Lenten Challenges
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This Lent, join the parish in weekly challenges from our pastor, Father Rick Nagel. Each Sunday Father Nagel will give the parish a new weekly Lenten challenge. Check back here to see what the newest Lenten Challenge is each week.
See below for all Lenten Challenges as each week of Lent passes. |
Weekly Challenges:
WEEK 6 OF LENT
Lenten Pillar = Alms Giving. This week’s Lenten challenge is to give alms by taking one of the tags from the St. John’s giving tree (in St. Ann Chapel) and purchase or donate that item for one of the following ministries represented:
Reflection from Father Nagel:
The Lenten journey is drawing to a close this coming week as we experience the most Holy of Weeks. I am reminded of the power of almsgiving now and throughout the year as we hit the home stretch of Lent and prepare for the Easter celebrations. St. Leo the Great testified, “If God is love, charity should know no limit, for God cannot be confined. Any time is the right time for works of charity, but these days of Lent provide a special encouragement. Those who want to be present at the Lord’s Passover in holiness of mind and body should seek above all to win this grace, for charity contains all other virtues and covers a multitude of sins.” For the complete excerpt from this sermon click on the link below.
Lenten Pillar = Alms Giving. This week’s Lenten challenge is to give alms by taking one of the tags from the St. John’s giving tree (in St. Ann Chapel) and purchase or donate that item for one of the following ministries represented:
- St. John’s Garden Door Ministry to the homeless and poor in our community
- Sister Parish of St. Nicolas in Mole Haiti
- Gabriel Project of Indianapolis for families in crisis pregnancy who need material support
Reflection from Father Nagel:
The Lenten journey is drawing to a close this coming week as we experience the most Holy of Weeks. I am reminded of the power of almsgiving now and throughout the year as we hit the home stretch of Lent and prepare for the Easter celebrations. St. Leo the Great testified, “If God is love, charity should know no limit, for God cannot be confined. Any time is the right time for works of charity, but these days of Lent provide a special encouragement. Those who want to be present at the Lord’s Passover in holiness of mind and body should seek above all to win this grace, for charity contains all other virtues and covers a multitude of sins.” For the complete excerpt from this sermon click on the link below.
Of course, there are many ways to extend charity/give alms in these days. Your generosity will make a difference in our Garden Door Ministry, Haiti Ministry and support of the Gabriel Project of Indianapolis. May you be blessed for your kindness to the poor!
WEEK 5 OF LENT
Lenten Pillar = Prayer. This week’s Lenten challenge is to daily pray the Examen by St. Ignatius of Loyola. The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience.
The 5 step method presented here is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. St. Ignatius thought that the Examen was a gift that came directly from God, and that God wanted it to be shared as widely as possible.
https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/ignatian-spirituality/examen-and-ignatian-prayer/how-can-i-pray-try-the-daily-examen
During this week of examination in preparation for Holy Week and Easter, also reflect on God’s call to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Church’s wisdom is that we should all go to confession at least one time per year. The following extended confession times are available during holy week at St. John’s:
Lenten Pillar = Prayer. This week’s Lenten challenge is to daily pray the Examen by St. Ignatius of Loyola. The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience.
The 5 step method presented here is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. St. Ignatius thought that the Examen was a gift that came directly from God, and that God wanted it to be shared as widely as possible.
https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/ignatian-spirituality/examen-and-ignatian-prayer/how-can-i-pray-try-the-daily-examen
During this week of examination in preparation for Holy Week and Easter, also reflect on God’s call to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Church’s wisdom is that we should all go to confession at least one time per year. The following extended confession times are available during holy week at St. John’s:
- Monday-Wednesday (April 15-17): 11am-12pm
- Holy Thursday (April 18): 11a-1pm
- Good Friday (April 19): 11am-1pm
WEEK 4 OF LENT
Lenten Pillar = Prayer: This week's Lenten challenge is to attend a viewing of the newly released movie, Unplanned. This excellent pro life film is being released today in theaters all over Indianapolis. The challenge also encourages you to take someone with you who may benefit from seeing the film in their own lives. After viewing Unplanned, take the film to prayer for a day or two and then share something of the film or your movement in prayer with at least one other person.
UNPLANNED - What She Saw Changed Everything
This is the real and intense conversion story of Abby Johnson former Planned Parenthood clinic director. Abby was one of the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic directors in the nation and was involved in upwards of 22,000 abortions and counseled countless women on their reproductive choices until the day she saw something that changed everything. This movie launches in theaters around Indianapolis today and throughout the weekend. Here are some theaters near St. John's and some general show times. You can look up more showings online here: https://unplannedtickets.com/
AMC INDIANAPOLIS 17 (4.3 miles from St. John's)
4325 S MERIDIAN ST, INDIANAPOLIS
Saturday and Sunday: 11:30am, 2:10pm, 4:50pm, 7:40pm, 10:20pm
REGAL SHILOH CROSSING STADIUM 18 (9.4 miles from St. John's)
10400 E US 36, AVON, IN
Saturday and Sunday: 12:55pm, 3:40pm, 6:25pm, 9:20pm
REGAL GREENWOOD STADIUM 14 & RPX (9.6 miles from St. John's)
461 GREENWOOD PARK SOUTH DRIVE, GREENWOOD, IN
Saturday and Sunday: 1:20pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm, 10:10pm
AMC TRADERS POINT 12 (11.7 miles from St. John's)
5920 W 86TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS
Saturday and Sunday: 12:00pm, 2:45pm, 4:20pm, 7:10pm, 10:15pm
Lenten Pillar = Prayer: This week's Lenten challenge is to attend a viewing of the newly released movie, Unplanned. This excellent pro life film is being released today in theaters all over Indianapolis. The challenge also encourages you to take someone with you who may benefit from seeing the film in their own lives. After viewing Unplanned, take the film to prayer for a day or two and then share something of the film or your movement in prayer with at least one other person.
UNPLANNED - What She Saw Changed Everything
This is the real and intense conversion story of Abby Johnson former Planned Parenthood clinic director. Abby was one of the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic directors in the nation and was involved in upwards of 22,000 abortions and counseled countless women on their reproductive choices until the day she saw something that changed everything. This movie launches in theaters around Indianapolis today and throughout the weekend. Here are some theaters near St. John's and some general show times. You can look up more showings online here: https://unplannedtickets.com/
AMC INDIANAPOLIS 17 (4.3 miles from St. John's)
4325 S MERIDIAN ST, INDIANAPOLIS
Saturday and Sunday: 11:30am, 2:10pm, 4:50pm, 7:40pm, 10:20pm
REGAL SHILOH CROSSING STADIUM 18 (9.4 miles from St. John's)
10400 E US 36, AVON, IN
Saturday and Sunday: 12:55pm, 3:40pm, 6:25pm, 9:20pm
REGAL GREENWOOD STADIUM 14 & RPX (9.6 miles from St. John's)
461 GREENWOOD PARK SOUTH DRIVE, GREENWOOD, IN
Saturday and Sunday: 1:20pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm, 10:10pm
AMC TRADERS POINT 12 (11.7 miles from St. John's)
5920 W 86TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS
Saturday and Sunday: 12:00pm, 2:45pm, 4:20pm, 7:10pm, 10:15pm
WEEK 3 OF LENT
Lenten Pillar = Fasting: Fast from a favorite drink that you consume regularly and replace with water. While making this sacrifice, reflect on the material and spiritual gift of water in our lives. Make a gift of bottled water to the Garden Door Ministry for our poor neighbors who thirst (place by the donation box in the narthex of the Church near the handicap entrance.)
Reflection from Father Nagel:
Dear Friends, while on retreat for the past few days, I reflected on the words of Jesus from the cross, “I thirst.” These two simple words are a game changer for each of us as Christians! Like the Samaritan woman at the well, many people are both physically and spiritually thirsting in our world today. While on mission with the students and missionaries of IUPUI in Mexico City, we had the chance to provide clean water to many who were parched from the daily heat and lack of clean water on the streets. I was struck by the gratitude that the homeless extended to us for such a simple gesture of filling a water cup with clean water.
Jesus modeled for us the power of giving water to the thirsty and the Church calls this a pillar of the Corporal Works of Mercy. Jesus also models for us the power of water in a spiritual sense in the Sacrament of Baptism, in the gift of holy water and throughout Sacred Scripture as He offers us the life giving waters of eternal salvation. Thus, two of his last words on the cross were an expression of his thirst for souls!
Do we thirst for Christ in the same way? Do we thirst for the souls of the lost, indifferent or lukewarm as Christ does? This is our daily challenge… to spiritually thirst for Jesus Christ and for His beloved children’s salvation. As we drink water this week, may we be reminded of and offer prayer and sacrifice for those who physically go without clean and adequate drinking water throughout the world. And, may we also connect with Jesus on the Cross by spiritually thirsting for Him and for the souls of those near to us and throughout the world who thirst for our Lord!
Lenten Pillar = Fasting: Fast from a favorite drink that you consume regularly and replace with water. While making this sacrifice, reflect on the material and spiritual gift of water in our lives. Make a gift of bottled water to the Garden Door Ministry for our poor neighbors who thirst (place by the donation box in the narthex of the Church near the handicap entrance.)
Reflection from Father Nagel:
Dear Friends, while on retreat for the past few days, I reflected on the words of Jesus from the cross, “I thirst.” These two simple words are a game changer for each of us as Christians! Like the Samaritan woman at the well, many people are both physically and spiritually thirsting in our world today. While on mission with the students and missionaries of IUPUI in Mexico City, we had the chance to provide clean water to many who were parched from the daily heat and lack of clean water on the streets. I was struck by the gratitude that the homeless extended to us for such a simple gesture of filling a water cup with clean water.
Jesus modeled for us the power of giving water to the thirsty and the Church calls this a pillar of the Corporal Works of Mercy. Jesus also models for us the power of water in a spiritual sense in the Sacrament of Baptism, in the gift of holy water and throughout Sacred Scripture as He offers us the life giving waters of eternal salvation. Thus, two of his last words on the cross were an expression of his thirst for souls!
Do we thirst for Christ in the same way? Do we thirst for the souls of the lost, indifferent or lukewarm as Christ does? This is our daily challenge… to spiritually thirst for Jesus Christ and for His beloved children’s salvation. As we drink water this week, may we be reminded of and offer prayer and sacrifice for those who physically go without clean and adequate drinking water throughout the world. And, may we also connect with Jesus on the Cross by spiritually thirsting for Him and for the souls of those near to us and throughout the world who thirst for our Lord!
WEEK 2 OF LENT
Lenten Pillar = Prayer: Pray the rosary daily for those who are away from the Holy Mother Church to return home by Easter.
Reflection from Father Nagel:
Dear Friends, I write this week 2 Lenten challenge as I sit before the miraculous tilma of St. Juan Diego, which Our Lady of Guadalupe imprinted an image of herself at the apparition on Tepeyac Hill, December 12, 1531. I offer my holy hour here today for each one of you and ask our Blessed Mother Mary to intercede for you, your family and our parish.
In a particular way, I pray for all our family members, friends and fellow Catholics who are away from Holy Mother Church, to return home by Easter! Please join me in praying the rosary daily this coming week (Monday-Sunday) for all those who are struggling with the Church, all those who have left the Church and all those who are lukewarm and not attending Mass each week. Please pray for anyone you know by name as you pray the rosary this week. Pray that they will return home and be set ablaze by the Holy Spirit by this Easter! The power of prayer, especially prayer United with one another and through Our Heavenly Mother's intercession is very powerful and can move mountains! If you already pray the rosary daily, perhaps you could add an extra decade this week for this intention.
I would also welcome your prayers for me this next week as I am on my annual spiritual retreat at the Basilica of our Lady of Guadalupe and at the oldest Cathedral in the Americas (consecrated circa 1656), the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother Mary. Pray that I am covered up with Our Mother's loving mantle and through the intercession of St. Joseph (feast day this next week, March 19) that I may be a steadfast man of faith and great shepherd of the family of faith God has entrusted to my care at St. John's, the campus of IUPUI and downtown Indy.
Finally, I invite your prayer intentions for anyone who is away from the Church or lacking faithful zeal in your family, friends, acquaintances, etc. I will pray for them on retreat if you email me their name(s) to: fathernagel@gmail.com
May God abundantly bless your second week of Lent! I look forward to seeing you at Mass the weekend of March 24th!
Lenten Pillar = Prayer: Pray the rosary daily for those who are away from the Holy Mother Church to return home by Easter.
Reflection from Father Nagel:
Dear Friends, I write this week 2 Lenten challenge as I sit before the miraculous tilma of St. Juan Diego, which Our Lady of Guadalupe imprinted an image of herself at the apparition on Tepeyac Hill, December 12, 1531. I offer my holy hour here today for each one of you and ask our Blessed Mother Mary to intercede for you, your family and our parish.
In a particular way, I pray for all our family members, friends and fellow Catholics who are away from Holy Mother Church, to return home by Easter! Please join me in praying the rosary daily this coming week (Monday-Sunday) for all those who are struggling with the Church, all those who have left the Church and all those who are lukewarm and not attending Mass each week. Please pray for anyone you know by name as you pray the rosary this week. Pray that they will return home and be set ablaze by the Holy Spirit by this Easter! The power of prayer, especially prayer United with one another and through Our Heavenly Mother's intercession is very powerful and can move mountains! If you already pray the rosary daily, perhaps you could add an extra decade this week for this intention.
I would also welcome your prayers for me this next week as I am on my annual spiritual retreat at the Basilica of our Lady of Guadalupe and at the oldest Cathedral in the Americas (consecrated circa 1656), the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother Mary. Pray that I am covered up with Our Mother's loving mantle and through the intercession of St. Joseph (feast day this next week, March 19) that I may be a steadfast man of faith and great shepherd of the family of faith God has entrusted to my care at St. John's, the campus of IUPUI and downtown Indy.
Finally, I invite your prayer intentions for anyone who is away from the Church or lacking faithful zeal in your family, friends, acquaintances, etc. I will pray for them on retreat if you email me their name(s) to: fathernagel@gmail.com
May God abundantly bless your second week of Lent! I look forward to seeing you at Mass the weekend of March 24th!
View from Tepeyac Hill and the Apparition site of Our Lady of Guadalupe of the old and new basilicas of Our Lady of Guadalupe
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Blessed Mother Mary and St. John the Evangelist at the foot of the cross as St. John captures the blood of Christ in chalice. Found in the church of the Apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Tepeyac Hill.
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Actual tilma of St. Juan Diego with image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, hanging in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City.
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WEEK 1 OF LENT
Lenten Pillar = Fasting: Cleanse your Closets!
Cleanse your Closets!
We all have too much stuff. Begin Lent by simplifying and cleaning out your closets, dressers, garage, attic, storage units, etc of unneeded stuff. You may donate men's clothing, shoes, coats and blankets to the St. John's Garden Door Ministry for our homeless neighbors. Simply drop your donations in a bag next to the wooden collection box by the handicap entrance in the church narthex. All women's and children's clothing and other stuff you need to cleanse from your life, donate to St Vincent de Paul at the Distribution Center (1201 Maryland Street) between 8:30am and 4:00pm Monday – Saturday. If you haven't worn or used something in the past year, this is a good thing to consider giving to someone who may need it!
Reflection by St. Leo the Great, Pope, on Lenten Almsgiving
There is no more profitable practice as a companion to holy and spiritual fasting than that of almsgiving. This embraces under the single name of mercy many excellent works of devotion, so that the good intentions of all the faithful may be of equal value, even where their means are not. The love that we owe both God and man is always free from any obstacle that would prevent us from having a good intention. The angels sang: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. The person who shows love and compassion to those in any kind of affliction is blessed, not only with the virtue of good will but also with the gift of peace.
The works of mercy are innumerable. Their very variety brings this advantage to those who are true Christians, that in the matter of almsgiving not only the rich and affluent but also those of average means and the poor are able to play their part. Those who are unequal in their capacity to give can be equal in the love within their hearts.
Lenten Pillar = Fasting: Cleanse your Closets!
Cleanse your Closets!
We all have too much stuff. Begin Lent by simplifying and cleaning out your closets, dressers, garage, attic, storage units, etc of unneeded stuff. You may donate men's clothing, shoes, coats and blankets to the St. John's Garden Door Ministry for our homeless neighbors. Simply drop your donations in a bag next to the wooden collection box by the handicap entrance in the church narthex. All women's and children's clothing and other stuff you need to cleanse from your life, donate to St Vincent de Paul at the Distribution Center (1201 Maryland Street) between 8:30am and 4:00pm Monday – Saturday. If you haven't worn or used something in the past year, this is a good thing to consider giving to someone who may need it!
Reflection by St. Leo the Great, Pope, on Lenten Almsgiving
There is no more profitable practice as a companion to holy and spiritual fasting than that of almsgiving. This embraces under the single name of mercy many excellent works of devotion, so that the good intentions of all the faithful may be of equal value, even where their means are not. The love that we owe both God and man is always free from any obstacle that would prevent us from having a good intention. The angels sang: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. The person who shows love and compassion to those in any kind of affliction is blessed, not only with the virtue of good will but also with the gift of peace.
The works of mercy are innumerable. Their very variety brings this advantage to those who are true Christians, that in the matter of almsgiving not only the rich and affluent but also those of average means and the poor are able to play their part. Those who are unequal in their capacity to give can be equal in the love within their hearts.