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Some ideas for Praying, Fasting, Almsgiving:

--> fast from watching television one night each week so that you can spend time on a Lenten practice, such as praying, reading the Bible, serving others

--> fast from one movie during Lent and give the money… and the time in service to others

--> fast from using foul language and put-downs and start affirming the good in other people

--> fast from buying new things like clothes, music, magazines, or jewelry and make a donation…

--> fast from spending money on entertainment and make a donation of time or money that serves others

--> fast from holding resentments and start practicing forgiveness

--> from gossiping or being dishonest and start the practice of always being truthful and honest

--> fast from a favorite snack food or drink and set aside the money you would have spent to donate to a special charity

--> fast from being angry or upset with people who have hurt or offended you, and pray for the courage to forgive them

--> fast from feeling guilty and angry at yourself for things you have done wrong, instead remember God’s great love for you.

--> participate in Ash Wednesday services
--> participate in the Stations of the Cross during Lent
--> participate in the Lenten Sunday liturgies
--> participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent

--> read the Lenten Scripture readings through Lent; here’s a list for each week of Lent: (C)
(1) Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (Ash Wednesday)
(2) Luke 4:1-13 (1st Sunday)
(3) Luke 9:28b-36 (2nd Sunday)
(4) Luke 13:1-9 (3rd Sunday)
(5) Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 (4th Sunday)
(6) John 8:1-11 (5th Sunday)
(7) Luke 22:14:23-71, 23:1-56 (Passion Sunday)
(8) John 13:1-15 (Holy Thursday)
(9) John 18:1—19:42 (Good Friday)
(10) John 20:1-9 (Easter)

--> spend fifteen minutes a day praying during Lent: give thanks to God for all your blessings, prayer for a specific personal need prompted by the day's experience, and prayer for those who are in need or suffering in your community and the world

--> donate personal possessions, such as clothes, books, shoes, to people in need

--> dedicate time for service during Lent, e.g., working at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, helping people in your neighborhood such as the elderly.

--> donate food or money saved by fasting to the parish or community food pantry, food bank, or homeless shelter

--> cook a meal for the soup kitchen or homeless shelter, gather some friends to help

--> volunteer at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter or nursing home several hours per week during Lent

--> learn more about feeding the hungry by contacting Bread for the World, 1100 Wayne Ave., Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301-608-2400)

--> learn more about addressing human rights violations around the world by contacting Amnesty International, 322 8th Ave., New York, NY 10001; 212-807-8400 (amnesty.org)

--> learn more about the ways you can help others around the world by contacting netaid.org.

--> volunteer to read books and magazines to the elderly who are no longer able to read

--> help others learn to how to read by becoming a literacy trainer or volunteer to tutor children

--> work to change the structures of injustice by joining the work of NETWORK, a national Catholic social justice lobby at 801 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Washington, DC 20003-2167 (networklobby.org)

--> work to overcome child sweatshops by supporting the work of Free the Children, which builds rehabilitation and educational centers for children freed from sweatshop labor, (FTP, 603 N. Oak St., Falls Church, VA 22046, 703-534-7045)

--> support the work of the hospice movement to provide compassionate low-cost, in-patient and at-home care for the terminally ill, contact the National Hospice Movement at 1-800-658-8898

--> give the gift of sight by donating old eyeglasses or unused frames to the local Lion’s Club who recycles them to the poor

--> support the national work of Covenant House as they house and care for homeless youth (P.O. Box 731, Times Square Station, NY, NY 10108-0731)

--> support the work of Project Clean Your Desk, which delivers pencils, paper and other supplies to resource-starved rural schools were children drop out because their families cannot afford these provisions. Organizing packets are available from Project Clean Your Desk, Quixote Center, Box 5206, Hyattsville, MD 20782 (301-699-0042)

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List your own ideas with your family.