Cleaning Out to Be a Better Disciple - The Lent Plan 2017

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Hello everybody! We just got back Sunday night from a whirlwind house finding trip in Minneapolis and I think we found a house! More on that later as we make our housing decisions official.

Since we're planning on moving right after Easter, I'm working the moving preparations into my Lent. I started doing that because that was a logistical reality of our moving timing, but I like how the mindset that we need to be ready to go where ever we are called has changed how I'm approaching this Lent.

I am still doing the three prong take on, give up, and pray on focuses that I have used in past years, but I feel like this year has become a little more disciple-like - preparing myself, body and soul, to pick up and go.

Here's the plan!



Take On and Give Up

These two things go together this year. I'm taking on the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge and giving up all of the clutter I have been holding onto. Some of those are sentimental things that I cannot justify holding onto, cleaners I have been saving just in case I need them, craft supplies I have never used after storing them for nearly a decade, etc.

I made a very structured plan for myself to keep myself on track. You can check out my themed, color coded, display-of-type-A-gone-crazy plan on this post.

The 40 Bags idea is not just about physical clutter, but also has to do with digital, emotional, and spiritual clutter. Having a focused time on addressing that ignored baggage sounds like just the ticket for preparing to start anew.

I will be taking off Sundays and other feast days that would normally be exempted from the Lenten fast. The feasts make the fasts all the more meaningful!

Pray On

Since there is so much going on, and lots and lots of life changing decisions to make in the coming months, I am going to be focused on discernment this Lent. Setting aside particular time for 10 minute listening, 10 minute free write, and a dedicated rosary everyday.

When I know I have logistical discernment to do, I like to include the writing aspect so I can see how my thinking changes and what ideas and thoughts popped up.

Endow


I decided to run one last Endow study at my parish before we move. We will be working through the Aquinas Part 2 study that focuses on understanding the theological and moral virtues and applying them to our own lives as women in the world.

Because we are meeting most of the Fridays of Lent, I wanted to make this session a little more retreat-like. We are lucky enough to be able to use the former parish convent space which contains a BEAUTIFUL chapel. Our deacon has agreed to expose the Eucharist for us during the half hour prior to the meeting. So we get a half hour of adoration, a great study to feed our intellect and grow our understanding of faith, and some tea and fellowship time with other Catholic women every Friday for the 8 week session.

We start next week! There are still a few slots - if you are in the Berkeley, CA area, send me an email if you wish to join us.


This post is part of the CWBN Blog Hop with #HowILent theme! Check out the hop to reader how other Catholic women are doing Lent this year.




How are you planning your Lent this year? Do you do take on, give up, pray on?

20 comments :

  1. What a great way to incorporate your move right into Lent. I love your Lenten ideas. Especially taking 10 minutes of listening, 10 minutes of free writing and a rosary! Wonderful post.

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  2. A wonderful plan for your Lent! You are wise to incorporate the practical with the spiritual. Good luck with the move! And BTW, I live in the Twin Cities area and am participating in this blog hop, too! Blessings!

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  3. This is an awesome Lent plan! I love Lent, and I'm so excited :) It's so exciting that you had a house-hunting trip! That's neat that you got to travel there instead of picking sight unseen.

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    1. I'm glad we did! Apparently a lot of landlords require at least one of the tenants to have seen the residence in person or they will not rent to them.

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  4. This is the 2nd time today I have seen the 40 Bags thing.
    This may be part of what we do. Lord knows we have spiritual and physical things we could declutter.
    Blessings.
    Emily

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    1. If you don't want to do the whole 40 Bags thing, I would recommend focusing the cleaning/decluttering during the Ember Days (which is what I typically do). That falls between the first and second Sundays of Lent (March 8, 10, 11 this year.) I use those days and the beginning of Holy Week to clear out the physical and mental clutter, so I have the space to do the spiritual work during Lent and Easter!

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  5. I have always wanted to do 40 Bags in 40 Days but I've never been able to accomplish it. Maybe I'll give it a whirl this year!

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    1. Let me know if you do! I think it could be a boon for dealing with the extra books, papers, and supplies associated with homeschooling.

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  6. Congrats on your home and best wishes on your move! I've heard of the 40 Bags, just haven't tried it yet! But I could fill 40 plus 40 bags I'm sure! :) Blessed Lent to you!

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  7. Sorry my comment shows my as "Unknown" above. This is Tracy @ A Slice of Smith Life joining in on the hop with you! :)

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  8. This was such a great reminder that the 40 Days is not just physical, but also emotional and spiritual giving as well. Such a great shot!

    My family will definitely keep yours in prayers as you gear up to move. We try to keep our schedule as best as possible, even on the moves. So, we try to get to bed time around 9 PM on the road. And, I have found most kids feed off their parents - if the parents are excited, they will be as well! If nervous or depressed, the kids will mirror those feelings.

    Our last move, we had a LOT of purging done, and then, when we got in our new home, we did more purging. I feel like it's a never ending process...! 😳😂

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  9. If you have a minute, I’d really appreciate it if you took a look at Emily’s Virtual Rocket. This is a serious newsblog which has been taken from e-newspapers and e-magazines from around the world, with an emphasis on transgender issues. Also, with his election, I look for articles which critique Donald Trump.

    I hope you enjoy this. Please paste the following:

    Emilysvirtualrocket.blogspot.com

    If you like it, please consider putting it among your favorite blogs. I would greatly appreciate it.


    Emily

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  10. I'm definitely doing the 40 bags this Lent. I'm excited about it. I love your focus on "cleaning house" for Lent!

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  11. I'm hoping we can do the 40 bags this Lent too!! There's always so much we can clear out and what a gift that simplicity can be! Thanks for the reminder!

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  12. I am participating in the 40 bags 40 days too!! I am such a pack rat - and live with 4 other pack rats. I did this many years ago and my house felt physically lighter!! and I FELT LIke I had so much more time for prayer, family and even rest! Thanks for your participation in the CWBN Blog Hop. so blessed to have you along!

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  13. We're doing the 40 bags in 40 days, too! Best of luck to ALL of us on that one. :-)

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  15. Hi Kirby, I loved finding your blog through the CWBN Blog Hop! Your take on, give up, and pray trio is a really nice way to approach Lent. And I love the 40 bags idea (God knows I need it!). Blessings on you this Lent!

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  16. What a busy Lent! I think it's really nice, with everything going on, that you have time for one more ministry with your church.

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  17. This article is very informative and helpful. Thank you for sharing!


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