Ideas for Fasting
Give up one TV show today and spend that time helping a family member.
Give up one TV show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and read the story of the Woman at the Well in chapter 4 of the Gospel of John, verses 5-30.
Give up one TV show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and read the story of the Blind Man in chapter 9 of the Gospel of John, verses 1, 6-11, 35-38.
Give up one TV show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and read the story of Lazarus in chapter 11 of the Gospel of John, verses 1-7, 17-44.
Give up one TV show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and read the story of the Good Shepherd in chapter 10 of the Gospel of John, verses 1-18.
Give up something that you enjoy today (like dessert or snacks) and spend a few minutes praying for the needs of others.
Give up something that you enjoy today (like dessert or snacks) and donate 25¢ to your Operation Rice Bowl box.
Give up buying something new (clothes, CD, magazine, jewelry) and donate 50¢ to your Operation Rice Bowl box.
Give up buying something new (clothes, CD, magazine, jewelry) and donate 50¢ to your Operation Rice Bowl box.
Give up going to a movie or other fun activity and donate the money from this activity to your Operation Rice Bowl box or other people in need in your community.
Think about a bad habit that you would like to change, like telling a lie, yelling at others, getting angry, or putting people down, and choose to avoid that habit and do something positive instead.
Think about someone you are angry with or who has hurt you. Ask God for the courage to forgive and pray for that person each day. Think about one thing that is good about them.
Share lots of smiles today.
Give a hug to everyone in your family.
Compliment each person in your family some time today.
Give up complaining, frowns, and negative thoughts today.
Praying
Read the story of Palm Sunday, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, in the Gospels of Matthew 21:1-11 or Mark 11:1-10 or Luke 19:28-40.
Read the story of the Last Supper of Jesus in chapter 13 of the Gospel of John, verses 1-15.
Read the story of Easter chapter 20 of the Gospel of John, verses 1-9.
Pray the “Our Father” three times today—in the morning when you get up, at noontime, and when you go to bed.
Say a prayer for someone who is sick today.
Pray for a forgiving heart and ask the people you have hurt to forgive you.
Participate in Ash Wednesday services with your family.
Participate in the Stations of the Cross during Lent.
Participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent.
Rent the video, The Prince of Egypt. Watch the video and read the story of Moses from the Book of Exodus, chapters 2-15. Try to read one chapter each day. Be sure to read the story of the Passover in chapters 12 through 13:22.
List three blessings you have been given. Say a prayer to God, giving thanks for the blessings in your life.
Pray for the children and families who are homeless, and think about ways you and your family might help them.
Serving/Almsgiving
Show an act of kindness to each family member today.
Show an act of kindness to a friend and to someone who is difficult to like.
Together with your family, spend time serving others during Lent. Work at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Visit elderly people who are in nursing homes or are shut-ins.
Bring food or clothing to the parish or community food pantry, food bank, or homeless shelter.
Do someone else’s chores one day this week.
Donate a new item of children’s clothing to the local homeless shelter or clothing center.
Go through your closet and find some clothes in good shape to give away to other children who are in need of clothes.
Write a letter or create a card for someone who is sick or might be lonely.
Buy a can of food to give to a food bank or homeless shelter.
Talk with your family about eating one simple meal each week of Lent and putting the money you save in the Operation Rice Bowl box or giving the money to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
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Is abstaining from meat consumption no longer a Friday requirement? My parents used to abstain every Friday of the year, pre-Vatican II. I didn't see it in your list and am just curious. Thanks in advance, Salvation!
Prayers offered up for the health of the Pope, who celebrated Ash Wednesday in the hospital with his doctors.
God bless you! What a FANTASTIC LIST!
Bump for Tribune7 since I recommended the thread for his/her consideration.
We all need to stop and put these things into practice. The world has gone so corrupt.
Whoa?! What's with all this good deeds and sacrifice stuff? I thought faith alone was the trick to getting my pearly gates ticket punched!
TODAY'S TIDBIT
Alms are any act, gift or service of compassion motivated by love of
God and neighbor, for the help of persons in need. Alms has come to
be associated with monetary gifts but it is not limited to this.
I tell him, "So pay him back already!"
(rimshot)
Wow, you're a terrific audience. New shows at 7pm and 11pm. Drive safe, and remember to tip your waitress.
| Friday, Second Week of Lent Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat. |
| Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age. (Genesis 37:3)
Children are not required to fast, but their parents must ensure they are properly educated in the spiritual practice of fasting. Those with medical conditions requiring a greater or more regular food intake can easily be dispensed from the requirement of fasting by their pastor. A day of abstinence is a day on which Catholics fourteen years or older are required to abstain from eating meat (under the current discipline in America, fish, eggs, milk products, and condiments or foods made using animal fat are permitted in the Western Rite of the Church, though not in the Eastern Rites.) Again, persons with special dietary needs can easily be dispensed by their pastor. |
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Bumping an old thread. Some things to think about as we step into Lent on Ash Wednesday.
Bump