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. |
1st Week of Lent (March 7-13)
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Lenten Pillar = Prayer
Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily for the war between Russia and Ukraine to end. The challenge for the first full week of Lent (Monday-Sunday) is to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily for the war between Russia and the Ukraine to end. May God's love prevail and there be a conversion of the hearts of those in power to return to Our Lord and His ways of peace and justice. Not sure how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet? No problem! Learn how here: www.stjohnsindy.org/divine-mercy-chaplet |
2nd Week of Lent (March 14-20)
Lenten Pillar = Fasting
Fast from all screens
This weeks challenge is to fast from all screens, with the exception of those needed for work or essential daily living. In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus takes his disciples away to the mountaintop, free of distractions of the world. Here, He is transfigured and foretells His Resurrection. May we be “resurrected” this week from the things of the world into the things above!
Fast from all screens
This weeks challenge is to fast from all screens, with the exception of those needed for work or essential daily living. In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus takes his disciples away to the mountaintop, free of distractions of the world. Here, He is transfigured and foretells His Resurrection. May we be “resurrected” this week from the things of the world into the things above!
3rd Week of Lent (March 21-27)
Lenten Pillar = Fasting
Fast from a favorite drink
The weekly Lenten challenge is to each day this week replace a favorite drink (soda, coffee, alcohol, etc) with water. In the Gospel from today, we are reminded of the Samaritan woman at the well who was thirsting for God. When she encountered Jesus, her spiritual thirst was quenched! This week, as you fast from a favorite drink each day and replace it with water, take a moment to recognize that our spiritual thirst can only be quenched by Our Lord.
Fast from a favorite drink
The weekly Lenten challenge is to each day this week replace a favorite drink (soda, coffee, alcohol, etc) with water. In the Gospel from today, we are reminded of the Samaritan woman at the well who was thirsting for God. When she encountered Jesus, her spiritual thirst was quenched! This week, as you fast from a favorite drink each day and replace it with water, take a moment to recognize that our spiritual thirst can only be quenched by Our Lord.
4th Week of Lent (March 28-April 3)
Lenten Pillar = Almsgiving
Invite someone who is away from God and/or His Holy Church and invite them to return home
This week’s Lenten Challenge is to reach out to someone who is away from God and/or His Holy Church and invite them to return home. You may meet with them personally for a meal or coffee, write them a personal letter, send them a gift such as a Catholic book or rosary ( and how to pray it) with the invitation, etc. Make it personal and filled with love and a welcoming, non condemning spirit.
This Sunday’s Gospel (Cycle C) is the story of the Prodigal Son. It is such a powerful reminder that from time to time people go astray and need to be welcomed home! Be sure to offer some prayer before reaching out so that your intentions are purified and blessed by God!
Invite someone who is away from God and/or His Holy Church and invite them to return home
This week’s Lenten Challenge is to reach out to someone who is away from God and/or His Holy Church and invite them to return home. You may meet with them personally for a meal or coffee, write them a personal letter, send them a gift such as a Catholic book or rosary ( and how to pray it) with the invitation, etc. Make it personal and filled with love and a welcoming, non condemning spirit.
This Sunday’s Gospel (Cycle C) is the story of the Prodigal Son. It is such a powerful reminder that from time to time people go astray and need to be welcomed home! Be sure to offer some prayer before reaching out so that your intentions are purified and blessed by God!
5th Week of Lent (April 4-10)
Lenten Pillar = Prayer
Pray a daily Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Poor Souls of Purgatory
One of the Spiritual Works of mercy is to pray for those who have died. This week’s Lenten challenge is to pray a daily Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Poor Souls of Purgatory. The A cycle readings (being used because of the 3rd scrutiny this weekend for RCIA candidates and catechumens) have a common theme of dying and rising anew. May our prayers be like incense rising up to heaven and be efficacious for the Poor Souls being purified! Lenten Pillar = Prayer.
Pray a daily Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Poor Souls of Purgatory
One of the Spiritual Works of mercy is to pray for those who have died. This week’s Lenten challenge is to pray a daily Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Poor Souls of Purgatory. The A cycle readings (being used because of the 3rd scrutiny this weekend for RCIA candidates and catechumens) have a common theme of dying and rising anew. May our prayers be like incense rising up to heaven and be efficacious for the Poor Souls being purified! Lenten Pillar = Prayer.
6th Week of Lent (April 11-17)
Lenten Pillar = Prayer
Pray a daily Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Poor Souls of Purgatory
In this holiest of weeks, the challenge is to attend all the Triduum liturgies including Holy Thursday at 7 pm, Good Friday at 3 pm and either the Easter Vigil at 7 pm Saturday or one of the two Easter day Masses at 8 am or 1030 am. An added challenge is to invite a fallen away Catholic or non-Catholic family member, friend, coworker, classmate, neighbor to join you!
Pray a daily Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Poor Souls of Purgatory
In this holiest of weeks, the challenge is to attend all the Triduum liturgies including Holy Thursday at 7 pm, Good Friday at 3 pm and either the Easter Vigil at 7 pm Saturday or one of the two Easter day Masses at 8 am or 1030 am. An added challenge is to invite a fallen away Catholic or non-Catholic family member, friend, coworker, classmate, neighbor to join you!