Lent: What Will be Your Inner Change?

We continue to pray for the people of Japan:

Read 'Help kids (and others) make sense of tragedy' by Dr. Joseph D. White. Written in response to the Haitian earthquake, the advice for helping kids process disasters is helpful today.
Here are ways to help charitably.

Lent is a time of transition. In many places it begins in the cold of winter and ends as the first warm days of spring are coming. For Catholics, too, there are changes. Within the Liturgical Year, we do not show the obvious transition that we see in the weather, but we do experience inner change.

Inspired by Jesus' time in the desert, we seek to change ourselves by taking away worldly distractions. In doing this, we show ourselves what is truly essential: our relationship with God. Another approach to self-improvement is to add spiritual practices to our schedules, such as attending Mass, keeping a spiritual journal, or performing good works for others.

Whatever method we take, we will reap rewards. Our efforts for self-improvement will take root because they are motivated by our love of God.
Have a prayerful and wonderful season of Lent.

God bless! -- Dave
(Email me at ddziena@osv.com to share your suggestions and questions.)

This month on Teaching Catholic Kids

Lent Resources
Support Catholic Schools and Religious Education (OSV Newsweekly Editorial 1/30/11)
Social Networking 101 for Parents
Roman Missal Change blog
Mass revision products from OSV

Activity One: (Grades K-5):Lenten Cross

Activity Two (Grade 6 and up): Read Teens and Cell Phones from the 10/17/10 issue of OSV Newsweekly.Discussion Question: What do you think of the statistics presented? Discuss ways you can limit cell phone use or texting during Lent. Then make a Lenten sacrifice by doing so.

Teacher Pattern: Annunciation Prayer Pots

View for a sample
Order
Author's web site

Lifelong Catechesis Corner: Family reconciliation

Catholic Stewardship for Kids:

Jesus wants us to live in the freedom of his love. As a family, plan to spend time with someone who is feeling trapped physically or emotionally. This could be a young mother who needs time alone away from the kids, a homebound elderly neighbor, or a classmate who is trapped by put-downs, prejudice or poverty.What does the word enemy mean to you? How complete is your love for that enemy? What can you do at home or at school to show that you follow Jesus' Commandments to love one another?
For more ideas, visit the OSV Lifelong Catechesis site»

Soul Food for Teachers: Sit in silence before the cross with your eyes closed. Ask God to be with you. Think about what you can do during Lent to grow stronger as a follower of Jesus.

My Daily Visitor's Daily Meditation»

Catechist Know-How: From Mary Lou Rosien, 'Reset'

Prayer

Jesus, give us the strength to carry our crosses, to help others with their sufferings, as we live and journey toward hope and resurrection. Amen.

(From the March 2011 issue of Take Out: Family Faith on the Go)

Also on www.TeachingCatholicKids.com:

Teaching Catholic Kids

March 2011