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Lent is a very personal time for individuals, so my church (Methodist) does not have official guidelines on how individuals should observe Lent. For example, the church does not say everyone has to fast. We may choose other ways of observing acts of penance, but we are not to neglect it, either - the value of self-denial can be learned early in a person's life. Lent provides an excellent opportunity to teach children the necessity of self-denial in our permissive society. A spirit of fasting can include restriction of luxuries such as television watching, shopping and going out with friends. We can give away clothing or possessions to those in need or we can give time to the Lord by volunteering our services or special prayers and devotions. Whenever possible we can pray more often alone or with family members.:)
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Wow, we're blooming with people who have great names, Lori! ;) Thanks for sharing what happens in your church during Lent. It sounds really spiritual and individual, which is great! I love that our priest encourages us to find personal ways to observe Lent, too. I agree with you about self-denial. I remember reading a study, several years ago, that was done with kids using M&Ms. The kids were given three M&Ms. They were told that if they didn't eat them for 2 minutes, they would be given three more. If they ate them before that time, that's all they got. They then followed the children into their adult lives and found that those who were able to wait the 2 minutes did much better in their adult lives than those who ate them right away (some even ate theirs as soon as they got them!).
Pamatga, thank you SOOOO much for your moving testimony to your experiences with the Church. :hug: I really appreciate that and hope Barb does look into what the "rules" are for her church. Even though I think Karla had a great idea (my best friend's dad, who was brought up Catholic, goes to a local Episcopal church because he feels more comfortable there), I understand why you want to keep Brian where he's comfortable, Barb. :) I just hate to think of you feeling unable to participate in the sacraments. I talked with DH about your situation last night (hope you don't mind...) and he said that he thought confession and the anointing of the sick were always available (unless, perhaps, someone's been excommunicated?). I hope you get a chance to talk with your priest about the situation and see what he has to say. :hug: I know what it's like to sit in church and feel unable to participate...and it's awful. Plus, think how rich Brian's experience will be if you can go through the sacraments with him! :D |
Laurie - Of course I don't mind you talking to your husband. It would be great to be able to receive the sacraments again. I just need to find time to talk to Fr. Cliff. We have 7,000 families and only one priest so he is pretty busy.
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As for fasting guidelines, I understand it as someone else listed it... Strict fast & abstinence (no meat, and 3 meals, with the 3rd not equalling the first two put together) only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Then meatless for Fridays, which leaves a lot of options. I'm personally a Byzantine Catholic, and yes, our rules are still stricter, but not as strict as every single day only having one meal, etc. Lent for us begins the Monday before Ash Wednesday. That day, and Good Friday, are to be using the same guideline as I mentioned above. But we also have to cut out dairy & eggs for those days, along with the meats. Fish is still okay, but no milk, cheese, butter. Then meatless Fridays, and if you want to take it further, you can do the meatless/eggless/dairyless Fridays, and meatless Wednesdays as well. On your issues regarding the Sacraments...I'll have to ask my husband, too, if that's okay. I know that if you are divorced but not remarried without an annulment, you can still receive the sacraments as before. It's when there is a second marriage without an annulment, or if you're living with someone or something like that, when you need to abstain from receiving Communion. But I thought that the other sacraments, like Penance and Anointing of the Sick, are fine...unless, as someone mentioned, someone got excommunicated. If it's alright, I'll double check. I know you don't know me from Adam, but I want to help out if I can. |
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