Lent

Lent is a time to think about our own mortality and how Jesus brings us from death into life through His sacrifice on the cross. With children, especially young children, it is best not to be to heavy handed about this though. We don’t want to scare them. But taking them to a cemetery to visit the graves of loved ones can be a positive experience for them.  #BuryTheDead #WorksOfMercy #prayer #lent

Lent is a time of penance. It is a time when we reflect on the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. Catholics have three main practices during Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. All Catholics, young and old, can participate in these practices.

For many of us, video games have become a way to escape reality and blow off some steam. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, there is a tendency in our culture to spend a lot of time gaming.

Some people fast from social media during Lent. This can be a very effective way to regain wasted time. But if you are not fasting from social media, consider posting an inspirational message. This is a really good Lenten practice for teenagers and adults to try. #Lent #SocialMedia

A prayer table is a small sacred space in your home or classroom.  It can be a place to gather for prayer as a group or for individual prayer.

In this video, Fr. Mike talks about the significance of Ash Wednesday. What do the ashes mean? We understand we have reached a low point and are in need of redemption. But the ashes go beyond shame.

One of the traditional Lenten practices for Catholics is prayer. During this holy season we are called to grow closer to our Lord by increasing and focusing our prayer life. What better way to do this than by attending a weekday mass?

Visiting an elderly relative or friend can be a meaningful activity for children and teens during Lent. Or visit a nursing home.  But it can also be uncomfortable for children, young and old, who are not used to visiting with senior citizens. They seem to have so little in common. But in fact, there are some easy ways to break the ice.

Lent is a beautiful opportunity to offer ourselves to our Lord.  An offering box is a tangible way to make our offerings. It can be used for many different types of offerings. #Lent #sacrifice #offering

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter. On Good Friday, Catholics commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who died to redeem us. There is no mass on Good Friday, but your local parish will hold a liturgy to remember this tremendous act of love. Attend them with your family. #GoodFriday

This video explains the origins of Lent – a time of preparation, and testing, and training. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the desert preparing for his ministry, we spend 40 days engaging in battle.

The rosary is one of the most misunderstood Catholic devotions. While some non-Catholics see it as worshiping Mary, it is in fact focused on Christ. The mysteries of the rosary are based on important events in the life of Christ. When we meditate on these mysteries we consider these events and how they relate to our own lives and our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Some of us have such an abundance of food while others in this world have so little. This Lent, try fasting from a second helping. Start with a moderate first helping and then stop.

Are you looking for something challenging to do during Lent? Try to fast from comparing yourself to others. When we become more accepting of our own gifts and talents and less envious of what others can do, we can live in a new freedom.

Fasting is one of the pillars of Lent. This is a family activity to determine what to fast from each day.

Almsgiving is one of the traditional Lenten practices. One way to give to the less fortunate is to make blessing bags for the homeless. These care packages can be given to a local homeless shelter or outreach program to be distributed to their clients.  You can also keep blessing bags in your car to distribute to any homeless members of the community you encounter in your daily life.

Sometimes it seems like we have so much to do that we can’t fit another 10 minutes in our schedule. Over scheduling can be a real problem. If we don’t have enough unscheduled time then we cannot live in the moment.

Most of us cannot imagine what it is like to be home-bound and totally dependent on others. Many will response with love and joy when we reach out to them. Send a greeting to a home-bound parishioner.

We worry about so many things. We can worry about money or what others think about us or friendship or a particular situation. Try giving up worrying for Lent.

Gossip impacts our relationships with each other and divides the Body of Christ. And it can easily become a bad habit and a false way to develop a feeling of “belonging”. So fast from it this Lent.

This mediation will take youth through the way of the cross. They will see each station as if they were there. The prayers are meant to relate to their own lives. This is appropriate during Lent or even if you will be offering youth an opportunity for reconciliation soon.

On Holy Thursday, Catholics remember the last supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles. This marks the establishment of the sacrament of the Eucharist and the priesthood.

The Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours  is a really peaceful way to end my day. Some people feel like the Liturgy of the Hours is too “old fashioned” to use with teens and children, but I feel they can appreciate it.

Hot cross buns are traditionally served during Lent, particularly on Good Friday in some parts of the world.  The cross on them reminds us of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The spices used in them are reminders of the fragrant spices used during burial at the time.  #Lent #HotCrossBuns

In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz tells us why we should give alms. It is not to make us feel good about ourselves. But there are some important reasons why we should practice almsgiving.

Fast from refusing help during Lent. If somebody asks for help, and you have the ability to help in some way, then take action. If you need a boost, read the parable of the Good Samaritan.

A loving act of service can be a prayer. Try doing some loving actions this Lent. This can be powerful prayer, especially if the action is difficult for you.

A prayer rock is a simple way to remember to pray each day. Parents can lay them on their children’s pillows so they remember to pray. Teens can keep them in their backpacks or lockers. Anyone can put them on a desk or carry a small one in a pocket or purse.