Lenten Practices at CWA

We will be celebrating our All-School Ash Wednesday Mass with the distribution of ashes at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. We welcome families to join us for this year’s Ash Wednesday celebration.

We are also happy to be doing an annual Lenten Campaign. As a school, we will be collecting donations for the Calgary Drop-In Centre and for the Regnum Christi Holy Week Missions, while also incorporating various Lenten-themed activities to help our students grow in virtue during this holy season. Please look for more details on the Lenten campaign in the Weekly.

Elementary School Lenten Campaign

The elementary school will participate in the “Daily Dose of Lenten Love” campaign. There will be a contest of intentional virtue between girls and boys in the elementary school from JK - Grade 6 to live out Lent in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as our Lord modelled for us.

1. "Spin-Sin-Away" Wheel

During the morning announcements, a reflection will be read by our Grade 5 & 6 students to help enter into the day, followed by the number of the virtue randomly selected by spinning the wheel. We will be praying the Novena of Divine Mercy.

2. Prayer Intentions

Students and faculty can write their prayer intentions and attach them to the big cross in the STM rotunda. These intentions will be remembered during class visits to the chapel and Masses.

3. Donations

Finally, to reinforce our almsgiving, we’re going to support the Calgary Drop-In Centre and the Regnum Christi - Holy Week Missions by asking each student to bring in a donation. Donations will be collected at the foot of the Cross in the Rotunda of St. Thomas More Hall, with a competition between the boys and girls. Please reference this link for a list of donation items.

Secondary School Lenten Campaign

This year, the Junior and Senior High School will launch the “Lifting the Cross” campaign—a season of giving, service, and virtue during Lent. Our focus will be on supporting Calgary Drop-In Centre and the Regnum Christi Holy Week Missions, which are dedicated to assisting individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness in accessing permanent, supported, and affordable housing.

1. "Lifting the Cross" Campaign

Each time a student brings a donation or completes a sacrificial challenge, they will remove a stone from their grade’s vase—symbolizing that, through their love and generosity, they are helping Jesus carry the Cross with a lighter weight. Goal: To foster teamwork, generosity, and intentional living while helping students understand that love transforms sacrifice into service.

2. "For Him" Morning Announcements

Each week, Rosary Club members will share a short Lenten prayer and describe a sacrifice or act of kindness they performed, inspiring our community to practice prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during our Lenten season.

3. Prayer Intentions Cross

A Prayer Intentions Cross will be set up outside the chapel, where students and faculty may write their intentions on purple sticky notes. These intentions will be remembered during chapel visits and Masses throughout Lent, uniting our community in prayer and reflection.

4. Donations for Almsgiving

To put our Lenten almsgiving into action, we will be supporting the Calgary Drop-In Centre and Regnum Christi – Holy Week Missions by inviting each student to contribute a donation. Donations will be collected near the student lounge of Athlone Hall as part of a friendly competition. Please refer to the link provided for the list of suggested donation items.