Lent is the 40 day period in the Church year set aside for the spiritual preparation for Easter.  It is a time of renewal where we recall our baptism and new members prepare for their baptism.  It is also a time of penance where we seek forgiveness and reconcile ourselves to God, the Church and members of our community.  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 18th) and lasts until the Mass of the Lord's Supper (Holy Thursday April 2nd). Lent prepares us to celebrate more fully the death and resurrection of Jesus.  This Lent our school community will again partner with Catholic Relief Services' (CRS) Rice Bowl program.

CRS Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Services' Lenten faith-in-action program for parishes, schools and

families. The program invites Catholics to live in solidarity with our poorest and most vulnerable

brothers and sisters through the three Lenten pillars of praying, fasting, and almsgiving. Participants journey throughout the forty days of Lent with the daily reflections included in the Lenten Calendar, offering small, suggested sacrificial gifts to fill their Rice Bowls as they read and watch Stories of Hope from individuals and communities whose lives have been changed by CRS Rice Bowl funds.

Listed below are important dates/activities to help students live out the pillars of Lent. As always we invite parents to join us for our liturgical celebrations!

• 3/20 Second Grade Reconciliation Retreat for parents and students 7:30-12:25 on campus
• 3/25 First Reconciliation for 2nd Grade 6:30pm in the church
• 3/27 Living Stations of the Cross presented by the 4th grade 9AM in the church
• 3/31 8th Grade Retreat at the CASA (parents attend Mass at 3:30)
• 4/1 Adoration in the church 1:45pm in church for grades 3-8
• 4/2 Students bring Lenten rice bowls to pledge and prayer where they will place them at the foot of the cross

Here are some additional websites with Lenten resources:

• Loyola Press - Lent at Home For Busy Catholic Families
• American Catholic Lenten FAQ, calendar, prayer, resources & activities
• Creighton University Lenten Retreat, Prayer and Resources

CRS Rice Bowl for Families

• FOCUS your family's Lenten journey by using your Rice Bowl as a centerpiece at your table
• PRAY as a family using the Stations of the Cross, Seven Sorrows of Mary, or the Lives of the
• Saints resources
• SHARE a simple, meatless meal every Friday of Lent with recipes from this year's featured
• countries, and learn how to make them by watching CRS Global Kitchen videos
• GIVE to the poor and vulnerable around the world and in your own diocese using the daily reflections and suggested giving amounts on the Lenten Calendar
• DOWNLOAD the CRS Rice Bowl mobile app to get daily reflections sent to your phone and to
• track your Lenten sacrifices