D
Dr.Colossus
Guest
tom.wineman said:
No fair cheatin’ guys. You’re supposed to give up stuff you do on a regular basis.
(I’m giving you guys the benefit of the doubt…if I’m wrong, I don’t really want to know.
)
- Status
(I’m giving you guys the benefit of the doubt…if I’m wrong, I don’t really want to know.
)
D
Debbie
Guest
This is a portion of a great article from last year’s National Catholic Register. I typed it so THIS year I could have some help to think outside the box!
Debbie
**What I’m Giving Up for Lent
Bonacci, Shaw, Pacwa, Bellet, Hudson, Alvare, Arroyo …
Compiled by JOSEPH PRONECHEN **
With the first Sunday of Lent upon us — and many of us still unsure about how best to spend our “40 days in the desert” this year — we thought we’d send our intrepid reporter to rustle up some ideas.
He asked a few influential Catholics: What are you giving up for Lent?
Here’s what he came back with.
Mary Beth Bonacci, author, speaker and founder of Real Love Productions, says, “I always give up something and I add something extra. Sugar! I’m giving up sugar. In every form — even no ketchup. That means reading labels. It’s for me to regulate and discipline myself. And, for a positive thing, I’m going to make a real effort to spend more time in front of the Blessed Sacrament each day.”
Russell Shaw, Washington, D.C.-based author and journalist, is giving up “frequent and unnecessary access to the Internet and checking my e-mail. It has become more and more self-indulgent, like going to the water cooler too much. I’ll just go on the Internet and check e-mail only three times a day.” With the time saved, he adds, “I can say hello to my wife and say a decade of the rosary. That will do a lot of good.”
**
Camille de Blasi**, formerly with the Center for Life Principles and now founder of a new ministry called Healing the Culture, says, “I’m not giving up anything for Lent this year. Instead, I’m going to do an extra devotion. I’m going to get up every morning one hour earlier for daily prayer and the rosary. I think I’ll get a lot more out of an extra devotion because when you start a new organization, your spiritual life suffers. So I’m giving up work time for more God time.”
Father Mitch Pacwa, Jesuit author and host of “EWTN Live,” says: “As old as I am, I absolutely love ice cream and sweets. In the great time of Lent it’s important to stop all those things, all the little luxuries. You really become accustomed to them but don’t really need them. It helps toward greater detachment.
Marie Bellet, singer, songwriter and mother of eight, is going to give up TV. “And I’m keeping my surfaces clean,” she adds. “That means my desk, which is always messy, and the counters and all surfaces that get piles of paper. I’m sorting through all this stuff and not leaving it about.”
Dr. Janet Smith, chairwoman of life issues at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and consultant on the Pontifical Council for the Family, tries to “give up one new thing each week, so by the end of Lent I give up six things,” she says. “To start, I’m trying to be less haphazard by writing a list of tasks I have to do the next day. I generally will give up reading the newspaper in the mornings because I like to do that. It’s the little things, the little indulgences I like to do.”
Another penance? “A delicious mortification for females is to look in their closet and wear something they don’t like to wear,” she says. “It’s excruciating for females to wear what we don’t look good in.”
Father Frank Pavone, founder of Priests for Life, will focus on things “more of a spiritual than a physical nature — giving more time and better listening. It’s not so much give up as give to other people, the people around us every day. In terms of giving up something, it’s the time we have for ourselves” given to family and co-workers.
Then comes listening. “There’s a lot of hasty judgment about people and what they’re doing, “ he says. “What we have to give up is the easy comfort of quick conclusions about people. We have to make the effort to contact them directly and get an undiluted version of what they do. I’m going to focus on this as a Lenten penance everyone can benefit from.”
Raymond Arroyo, host of EWTN’s “The World Over,” says, “On the one hand I’m giving up sweets as I have since I was 2. And I’m resolved to do something positive because of Mother Angelica’s influence. As an Italian American, she was loathe to deprive herself at the table. But she always stressed trying to do something more and go the extra mile. I’ll spend more time with my family and more time in prayer.”
Joseph Pronechen writes from
Trumbull, Connecticut. *
Debbie
**What I’m Giving Up for Lent
Bonacci, Shaw, Pacwa, Bellet, Hudson, Alvare, Arroyo …
Compiled by JOSEPH PRONECHEN **
With the first Sunday of Lent upon us — and many of us still unsure about how best to spend our “40 days in the desert” this year — we thought we’d send our intrepid reporter to rustle up some ideas.
He asked a few influential Catholics: What are you giving up for Lent?
Here’s what he came back with.
Mary Beth Bonacci, author, speaker and founder of Real Love Productions, says, “I always give up something and I add something extra. Sugar! I’m giving up sugar. In every form — even no ketchup. That means reading labels. It’s for me to regulate and discipline myself. And, for a positive thing, I’m going to make a real effort to spend more time in front of the Blessed Sacrament each day.”
Russell Shaw, Washington, D.C.-based author and journalist, is giving up “frequent and unnecessary access to the Internet and checking my e-mail. It has become more and more self-indulgent, like going to the water cooler too much. I’ll just go on the Internet and check e-mail only three times a day.” With the time saved, he adds, “I can say hello to my wife and say a decade of the rosary. That will do a lot of good.”
**
Camille de Blasi**, formerly with the Center for Life Principles and now founder of a new ministry called Healing the Culture, says, “I’m not giving up anything for Lent this year. Instead, I’m going to do an extra devotion. I’m going to get up every morning one hour earlier for daily prayer and the rosary. I think I’ll get a lot more out of an extra devotion because when you start a new organization, your spiritual life suffers. So I’m giving up work time for more God time.”
Father Mitch Pacwa, Jesuit author and host of “EWTN Live,” says: “As old as I am, I absolutely love ice cream and sweets. In the great time of Lent it’s important to stop all those things, all the little luxuries. You really become accustomed to them but don’t really need them. It helps toward greater detachment.
Marie Bellet, singer, songwriter and mother of eight, is going to give up TV. “And I’m keeping my surfaces clean,” she adds. “That means my desk, which is always messy, and the counters and all surfaces that get piles of paper. I’m sorting through all this stuff and not leaving it about.”
Dr. Janet Smith, chairwoman of life issues at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and consultant on the Pontifical Council for the Family, tries to “give up one new thing each week, so by the end of Lent I give up six things,” she says. “To start, I’m trying to be less haphazard by writing a list of tasks I have to do the next day. I generally will give up reading the newspaper in the mornings because I like to do that. It’s the little things, the little indulgences I like to do.”
Another penance? “A delicious mortification for females is to look in their closet and wear something they don’t like to wear,” she says. “It’s excruciating for females to wear what we don’t look good in.”
Father Frank Pavone, founder of Priests for Life, will focus on things “more of a spiritual than a physical nature — giving more time and better listening. It’s not so much give up as give to other people, the people around us every day. In terms of giving up something, it’s the time we have for ourselves” given to family and co-workers.
Then comes listening. “There’s a lot of hasty judgment about people and what they’re doing, “ he says. “What we have to give up is the easy comfort of quick conclusions about people. We have to make the effort to contact them directly and get an undiluted version of what they do. I’m going to focus on this as a Lenten penance everyone can benefit from.”
Raymond Arroyo, host of EWTN’s “The World Over,” says, “On the one hand I’m giving up sweets as I have since I was 2. And I’m resolved to do something positive because of Mother Angelica’s influence. As an Italian American, she was loathe to deprive herself at the table. But she always stressed trying to do something more and go the extra mile. I’ll spend more time with my family and more time in prayer.”
Joseph Pronechen writes from
Trumbull, Connecticut. *
W
wbeckham
Guest
This may sound a little silly but if you drive as much as I do (or live in Southern California - which means the same thing) this may have some significance for you. I’m giving up talk radio. Well, secular talk radio. I’ve burned about 2 years worth of Catholic Answers live to CD and I’m going to “meditate” on those instead.
Isn’t great how when you “give something up” God uses it to reward you?
Isn’t great how when you “give something up” God uses it to reward you?
- Wayne
J
jlw
Guest
Dr. Colossus:
WOW!!! Were we separated at birth??? Givng up the same exact things!!
J
joshua1
Guest
I tried to give up “work” for Lent but my boss wouldnt hear of it. Seriously, Ive decided instead of giving up something specific, I would go to weekday mass whenever possible and attend stations of the cross and benediction. At least these are things I can get into the habit of doing and continue well after lent.
Seriously, Ive decided instead of giving up something specific, I would go to weekday mass whenever possible and attend stations of the cross and benediction. At least these are things I can get into the habit of doing and continue well after lent.
N
neophyte
Guest
Giving up:
1.Junk food.
2. Meat (except when it effects what my wife eats - she’s Jewish and when I gave it up entirely last year it really caused her to resent my new faith). Friday’s she’s just gonna have to deal with, though.
3. Fancy fish dishes - I have a chowder recipe that’ll knock your socks off, but it’s too good to be penitential.
Picking up:
1.Junk food.
2. Meat (except when it effects what my wife eats - she’s Jewish and when I gave it up entirely last year it really caused her to resent my new faith). Friday’s she’s just gonna have to deal with, though.
3. Fancy fish dishes - I have a chowder recipe that’ll knock your socks off, but it’s too good to be penitential.
Picking up:
- More time in Adoration.
- Earlier arrival before Mass.
R
RichSpidizzy
Guest
ooooo… any tips? this morning I already caught myself almost biting my nails
P
puzzleannie
Guest
awright, which one of you guys put a dove icecream bar and a hershey with almonds in my freezer, and don’t try to get out of it by saying the devil made you do it.
R
RichSpidizzy
Guest
E
emelbee
Guest
I’m giving up all beverages except for water. For me, that means coffee, bourbon, and an occasional Diet Coke (not all mixed together).
I’m increasing my prayer and spiritual reading.
I’m glad Lent is here - it’s my favorite time of year.
I’m increasing my prayer and spiritual reading.
I’m glad Lent is here - it’s my favorite time of year.
K
kayla
Guest
giving Up:
Pizza and peanut M&M’s (my favorite junk foods)
Shopping… for non-food items like clothes and shoes!
picking Up:
Praying the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Joined a faith sharing group that meets every week
that meets every week.
God Bless and Good Luck to all with your lenten journey
Pizza and peanut M&M’s (my favorite junk foods)
Shopping… for non-food items like clothes and shoes!
picking Up:
Praying the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Joined a faith sharing group that meets every week
that meets every week.
God Bless and Good Luck to all with your lenten journey
P
ProudArmyWife
Guest
Giving Up - Television in the morning hours (bad habit of just having it on!)
Picking Up - Going to one extra mass or church related event a week
Picking Up - Going to one extra mass or church related event a week
K
Kathryn_0404
Guest
I’m giving up dessert and am going to limit myself to only an hour or two of TV each day.
Also, I’m going to read thru all four gospels, pray the rosary once daily, and read a daily prayer and devotion book.
Also, I’m going to read thru all four gospels, pray the rosary once daily, and read a daily prayer and devotion book.
M
Michael_C
Guest
The last two years I gave up TV completely, even for Sundays. This year I’m going to cut down on my meals and put aside the money I save and at the end of lent donate it to Operation rice bowl, that way someone benefits from my sacrifice.
Not too harsh, but in the right spirit.
Not too harsh, but in the right spirit.
G
Grace_and_Glory
Guest
This is a somewhat different Lent for me, because I have already started giving things up outside of Lent (brown soda and computer games) and so have less to give up just for Lent.
Now, for what I am doing particularly for Lent:
Definitely-giving up all drinks except skim milk and water
Definitely-going to daily Mass at least twice a week
Definitely-making more time throughout the day for prayer
Probably-sleeping on the floor instead of in bed
Possibly-snacks between meals (although because I often have to eat dinner quite early I might allow myself a snack later at night on non-fasting days)
I might end up giving more up as time goes on and I see things I can do without that I feel I should give up, but that’s about it for now.
Now, for what I am doing particularly for Lent:
Definitely-giving up all drinks except skim milk and water
Definitely-going to daily Mass at least twice a week
Definitely-making more time throughout the day for prayer
Probably-sleeping on the floor instead of in bed
Possibly-snacks between meals (although because I often have to eat dinner quite early I might allow myself a snack later at night on non-fasting days)
I might end up giving more up as time goes on and I see things I can do without that I feel I should give up, but that’s about it for now.
C
Conster74
Guest
Unnecessary spending. I’ve been known for blowing $50 on a broken Star Wars clock from 1981, $89 on the soundtrack to Donkey Kong 2, and $100 on a rare Godzilla video game.
I need to get a handle on how I spend, and become a better steward of, my money.
I need to get a handle on how I spend, and become a better steward of, my money.
F
Fortiterinre
Guest
Dr. Colossus and jlw, it is good to have kindred spirits in the world of sugary soda pop! I tell people I’m giving up “real pop” as opposed to diet, and they look at me like I have chosen the easiest offering in the world. I do not drink coffee, need some caffeine to make those 6:30 AM daily Masses, and don’t like diet soda much more than coffee, so it feels like a real sacrifice to me!
W
WanderAimlessly
Guest
Other than chocholate (except for meal bars that I sometimes have for lunch), I am not giving up anything.
More me, it is what I will be doing to improve my spiritual life and, hopefully, help me determine if a change in career/vocation is the right thing for me.
PF
V
volzcpa
Guest
I keep it simple, I just follow the lead of Christ and fast during Lent. No solid food, just fruit juices. This will be my sixth Lent doing this and it really helps me focus on God through prayer. You have to pray when you are fasting because no one can do it without God’s help. I follow the traditional (Middle Ages) fast by breaking my fast on Holy Thursday evening, after Mass, in celebration of the Last Supper. Then I fast again on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Fasting isn’t for everyone, especially if you have any medical problems. It is always wise to check with your doctor first before making any radical changes to your life style.
There is also a side benefit for me in fasting – I lose 45-50 pounds in six weeks.
There is also a side benefit for me in fasting – I lose 45-50 pounds in six weeks.
T
Tammieste61
Guest
Hello,
As an emerging Catholic in the RCIA process, Lent has taken on a very different meaning for me & so although I have decided to give up carbonated beverages, more importantly I am choosing to attend the stations of the cross weekly. Also, today I bought myself a large realistic crucifix which I hung in a place I see many times a day. A visceral reminder of the reason I am making these life changes. I also hope to teach myself the rosary and say it often.
As an emerging Catholic in the RCIA process, Lent has taken on a very different meaning for me & so although I have decided to give up carbonated beverages, more importantly I am choosing to attend the stations of the cross weekly. Also, today I bought myself a large realistic crucifix which I hung in a place I see many times a day. A visceral reminder of the reason I am making these life changes. I also hope to teach myself the rosary and say it often.
- Status