Today, St Cybi’s, Holyhead played host to children from Ysgol Parchedig Thomas Ellis, Ysgol Llaingoch and Ysgol y Parc as we marked the beginning of Lent.

I realise for the purists we are a week late. That is because of the little matter of Lent beginning during half term.

Lent is a journey. I guess it can start at different points. The children all left with a bag containing sand and a card with the words, ‘you are a person who is loved by God and God is pleased is with you’.

My Lenten devotions start with that particular truth, and the sand reminds me that much of what I know about God has often be fashioned in adversity.