in the Old Way of sin. We are making a conscious effort to try again to live in the New Way of Jesus.

CHILD
The Ashes are black and dusty. They remind us of darkness and sin and death. They remind us of the Old Way.
Ashes are all that is left when something is burned up.
We are called to burn up our evil ways.
We are called to get rid of our selfishness, our meanness, our lies, our anger.
We are called to turn aside from the Old Way of sin.
We are called to live again in the New Way of Jesus.

PRIEST
A lot is expected of us during Lent.
We can fast, do penance, give things up or do extra things, but we should not go about with gloomy faces. We should be grateful that we are again being given a chance to make a new start - and that new start begins today, when we present ourselves to receive the Ashes.
By making sacrifices, we show that we are indeed making an effort to change our lives and live in the New Way. That, surely, leads to happiness.

As Jesus said, "When you are fasting, do not look solemn or sad, like some people do, wanting everybody to know that they are fasting.
Believe me, they have already had all the reward they are going to get.
When you are fasting and doing penance, you must look happy and cheerful,
so that no one knows you are fasting, except your Father in heaven.
He will know your secret and will reward you." (Matthew)

DISTRIBUTION OF ASHES
This can be performed by a priest or by someone supported by the priest.
A cross is drawn on each person's forehead, with the ashes.
The wording varies, but can be,
"Remember that from dust you come, to dust you will return."
This is not a sacrament, so can be received by all.

PRIEST
During Lent, try to do what the prophet Joel said. "Come back to your Lord and God. He is waiting to forgive you, full of kindness and love. He has no wish to punish you. Be brave and say to him, 'Lord, save your people.'"

Let us now say together the RENEW prayer...

ALL
God our Father, we thank you for sending us your only Son
to call us to your kingdom. Set us on fire, like his first disciples, with the power of your Holy Spirit - and use us, as you used them, to RENEW the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.