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Our Lenten Journey 2016
Lent is a time of spiritual preparation, re-focusing our hearts and minds on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus that enabled us to be co-heirs in his heavenly kingdom. The acts of penance and fasting during Lent unite us with Christ’s suffering. Join us as we begin our forty day journey toward Easter.
Lenten Disciplines ALMSGIVING, FASTING AND PRAYER Jesus taught that giving alms makes others’ needs our own. give witness to our solidarity with those less fortunate. During Lent, instead of focusing on ourselves, we are to Fast and abstinence are an expression of our desire to be focus on others, especially the neediest around us. We converted in our hearts, to be reconciled with God and don’t need to be wealthy to give. We can give of our time, each other. our talents, or our material resources. Jesus teaches that Catholics who are 18 to 59 years old are to fast on Ash when we give, we also receive. Many choose to sacrifice Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting refers to the quantity some of their own luxuries during Lent, setting aside that of food eaten. Traditionally, fasting calls for refraining from money for the poor. eating between meals and consuming only one full meal Ashes to Easter Lenten Boxes: Last year your support per day. Some food is permitted which will not equal of the Lenten “mite” boxes benefitted multiple ministries another full meal. The U.S. Catholic bishops also call for around the world. These ministries, chosen by the Diocese all Catholics 14 years and older to abstain from meat of Austin included missions and missionaries from some of on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and the Fridays of Lent. the poorest nations. Your donations to the Lenten boxes Abstinence forbids the consumption of meat, but not of do make a huge difference! Please look for Lenten boxes eggs, milk products or condiments made of animal fat. in the Church (or make your own) and return them during We are also called to the spiritual self-discipline of prayer. Holy Week. Your generosity to those who need it most is Jesus taught us that prayer is more than words. We are to gratefully appreciated! pray with attention and intention, locking out noise and Fasting is an ancient religious discipline with a two-fold trivial things that lay claim to our hearts. Setting aside a purpose. First, it gives us an awareness of the basic needs daily prayer time during Lent can lead us to a lifetime of of life and demonstrates our mastery over our appetites. communion with God. Scheduling dedicated prayer time Secondly, this sacrifice leads to clarity of thought, which is a in our Perpetual Adoration Chapel is a good way to make powerful tool for prayer. By fasting we signify our oneness prayer a primary focus in your life. with the Lord, acknowledge our need for conversion and A newsletter of st. louis catholic church • 7601 burnet road, austin, tx • www.st-louis.org