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Featured Website: CRS's Operation Rice Bowl

Each year, Operation Rice Bowl calls us to pray with our families and faith communities; fast in solidarity with those who hunger; learn more about our global community and the challenges of poverty overseas, and give sacrificial contributions to those in need.  For resources, including interactive resources, for your parish community, small faith community, or household to participate in Operation Rice Bowl this Lent, go to http://orb.crs.org/.

Lenten Tradition Intentions

Is not this the fast that I choose:  to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?  Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly...  (Isaiah 58:6-8a)

During Lent, we are encouraged to take part in the tradition of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  As with any tradition, we can participate in the act without really understanding the meaning behind the tradition.  This reading from the prophet Isaiah reminds me to reflect on my intention for my fasting.  What is my intention when I fast?  Why do I fast?  Do I fast in a way that positively touches others?

This Lent, I am trying to fast from complaining and negative thoughts and actions.  My initial intention for my fast is to improve my state of mind, which I know will positively affect my health and life.  But I am hoping, too, that my working toward not complaining and having a positive attitude will rub off on others.  Perhaps when they're with me, they will feel more joyful.  Perhaps they will be inspired to be more positive in their thinking and living.

Lord, may my fasting from complaining help to free others from the oppression of negativity.  Amen.

Lord's Day Faith Chat - First Sunday of Lent - March 1, 2009

 How do you feel after you’ve accomplished a tedious task, like dusting or cleaning your bathroom?  Doesn’t it feel good?!  The season of Lent provides us with time to clean out our hearts and souls.  We can dust away our negative thoughts and clean away our bad habits.  As we repent from our sins and reform our lives to more fully embrace the Gospel, we open ourselves to true joy in Christ Jesus. This season, encourage one another to “clean up” and make room for Christ’s joy inyour hearts.

 

Faith Chat Question:  What is one thing in your life that you would like to re-form?  From what do you need to repent so that you can more fully embrace the Gospel?

Faith Response:  As you embrace the desert of Lent, create a prayer space in your home with a simple cross, a Bible, and perhaps a bowl of pebbles or sand.  Each day throughout Lent, gather in your prayer space to pray for and encourage one another in your Lenten journey.

Pray:  Lord Jesus, we long to join you in the desert this season of Lent.  Help us to repent from our sins and open our hearts more fully to the joy of your Gospel.  Amen.

 

Stations of the Cross for Families

One of the popular Catholic devotions for Lent is Stations of the Cross.  Set up a prayer space in your home with a crucifix and a candle.  Light the candle and reflect on the crucifix as you pray the Stations of the Cross with your family.  Download Stations_of_the_Cross_for_Families.doc (1340.0K)

Lent Journal for Students

To help students engage in the Sunday Masses in their journey through Lent and Easter, download this journal and Lent/Easter calendar.

Download Lent_Journal.doc (198.5K)

Download Lent-Easter_2009_Calendar.xls (27.5K)

Books for Lent

Are you looking for a good read or devotional for Lent?  FaithAliveBooks.com offers Catholic Book Journal blog, eCatechist blog, Best-Selling Catholic Books, and a link to Amazon.com to purchase items.  http://faithalivebooks.com/

Featured Website: FAQ's about Lent

Do you wonder why Christians celebrate Lent?  Why do we give up things during Lent?  When does Lent begin and end?  Why do we abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent?

For answers to these and other questions about Lent, go to

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/lent/faqs.asp

CRS' Operation Rice Bowl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbrwXLLCZxo

Each Lent, Catholic parishes throughout the U.S. participate in Catholic Relief Services' Lenten program, Operation Rice Bowl.  Since 1975, Operation Rice Bowl has inspired Catholics to pray, fast, learn, and give as we increase our understanding of our global community.  ORB connects to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, helping us to understand how our actions impact others around the world.

Video & Virtual Tours:  http://orb.crs.org/interactive/index.cfm

Interactive Map:  http://orb.crs.org/interactive/map/index.cfm

World Awareness Quiz:  http://orb.crs.org/interactive/awareness-quiz/index.cfm

ORB Recipes:  http://orb.crs.org/features/recipes/index.cfm

For more information on Operation Rice Bowl, go to http://orb.crs.org/.

Lord's Day Faith Chat - Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus has the power to heal all of our ailments, physical, emotional, spiritual.  It was once believed - and some may still hold the belief - that one's sinfulness was manifested through physical suffering; one suffered from blindness or paralysis or any other ailment because of one's sins.  While we don't necessarily believe that sinfulness causes physical suffering, we do belief that sinfulness causes spiritual suffering.  Our sins can paralyze us, keep us from truly experiencing God's love and mercy.  Have you ever felt that you could never be forgiven for your hideous sins?  Have you ever not asked for forgiveness out of fear of being shamed or humiliated.  Jesus will look beyond our sins and, without shame and humiliation, heal us, make us whole again. 

Our families and friends often lead us to Jesus for healing.  Through prayers and words of encouragement, they take us to Jesus who heals our spiritual, physical, and emotional ailments.  Through the love of our families and friends and Jesus' grace and mercy, we can be made whole.

Faith Chat Question:

Adults:  What powerful signs have you seen that God forgives and heals us?

Youth/Children:  When have you experienced forgiveness from God or others?  What does forgiveness feel like to you?

Faith Response:  Gather around your kitchen table.  On the table, place a cross, a candle and a Bible.  Light the candle.  Pray the Lord's Prayer as you hold hands.  Then, take turns praying for healing and reconciliation.  At the end, share a sign of peace.

Prayer:  Merciful Jesus, forgive our sins and heal us with your love.  Amen.

Continuing Black History Month

There have been many American people who have dedicated their lives to God and the Church, including a number of people of color.  These men and women of color looked beyond slavery and racism to make a difference in our country, in our Church, and in our world.  Throughout Black History Month, we need to continue to lift them up to God, reflecting on their accomplishments and learning from their examples.

Sister Thea Bowman, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, lived life with hope, love and justice. Born December 29, 1937, in Yazoo City, Miss., Thea was reared as a Methodist until at age nine when she asked her parents if she could become a Catholic.

Gifted with a brilliant mind, beautiful voice and a dynamic personality, Sr. Thea shared the message of God’s love through a teaching career. After 16 years of teaching, at the elementary, secondary and university level, the bishop of Jackson, Miss., invited her to become the consultant for intercultural awareness.

Read more about Sr. Thea:  http://www.nbccongress.org/publications/black-authors/thea-bowman.asp; http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_21_36/ai_61524445.