Lent Bible Study 2011
Lent: A time of praying, fasting and almsgiving – a time of reflection…
United by our Common Humanity
For this year’s Lent Fr Michael Endemann had invited the Maria Assumpta Youth to a special Lent Bible Study in the parish hall.
Using the Caritas Lenten Reflection Programme as a guide line, Fr Michael was focusing on the Gospel of each Sunday of Lent. He explained the words of the Gospel, gave backgrounds and answered the questions raised by the young people.
Beate Matthies (Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand) then linked the Gospel to one of the 34 development programmes that Caritas is supporting in the Pacific, Asia, Africa, Latin America as well as the work Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is doing nation wide.
- Sunday of Lent: The temptation of Christ
“We do not live on bread alone”
Caritas: Supporting sustainable Agriculture in Nepal - Sunday of Lent: The transfiguration
“Get up and do not be afraid”
Caritas: Motivating the disadvantaged to participate in society - Sunday of Lent: Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well
“He would have given you living water”
Caritas: Abolishing prejudices against women in Nicaragua - Sunday of Lent: The healing of the man born blind
“Born blind so the works of God might be displayed”
Caritas: Fighting for the human dignity of every person (e.g. Tanzania) - Sunday of Lent: The raising of Lazarus
“The dead man came out”
Caritas: Helping rebuilding lives after the Tsunami in the Pacific
During each Bible Study the young people were reflecting on the Lenten poster. At the last gathering before Easter the participants were thinking of how they could fill the Caritas Lenten poster with their own perception of the four key words:
Earth – Family – Peace – Hope.
This is how they expressed these topics:
Earth: doing gardening, harvesting fruit and vegetable
Family: sharing a meal together with the family
Peace: stepping in between two friends who got into a fight while playing
Hope: helping decorating the church for Palm Sunday, putting up palm leaves
HOPE - we all hope that Fr. Michael will organise a Lent Bible Study again in 2012 !