“A priest friend posted the following image on Facebook this morning, describing it as “artsy church decor for Lent,” “I was wondering how other churches decorated for the season and found some examples while Googling,” says deacon Greg Kandra in his blog “The Deacon’s Bench” Have a look at what he discovered
Posts Tagged ‘Lent’
Movies that promote reflection for Lent
Tuesday, March 17th, 2015
On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, Pope Francis outlined a program for Lent in his homily, using for his inspiration the readings of the day from Book of Joel, Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians, and the Gospel of Matthew. Some of the themes correlate well with films that tell stories that foster reflection, conversation and Read more
Twitter reveals top 100 ideas for Lent 2015
Friday, February 27th, 2015
Nearly one in five Americans observed Lent last year. This year, more than 400,000 tweeted about their fast. Food and technology remained the most popular categories that tweeting Americans reported giving up in 2015. The top five choices: School, chocolate, Twitter, alcohol, and social networking All ideas consistently popular for Christians since Smith began using Read more
Irish bishop suggests people give up booze for Lent
Tuesday, February 24th, 2015
Dublin’s auxiliary bishop has suggested that people give up alcohol for Lent, or at least cut down on their intake. Bishop Éamonn Walsh said this would make sense from both health and economic perspectives and would give “the body a rest”. The bishop suggested money saved might be donated to institutions which help people with Read more
40 hours the short version – 24 Hours for the Lord
Tuesday, February 24th, 2015
The Archbishop of Wellington, John Dew has invited all of the parishes in the Archdiocese to take part in a “new look” form of the 40 Hours, a devotional practice which used to be common in New Zealand. He has suggested parishes celebrate 24 Hours for the Lord beginning on Friday 13 March and concluding on Read more
Lent: entering the time of ashes
Friday, February 20th, 2015
The funeral procession was lengthy that late January day, crawling down the parkway. I was at the intersection, stalled between errands and an afternoon of teaching; counting the minutes, wondering how many cars the cortege numbered. I knew what was coming, just around the corner. After Groundhog Day and Valentine’s: Ashes. The crush of pitch Read more
A new look at Lent
Tuesday, February 17th, 2015
I’ll admit it: I was dreading reading Marcellino D’Ambrosio’s new book, 40 Days, 40 Ways: A New Look at Lent (Servant Books). It didn’t help that it arrived and demanded my attention on the cusp of fall, when I did not want to think about Lent. (Granted: I never really want to think about Lent. I am not one of those “I love Lent” Read more
Pope Francis gives away thousands of books of gospels
Friday, April 11th, 2014
Pope Francis gave away tens of thousands of free pocket-sized copies of the gospels to crowds filling St Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus on April 6 It was given as an encouragement to read the Word of God, reported the Catholic News Agency. They were handed out among the crowd by volunteers. “Last Sunday Read more
6000 youth sign up to Caritas Challenge
Friday, April 4th, 2014
Over 6,000 youth will be participating in Caritas Challenge events in New Zealand this week end. The Caritas Challenge is an annual 24-hour event for schools and youth groups during Lent At Garin College in Nelson, for example, over 170 students are spending Saturday night in cardboard boxes on the school’s tennis courts and going Read more
Virtue of eating less meat
Friday, April 4th, 2014
Abstaining from animal products during a period of fasting is a practice that dates back to early Christian monastic tradition. This tradition persists in the Orthodox Churches where even today fasting is characterised by abstinence from all animal products. But while abstaining from meat in the Roman tradition is mainly associated with the sacrifice of Read more