Gearing Up for Lent

My Own Little World by Matthew West

Lent is almost here!  Today at the school we started preparing for Lent 2015.

The goal of Lent is self-discipline, NOT sacrifice.  Discipline is what sets us free.  It frees us to choose the good and grow closer to God.

We watched a YouTube from Out da Box with Fr. Jack Collins explaining about Ash Wednesday and the meaning of Lent.  Everyone was encouraged to be creative and look beyond the usual ways to Pray, Fast or Give Alms.

At the end of the presentation we reflected on the Matthew West YouTube - My Own Little World, before breaking into TAP Groups to create locker magnets as a reminder of our commitment for Lent.

For those of you who like lists, here's the list of ideas:

Different Ways to Pray

• Choose a Lenten Theme Song - pray with it once a week.
• Wear a cross - Put one in your locker
• Keep a Journal of God's blessing.

            Write: Record 1 blessing a day - at the end of Lent share the list.
            Photo: Take a pic each day for Lent.
            Art: Draw how God has blessed you
            Zentangle: Create a Zentangle as you pray.

• Try to get at least 40.

• Create a Prayer Calendar and record:  Blessings, Petitions, Gratitude, Daily Prayers, Where you saw God that day
• Create a - Pinterest Board, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram - photo a day, etc.
• Download a prayer app, Make a 3 Minute Retreat each day - Online or with an App
• Go Silent - Lord give me a holy hunger for quiet moments with You!

•  But share it with others!

Plug into the Power of Prayer and Fasting

• Fast from negativity - esp. towards yourself.
• No technology - an hour each day - or at night
• Check email, FB, Twitter once a day
• Get 8 hours of sleep
• Give up salt, ketchup - eat only bland food
• Only listen to Christian music
• Listen to others more than you speak
• Say one nice thing to someone each day
• Give up grudges - forgive and make amends
• Arrive on time
• Do one courageous act a day

Different Ways to Give Alms

• Donate your hair to cancer victims
• Donate blood - if you're over 18
• Choose a social issue - learn about it
• Pay for the person behind you in line
• Clean out clutter and donate to charity
• Only purchase new clothes if you give something old away
• Volunteer at Soup Kitchen, 
• Food Bank
• Go on a street walk

Do Random Acts of Kindness Anonymously

• Listen to your heart
• Visit a sick friend
• Clean the neighbour's walk
• Offer a hug
• Give an unexpected gift
• Make a new friend
• Pick up litter
• Say 'hello'
• Open a door
• Plant a tree
• Help carry a load
• Share a snack
• Cheer up a friend
• Thank a teacher or mentor
• Read to a young child or the elderly
• Lend a hand
• Do a kind act daily
• Leave a thank you note
• Offer your seat
• Cycle courteously
• Be tolerant
• Let another go first
• Bake cookies to share
• Give a compliment
• Help a student make friends
• Donate your gently used items
• Give a balloon away
• Lend a pencil
• Respect others

Choose an Areas where WANT to grow this Lent?

• Kindness
• Perspective
• Fairness
• Spirituality
• Gratitude
• Self Control - Discipline
• Generosity
• Curiosity
• Citizenship
• Loving
• Cautionary
• Creativity
• Appreciation of Beauty
• Open Minded
• Leadership
• Community
• Hope
• Forgiveness
• Perseverance
• Social Intelligence
• Integrity
• Love of Learning