Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ’s death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.
—from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, http://www.usccb.org
Resources to Help You Create a Prayerful Lenten Journey
>Find a Lenten Calendar and a plethora of Lenten resources at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Website: https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/lent
>Review the Guidelines about Lenten Fasting and Abstinence here or here.
>Participate in Stations of the Cross offered many Fridays during Lent at 2 P.M. and 7 P.M.
Stations will be offered at 2 P.M. on the following Fridays: 2/24, 3/3, (no 3/10) and 3/17.
Stations will be offered at 7 P.M. on the following Fridays: 2/24, 3/3, (no 3/10), 3/17, 3/24, and 3/31.
>Experience God’s Mercy in Reconciliation. We offer the sacrament every Saturday (except Holy Saturday), from 2:30 to 3:30 P.M. in the church.
On Tuesday, February 28th we will offer Reconciliation from 6:30 – 7:30 P.M. with the assistance of local priests.
For a Guide on How to Go to Confession, download the flyer below:
>Take Our Parish 2023 Lenten Challenge: Keeping Watch
As a way for our parish to connect spiritually with Fr. Keith during Lent, as well as embrace the mission of the National Eucharistic Revival, we invite you to participate in our Lent 2023 Challenge: Keeping Watch.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said to Peter, “Could you not keep watch for one hour?”
When we spend an hour devoted to prayer in the presence of the Holy Eucharist where Jesus Christ is truly present in His body, blood, soul and divinity, we are fulfilling His desire for us to be near and to keep watch with Him.
[ About the Challenge ]
We invite all parishioners to spend one hour during Lent 2023 in Eucharistic Adoration, praying for Fr. Keith and his intentions. We will have pre-printed cards available by the Blue Star Wall in the narthex to let him know you offered a Holy Hour for him and his intentions. There will be space to fill in your name, the date and place where you prayed. Throw it in the basket and we will mail them to him throughout Lent
Download the flyer here to learn more and for a schedule of Adoration at local parishes:
>Visit our St. James Parish Library for a plethora of good spiritual reading. It is found in the Coat Room, located off the narthex. It is open when the church is open, immediately before and after weekday and weekend Masses. While you are there, check out our Information Rack that contains special prayer cards and brochures such as How to Pray the Rosary (if you are a little rusty and want to practice a new habit).
>Take part in the 40 Days of Lent Food Drive, a combined effort of the St. James Knights of Columbus 40 Cans for Lent and our bi-annual food collection for the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry. Non-perishable donations may be brought to the Coat Room when the church is open, immediately before and after weekday and weekend Masses. If you prefer to just donate money, envelopes for this purpose may be found on the posters located in the church narthex or may be done online at GlenEllynFoodPantry.org.
Download the flyer for more information:
> Sign Up for Living Lent Daily, an e-mail series with reflections based on Bible verses featured in our 3-Minute Retreats by Loyola Press. Each day you’ll receive a message with one of these reflections and a link to pray the 3-Minute Retreat that inspired the words: https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/lent/living-lent-daily/
>Check out the Lenten Resources at Ascension Press: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/advent-and-lent
>Learn More about Your Catholic Faith: Go to www.FORMED.org and sign up for free content as a member of St. James the Apostle Glen Ellyn
>Busted Halo, is a unique media resource that utilizes a relevant and accessible voice to help people understand the Catholic faith, put together this article last year with 25 ideas of things you can do for Lent.
>Try listening to a Catholic Podcast. There are so many wonderful offerings available to enrich your spiritual journey. Here are a couple of popular podcasts worth checking out:
The God Minute: The God Minute is a short, daily Catholic prayer that includes peaceful music, scripture and a reflection to bless your day with the Lord. It’s only 10 minutes. Visit thegodminute.org or https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-god-minute/id1395534230
Bible in a Year Podcast: In The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz walks you through the entire Bible in 365 episodes, providing commentary, reflection, and prayer along the way. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bible-in-a-year-with-fr-mike-schmitz/id1539568321
Fr. Mike Schmitz: If you like Fr. Mike Schmitz’ Youtube videos, you can now listen to this dynamic priest on the go! Fr. Mike Schmitz‘ podcast offers short but lively reflections on a wide variety of topics from Catholic teaching to practical tips for living life well. His down-to-earth tone and inspiring message will help listeners live out the Christian life more effectively.
Pray-As-You-Go: This is a prayer podcast, which you can find as an app. It brings you a reading from the Mass of the day and leads you through prayer and meditation on the ready, based on the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. https://pray-as-you-go.org/about/
St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: This podcast is a part of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, which promotes the study of Scripture. The podcast features Dr. Scott Hahn, who ties the Sunday readings together. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/st-paul-center-for-biblical-theology/id542488614?mt=2
Word on Fire: In The Word on Fire podcast, Bishop Barron does what he does best — skillfully intersects the richness of the Catholic faith and today’s culture. Bishop Barron’s eloquent but accessible discourse educates and uplifts listeners and upholds the beauty and truth found in the Church. He shares insights from the greatest Catholic thinkers as well as practical advice for all Catholics trying to live well in their day-to-day lives.
For more suggested podcasts, read the full article: https://catholic-link.org/a-comprehensive-list-of-catholic-podcasts-for-every-interest/
St. James the Apostle Parish 