The Season of Lent Starts Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent on February 10. Learn more about how the CSB community emphasizes the Lenten tradition through good works and reflection.
On Wednesday, February 10, during Upper School’s Intersession week, the season of Lent will begin. CSB kickoffs this season of self-reflection and service with a special chapel on Ash Wednesday. It is our tradition to “bury the Alleluia” as this joyful exclamatory word is stricken from use in the church until it is “released” on Easter day. It is the Kindergarten class who prepare the Alleluia for burial during the Ash Wednesday chapel. Parents are welcome to come and see how this works. Boys from third through eighth grades may receive ashes.
 
Lent is also a time of particular good works and reflection. The CSB Lenten tradition emphasizes each of these.
 
Good Works:
The San Francisco Food Bank (SFFB) food drive begins Feburary 22. These Lenten drives are some of the Food Bank's greatest source of food stocking during the year. The SFFB's food barrels will be placed at the two school entrances and in the Upper School areas. This is a great way for the boys to participate in a sharing and giving activity. We will have a few weeks to fill the barrels with canned and dry foods. The most needed items are:                                                          
  • Tuna, canned meat                               
  • Peanut butter
  • Soup, chili
  • Beans
  • Cereal
  • Canned fruit and vegetables
  • Granola bars
Some general donation guidelines: 
  • Avoid glass items, which can break.
  • Avoid perishable items like dairy, meat, chicken, fish, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Check that items are still within their “Use before” date.
  • We can only accept unopened items. We can accept opened packages if the internal packaging is still intact.
  • Please only donate items that you would eat.
 
Reflection: We challenge the school community to give up and do without things which clutter and have unhealthy outcomes on our lives such as junk food, sugar, TV, and video games. This is a process and not a one-time succeed or fail act. However, those who commit and persevere in reducing their clutter are amazed at the maturing effect.
 
Lent is a special time, as winter turns to spring in the natural landscape, and in the landscape of the human heart. May it be holy for us all. If you have any questions, please contact The Reverend Mehrdad Abidari.


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Cathedral School for Boys

Located in San Francisco, California, Cathedral School for Boys is an independent elementary school for boys in Kindergarten – Grade 8. Our mission is to provide an excellent education through intellectual inquiry and rigor that is centered in the Episcopal tradition and is respectful of and welcoming to people of all religious traditions and beliefs.