The liturgical season of Lent is a time of abstinence and personal reflection in preparation for Easter. The 40 day period of Lent (which does not include Sundays) is symbolic of the 40 days and nights that Jesus spent praying and fasting in the desert before starting his ministry.
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Every year, the students of IHMS observe the season of Lent with a different Christian service project. For this year’s project, the school’s social justice team (SMAC) held a fundraising bake sale selling cupcakes to the students of IHMS on Monday, February 23.
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| The SMAC team selling cupcakes at lunch time on Monday, February 23 |
All proceeds of the bake sale were earmarked in support of a local Winnipeg charity called Rossbrook House on 658 Ross Avenue. Founded in 1976, Rossbrook House provides a safe place for children and youth living in the inner city of Winnipeg to learn, play, and belong.
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| Rossbrook House is a local Winnipeg charity at 658 Ross Avenue |
| Another SMAC fundraiser for Roosbrook House was a NUT day held on Thursday, February 26. A NUT day is a “No Uniform Day”. In this case, the students paid $2 for the privilege of wearing pink clothes to school rather than the usual uniform. The pink clothes demonstrate support for a national anti-bullying campaign. |  |
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| A few of the grade 6, 7, and 8 students dressed in pink clothing |
In addition, the grade 5 to 8 students of IHMS led a Lenten prayer service on Friday, February 20 in the school gym. The prayer service included an overview of important events in the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry..
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| A few scenes from the Lenten prayer service in the school gym |
The liturgical season of Lent is an important part of school life at IHMS. Focusing on people less fortunate than ourselves helps us to prepare for Easter. It gives us the opportunity to improve ourselves and become more aware of our relationship with God. This is what Lent is all about – it helps us to become better people.
