Ash Wednesday

I am home and have been to Mass with the older girls from Carrollton at the Church across the street and down from the school. I was really impressed by the silence and the seriousness with which the girls were beginning Lent by assisting at this Mass. It was a prayerful atmosphere and says much to me about the way the school is really educating these girls in the faith.
I had a great vacation and it was good to see all of my family in one visit except for the grand- niece and three grand- nephews who live in Oregon - three are still in school but had been to see the grandparents in Scottsdale just last month. Now, I am preparing for Lent.

Here is something copied from another blog but worth reading and you may not have seen it:

Lent should be more than a time of fasting. It should be a joyous season of feasting. Lent is a time to fast from certain things and to feast on others. It is a season in which we should:

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them....
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from thought of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on the phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on hope.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
 William Arthur Ward (American author, teacher and pastor, 1921 - 1994) -  several variants or additional lines. For example

Fast from being so busy; feast on quiet silence
Fast from problems that overwhelm us; feast on prayerful trust
Fast from talking; feast on listening
Fast from trying to be in control; feast on letting go.
Maybe you want to add your own. I noticed that the Holy Father emphasized that Lent was a time of joy and gratitude for the overwhelming love of Our Lord as we participate in the paschal mystery. I may not be quoting that word for word, but I liked the idea that we are preparing for Easter and so joy and gratitude are proper as we are made aware of how much God loves us during this season.