Catholic Relief Services Releases Lenten Resources

As the season of Lent approaches, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) invites all to participate – including and especially college students – in the annual CRS Rice Bowl. CRS has developed multiple additional resources tailored to colleges and universities. Among their resources, CRS includes a list of things you can do to participate in the Rice Bowl in various ways:

1. Share your faith: Community Reflections in English and in Spanish on climate change and Laudato Si’ are available to all.
2. Eat simply: All are encouraged to not only go meatless on Fridays but to continue to eat simply throughout Lent.Delicious meatless recipes available here!
3. Keep Lent in your pocket: The CRS Rice Bowl app is available for iPhone and Android devices! This is an easy way to keep track of the daily reflections and your Lenten fast.
4. Distribute CRS Rice Bowls: Giving to the best of our abilities is still a part of Lent! Order your Rice Bowl kit for FREE here.
5. Volunteer with a local faith community: We are also called to give of our time and talents. Check out CRS school and parish resources!

Does your college or university have other Lenten resources? Let us know! 

 

Additional Lenten Resources from Jesuit Colleges

Are you looking for additional resources to help you grow in your faith during the season of Lent?  The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) has compiled a long list of Lenten resources, outlining what Jesuit colleges and universities are offering to their campus communities during this liturgical season. Additionally, the page features a number of online resources for prayer and meditation.

Rockhurst University and St. Joseph’s University’s programming includes themes related to peace and justice. Rockhurst created a video that highlights what service means to the university community, and how that community strives to find God in all things. St. Joseph’s is hosting a series called #LentenLunches, which includes a simple meal, conversation, and faith sharing.

To read more about these initiatives and for other Lenten news, including online resources for prayer and meditation, visit AJCU’s website.

Peace and Justice Resources for Lent

Are you looking for resources to enrich your Lenten journey?  We are pleased to share several resources from our colleagues working for peace and justice:

-The Justice for Immigrants Campaign has produced a toolkit entitled Immigration Reform: Your Lenten Promise, inviting you to pray, fast, learn, give and advocate for just and humane immigration reform, in solidarity with immigrants and refugees.

-Focusing on climate change during Lent?  In anticipation of Pope Francis’ upcoming encyclical on care for creation and the environment, Ignatian Solidarity Network has released Renewing the Face of the Earth, a Lenten reflection series on protecting God’s creation and fighting climate change.  Sign up for daily updates on the website!  In addition, the Global Catholic Climate Movement has organized a fast for climate justice during Lent 2015.  Catholics from more than 45 countries will fast from food or activities that produce carbon dioxide during each of the 40 days of Lent.  The U.S. fasting date is set for March 16.

-Pax Christi USA has set up a special webpage for Lenten reflections, prayers, and resources.  Visit the webpage to sign up for weekly Lenten reflections!

-Catholic Relief Services is celebrating the 40th year of Rice Bowl, a faith-in-action Lenten program dedicated to changing the lives of the poor through fasting, prayer and almsgiving.  Visit the CRS Rice Bowl site to participate in the program.  You can download the app, watch the new videos on “What is Lent?”, and view simple meatless international recipes to cook during Lent as part of the program.

-USCCB encourages U.S. Catholics to pray, fast, and give during Lent.  Lenten resources are listed on their website, including Pope Francis’ Lenten message and a special Lenten calendar.

2015 Lenten Lecture Series at Cabrini

Gaudium et Spes was the only document from Vatican II which focuses on the relationship of the church to the world at-large. This document has deeply affected the way that the church has responded to social justice issues, and it is still highly relevant today as Catholics continue working in the larger world. Join Cabrini College on Wednesdays during Lent to revisit the revolutionary implications of this document and to examine the challenges it still poses today.

Click here for more information.