Leaning into Lent

The StargazerNews

Leaning into Lent

Lent is here. A time for intentional living and self-examination, of preparing our hearts for Easter by connecting and reconnecting with God through praying, pausing, refraining, and giving. How will you participate in the season of Lent over these next 40 days?

This week, each student at HNMCS was given “Lent in a Bag”, a kit that was carefully put together by students in the Spirituality & Justice Council. The bag, which is meant to help students, their parents, and the entire family enter more deeply into this sacred time, contains food for thought: symbols of the season paired with reflection questions as well as ideas for actions to grow your spiritual life each of the 40 days.

In addition to this, we have also a compiled list of various Lenten resources to spark devotion and increase participation this season. We encourage you to take a look through the contents of the bag as well as the resource page and take advantage of this time to strengthen faith as a family over the March Break.

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Pope Francis, let us continue to pray for him, has spoken many inspiring words during his pontificate. For Lent, he has redirected the conversation away from giving up material things like chocolate, sweets, alcohol and instead, points us to fast from habits of mind or ways of being that create dis-ease and chaos in our own lives and the life of the world. Do you want to fast this Lent? Reflecting on the words of Pope Francis, why not consider a different kind of fast this year?

    Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
    Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
    Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
    Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
    Fast from worries and have trust in God.
    Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
    Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
    Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.
    Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
    Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
    Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.
    - Pope Francis

May God give you peace, new awareness, and perseverance this Lenten journey.

- Matthew Snowdon, Director of Mission & Ministry