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For many of us, our years primarily consist of immersing ourselves in the distractions of work, school, families, and politics. We have little time for self-reflection, no emphasis on self-improvement. But Lent forces us to sacrifice, calling us higher and challenging our normalcy for the better. Through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we can become Christlike. We reorient our lives to point back to God, not to ourselves or selfish desires. We are made for Jesus. We are made for heaven.
That is why this Lent we are launching our Spark Your Spirit campaign. We want to aid you by making this your best Lent possible and remind you that we are walking with you through the deserts of Lent and COVID-19. We are challenging our parish family to go deep, whether it be by attending Mass in person or online; fasting from social media; or reconnecting with friends and family. As your faith community, our only job is to call you higher and lead you deeper in relationship with Jesus. Come pray with us!
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Weekly Reflections
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I don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels like the past year has been one long Lent. The coronavirus pandemic began shutting down society just a couple weeks after Ash Wednesday last year. Since then, we have experienced prolonged times of imposed fasting and abstinence. It has felt like a long spiritual desert where our religious practices and community gatherings have been disrupted. Like Jesus in the wilderness, as a church and a nation we have experienced a season of temptations which we haven’t always resisted. Our faith in institutions, religious and secular, have been put to the test. (continue reading by clicking on post title)Read More
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Like many of us, the start of COVID-19 was a shock to my normal routine. I welcomed the “two-week” lockdown as a nice retreat from my normal busy life, but as it continued for months, I started to welcome more vices into my life. The lockdown meant more screen time, more food, and no friends. My laziness took over! We had an excuse to be lazy, and I definitely took advantage. (continue reading by clicking on post title)Read More
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Make a Friend
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“Anxious hearts are very heavy, but a word of encouragement does wonders.” - Proverbs 12:25
We have been isolated from our faith community because of COVID-19. Even now, after months of COVID, we have parishioners who continue to be stuck at home and isolated. We want to help!
For this project, we are teaming up with the Pastoral Care’s Sunshine Committee. They have been writing letters for the past 30 years to shut-ins, people with illness, those in jail, those grieving, and so many more. We are recruiting volunteers to become Pen Pals for those in our community!
What's the commitment? Simply agree to send a letter once a week throughout Lent. (Please keep in mind that the resident you write to may or may not respond.)
Whom do you know living in isolation due to COVID-19? It could be an Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishioner or one of your own friends or relatives. First, check to see if they would like to have a Pen Pal and then complete the form. Thank you for helping to care for the lonely, especially during this difficult time of isolation.
If you have any questions or trouble using the form, please contact David Koch directly at kochd@olmc1.org
OR
If you would like to learn more about the Sunshine Committee email sunshine@mercifulhelpcenter.org
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Challenges
Pray
- Attend daily Mass at least once a week.
- Read the Sunday readings before Mass.
- Read Daily Lenten Reflections.
- Commit to attending the Stations of the Cross every Friday.
- Sign up for an Adoration Hour.
- Join our Lenten Contemplative Prayer Group every morning or on set days (7 - 7:15 a.m. via Zoom).
Fast
- Abstain from eating between meals.
- Get a full night’s sleep (at least seven hours is recommended).
- Practice regular, intense exercise.
- Abstain from watching television, movies, or televised sports.
- Abstain from non-essential material purchases.
- Only listen to music that lifts the soul to God.
- Only use the computer for work, school, and essential tasks.
- Abstain from non-essential texting, app, and internet usage.
- Observe Wednesdays and Fridays as days of fasting (defined as abstaining from meat and only eating one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal).
Give
- Evaluate what you give to OLMC, the diocese, and local charities.
- Sacrifice a daily or weekly pleasure item (like your cup of coffee), and put the amount you would have spent in a Rice Bowl.
- Give your time to a charity or a friend by volunteering to help.
- Get to know your neighbors.
Download the OLMC 2021 Lenten groups, events, & resources
Download the Lent Challenge Calendar
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Lenten Resources
Podcasts
- Catholic Stuff You Should Know - Fr. Mike Rapp
- Do Something Beautiful - Leah Darrow
- Every Knee Shall Bow - Michael Gormley & Dave VanVickle
- Word on Fire Show - Bishop Robert Barron
- All Things Catholic - Dr. Edward Sri
- The Liturgy Guys - Liturgical Institute
YouTube Channels
Books
- Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves
- The Screwtape Letters
- Searching For & Maintaining Peace
- Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing & Following Jesus
OtherFORMED.org
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