In 2.5 minutes, Joe Paprocki demonstrates how prayer, fasting, and almsgiving have a domino effect in our lives and in the world. 
What's the connection between Mardi Gras and the Church?
Parish staff and children explain how last year's palms are prepared and burned for Ash Wednesday.
Enjoy this lovely Lenten visual meditation

Online Lenten Resources

Check these free resources: 

Help to end hunger. 
​Join the March 8-12 challenge:​

The Catholic Sister of our diocese invite us to join together for "Catholic Sisters Week: Challenge to End Hunger," March 8-12, 2021. 
  • host a food drive
  • volunteer at a food bank or food pantry or dining hall
  • donate to an organization that addresses hunger, food insecurity, or food injustice

Find other ideas to help end hunger HERE at the Catholic Sisters Week website.

Be a part of the local effort.  Accept the challenge. 
Contact one of our local sisters to let them know what you'll be doing to address food insecurity during Catholic Sisters Week:
Sister Mary Alyce Koval, OSU
makoval@youngstowndiocese.org

Sister Regina Rogers, OSU
rrogers@youngstowndiocese.org

Sister Tobie Lardie, HM
tlardie@humilityofmary.org 
​

Try this new way to have Soup Supper, from Saint Patrick Parish, Kent: 

Catholic Relief Services has resources to use with Rice Bowls for praying, fasting, giving and learning. ​
Stations of the Cross with beautiful art by Br. Mickey McGrath
​This weekly Lenten series is designed for individual or small group use, and follows along with Catholic Mobilizing Network's faith formation guide, Harm, Healing, and Human Dignity: A Catholic Encounter with Restorative Justice (Liturgical Press, 2019).  While using the book is strongly recommended, the series may also be completed without it. Each weekly module includes additional web-based resources and reference materials. 
These prayer, fasting, and almsgiving ideas for Lent will help to build inclusiveness of people of all abilities in our faith communities. 

From the National Catholic Partnership on Disability. For example, "When offering 'living" Stations of the Cross, be sure that a few students...give a visual portrayal of the fact that some people who followed Jesus had disabilities."
Loyola Press has activities and resources to 
help children and families understand and embrace the season of Lent. ​
Here's a resource to help adults to pray during Lent: 
Stations of the Cross Matching Game
​for kids from Sara J Creations
Lent: The Journey Begins
FREE 2-page reproducible flyer from The Pastoral Center
Fasting in a Fast-Paced World 
FREE reproducible flyer from The Pastoral Center

Send home a Lenten kit: 

Find links to ideas for home Lenten activities HERE, from Building Faith. 
RCL Benziger has these handouts and ideas: 
  • Celebrating Lent & Holy Week
  • Blessing of Saint Joseph's Table
  • Burying the Alleluia
  • Preparing for Easter "I Will"
  • Take Up Your Cross
  • Alfombras: Guatemala Holy Week
  • Praying and Repenting During Lent
  • Make a Book: Follow Jesus
  • I Make a Forgiveness Card
  • Exploring the Scrutinies
Get Ash Wednesday prayer cards, reflections, and Purpose of the Ashes handouts from Sadlier, above. 

Below, get prayer cards, puzzles, recipes, checklists, soul-nourishing practices, and more for the remainder of Lent: 

Lenten Gospel Stories

Jesus is Tempted in the Desert
The Woman at the Well
Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind
The Raising of Lazarus
REFLECTIONS on LENT and SUFFERING:
"Like the disciples in the Gospel we were caught off guard by an unexpected, turbulent storm. We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other. On this boat… are all of us." Pope Francis blessing, March 27, 2020. 
"Living the way of the cross is inevitable. The Lenten journey begins with a reminder of our own mortality: 'From dust we came and to dust we shall return,'" begins this brief reflection from Chris Sullivan at Loyola Press. 
"There are periods in every life when we feel as naked and vulnerable and racked with pain as Jesus on Calvary. We can’t fast-forward through them; we can only endure them, trying to find some comfort in the love of others and in the knowledge that God has suffered, too," Ginny Kubitz Moyer reminds us in this brief reflection from Loyola Press. 

Lent and Easter Recipes & Traditions

Paczki Recipe - Make these before Ash Wednesday!
Soft Pretzel Recipe - A Lenten Treat!
Italian Easter Meat Pie Recipe
Paska -- Easter Bread Recipe
Poppyseed Kolachi Recipe from Poland
Hot Cross Buns Recipe
LENTEN MUSIC & MEDITATION VIDEOS
Created and produced by St. Joan of Arc Parish, Streetsboro.
A reflection for the First Sunday of Lent from Salt & Light TV
Short reflection on watching your media consumption
This meditative film can be used by adult prayer or scripture study groups, with youth, or for individual Lenten prayer.

LENTEN REFLECTIONS VIDEOS: Serious and Humorous

BEST Lenten advice EVER!!!
Bishop Robert Barron's thoughts on Lent
How about giving up something more meaningful than food?
Hilarious video about picking odd and awkward things to give up for Lent!
A lighthearted look at Ash Wednesday and Lent,
set to the tune of a popular 80s song

Lenten Music Videos

Matt Maher's 40 Days music video
Christ Be Our Light with lyrics.
 Taize chant music video

In the Library:

Borrow these Lenten Reflection Books from our Diocesan Library
To reserve call 330 744-8451 ext. 297 or email library@youngstowndiocese.org

Working Toward Sainthood: Daily Reflections for Lent by Alice Camille. Twenty Third Publications, 2013.
We are all saints in progress, says the great spiritual writer Alice Camille. And Lent is the perfect time to let the saint inside each of us “come out and get some exercise.” These daily meditations on the readings of the Mass invite us to immerse ourselves in the season by getting in touch with the saints within. Camille assures us that despite (or maybe because of) our imperfections, we can be saints and superheroes. “They may not know us by our capes,” she says. “But they will know us by our love.”
The People of the Way of the Cross: Walking with Jesus Through the Eyes of 14 Witnesses.  Alborghetti, Marci.  Twenty Third Publications, 2016. 
In fourteen penetrating narratives, Marci Alborghetti imagines the stories behind the people who witnessed Jesus’ Way of the Cross. Some are historical, scriptural, or traditional figures, such as Pilate, Nicodemus, Veronica, and Dismas. Others are unnamed and anonymous, but equally compelling—a soldier casting lots, a child lost in the crowd, and a slave who carries a fateful hammer. Each individual encounters Jesus in a unique way. And each is profoundly changed by the experience
Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton, The Merton Institute for Contemplative Living.  Liguori, 2007. 
Let the words of Trappist monk Thomas Merton lead you through the holy season of Lent and into Easter. The author was known for his journaling skills. With that in mind, the daily format includes an explanation of one facet of the season, followed by Merton's writings, appropriate Scripture passages and a daily journal topic to encourage your own thoughts related to Lent and Easter.
Simplifying the Soul: Lenten Practices to Renew Your Spirit
by Paula Huston, Ave Maria Press, 2011
Huston invites readers to de-clutter their minds, hearts, souls, and relationships thorough this book of daily Lenten practices woven from the Gospels, the Desert Fathers and Mothers, and the author's own wealth of experience.
Being the Body of Christ: What the People of the Passion Teach us about Jesus today, by Marci Alborghetti.
One is his mother. Another is a friend. Still another is a stranger. They are among the seven people who witness Jesus’ death on the cross. Each chapter offers questions and topics for personal reflection or group discussion, making this an inspiring and cherished companion for all who seek deeper participation in the Body of Christ.
Wondrous Encounters: Scripture for Lent.  Rohr, Richard.  Franciscan Media, 2011.
​Richard Rohr, one of today's most prophetic voices, invites us to self-disclosure and to enter the wondrous divine dialogue with clarity, insight-and holy desire! These daily meditations for Lent are his gift to us for our transformation into our original image and likeness, which is the very image of God.

Borrow these Lent Activity Books from our Diocesan Library
​To reserve call 330 744-8451 ext. 297 or email library@youngstowndiocese.org

The Lent-Easter Book: Living and Celebrating Our Catholic Customs and Traditions.  Arbogast, Joan Marie.  Pauline Books and Media, 2005.
Hands-on stories, crafts, activities and discussion starters to help children celebrate Lent and Easter traditions at home and in class.
Journey of Faith for Lent: Creating a Sense of Belonging Between Young People and the Church.  Shrader, Mary.  Saint Mary's Press, 2005. 
Ten lesson plans for youth ages 10-13 the season of Lent. Each session includes icebreaker, prayer, hands-on learning, and a "live it" section.

Activities are high energy and engaging for this middle school age group.
Junior Youth Activities for the Lent and Easter Seasons: An interactive Guide to Discovering Spirituality.  Steve Mason and Sandy Rigsby.  Resource Publications, 2001. 
Everything you need to create meaningful and fun experiences for Middle School youth through the Lent and Easter season. Each session contains a commentary on the weekly readings, a preparation section, a supply list, discussion questions, and a session outline.
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Radiate Christ Lenten Retreat Kit.  Schaeffler, Janet.  Pastoral Center, 2016.
Lent is a counter-cultural season that is more about how we are meant to bring Christ to the world than just a focus on ourselves as individuals. Sr. Janet graciously opens her archive of parish-tested resources to offer this reflective and practical reflection that offers a fresh and challenging perspective on Lent. Use this flexible kit to help you and your people live our Lent, Easter, and Pentecost differently, whether as a full-day retreat, parish meeting, morning or evening of reflection, parish mission, youth event, or more. It's really three retreat experiences in one that you can draw from year-after-year. This guide includes three sessions, each exploring how Lent calls us to radiate Christ to everyone we encounter:
  • A Fresh Perspective on Lent - Lent is not an isolated season, but one that points toward Easter, Pentecost, and how we are called to transform the world. Lent calls us to responsibility beyond guilt.
  • Lenten Practices - The traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving help us get into shape as disciples for our common mission. 
  • Lenten Resolutions - Our Lenten practices help us become more spacious, so God can work within us to radiate Christ in the world. What "resolutions" might we take that will outlast the season and stay with us?
Bringing Lent Home with Pope Francis: Prayers, Reflections, and Activities for Families.  O'Boyle, Donna-Marie Cooper.  Ave Maria Press, 2015. 
Invites families with children to let the wisdom and spiritual insight of Pope Francis be their guide through Lent. The story of the popular Holy Father’s life, brief words of inspiration from him, and a variety of prayers and activities are included for each of the 40 days of Lent.

Lent Video Series 

Secret of the Horse (Manifest Mysteries Series) DVD
A teenager faces racial prejudice the first day at a new school and must resist fighting to ensure his family does not suffer because of his actions. As he finds it harder to resist fighting, his father reminds him of the true purpose of martial arts and the real meaning of sacrificial love. Based on Christ’s own endurance of suffering in the Scourging at the Pillar. Contains both English and Spanish tracks and a bi-lingual study guide.

Other films in this series include:
The Eggplant Lady (Agony in the Garden)
Haunted Heart (Crowning with Thorns)
Carrying On  (Carrying the Cross)
The Hero  (The Crucifixion)

Ash Wednesday Videos & Resources

People on the street discuss Ash Wednesday.
​
Beautiful views of the cosmos bring this unique Ash Wednesday meditation to life.
Updated version of the popular "Lent in 3 Minutes" video.
Fr. Jack interviews folks about Lent.
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