Resources to guide you on the Lenten journey

Published: February 9, 2008

Rather than giving up your favorite foods, consider adding a spiritual practice during Lent. The following offer a variety of options to choose from.

Attend a Bible study: Little Rock Scripture Study's "The Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Jesus" offer an in-depth study throughout Lent into Holy Week. It is available in English and Spanish. For more information, call Little Rock Scripture Study at (501) 664-6102 or visit littlerock scripture.org.

Attend Why Catholic?: The Lenten session of this ongoing four-year program runs through March 18. It is based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Participants will study the sacraments. For more information, contact your parish or visit the Office of Religious Education page at dolr.org.

Do some spiritual reading: Pope Benedict XVI's 2008 Lenten message, "Christ Made Himself Poor for You," focuses on almsgiving, which along with prayer and fasting, is a key practice during Lent. To read the message in English, visit vatican.va, and do a search for "Lent 2008." The pope's 2006 book, "Journey to Easter: Spiritual Reflections for the Lenten Season" (Crossroad Publishing) offers meditation on the meaning of Lent, explains the importance of the birth and death of Jesus and his meaning in our lives.

Fast, give alms: Catholic Relief Services' Operation Rice Bowl incorporates prayer, fasting and almsgiving in its fundraising program to reduce hunger around the world. Participate through your parish or school. For more, call Rebecca Spencer at Catholic Charities of Arkansas, (501) 664-0340, or visit orb.crs.org.

Watch an educational video: The diocese's Resource Library offers several Lenten videos for children and adults in both English and Spanish. Call Teresa Hayden at (501) 664-0340 or see the video list on the library's Web pages at dolr.org.

Learn about the Catholic faith: The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Lenten page offers a wide range of resources. To access this information, visit usccb.org/lent/.

Pray: Catholic Web sites offer online retreats, Stations of the Cross, Lenten reflections, the Liturgy of the Hours and prayers on fasting to name a few. For retreats visit franciscanradio.org/Retreats/Lent or creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent. For prayers, visit usccb.org/lent/prayer.shtml or dolr.org/catholic/prayers.php. For a variety of resources, visit americancatholic.org/Features/Lent.

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