March 27, 2009
What I’m doing during Lent
The Message asked a variety of people what they are doing during Lent this year and why. Here are their responses.
Providence Sister Betty Koressel, pastoral associate at Precious Blood Church, Jasper, said, “For health reasons, I am calculating how many calories, carbs, fiber, protein and fat I consume every time I intake food. I am eating six small meals a day, no more than 200 to 250 calories at a time. I am working on getting a balance in my diet by doing this.
“This has been a good learning experience so far. I am constantly reading labels, which is time consuming, but I know, it is for my betterment. I am also curtailing sweets and ‘bad’ carbs, which is making my diet more healthy.
“A healthy approach to eating and exercise most days of the week is allowing me to have more energy to be the pastoral minister I am called to be.”
David Memmer, principal of the three Washington Catholic schools, said, “This year, I am increasing visits to long-term care facilities (nursing homes). Why would I choose this? Well, it is great way to have fellowship with others who truly appreciate your company.
“My reasons, however, go much deeper. Growing up, my grandmother (Velma) was the most important person in my life. Velma served as such a spiritual inspiration and she truly loved the Lord and evidence was how she lived her life.
“One special concept that my grandmother reinforced to me was the thought that people need a cheerleader in their lives. Velma was my cheerleader and is my inspiration.”
Tracey Unfried, principal at Holy Cross School, Fort Branch, said, “The week before Lent, the students at school were asking me what I was ‘giving up’ for Lent. Each year I feel the pressure of saying something so sacrificial that the students will be in awe. I want to tell them ‘Diet Mountain Dew’ knowing that would be impressive for me, but that would be like cutting off my right arm and being tired and grouchy to everyone for the next 40 days. In my job, why make everyone else suffer.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the routines of life, so one thing I thought I could do, would be to stretch myself on considering a new perspective. I decided to take time myself to pause, re-focus, and reflect on Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness and his journey to the cross.
“Each day of Lent, I pray the Daily Lenten Devotion titled ‘Given for Us’ found at www.lentendevotions.net whether at home or at work.
“It was just over a year ago that my life had a whole new perspective when I brought home my adopted daughter from Guatemala, Gabriella. Jesus only took 40 days to give himself fully to God and trust in his love. It took me 40 years to let Jesus change my life as only He can.”
Father Bernie Etienne, pastor at Holy Rosary Church, Evansville, said, “I’m trying to put a little more quiet in my life. I have turned off the TV and radio. I still also cut out sweets. I’m trying to pray a bit more and be more patient with the folks in my life.”
Kande Batz, outreach coordinator at the Guadalupe Center in Huntingburg, said, “When Lent comes I recall beautiful customs that my family practices during this special time. Most of these practices come from our cultural tradition or our popular religious customs. I remember my first years in school with the Jesuits. During the Offertory of the Mass on Ash Wednesday each student would throw in the fire a small piece of paper on which he or she had written their faults, with the intention to do better or overcome the faults during Lent. My family has always been conscious of this time of fasting; on Fridays during Lent we would not eat meat, and my mother would serve us food that we did not care for and tell us we had to eat it anyway. We were to think about the people who did not have something to eat that day, much less had the opportunity to choose what they wanted to eat. For me this was not only a good practice of penance but also a way of being in solidarity with those in need.
“In Guatemala we celebrate Holy Week in a very special way. The schools have a break starting on Monday of Holy Week. Many businesses and government offices are closed starting on Tuesday of Holy Week. An enormous number of people work together to prepare beautiful carpets (made of different colored flowers, fruits, and colored saw dust). These carpets are prepared on the streets where statues of the Suffering Jesus and His Mother Mary are carried in procession. Other important saints are also carried on platforms through the streets and avenues.
“This year, like other years, I’m trying to make some changes in my life. I have goals, but I know myself and I know that I need to make these changes little by little.
“First of all I’m trying to wake up earlier in the morning. I’m a night person and it is very hard for me to wake up early. I’m using this time for my personal prayer with the scriptures and a special time to pray for peace and justice in our world.
“We, the Guadalupe Center, were invited to participate in the program GET WELL HUNTINGBURG. I find this program a great instrument that can help me during this time of Lent. This program consists of walking, exercising, learning about healthy habits and more. But for me the most interesting part of this program is the opportunity to combine our healthy habits for our body with our healthy Spirit for our life. This program has this special and essential aspect, Our Spiritual Life, praying for others and for myself, reaching out to others in need, like visiting someone sick or lonely, keeping a record of our blessings every day, praying for a friend or our community; it is very nice.
“This year I’m going to have the opportunity to spend the last days of Lent and Holy Week in Guatemala. I will spend this time in a sacred ambience with the aroma of incense, fruit and flowers coming from the carpets on which Jesus will be carried. This is a time with many expressions of devotion, and a lot of symbolism that is part of my culture and my Hispanic heritage. My nephews are going to be part of some of the processions. They started their preparation in January, and they were required to receive catechesis before their participation. I know that processions are part of an external sign of faith; but even if it is external, for my family it is a deep expression of our faith.”