This the St. Ann's Lenten blog designed to help us all get the most out of Lent in 2010. The object of this exercise is to use Prayers of the People form VI found on 392 of the 1979 BCP (our red prayer book) to inspire us to do what we pray during this season. The hope is that this experience will inspire us to live this way more naturally. The blog is a way to hold us all accountable to one another as a community but more importantly to inspire one another with our success stories.
Each day this week (Mon.-Sat.) choose one of the first 6 prayers, pray it and then find some way to act on it. Be creative and invite the Spirit to inspire you. It might be a financial contribution to an organization of your choosing or a phone call of encouragement. The scope of the gesture is not important; beginning this practice is.
Once you have done something, write about it on this blog to share with others. Please do not use your name. This exercise is not meant to be a way to have a conversation and certainly not to be a competition. But we can inspire and support each other through sharing our progress as we travel through Lent.
May God bless this endeavor and may God bless you all for your courage and will to grow more and more into the likeness of Christ.
God's Peace,
Fr. Brian
Each day this week (Mon.-Sat.) choose one of the first 6 prayers, pray it and then find some way to act on it. Be creative and invite the Spirit to inspire you. It might be a financial contribution to an organization of your choosing or a phone call of encouragement. The scope of the gesture is not important; beginning this practice is.
Once you have done something, write about it on this blog to share with others. Please do not use your name. This exercise is not meant to be a way to have a conversation and certainly not to be a competition. But we can inspire and support each other through sharing our progress as we travel through Lent.
May God bless this endeavor and may God bless you all for your courage and will to grow more and more into the likeness of Christ.
God's Peace,
Fr. Brian
Today I focused on the first prayer in Form VI where it talks about friends, family, and those who are alone. I had a few unanswered emails from old friends that I received months ago. I finally answered them to make sure my friends knew I was thinking about them and it felt good to do the right thing and keep in touch with old friends who were kind enough to get in touch with me.
ReplyDeleteI, too focused on the first prayer today as I reached out to a friend's wife I had been meaning to contact who is pregnant. Turns out that she is having a tough time and is on bed rest. She does not have many friends in the area because she is not from Long Island and lives here with her husband. So I made plans for my son and I to visit her next week and bring her lunch. Not only did it feel great to do something kind for another, but I am so looking forward to the visit and company myself!
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ReplyDeleteMy mother moved out of New York a few years ago. She is living a more fruitful and financially easier life just as she had hoped. The hardest part for her is being away from her family. It's not easy trying to stay in touch with 16 people on a regular basis, and she is definitely pained by missing concerts, games, birthdays, etc. I decided to create a Facebook account in my name, yet give it to Mom (I already have an account of my own). I called her, walked her through the process, and showed her where she could find my 200+ recent photos of everyone she misses. She was thrilled to see her grandchildren. It may not seem like a big deal to many people, but now Mom has daily access to all of her children and grandchildren. She can view and comment on our pictures, daily status updates, videos of concerts, and so much more whenever she's lonely. Could we all call her more? Maybe, but she's busy, too, and often not home. Today I didn't sit down until 10 pm. I can't call her now, but I can leave her a message on FB and send her a link to our newest pictures taken today! I think tomorrow will be a brighter day for her.
ReplyDeleteToday I focused on the third prayer which mentions the just and proper use of creation. Having read an article about the Clean Water Act losing some of its potency due to a Supreme Court ruling, I sent letters to one of the New York senators as well as a senator mentioned in the article, encouraging them to be proactive in resolving this issue and not allowing such important legislation to fall to the wayside.
ReplyDeleteToday was related to the fourth prayer. I cared for a friend in deep sorrow. For this friend, it is a time of painful and unexpected changes. I spent time with my friend tonight talking about these changes and the overwhelming stress involved. I listened, comforted and tried to make these changes feel a little less frightening.
ReplyDeleteI was just at the Congregational church on Middle Road. They feed people four nights a week working with a program called the Interfaith Nutrition Network - INN. St. Ann's is having its Lent soup suppers and we always have tons of bread so I brought some to the INN to help with dinner tonight. It's always good to see smiling appreciative faces and to see people coming together for the good of others. This act was to satisfy prayer 4 which addresses those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
ReplyDeleteToday I focused on prayer three as I donated my extra money from grocery shopping to homeless veteran's. Such amazing people are our soldiers. They symbolize true sacrifice and giving to others, yet often we forget those who are no longer serving our country, but are in serious need of help. I am hoping my contribution will make a difference for some of them.
ReplyDeleteI spent time planning an event for children in the area. It's time consuming and often stressful, but to provide good, clean, safe fun for impressionable kids is an experience we all need to have - especially the children. (For all people in their daily life and work; For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone)
ReplyDeleteToday I began a food drive to help victims of hunger.
ReplyDeleteI have offered help to people effected by the storm this past weekend. different people have different needs, so I ask "what can I do for you"
ReplyDeleteToday I wrote a letter and sent a photograph to the mother of a friend from high school who was recently killed by a hit and run driver. Although I do not know the mother personally, I hope the picture as well as the memories I recounted will give her small comfort during this devastating time.
ReplyDeleteI've been working on sending cards/notes to the sick, the friendless and the needy.
ReplyDeleteI wrote my first note yesterday and will go to the P.O. for stamps today to mail the rest out.
I also sent a note to a woman I used to work with, just thanking her for her kind nature and lifting her spirits. She called me yesterday and was so pleased that I wrote her. It was a gift for ME.
My aunt's mother died right around Easter. I went online and found a photo that someone else posted of her (mother) when she was younger. I'm going to print it out and frame it and send it on to her for Easter. She has no children and I'm her Goddaughter. I think it will mean a lot to her. (For our families, friends and neighbors)
In many ways this Lent season has been a test to remain focused on listening to God during prayer... trying to hear His message... and do His will. My mother has been very ill, and my sister and I had to battle BOTH the disease and the system (!) on a daily basis... and without faith we would have been sunk! I take this moment here on Easter morning to PRAISE FROM THE HILLTOPS the GLORIOUS NAME OF OUR LORD who suffered for us on the cross and by doing so set an example of true faith that I an only hope to emulate in small ways... but as I said earlier, without which I would be sunk.
ReplyDeletePraise YOU LORD CHRIST. Peace to all of my brothers and sisters here at St,. Ann's...
Father Brian...thank you for this forum.. keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThis past season of Lent has effected me more than any other. It feels as though my soul is stronger now. Yes, for many reasons, but one thing in particular was keeping these prayers next to me at night. Whether I prayed for direction, or plotted out a way to be God's instrument, it is a daily reminder of who I want to be. I will continue with this devotion for a long time. Thank you, Father Brian.
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