Group questions:

1. What is your favorite thing about where you currently live? My favorite thing is the friends that I have made.
2. How did you end up going to the parish you currently attend? It’s the one assigned to the area I live in.
3. We often give things up or take things on for Lent. Throughout your whole life, what was the best thing you ever gave up or took on? Why did it leave such an impact? Giving up soda. Soda can be delightful treat, but I was treating it as something I always needed to have. When you give up something you have almost daily you realize that it’s not necessary to have all the time. I was also looking to improve my run time and athletic ability overall. By giving up one thing I aimed to improve myself in adding another.

Group questions:

Hey, it’s been a while, but we all need some time to think and wonder in silence.

Have you ever felt lost? Do you ever wonder what is going on, or ask, “Why did this happen to me?” I’ve just finished reading through Numbers and Deuteronomy, where the Israelites wandered the desert; by continuing to believe in the Lord, they were led in the right direction. When they turned from God, sought out other gods, or lost faith, they were punished.

What are you doing this lent?

Lent is a great time to bring yourself closer with the Lord. It’s a time to reflect on the life He has given us and the sacrifice to save us from sin.

Personally, I’ve been using the Hallow app and doing their pray 40 challenge. It been a really cool series that was oriented around Takashi Nagai and his incredible journey through the faith. If you get the chance I would suggest reading A Song For Nagasaki to help develop and see your own journey.

I’ve taken this month of January to try and understand where I’m at in my prayer journey. I noticed that praying is hard. It not something that is easy. The repetition of it can help make it a routine, but is there meaning behind it. I’ve noticed in my daily meditations that I might not have been truly focusing on listening to daily scripture and praying to understand what is being talked about in the pursuit to find enlightenment and inspiration to live my life by. Fr. Mark-Mary’s Rosary in a year podcast has also helped me come to this conclusion and to try to pray with the Lord in mind. This is how I will try to move forward with my prayer journey.

Happy New Years!!!

I’ll be continuing blog post after the holiday season. Spending time with family and resting. If your looking for new year resolutions then try to do something manageable that’s small at first, before something that will require more work and dedication. Reminder that starting tomorrow Fr. Mark-Mary starts his Rosary in a Year journey for those who wish to deepen their faith and develop a habit of prayer. I pray that you and your family will have a blessed year and be able to work through any troubles that you may have.