Many Catholics make promises to themselves to fast, pray and give alms during Lent. Leaders around the diocese were asked to share what they plan to do this year to make the season more meaningful.
“I plan on making this Lenten season meaningful by participating in our parish’s (Cathedral of St. Andrew) study of the Mass. The parish is offering ’A Biblical Walk Through the Mass’ that will go through all the parts of the Mass discussing the biblical foundations and included in this study is a discussion of all the changes in the new Roman Missal.”
Chuck Ashburn, diocesan religious education and Christian initiation director
“Reaching out in a different way to a different person every day during Lent, and praying that I can then continue doing it for the rest of my life.”
Deacon Bob Crawford, Mountain Home
“As a child I always gave up candy or ice cream for Lent. As an adult the most important thing I have to give is my time. So during Lent I take each week and give of my time to others, including the Lord. I spend an extra hour in the adoration chapel and pray for those who normally do not have anyone else to pray for them, I visit someone in a nursing home or a shut-in and offer that up to the Lord for their intention. I also often work at the church doing extra things that may need doing in preparation for the season. I also think it is a good time to go to spend studying Scripture and attending stations.
“At St. Mary’s we have the Lenten nail program and we pick one penance nail each week and perform that penance. It may be cleaning the church, sending cards to everyone on the sick list, giving to the poor, spending time serving at the Jackson House for crisis management, including the soup kitchen, praying the rosary every day for the intentions of the parish and, of course, all of this is done to give honor to the Jesus for dying for us and as we give that precious time dedicate it for thanksgiving and love of Jesus.”
Betty Harrison, Hot Springs
“I plan to increase my giving of my time and energy during Lent this year in areas that make a difference to senior citizens.”
Dr. Jim Hattabaugh, principal of Trinity Junior High School, Fort Smith
“This year I’m borrowing an idea from a friend of mine. I plan to write a short note of thanks each day to family, friends, teachers and mentors telling them how much they mean to me.”
Beth Roberts, DRE, Christ the King Church, Fort Smith
“This year I also hope to start a new tradition with my class called Gather In My Name. The goal of the event is to learn how to incorporate prayer, penance and good works in our daily lives, grow closer to Jesus, and to observe what the true meaning of Lent is all about. … Throughout the week, we are on the lookout for classmates who are showing love for God and others. Each student has a special Lenten calendar on the wall. When someone sees a classmate displaying love, they draw a cross on the other student’s calendar. The goal is to become more aware of the love that surrounds us on a daily basis.”
Hannah Guzman, second- and third-grade teacher, St. Raphael School, Springdale
“I plan on visiting the adoration chapel on a weekly basis and spend more time listening to God and less time talking.”
Kathleen Weidman, second-grade teacher, Immaculate Conception School, Fort Smith
“Each Lent instead of giving something up, I try to incorporate a positive influence in my life. It may be reading daily Scripture or a devotional, purposefully saying thank you to a different person each day, making an effort to smile at strangers I encounter or completing a service project with my family each week. These acts help me become more like Jesus and open up my heart for his love and forgiveness.”
Ann Cannon, director of curriculum and professional development, Immaculate Conception School, Fort Smith
“Our teachers and staff are responsible for one of the Lenten meals after Stations of the Cross. This is a wonderful way to build community and share with other members of our parish.”
Sharon Blentlinger, principal, Immaculate Conception School, Fort Smith
“I have come to the realization that doing something ’for’ God has more meaning than ’giving something up.’ I now make an effort to do something daily that I don’t ordinarily do to grow in my relationship with God. My time is the most valuable thing I have, so I offer that to God. Saying a daily rosary helps me to grow closer not only to the Lord but also to Mary. I will also spend more time in the adoration chapel, giving that time to God in prayer. I am sure that I will ’give up’ something materialistic, but I don’t consider that as important as the additional daily time I spend with him.”
Deacon Don Greenway, Little Rock
Click here to return to the Lent 2012 index page. 
