Hoping to make the second half of Lent more meaningful? Four ideas
Members of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Rushville have shared their faith and life’s joys and struggles for four Lents in their women’s book study. (Submitted photo)
By John Shaughnessy
When Carole Likins decided to do something different for Lent, she never imagined the impact it would have on other people and herself.
“Last Lenten season, I wanted to give instead of give up something for Jesus,” recalls Likins, a member of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.
Likins focused on one of her favorite Bible verses that she has always tried to keep at the heart of her life—the one from Romans 12:12 that encourages people to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
“I chose the verse as a way to evangelize to people I came across in my daily life,” she says. “I copied the verse with some decorative trim and reduced it to a little larger than a business card.
“When I finished, there were about 200 of these small pieces of faith to pass along to strangers everywhere I went, anytime the Holy Spirit moved me. My approach was simple, ‘A message for you.’ ”
The response from people surprised and delighted her, including the positive reaction she received when she once waited for her carry-out order in a restaurant and shared the message with a group at a table.
“Several people let me know how much they appreciated it, and that it came at a time they really needed it,” Likins says. “We both got tears in our eyes and said, ‘God bless you’ to each other.
“Only one individual declined to take my little piece of paper. I blessed them anyway. As this year has passed, I have seen my little message posted in my dental office, doctor’s office, car dealership and at a friend’s home. I’m not sure where all of the other ones ended up, but for a moment I believe the message touched someone’s heart.”
Her effort also has had an impact on her heart.
“I thought it was a small thing—and a little risky, not knowing how people would respond—but the way that people responded really gave me a lot of joy and fulfillment. So, here was something that I thought I was giving back to Jesus, and here he was showering it back to me.
“I hope this gives other people a spark of what they can do.”
A time to act, knowing God will provide
Mike Krokos has had his own spark toward a more meaningful approach to Lent. The spark came when he looked into his clothes closet.
Similar to Likins, a Bible verse called to Krokos, this one from Luke 3:11, “He said to them in reply, ‘Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none.’ ”
“I don’t know if it was the Bible verse —which has always reminded me of the corporal works of mercy—but a few years ago, I came to the realization that I had a closet busting at the seams with clothes, including items that hadn’t been worn in years,” recalls Krokos, the editor of The Criterion.
As he looked at the overflowing closet, Krokos knew it was time for a change—and not just another change of clothes.
“I can’t remember where the idea came from, but I’ll credit it to a prompting of the Holy Spirit. I heard a voice clearly ask that day, ‘Why do you need all that stuff?’ ”
That question stayed with him as he noticed shorts and pants that no longer fit, sport coats and sweaters that “hadn’t been worn in years, and sweatshirts and T-shirts that were in good condition buried in the back of an area that was filled to the brim.”
“As I approached Lent that year, I knew it was time to act. During that six-week period, I took an article of clothing out of the closet each day, stacked the items in piles, and eventually bagged them to give to others.”
He then took the bags of clothing to stores run by Goodwill and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, hoping they would benefit someone in need.
That Lenten ritual has continued for years, enhancing his other resolutions during this season.
It’s also enhanced his life and his faith.
“During Lent, we focus on the penitential practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, and each year I now make it a point to donate clothing I know I don’t need anymore,” Krokos says. “I have been blessed my entire life, and I now consider it a privilege to share my abundance with others.
“What began as a tedious process has turned into an act of joy and love, something I believe brings me closer to Christ in living out his mandate to assist our brothers and sisters in need. I’ve yet to see any of my clothes worn by others on the streets of central and southern Indiana, but I pray they are indeed serving their purpose.
“With apologies to Nike, I’ve learned every Lent is an opportunity to ‘Just Do It’ by letting go of material possessions and trusting God will always provide.”
‘A time of healing’
The uplifting Lenten tradition began during one of the most devastating times in the recent history of the United States.
Wanting to do something positive after the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sherry Owen and Debbie Bruce of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Rushville came up with an idea that they hoped would help them move closer to others and Christ.
They started a women’s book study.
“Debbie and I were overwhelmed by the turnout,” says Owen, noting that the first book they shared was Graced and Gifted by Kimberly Hahn. “The result was a time of healing and the wonderful gift of Catholic community.”
This Lent marks the fourth year of the tradition.
“We have enjoyed learning the faith through the eyes of several of the WINE [Women in the New Evangelization] books along with Lectio Divina, Visio Divina and small group discussion breakout sessions.
“We have been blessed to share with one another our faith and life’s joys and struggles through our time together. We are thankful for all the old and new friendships we have made.”
Bringing a family closer
Barbara Vandygriff has found a creative way to connect her family to a deeper bond with each other and Lent.
“My husband and I are blessed with six lovely adult children, 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, with one little angel on the way,” notes Vandygriff, a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Franklin.
“The way I like to share our Lent every year is to make a Lenten calendar naming each and every family member on a special individual block. I leave Sundays open to name their own intentions. The other blank blocks are to remember people to pray for, such as clergy, firefighters, police officers, souls in purgatory, deceased members of our family and the pope.”
After creating her Lenten calendar, Vandygriff makes copies for each family member. She also adds a special touch as a follow-up.
“We call each family member on their special day to remind them that they are being prayed for by all of their loved ones,” she says.
“I believe this Lenten practice has brought our family closer and gives the season truly a time of prayer and a reminder of sacrifice. And it makes Holy Week more meaningful, and Easter and the Resurrection even more joyful.” †
