Lenten Ideas

Next week begins our Lenten journey.  Ash Wednesday, March 1st, marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 days of preparation for the Easter season when we are called to deepen our spiritual lives through the practices of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. The belief is that these practices will improve our spiritual well-being by stripping away all that is unnecessary, allowing us to become more mindful of how God is working in our lives.
Challenge yourself this year and go beyond the usual practice of “giving up” something.
Make a plan...Lent begins next week!
Here are just a few ideas you may want to try this Lenten season --
*Take something on — 40 days of reaching out to those you don't always get to see or visit, 40 acts of random kindness, 40 phone calls to the important people in your life.
*Get some friends together and attend our Friday fish fry (or pick one at a neighboring parish). The fried fish version is not the healthiest thing in the world (St. Columbkille offers both fried and baked), but a fun Catholic tradition to help you abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent while supporting the parish!
*Get to know your neighbors. Introduce yourself, plan a dinner, or bring food to an older person, single parent or someone dealing with some health issues.
*Go to a weekday Mass one day during the weeks of Lent.
*Gather items you may not be using any more and donate them to help others.