Are you a volunteer at your parish or in the community? If so, please know how GRATEFUL we are that you have made the choice to live your baptismal call to serve others. Your generosity is vital to the communities you serve.

If you are grateful for the volunteerism of others, whose kindness has impacted you, March 8-9 is a perfect time to send them a thank you note. If you are not currently volunteering, perhaps you will give some prayerful discernment to the ways in which your family might serve the community.

As we enter into the 40 days of the Lenten Season, here are some ideas for observing the Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Here is a map to guide your family's Lenten journey. You can download it from Catholic Sprouts and fill in opportunities to pray, fast and give together throughout the season!

Click below to find more resources on our Diocesan web page!

A French Physicist of the 19th Century, Foucault invented a pendulum that helped people understand the rotation of the earth. He also was one of the first scientists to measure the speed of light. In his 40's, Léon Foucault developed an illness that was thought to be multiple sclerosis. Though he had not practiced his faith regularly as an adult, he returned to his Catholic roots in his illness and became very devout. On Ash Wednesday, we will hear the words "Return to me with your whole heart." (Joel 2:12). This yearly line from Sacred Scripture and the story of this dedicated scientist remind us that God is always waiting and His door is always open, even if we have strayed far from Him.

Here are some light experiments for you to enjoy with your kids in honor of the work of Léon Foucault.

One of the Spiritual Works of Mercy is to pray for the Living and the Dead. Draw attention to this act of mercy as an entire family by creating a family prayer list. Invite any family members to place people on the prayer list as the need arises. Whenever you gather to say grace or daily prayers together, devote some time to praying for those on your list. It is a great way to teach your children to pray spontaneously and also to be mindful of the suffering and needs of others.

Here's a list of kid friendly ideas and recipes!

Make a sacrifice crown of thorns to help your family be reminded to make little sacrifices each day of the season.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester

Editor: Leslie Barkin leslie.barkin@dor.org

Email: oec@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Location: Diocese of Rochester, Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-328-3210

See them all here!