In the time before Lent, many of us start thinking about what we and our family members are going to “give up for Lent”. Many bad habits are put on hold during that six week period, while other habits are given up completely. As the years have passed and I don’t have small children to guide through the process, I find myself looking for a balance. Not only do I focus on something I can give up, but something I can change about myself to help me be more in touch with the beauty of the Lenten and Easter Season.

Lent is a special time of grace in the Church and as parish communicators, we can support and foster our parishioners and visitors in their desire to grow in holiness through inspiring and welcoming images, thoughtful reflections and links to meaningful content. Preplan your Lenten online communications using the app. Ash Wednesday is February 14. To assist app administrators with tools for your parishioners, Diocesan is offering several new and exciting options for the myParishApp audience.

• As in previous years, there will be Lent and Easter backgrounds that you can request. Once we have your request, we will make the changes for you to Lent, then to Easter. And then back to your current background at the end of the Season. Click HERE to sign up for these new features listed below – all FREE!
  
• Weekly Lenten video reflections from Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR. In six transformative weeks, you will learn how to allow the Holy Spirit to move in your heart through a new theme each week. Please encourage your parishioners to tune in for these. Made for Heaven is perfect for both individual and group use. All available through our partnership with Ave Maria Press. Free companion videos and a downloadable leader’s guide are available at avemariapress.com
• Daily Lenten reflections and blog by Amy Thomas,  from The Catholic Pilgrim.
  Promote the Catholic Faith and rebel against the culture. This button is not just for Lent and can remain on the app if you choose.
• Grow deeper in your faith life as you reflect on the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This Visio Divina prayer book includes guided prayer and reflection on a beautiful series of seven pieces of artwork by Belgian painter Jozef Janssens, portraying the life and passion of our Lord through the eyes of Our Lady. Also included is a guide to praying the Seven Sorrows Chaplet.

myParish App has a wealth of resources to help your community make Lent meaningful. Click HERE

Catholic Life Every Day

As we quickly approach Holy Week, there are many recommendations that you can share with your parishioners to engage them.

• Encourage the use of the daily readings from the App. Often, just a reminder that they are there will guide them. Suggest reading their way through Holy Week — Jesus from Cross to Crown, all with a tap of the readings button.
• The best message is one that is from the parish priest. Have him write a brief message and have it sent to your App messages on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.
• Add Holy Week Confession & Mass Times to messages. Also, inform parishioners through messaging of the other services and times during Holy Week.
• Suggest that parishioners use reminders on the App
  
• As families move throughout the building during Lent and Easter, be sure to use cards and myParish App banners if you have them.
• On Palm Sunday and throughout the week, encourage parishioners to invite family members, friends, and neighbors — especially those who have strayed from the Church the last few years, to come to church with you for the Easter Vigil or for Mass on Easter morning.
• Remind parishioners of the Lent Reflections and videos currently on the App.
  
• Check out these additional Holy Week  resources

Since the beginning of Christianity, the week beginning with Palm Sunday and ending on Easter has been sacred because it commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

From all of us at Diocesan, we wish you a Blessed Easter Season.
Catholic life every day