Lent offers a bowlful of activities

• Create a Lenten prayer that you can recite each day till Easter.

• Place a crucifix or picture of Jesus in prominent place to keep your focus on Him during Lent.

• Perform an anonymous act of kindness for one person today.

• Send a letter to a seminarian to underscore your prayers for vocations.

• Clean a cabinet or closet and donate items to a charity.

• Choose a meaningful Scripture, write it down and memorize it. Share it with someone.

• Give up 10 minutes each day till Easter and spend it in prayer.

• Pray for someone you don’t like today.

• Smile at a stranger.

• Attend a fish fry or share a meatless meal and tell why you are abstaining.

• Look for evidence of God in your work or school today. Share your finding with someone.

• Give up something you really enjoy — just for today.

• Choose a saint and learn about him/her. Pray for the saint’s guidance during Lent.

• Attend a Reconciliation service or go to private Confession this week.

• Forgive someone who has hurt you.

• Ask Jesus to heal you of anything that separates you from His love.

• Perform some act of service for your parish or school.

• Go to a room, close the door and pray in secret.

• Resolve to go the entire day without judging anyone today, including yourself.

• Eat pretzels today as a reminder that Catholics used to fast from milk, cheese and meat.

• Save your change all week and give it to charity.

• Pray the Stations of the Cross and meditate on each one.

• Fast from dessert today.  Give your piece away.

• Pray for loved ones and others who have died.

• Send a card to a grandparent or other loved one, just because.

• Tell your teacher or boss what you like about them today.

• Read the Bible for 10 minutes today. Share what you learned with someone.

• Take a walk with a friend or family member and pick up trash along the way.

• Thank the person who makes your dinner today.

• Pray for those who are ill or lonely today. Then if possible visit, call or send a card.

• Tell someone the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

• Say “thank you” to five people today.

• Make cookies and take them to a nursing home or homebound neighbor.

• As a child of God, resolve to think and say only positive things about yourself today.

• Be nice to someone you don’t like today.

• Complete a chore without being asked today.

• Turn off the TV and computer and pray the rosary together with family or friends.

• Abstain from meat on Fridays and give the money you save to your church.

• Write a letter of love and gratitude to your parents today. Deliver it in person if possible.

• At day’s end, perform an examination of conscience. Pray for mercy and the grace for change.