This year, St. Michael's is asking teens and students not to give something up for Lent, but do something instead. Here are some great ideas from LifeTeen on how to get the most out of this Lenten season!
Ideas for Fasting:
Give up one TV Show today and spend that time helping a family member
Give up one TV Show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and read the story of the Woman at the Well in chapter 4 of the Gospel of John, verses 5-30.
Give up one TV Show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and read the story of the Blind Man in chapter 9 of the Gospel of John, verses 1, 6-11, 35-38
Give up one TV Show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and read the story of Lazarus in chapter 11 of the Gospel of John, verses 1-7, 17-44
Give up one TV Show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and read the story of the Good Shepherd in chapter 10 of the Gospel of John verses 1-18.
Give up something that you enjoy today (like dessert or snacks) and spend a few minutes praying for the needs of others.
Give up something that you enjoy today (like dessert or snacks) and donate $1 to your Operation Rice Bowl box.
Give up buying something new (clothes, CD, magazine, jewelry) and donate $1 to your Operation Rice Bowl box
Give up going to a movie or other fun activity and donate the money from this activity to your Operation Rice Bowl box or other people in need in your community.
Think about a bad habit that you would like to change, like telling a lie, yelling at others, getting angry, or putting people down, and choose to avoid that habit for three days.
Think about someone you are angry with or who has hurt you. Ask God for the courage to forgive and pray for that person each day. Think about one thing that is good about them.
Share lots of smiles today.
Give a hug to everyone in your family.
Compliment each person in your family some time today.
Give up complaining, frowns, and negative thoughts today.
Ideas for Praying:
Read the story of the Last Supper of Jesus in chapter 13 of the Gospel of John, verses 1-15.
Read the story of Easter chapter 20 of the Gospel of John, verses 1-9.
Pray the “Our Father” three times today – in the morning when you get up, at noontime, and when you go to bed.
Say a prayer for someone who is sick today.
Pray for a forgiving heart and ask the people you have hurt to forgive you.
Participate in Ash Wednesday services with your family.
Participate in the Stations of the Cross during Lent.
Participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent.
Rent the video, The Prince of Egypt. Watch the video and read the story of Moses from the Book of Exodus, chapters 2-15. Try to read one chapter each day. Be sure to read the story of the Passover in chapters 12 through 13:22.
List three blessings you have been given. Say a prayer to God, giving thanks for the blessings in your life.
Pray for teens and families who are homeless, and think about ways you and your family might help them.
Ideas for Serving/Almsgiving
Show an act of kindness to each family member today.
Show an act of kindness to a friend and to someone who is difficult to like.
Together with your family, spend time serving others during Lent. Work at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Visit elderly people who are in nursing homes or are shut-ins.
Bring food or clothing to the parish or community food pantry, food bank, or homeless shelter.
Do someone else’s chores one day this week.
Donate a new item of children’s clothing to the local homeless shelter or clothing center.
Go through your closet and find some clothes in good shape to give away to other teens who are in need of clothes.
Write a letter or create a card for someone who is sick or might be lonely.
Buy a can of food to give to a food bank or homeless shelter.
Talk with your family about eating one simple meal each week of Lent and putting the money you save in the Operation Bread Bowl box or giving the money to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.