Lent Info & Activities-2023

Lent is the period of time that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday (a.k.a.: Mass of the Lord's Supper). It is a time to delve deeply into our need for a Redeemer and Savior. This is a time to prepare our hearts to fully recognize why Jesus died on the cross, was buried and rose again on the third day. It reminds us of our human frailty, because Lent is not easy! But that's the point. as Lent is supposed to remind us that we NEED God in our lives.



During Lent, we want to "die" to our selfishness so that we may truly be alive in Christ. There are ideas on this page for how you can keep Lent holy.

"Remember, You Are Dust And to Dust You Shall Return..."

Prayer

During Lent we NEED to spend time in prayer! There are so many different ways that you can spend time in prayer. You could pray the Rosary (or part of the Rosary) everyday, read the daily readings for Mass, go to Mass more often, find a good spiritual book to read and the list goes on. Need a place to start and don't know what else to do? Check out the 1% Challenge! It's simple and easy to do.

Fasting

Fasting is probably the most well known Lenten activity and some would argue that we shouldn't focus on this aspect because it's 'negative.' However, God doesn't want us to rely on anything (food, phone, etc.) as a crutch. He wants us to be free and rely on Him. So, why not do some soul searching and try to find something that you really need to surrender to the Lord? You never know... you could be freer than you have ever been before! But... don't make your penance the penance of others... bear it cheerfully!

Almsgiving

To really understand almsgiving, we need to understand the broader concept of stewardship. We can summarize this as an acknowledgement that EVERYTHING we have comes from God. Everything is a gift - even the air we breathe! So almsgiving is acknowledging we have been given so much by giving to those in need. And when we give to those in need, we are giving to Jesus. Think outside of the box. It could be as simple as writing a letter to someone every day.

The Catholic Church asks each member to preserve the penitential character and purpose of Lent. For this reason: 

• Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and each Friday of Lent.
• Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, in addition to abstaining from meat, should fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Hence, on those days they should eat only one full meal. Smaller quantities of food may be taken at two other meals, but no food should be consumed at other times during those two days. The obligation of fasting ceases with the celebration of one’s 59th birthday.

Catholics should not lightly excuse themselves from these
prescribed minimal penitential practices. 

FEBRUARY 24 (ST. PAUL) (stay for the fish fry!)
MARCH 3 (ST. BRUNO) 
MARCH 10 (ST. BRUNO) (stay for soup!)
MARCH 17 ( ST. PAUL) (stay for the fish fry!)
MARCH 24 (ST. BRUNO)
MARCH 31 (ST. PAUL) (last fish fry--don't miss it!)

Join us every Friday of Lent from 6-7pm at the parish locations above.

Why do Catholics walk/pray the labyrinth during Lent? 

According to an online source, "in Christian practice, the Labyrinth is designed to provide inner space for listening to God. It is to be a tool for prayer – in a sense, another posture for prayer. The motion of silent steps brings the heart and mind into a closer walk with God. Walking the Labyrinth allows the mind to relax and become aware."  (https://www.stmichaelcanton.org/126)

You can walk the Labyrinth at St. Paul! This reflective exprience has been described by parishioners as:

• engaging and relaxing
• powerful
• reflective
• empowering
• comforting

More resources: 
St. Micahel the Archangel Catholic Church
Lessons for Living
What is a Labyrinth?

Labyrinth Video
 

Mens Groups:
Dynamic Men's Group (St. Paul)
Holy Name Society (St. Bruno)

Women's Group:
Rooted (St. Bruno)

Lenten Speaker Series:
Thursdays beginning March 1 at St. Bruno
7pm

Holy Moments Book Club

The weekend of February 18 and again on Ash Wednesday, there will
be copies of Matthew Kelly’s latest book Holy Moments, a Handbook
for the Rest of Your Life.

Please take one for your family as a gift from
the parish. Sign up for the Holy Moments Challenge this Lent:
https://www.holymomentschallenge.com/

A Holy Moment is a single moment in which you open yourself to God. You make yourself available to Him.You set aside personal preference and self-interest, and for one moment
you do what you prayerfully believe God is calling you to do...Some mo-
ments are holy, some moments are unholy, and our choices can guide a
moment in either direction. This is an enormously empowering truth.”

CRS Rice Bowl is the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, the official relief and development agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Join us this Lent as we encounter communities in Honduras, the Philippines and Kenya that are overcoming hunger and the impact of climate change with the prayers and support of people like you.
Watch their stories here and see how God is moving them to victory. 

Don't forget to pick up a Rice Bowl from the Gathering Space and return your donations during Holy Week!

STORIES OF HOPE VIDEOS--LENT 2023

Week 1: A Journey to Three Countries

Week 2: A Story of Hope from Honduras

Week 3: A Story of Hope from the Phillipines

Week 4: A Story of Hope from Kenya

Week 5: The Fruits of Our Lenten Sacrifice