Lenten Resource Our Lady of the Assumption Parish and Saint Maria Goretti Parish LYNNFIELD CATHOLIC COLLABORATIVE

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1 Lenten Resource LYNNFIELD CATHOLIC COLLABORATIVE Our Lady of the Assumption Parish and Saint Maria Goretti Parish

2 Questions and Answers Lenten and Easter Season Q. When does Lent begin? Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. This year, we celebrate Ash Wednesday on February 14 th. Q. Why are there 40 days of Lent? The number 40 is a symbolic number. In scripture when there is reference to the number 40, it often refers to a period of preparation or of testing. For example, the Isrealites spent 40 years wandering in the desert, Jesus spent 40 days in the desert before beginning his ministry, etc. From Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, there are technically 46 days; however, Sundays do not count in the 40 days, as each Sunday we celebrate the Lord s Resurrection. Q. Why do we practice prayer, fasting and almsgiving? Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving are ways in which we can draw close to God. Prayer helps us develop our relationship with God, fasting helps us to purify us and to be mindful of our dependence on God. Almsgiving helps us to be mindful of not only our own needs but the needs of others. Q. Why do we give up eating meat on Fridays during Lent? Meat is a symbol of luxury and for many, giving up meat is a sacrifice. We are asked to abstain from this luxury on Fridays because it was on a Friday that Jesus died. For more information on Lenten Observances go to:

3 Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative Lenten Resource Dear Parishioners, During this Lenten season, we invite you and your family to participate in the many opportunities for prayer and service we have at both Our Lady of the Assumption Parish and Saint Maria Goretti Parish. In this booklet, you will find information about prayer, fasting, and almsgiving along with Meatless Meal Recipes, Lenten Prayers, and additional Lenten Resources. Through the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, which this booklet outlines, we can see how connected we all are in our humanity and how dependent we all are on God for what we need. In drawing close to God, we are drawn out of our own self to recognize the gifts of life and the commitment we have to caring for and supporting one another. As you and your family make use of this booklet and as we all journey through this Lenten season, may our Lenten practices give us the support we need. And may this Lent be a time of personal renewal and change, a time where we grow in love, and a time in which we can come to see more clearly the face of God in one another. Sincerely, Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative Team

4 Lent and Easter Schedule February 14th: March 25 th : March 29 th : March 30 th : March 31 st : April 1 st : Ash Wednesday 7:00am Mass at SMG 9:00am Mass at OLA 4:00pm Prayer Service at SMG 7:00pm Prayer Service at OLA Palm Sunday Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord s Supper: 7:00pm at OLA Good Friday Stations of the Cross: 3:00pm at SMG Passion of the Lord: 7:00pm at OLA Holy Saturday ~ Easter Vigil Easter Vigil: 7:00pm at SMG Easter Sunday OLA: 7:00am, 9:00am, 11:00am SMG: 8:00am, 10:00am

5 What is prayer? A. The season of Lent is like a journey a journey in discovering the love that God has for us and in growing in relationship to God and with others. As with any journey, there are aids or supports that we can make use of to ease the journey. Prayer is one of those supports. It is from prayer that everything else flows. Prayer is simply talking to God. Sometimes we might ask God for help during a difficult time or we may thank God for all the good that God has given to us. There are many ways that we can pray to God and there are many different forms of prayer. During Lent, we are invited to grow in our relationship with God and we do that, as we do in any relationship, by talking to God. Although our prayers may not always be answered in the way that we want them to be, we know that God always hears what we have to say. A good beginning place to prayer may be to ask God for help in knowing what to say in prayer. Then, we have to be open to listening for the still, small voice of God in our midst.

6 How do we pray? A. There are many different ways that we can pray and there are many different kinds of prayer. What we pray comes from our own heart or may come from the needs we see around us. Different forms of prayer may help us to pray. This Lent, use the guide below to help with your prayer. You can use the guide individually or with your family, inserting your own petitions. Pope Francis Five Finger Prayer (Use your hand as a guide in your prayer) 1. Begin with your thumb. Your thumb represents all of those who are closest to you. Pray for those people in your life that you remember easily (your parents, friends, coworkers, etc.). 2. The next finger is your index finger. This finger represents those who teach you, instruct you and guide you. Pray for them, as they need support and wisdom in their teaching. 3. Your middle finger is your tallest finger, so this finger represents those who are leaders. Pray for those who have authority. 4. The forth finger is the ring finger and happens to be the weakest finger. This finger reminds us to pray for those who may be sick or unwell. 5. And finally, the smallest finger is our pinky finger. This finger reminds us to pray for ourselves. When we are done praying for others, our own needs have a different perspective.

7 What is Fasting? A. Fasting, in addition to prayer, is another Lenten practice or support we can use in this journey towards growing in relationship with God and with others. Though the practice of fasting may have lost some of its meaning, it is a practice that pre-dates the Lenten season as we know it. It is an ancient practice that remains an aid to prayer, reminding us of our dependence on God. Fasting also connects us to the poor and disenfranchised (persons who have suffered from political and social injustices). During Lent, those who are between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence. When fasting, one full meal is allowed along with two smaller meals which together do not equal one full meal.

8 How can we practice fasting and abstinence as a family? A. Although it is those who are between the ages of 18 and 59 that are obliged to fast during Lent, and those between the ages of 14 and 59 that are asked to abstain from eating meat on Fridays, families can always put this Lenten practice into action by eating a meatless meal each Friday during Lent. Families can also fast and abstain from things that are not food. For example, as a family refraining from watching a favorite movie or television show during Lent can be a helpful way to begin talking about why we practice fasting and abstinence. Refraining from watching a favorite movie or television show may also be an invitation to doing something different together. For example, rather than watching a favorite movie or television show, families can volunteer time at a senior center or spend time playing a board game together, etc. Fasting and abstinence can help us realize our dependence on God for what we need. Like the support of prayer, fasting can help us to grow in our relationship with God and others. By practicing and putting prayer, fasting and almsgiving into action, the hope in Lent is that we are able to see more clearly our needs and the needs of those around us and come to know that it is God who is the source of life the one who answers all of our needs.

9 What is Almsgiving? A. That s a great question! Almsgiving itself is a witness to fraternal charity and a work of justice pleasing to God (CCC, no 2462). In other words, it is our response to the call of God to serve and support the needs of others. The Lenten season is a time of renewal and a season in which we are all called to grow in relationship with God and with others. When we allow ourselves to be transformed by God s care and love, it is then that we are able to recognize and respond to the needs of those around us. It is in giving of our love that we can be filled, nourished and sustained. During Lent, we are asked to serve and support others by giving alms.

10 How can we practice Almsgiving as a family? A. Another great question! Sometimes it can be easy to give freely to others. Although at times giving can be difficult. In those moments, we can always ask God to help us. When we are able to recognize our dependence on God, we can be open to hearing God s call for us to love, serve and care for those around us. There are many ways we can give alms, although commonly, many parishes collect Rice Bowls (collection boxes families can take home to put spare change in throughout the Lenten season). Other ways we can give alms include visiting someone who is sick, treating someone with kindness (as you would want to be treated), or giving up something in our own life for the benefit of another. This Lent, the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative will be participating in a Water Well for Zambia initiative, sponsored by the Justice for Jesus group. Instead of Rice Bowls, Alms for Africa bags will be available at the church entrances for you and your family to take home. Spare change can be added to the bag throughout Lent and later returned to the Collaborative Office.

11 Lenten Prayers Throughout the Lenten season, we are invited to deepen our relationship with God. Use the following prayers this Lenten season, saying them in the morning, afternoon, evening, alone or as a family. Prayer for God s Help Loving and gracious God, I ask you to help me along this season of Lent. May my eyes be open to the simplicity this season offers and may my heart be open to the mystery of what the Lenten season brings. In my openness, may I have the courage and strength to reach out to those in need and accept care from others. Amen. Prayer for Openness to Change God, thank you for this beautiful day. As I begin this day, help me to be open to your call within my heart. Help me to grow in love towards you and towards others. May my actions this day reflect your light and your love, and when I fall from doing good, help me to stand back up again so that I can change my ways. This Lent, may my heart by open to hearing your call and may I be open to change. Amen. Prayer for Mindfulness God of all creation, you offer new life through your Son and through the gift of the sacraments. While new life is all around me, it is sometimes difficult to recognize the new life that you offer. Help me to grow this Lent in an awareness of the gifts you place in my life and in a greater appreciation of your care. Help me to have the courage to ask for help. Amen. (from

12 Meatless Meals Tomato and Mozzarella Salad Ingredients: 2 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick 9 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced ¼ inch thick ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 8 fresh basil leaves Directions: Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices on a platter or individual salad plates. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle with oil. Garnish with basil and serve immediately. Easy Crescent Vegetable Pizza Ingredients: 2 Cans Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls 1 Package (8oz) cream cheese, softened ½ Cup sour cream 1 Tsp. dried dill weed 1/8 Tsp. garlic powder ½ Cup small broccoli florets, 1/3 Cup quartered cucumber slices, 1 Plum tomato, seeded, chopped, ¼ Cup shredded carrot Directions: Heat oven to 375. Unroll both cans of dough; separate dough into 4 long rectangles. In ungreased 15x10x1 inch pan, place dough; press in bottom and up sides to form crust. Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely. In small bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, dill and garlic powder until smooth. Spread over crust. Top with vegetables. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours before serving. Cut into 8 rows by 4 rows.

13 Lenten Resources Family Activities

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15 ONLINE RESOURCES: Lenten Resources ~ ~ United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: For information regarding Lenten practices and traditions, go to: Archdiocese of Boston: Check out our diocesan website which has information about diocesan wide events as well as resources about our Catholic faith: Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative: Find us online at for parish and collaborative wide events. Loyola Press: For fun family activities this Lent, check out Loyola Press at: Creighton University: For daily prayers during Lent, check out Creighton University at: Catholic Icing: For Lenten family activities check out the Catholic Icing blog: Look to Him and be Radiant: Check out this blog for Lenten prayer and craft ideas:

16 Prayer for Lent As we continue through this Lenten season, we pray for God s guidance and help so that we may be renewed. May God, the source of grace, help us to move away from sin and towards the newness of Easter joy. May you and your family have a fruitful Lent and joyous Easter season! Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative 17 Grove Street Lynnfield, MA 01940