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As we prepare ourselves to enter into the holy season of Lent, our parish is offering many opportunities for group and individual participation. Lent, as we know, is a time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving but it is also a time to look at ourselves and honestly ask if we are following Jesus’ example to serve one another. It is a time to reflect on what we do well and the things we need to work on. Each week of Lent we will be presented with a “theme” and three suggested ideas of how to live out that theme during the week. These are merely suggestions to illustrate the theme and to help you discern a way to best incorporate Jesus’ message of being Eucharistic people willing to bend down in humble service as we are called to do by virtue of our baptism.
Week 1 - “Acts of Kindness”
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
1. Pay attention to people who cross your path (make eye contact, share a smile, say “hello”)
2. Reach out to someone you have not been in touch with for a while
3. Refrain from engaging in sarcasm/judgement/gossip
Week 2 - “Care of the Earth (water, our most precious resource)”“Access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights.” Pope Francis
1. Conserve personal water use (don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth, take a shorter shower)
2. Become aware of world water issues/needs - www.charitywater.org
3. Use a refillable water bottle instead of plastic disposable ones
Week 3 - “Feed the Hungry”
If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. Isaiah 50:10
1. Donate to our monthly collection of groceries for St. Mary’s at next Weekend's Masses (March 10/11)
2. Have one simple meal or refrain from purchasing a “treat” (i.e. Starbucks, a deli) and give the money you saved to a cause for the hungry
3. Contribute to a world hunger organization:
www.worldvision.org
www.heifer.org
www.savethechildren.org
Week 4 - “Clothe the Naked”
“And he would answer and say to them, ‘The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.’” Luke 3:111. Drop off clothing to the Catholic Charities bin outside of the Ministry Center2. Instead of buying something new for yourself, buy a new article of clothing or outfit and donate it to a local shelter3. “Clothe” someone with love and compassion by reaching out to someone who is homebound or sending a note to someone who might be lonely
Week 5 - “Patience and Forgiveness”