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All Faith Formation Articles | 2007 Michigan Catholic Articles

Faith Formation Article
Some of these suggestions may help in faith-filled Lent planning

Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP, Associate Director for Adult Faith Formation for the Office for Faith Formation/Catechetics
Published February 9, 2007

With Lent just around the corner, some wonderings and some suggestions for all of us and for parish planners:

1.) Some of the Gospel writers, in telling us about Jesus' time in the desert (the reading for the first Sunday of Lent) remind us that the Spirit was literally dragging Jesus into the desert. What is the Spirit driving you, dragging you to do this Lent? Lent is about God calling us, not necessarily us deciding … but, what God wants of us. And perhaps the question is not an individual one, but a community one, a parish or archdiocesan one. What does God want of us together? What is God calling us to do as a community? What is God calling us to change together? What is God calling us to make a difference in our community?

2.) Lent has been called our retreat time as a Christian community. Parish staffs and parish councils: Cancel all business meetings in the parish for the Lenten season. Do only those things that relate to the three Lenten practices: prayer, fasting and almsgiving (consider almsgiving in its fullest sense).

If that (no meetings) can't happen (be sure to ask yourself, why can't it — really?), Lent is an ideal time to encourage the use of the Liturgy of the Hours. All parish groups might be encouraged, then, to begin their gatherings during Lent by first joining in the parish Evensong.

3.) At times we as individuals, as well as parish leadership, dread Lent's beginning because it's seen as one more thing "to do." Let's adopt the opposite attitude. It's not about adding in/doing one more thing, but simplifying, going back to the basics — our baptismal discipleship. What do I/we need to let go of in order to live life more abundantly? What do I/we need to do to live God's life of grace in the world more dramatically?

4.) Lent is all about baptism. Preparation for baptism and for renewing baptismal commitment lies at the heart of the season. How, then, are we each (young and old) going to be involved in praying for and supporting those in our parish (and throughout our archdiocese) who are preparing for baptism at this year's Easter Vigil? And what about our own lives of baptismal commitment? Each Lent calls us to look more deeply at its renewal within my everyday life. The celebration of Lent is connected to the core of who we are: our ongoing discipleship rooted in our baptismal commitment. When I/we come to this year's celebration of Easter, will I be more aware of my Baptismal promises, more committed to living as a disciple, living an extraordinary Christian life that transforms the world?

5.) As Lent approaches, what kind of Lenten resolutions will I make? Do we make resolutions that we can't wait for Lent to be over so we can go back to our former way of living? If Lent is about conversion/change, deepening our baptismal way of life, shouldn't we be choosing something during Lent so that, after 40 days, this resolution becomes a part of us? If we decided to spend more time with our family (because we acknowledged that we're a workaholic), would we return to it after Lent? If we spent 10 minutes in morning prayer, would we stop at the conclusion of Lent?

6.) A reminder for parish and vicariate planners (parish staffs, councils and cmmissions): Lent doesn't just happen in the parish buildings; it also has to happen in the domestic church — in the homes of our communities. (In fact, it happens there first and flows back there from our celebrations at the parish/vicariate.) Provide practical and simple ideas for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for all households (singles, couples, families) through the weekly bulletins, newsletters, parish/vicariate websites, email, cable TV, podcasts, blogs, etc.

7.) Lent (deeper conversion) prepares us for Easter. Easter (new life) prepares us for Pentecost (the power of the Spirit to change the world). Do we put all our efforts into planning parish/catechetical activities and observing Lent? What about the Easter season? Does everything stop with Easter Sunday — at the parish and in our homes? Is there a spirit of joy, festivity, and hospitable gatherings at the parish to celebrate life during the Easter season? Are there prayers, rituals and celebrations of life happening at home during the 50 days of the Easter season … because we believe in the Risen Lord?