If You’re Not Already Thinking About Lent, Why Are You Waiting?

Joe Paprocki Lent

small group - illustration

Anyone in ministry knows that you have to live with one foot in the present and one in the future, since planning and preparation are so key to our success. While the liturgical season of Christmas is just now ending, planning for the Lenten season should already be in full swing by now. Ash Wednesday is just over seven weeks away (March 1, 2017).

Having said that, however, it is not too late if you are interested in forming small faith groups to gather for the Lenten season to reflect on the Sunday Gospel readings. A couple of years ago, I shared a basic timeline for preparing to host small faith groups for Lent. While you may be behind the schedule according to that timeline, with some hard work, perseverance, and prayer, you can still pull this off.

Materials for reflecting on the Sunday Gospel readings during Lent (Year A) in small faith groups are now ready.

P.S. You’ll notice no link to Part 1 of the series here. That post outlined what to expect in the series, so you can jump right in to Part 2 to get started.

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About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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1 Comment

  1. Gosh – yes… thinking of Lent but this reminds of those articles that will be starting soon warning us of how many Fridays until Christmas!!

    With our insurance restrictions in our Archdiocese, we aren’t really allowed to host small groups in homes. Our parish isn’t set up for small groups on any large scale (one or two would find a home in a few small meeting rooms). Does anyone have suggestions on other ways small groups could meet? We have some community rooms in various businesses that are free for use when available. But, looking for some additional thoughts on what might be a great work around for us to comply with the restrictions set forth to us. Thanks in advance!

    Reply

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