Lent :)

Happy Ash Wednesday! Isn't this an oxy-moron? Shouldn't we be sorrowful about the season of lent? If we're not at least a bit sorrowful, we are probably dancing around the edge of the desert, not going through the heart of the desert, as suggested by Fr. Bernie.  Challenge yourself.

I'm trying something new this blog post.  As many wonderful thoughts as I have on my mind at this moment, I'm just going to share one cool resource with you that might help you to get the most out of the liturgical season of Lent.  As our youth minister encouraged us, be sure to find one thing to commit to whole-heartedly, not five or six things half-heartedly. If you faulter, do not get down on yourself, but repent and try again. "God loves it when you fail, because you tried, and you are humbled."


While attending the Kansas Catholic College Student Convention (KCCSC) this past weekend, we heard some great speakers who helped to renew our faith and take a second look about how we are growing in our relationship with God and with each other. Todd Lemieux was the keynote Saturday evening. Todd is striving for Christ and has challenged many people to take on the "Sainthood Project".   We should all be striving to become saints. It will most likely cost us more than we are betting on, but it will be worth it. Here is a plan for working on becoming a saint, from Todd. We recieved a preface to these, as he listed them near the end of his time speaking.


1. Be concerned. When you are concerned about something, you work on it. If you find yourself thinking you have things figured out, think again.
2. Be determined. Drive will seperate you.
3. Be motivated (there are many issues you can be motivated about).
4. Be committed to prayer - daily. Not talking to God is like being in a marriage and not talking to your spouse. The more we pray, the more time we have.
5. Be humble. You are not the source of your holiness, God is. 
6. Be specific about how you want to grow spiritually, i.e., 5 minutes of Lectio Divina daily.
7. Be persevering. Post this list and check yourself once a week. Meet with a spiritual director montly. Don't give up.  Pope John Paul II and Mother Theresa persevered.
8. Be sacremental - recieving the Eucharist and Reconciliation often. 


God is good.