Catholic dad Ryan Langr writes: What to give up for Lent is one of the hardest decisions I have to make all year (yes, I’m spoiled). One of the reasons I fret so much about it is that I wonder how meaningful or how difficult the penance would actually be. While a Lenten penance is really only required to change your heart, having something that can affect others or the world is a definite bonus (and often much harder). One of my biggest concerns lately has been global warming and the state of our environment, and indeed Pope Francis thinks this is a huge issue as well. So we recycle, drive fuel-efficient cars, and try not to use so much heat or AC. So this Lent, if you want some extreme fasting and penance with an eco-friendly bonus, check out the following five suggestions about what to give up for Lent. They may be hard, but they’re to change your heart . . . and model care for God’s creation for your kids! You’ll find ideas online.
5 easy activities for a Lenten retreat for kids
Last year when Catholic mom Karrie Marascia was looking through her church bulletin, she saw that an adult Lenten retreat was being held for most of a Saturday. She had an idea about doing a smaller version of a retreat for her family and gave it a try with her eight children. Online you’ll find the activities, and how they worked out, from putting together blessing bags to an in-home Stations of the Cross.
Palm Sunday celebrations
Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to celebrate Passover before his death as recounted in the Gospels. In today’s post you’ll find explanations of the important Palm Sunday symbols to share with your Catholic kids.
The contradictions of sacrifice
Sacrifice is a weird concept. This Lenten season, let’s all try to live with sacrifice’s messy and contradictory rules: Give until it hurts. Give yourself credit. Give it up to God.
What more do you want of me during Lent?
As parents of young children, when Lent comes around each year, I sometimes find myself thinking, “What else do you want from me, Lord?” This is probably the wrong way to look at Lenten sacrifice. The spirit with which we approach the sacrifice matters.