Ash Wednesday & Lent

Even though it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, Ash Wednesday is one of my favorite days on the liturgical calendar.  There is something very moving about receiving the ashes and reflecting on the journey of Lent culminating in blessing of Easter.  I can remember tears as each of my children received their ashes for the first time as infants.  And each and every year, I say I'm going to take a picture of them with their ash crosses.  This year I finally did it.  

I also did something else for the first time this Ash Wednesday, I pulled the kids out of school to attend the Ash Service.  Since Ash Wednesday fell on Brian's birthday this year, I was trying to find a way to balance getting our ashes with celebrating Brian's birthday.  So, I kept Birdie home from preschool and picked up the big kids from school to attend church.  They were some of the only kids in the service and I had several of my friends tell me they wished they had done the same thing.  Due to the timing of the service, poor Daniel had to wolf down his sack lunch in the car on the short drive from the church back to school.   He survived.  

This year for Lent, it seems we are all doing something a little different.  Ashley & Daniel each chose to give up something.  Ashley gave up playing Wii and the computer; Daniel gave up chocolate; Brian gave up eating meat and drinking Diet Dr. Pepper.  For me, this year isn't so much about giving up as it is about prayer.  In addition to giving up evening tv and talking on my cell phone in the car, I am adding Friday mass & rosary and a few other personal devotions.  This should make for an interesting 40+ days.   Lots of giving up in our house.  

The kids have each chosen a new prayer to learn for Lent.  Ashley surprised me with the Hail, Holy Queen and Memorare.  Daniel has the Our Father and Act of Contrition on his mirror.  And Birdie is learning the Hail Mary and Glory Be.  The kids and I have also committed to praying the rosary together  once a week. So far, they have surprised with their attention.  

This is a wonderful time of year to turn our focus towards the cross and inward as we prepare to celebrate God's gift to mankind on Easter.  

And Happy Birthday Honey!

40 Days of Reflection, Conversion and Preparation

We find ourselves starting this solemn time of the liturgical calendar once again.  After many years of giving up food items, I have decided to focus my Lenten efforts on non-food habits for 2010.  

The first is no television on weeknights after 10 p.m.  That might not sound like a big deal, to you but Brian and I typically do not go to bed until midnight or later and watching TV is a huge time consuming pit.  

The second item Brian doesn't even think I will be able to do - he actually laughed at me when I told him!  It is, that I will not talk on my cell phone while driving, even with hands free.  This will be an extremely tough one!  Basically, if I am driving, I'm talking on the phone.  My hope is that by giving up the phone in the car I will regain some quiet time when by myself and spend more time talking with the kids while driving. So please know, if you call me and I don't answer, I could be driving!  Day 1 yesterday was tough, but I did it. Only 39 more to go.

In addition to these two big items I have a short list of personal Lenten resolutions I will be working on these 40 days. I'm attempting to find a balance between prayer, sacrifice and alms giving that will help me truly prepare for Easter without overwhelming myself.  The kids are also getting into Lent and have also developed a short list to focus on that includes helping others and prayers.

If you need some ideas for Lent (which isn't just for Catholics anymore), I've been writing about it over at Of Sound Mind and Spirit and will continue with ideas until Easter, or until I run out.

We wish you blessings as you start your own Lenten journey this year.

It's that Time of Year

Yes, it's Lent. For us Catholics, it is not only about no meat on Fridays, 2 days of fasting, and walking around with ashes on your forhead, it is a time of reflection, sacrifice and conversion. While listening to a Lenten podcast at CatholicMom.com I heard a great list of 40 Lenten Resolutions. It was great and very inclusive. I've already made three resolutions for the year, but might add a few of these to my personal list.

Forty Lenten Resolutions by Sherry Antonetti Ash Wednesday is February 6th. With the season right around the corner, here are a few ideas for how to begin the spiritual journey into the desert to prepare for the suffering, death and resurection of our Lord.

40. Going to Mass an extra time or two a week.
39. Giving up caffeine.
38. Volunteering in the Soup Kitchen or a Hospital for a few hours a week.
37. Surrendering credit cards.
36. Saying a daily Rosary.
35. Sharing the daily readings at Dinner.
34. Fasting from all fast food.
33. Taking on a Novena or devotional.
32. Adding an hour of adoration to your weekly regimen.
31. Becoming a lector, usher or Eucharistic Minister.
30. Writing to friends and representatives about one’s faith.
29. Going to the gym or exercising daily.
28. Abstaining from a favorite food.
27. Refraining from unpleasant, catty or snarky comments.
26. Saying I love you daily to all of your family.
25. Offering up the most hated chore you have, performing it with a cheerful heart.
24. Receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation and trying to avoid the near occasion of sin.
23. Becoming more educated on the catechism of the Church or it’s history.
22. Matching all extra spending in charity giving.
21. Eliminating television.
20. Banning the cell phone, or blackberry, or computer when not at work.
19. Visiting the sick, the elderly or the imprisoned.
18. Pray for the souls in Purgatory.
17. Seeking reconciliation with estranged family and friends.
16. Giving up a time fritterer –surfing the net, shopping, television, telephone, etc.
15. Having meatless meals all 40 days.

14. Inviting others to mass with you.
13. Clearing out the closets of excessive toys and clothes that can be donated to charity.
12. Comfort the mourning with food, presence and prayer.
11. Contributing to Catholic Charities or an Order.
10. Give masses as gifts for the year.
9. Witnessing to Life via a protest of the abortion, writing letters or participating in a prayerful witness.
8. Host families for dinner on Friday. Discuss your faith.
7. Resolve to sing loudly if not well, at mass, with joy and reverence.
6. Help with the Catechism program of your Church, become a witness for your Faith.
5. Get more involved in the parish and Diocese, find out where help is needed and become that help.
4. Give up any unhealthy habit that keeps you from becoming closer to Christ . (addictions).
3. Spend time discovering a Saint’s faith through their writings.
2. Ask for the graces you lack, daily.
1. Spend time every day, thanking God for His Son.
Have a joy filled Lent!

If you want to read more of Sherry, she has a humor blog at http://sherryantonettiwrites.blogspot.com/ or catch her column at Catholic Mom http://www.catholicmom.com/antonetti.htm