Wednesday, March 5, marks the beginning of the Lenten Season with Ash Wednesday. With the season of Lent quickly approaching, the Milestone decided to take a deeper look into the true meaning and what should sacrifice during this time.
Theology teacher and department chair, Mrs. Mary Beth Sandmann said it is important to give up something in your life because, “Giving up something is a good reminder that we are focusing on some deeper things within in us.”
McNicholas Chaplain, Fr. Kevin Scalf, said that to decide on what to give up in your life, you must first ask God in prayer what He wants you to do. He said to ask God, “What do you think I need to work on to become a little bit more like you?” Fr. Kevin then said you should take some time to take some time to thoughtfully examine your life by looking at: “Some of those things in our lives where we have attachments to, where we’re not fully free.”
Deacon Pete Caccavari said, “In giving up something we like that is a good thing, we are saying to God: This is good, but you are better!”
Scalf noted, “I think the church would first focus on giving up something, but I think adding would complement that.” Scalf, Sandmann, and Caccavari all agree that implementing something new into your life is necessary to grow during the season of Lent.
Scalf said that to become more connected to our faith and experience growth we must first prioritize these main three activities: Sunday mass, reconciliation and daily prayer. Caccavari added, “I think that adding things is a very beneficial approach. If you don’t pray every day, add that during Lent. It doesn’t have to be long. Start with a length you will do, even if it’s just 5 minutes.” Along with prayer, Caccavari placed a high importance on getting to know ourselves because, “the more we get to know ourselves, the more we get to know God, because then we see that we need God.”
Sandmann said, “Whenever we serve another person we are serving God.” She said that Lent is a season she uses to also give back to her community to make a positive impact on those around her.
“Lent is a good time for intercessory prayer (praying for others). It’s also a good time to talk with others about Lent,” Caccavari said. Caccavari also recommended things like going to Stations of the Cross at your parish on one of the Fridays of Lent, or doing something from the Corporal Works of Mercy, such as volunteering at Matthew 25 Ministries or St. Vincent de Paul.
The McNicholas Milestone 