Advent & Lent

Seasonal faith formation opportunities exist within the season of Advent, Lent and Easter. Some of the annual events include the Women's Advent Tea, the Children's Christmas Pageant, Stations of the Cross, Good Friday prayer service, and Easter Vigil. Other special formation and worship opportunities are made avaiable during these seasons as well. 

Lenten Activities 2017

“Is Something Missing in Your Life?”

This is our 2017 Lenten theme asking us to look into our lives to see if anything is missing that might keep us from the closest relationship possible with Jesus.

There are a variety of activities coming up to help draw you into a closer relationship with Jesus! All are welcome!

Daily Lenten Email

There is a free daily email Lenten program called "Best Lent Ever" which is made available through Dynamic Catholic. Beginning Ash Wednesday, participants will receive daily emails with practical tips, short inspirational videos from Matthew Kelly, and personal reflections from Dynamic Catholic team members. Participants will discover how to open their hearts to God and do more than just give up chocolate for Lent, leading to the best Lent ever. If you would like to participate, visit BestLentEver.com to sign up.

Preparing for Lent

Praying together as a family is a great way for families to communicate with God and with each other. Family prayer brings us closer together. Using our Lenten devotional books can help and keep focus on our three traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

• Prayer – use the age appropriate devotions provided for both yourself and your children. It can help nourish yours and their spirituality.
   
• Fasting - encourage both “giving up” but “adding to.” Having discipline in our lives is healthy and “giving up” is one way to help build that. During Lent “giving up” helps develop an appreciation and a thirst which we should use to help develop a greater appreciation for our faith and a thirst for God in our lives. In addition to giving up a favorite food or activity consider adding an activity or habit. Practice complimenting others, expressing gratitude, and being helpful. Fast from bad habits; practice good habits. Add renewed emphasis that family and faith have priority over all.
   
• Almsgiving – We talk about helping others and do so in many ways helping out in various outreach activities; the sandwiches we are making for the Soup Kitchen and the Homeless Shelter, bringing in canned goods, making blankets. These are all wonderful! But almsgiving (making monetary contributions to an outreach ministry) is also needed. The Rice Bowl is a perfect example, and is one of so many areas our parish family supports. As a family find out how many ministries and agencies St. Edith gives to and explain the reason why we do this to your children. Encourage them to join in gathering those loose coins. Make it real to them.