2022 Lenten Series
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Contact Us
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Ashley Logsdonalogsdonstpius.netDirector, Adult Faith Formation
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5:00 p.m. Mass
5:30-6:15 p.m. Soup Supper
6:15-7:00 p.m. Liturgy & Speaker
NEW THIS YEAR!
6:00-7:00 p.m. Children’s Program
(March 8, 15, 22, 29)
Age-appropriate programming will be offered for children while adults attend the liturgy and speaker.- Ages 1-5: Childcare
- Grades K-5: Kids Session
- Grades 6-8: Middle School Session
- Grades 9-12: are invited to attend the adult session, or volunteer with the kids session
7:00-8:00 p.m. Small Group Discussion
(March 8, 15, 22, 29)
Meet after the Lenten Series presentations and share using discussion questions posed by our speakers.
Tuesday, March 8
We are challenged to care for the poor and vulnerable
PRAYER: Liturgy of the Word
SPEAKER: Fr. Dan Scheidt, Pastor, Saint Vincent de Paul, Fort Wayne
VIEW HERE
Recap: Fr. Dan describes the three obstacles that prevent us from caring for the poor and the vulnerable as: 1. Unending cycle of 24 hours news; 2. Gadgets; and 3. Lack of knowledge for our neighbor. What do we feed ourselves with? Who is our neighbor? And how often do we invite non-family members to our homes for a meal? We can identify the needs of people by knowing our neighbors. Jesus is purifying our eyes to see his presence in those we meet. We need to have network of friends, and be in touch with those friendships. The church is missionary, and Jesus is setting our hearts on fire for mission, and to be missionaries of his mercy and compassion especially for the poor and vulnerable beginning with our neighbors. Finally, he speaks on the importance of forming friendships around the globe that helps us store up treasures in people because those people represent Christ. But these friendships must first begin with our neighbors.
- What is something from Fr. Dan’s talk that stood out to you?
- Oftentimes we think of the poor as a financial classification. But Mother Teresa once said, “the greatest poverty is being unloved, unwanted, and uncared for.” How can we expand our definition of what it means to be poor? Who are people in your daily life that are “poor”?
- Some people say that “the poor need to work themselves out of poverty.” Do you agree with that statement or not?
- How can your personal talents, skills, and interests be used to serve the poor?
- What are barriers in your life to serving the impoverished? What are the barriers to an impoverished person to receiving help?
Tuesday, March 15
We respond by praying
PRAYER: Taizé Prayer
SPEAKER: Dr. Timothy O’Malley, Director of Education, McGrath Institute for Church Life, University of Notre Dame
VIEW HERE
Recap: Dr. Tim O’Malley suggests that our response to the poor and the vulnerable ought to be viewed within the context of the Our Father. If we respond through the lens of prayer, then there is no better way to do this than the prayer Jesus himself thought us. “Prayer is not mastery; it is learning to spend time with the beloved. It is in the “Our Father” that God reveals the wondrous mysteries of his love, and we are to allow our wills be shaped by that mystery of love. In the Our Father, we learn that God cares for our worries; we then bring those worries to God and give space for God to be God. In the Our Father, we also learn to trust in God’s providence, forgive others, and let God’s generosity become our generosity.
- What about Dr. O’Malley’s talk did you find especially surprising, interesting, or challenging?
- When do you struggle to pray? When do you find prayer easy? Why?
- What insights into prayer did you discover tonight? How might these insights help you to pray better?
- Are there any practices that you would like to take up to improve your life of prayer? How might the Lord's Prayer help you take up these practices as a response to God's merciful love rather than a series of techniques of self-mastery?
Tuesday, March 22
We respond by fasting
PRAYER: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
SPEAKER: Dan Allen, Associate Director of Spirituality and Service, University of Notre Dame Alumni Association
VIEW HERE
Recap: Dan Allen agrees that hunger is a universal human experience. Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, and he was hungry. Jesus denies himself of the basic human need and so accomplished the beginning of the work of our salvation. “it is in this self-denial that Jesus resolves to do His Father’s will and die for us.” In his fasting, Jesus was in close communion with His Father in the Holy Spirit, and conquered temptation. As we fast this lent, let us be mindful of those who suffer hunger, ill health, and starvation, lack of water, war, crimes, evils and temptations. What can we fast from this lent? May be technology? “By denying ourselves of some things, we can purify our minds and hearts and so do God’s will.” What is your hearts true desire? What do you hunger for the most? May be simple acts of self-denial can help us get to our ultimate desire.
- What about Dan Allen’s talk did you find especially surprising, interesting, or challenging?
- How does being physically hungry affect you, and what can you do spiritually with that response?
- When deprived of something that you normally have, how can you take that opportunity to consider others who lack daily needs?
- For what does your heart truly hunger, and how can Lent help you reconnect to that?
Tuesday, March 29
We respond by almsgiving
PRAYER: Evening Prayer
SPEAKER: Fr. Joe Corpora, C.S.C., Interim Director for Multicultural Outreach in Campus Ministry, University of Notre Dame
VIEW HERE
Recap: Fr. Joe Corpora, C.S.C. is of the opinion that time, talent and treasure are given to us by God. And the same God, who gives us these gifts, has given us the grace to respond by sharing what we have been given. “Most of us could give away half of everything that we have and not miss it”. It is also important to know that the longer we hold on to something the more we will find reasons to keep it for ourselves. All we have comes from God, and this is the more reason we should make almsgiving a way of life.
- In the Scripture passage for this evening (2 Corinthians 9:6-15) what words most speak to your heart?
- Can you give one example of how you have practiced almsgiving since Lent began?
- Any plans for almsgiving for the remainder of Lent?
- What is one way to practice almsgiving on a daily basis?
- The title of tonight’s talk is “We respond by almsgiving.” To what or to whom are you responding?
- What is one practice of almsgiving that you have taken up for Lent that you can continue doing after Lent is over?
Tuesday, April 5
We ask for mercy
PRAYER: Lenten Penance Service
SPEAKER: Fr. Chris Brennan, C.S.C., Rector of Stanford Hall, University of Notre Dame
VIEW HERE
- Are there sins I have committed that I am afraid are like scarlet and can never be made white as wool?
- What brokenness am I holding onto, what wounds am I protecting, what “rooms” do I not want even God to see, where is my heart hurting? Why? Am I willing to trust God the Father of mercies (words of absolution), and allow his tender mercy (Psalm 25) to heal my heart?
- Where is God calling me to new life and joy through his mercy and forgiveness? How is God inviting me to fuller life and further freedom in the ways I not only receive his forgiveness and mercy but in the ways that I forgive and show mercy? In what concrete ways is God calling me to trust in his mercy?
