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What is Lent?
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.
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"Remember, You Are Dust And to Dust You Shall Return..."
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Lenten Opportunities 2025
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CRS RICE BOWL 2024
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.
Through CRS Rice Bowl, faith communities in dioceses throughout the United States put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lenten alms donated through CRS Rice Bowl support the work of CRS in more than 100 different countries each year. Twenty-five percent of donations to CRS Rice Bowl stay in the local diocese, supporting hunger and poverty alleviation efforts. Since its inception in 1975, CRS Rice Bowl has raised more than $320 million.
Join us this Lent as we encounter communities in Indonesia, El Salvador, and Uganda 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.
(source: https://www.crsricebowl.org/about)
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walk the labyrinth
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
More resources:
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church
Lessons for Living
Labyrinth Video
See our parish labyrinth!
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CRS RICE BOWL STORIES OF HOPE 2024
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Hallow Blog
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a month agoIn 2024, Hallow’s Pray25 Advent prayer challenge focused on perhaps the most famous Bible verse of all: John 3:16. The simple first reminds us of the depths of God’s love for us–giving us His only... -
a month agoAny student who’s sat down to take a test knows that the final few moments before an exam begins can be incredibly stressful. Did I actually study enough? Do I know the material as well as I think I...
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Lenten eucharistic prayer companions
One last thing: our Lenten Eucharistic Prayer Companions are ready! These beautiful prayer guides will help you keep prayer at the center of your Lenten practices this year by guiding you in connecting an hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament with the Mass. Access the English Ash Wednesday Prayer Companion here and download the full PDF of prayer companions for Lent.
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Lenten eucharistic prayer companions
One last thing: our Lenten Eucharistic Prayer Companions are ready! These beautiful prayer guides will help you keep prayer at the center of your Lenten practices this year by guiding you in connecting an hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament with the Mass. Access the English Ash Wednesday Prayer Companion here and download the full PDF of prayer companions for Lent.
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formed--Your (free) premier catholic streaming source
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Bp. Barron's Reflections
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formed.org
FREE FOR YOU!
Our parishes pay for a subscription to Formed so please check it out! HERE'S HOW:- Go to formed.org/signup.
- Ignore 'create a new account' and enter zip code 53189 in the box.
- St Paul with a Waukesha address will appear (our parishes share the account.)
- Click on that.
- You will be asked to enter your email address.
- Within the next couple of hours you should receive an email from Formed.org.
- Open it and you should be able to START WATCHING. (You might have to click 'sign in' on the top right but from there you should be able to 'start watching').
- Small group ideas: Wild Goose, Metanoia, Brother Frances (for children)
- Browse / search for MANY more options on this parish paid subscription!
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Lenten Regulations for Lenten Fast & Abstinence
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.
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