Lent Calendar 2019: Give It Up for CAFOD

1. Lent calendar 2019 Week: One         Two         Three      Four        Five        Six 11 Mar 18 Mar 25 Mar 1 April 8 April 15 April M T W T F 2 April 12 Mar 19 Mar 26 Mar 9 April 16 April 10 April 17 April 20 Mar 3 April Ash  Weds 13 Mar 27 Mar 21 Mar 28 Mar 4 April 14 Mar 11 April Maundy Thurs 7 Mar 5 April Good Friday 22 Mar 29 Mar CAFOD Fast Day 12 April 8 Mar Easter Sunday …because no one should go hungry

2. This Lent we’re challenging you to give it up! Ash Wednesday 6 March Give something up for Lent and give the money you save to CAFOD.  Your fundraising will support some of the poorest, most remote communities around the world. If you are REALLY up for a challenge - get sponsored to give up computer games or your mobile phone one day a week! Lord, whatever I give up this Lent, transform my heart and the lives of others. Amen Wear your ashes with courage and as a witness.

3. “...like a tree that is planted beside the flowing waters.” Thursday 7 March Psalm 1 Mahinur relies on the river beside her house to feed her family. It is normally full of fish to eat and to sell. But last year, a drought dried up the river. The fish died. Rains have refilled the river bed but there are hardly any fish and all are tiny. Sometimes the family only has water for dinner. With your support, we can help Mahinur. Lord, this Lent, give us the water of life to refresh our hearts and our world. Amen Watch and share our video for Lent and begin to plan your give it up fundraising.

4. “Raise your voice like a trumpet.” Isaiah 58 Friday 8 March International Women’s Day Isaiah, the prophet, shouts to the people all the ways they have not been serving God. What injustices should I be shouting about? Maybe today I can tell someone that in 70 per cent of countries worldwide, fewer girls than boys attend upper secondary school. Lord, give me courage to speak out whenever I see injustice. Amen Contact your local CAFOD volunteer centre to ask how you can speak in your parish to help people in poverty.

5. Monday 11 March “…neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor…” Leviticus 19 In the Old Testament, farmers did not gather all of their crop at harvest time. They left some for the poorest people. How will you share Earth’s produce more fairly? Lord, help us to share the Earth’s riches more fairly. Amen Look out today for opportunities to share.

6. “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.” Tuesday 12 March Psalm 33 Kyin Nu was broken-hearted after Cyclone Nargis destroyed her village in Myanmar some years ago. Looking back, she says: “My faith helps me through these times… What gives me hope is God. God is the only one who can save…” Lord, make me ready to listen to the broken-hearted. Give me wisdom and compassion. Amen Look out for anyone who is sad today and say an encouraging word to them.

7. Wednesday 13 March “And the people of Nineveh believed in God.” Jonah 3:1-10 When Jonah spoke God’s message, the people of Nineveh believed him. They changed their attitude and their lifestyle. God asks us to care for our planet and help protect the poorest people,who are the most affected by climate change. How can we persuade others to believe this message? Creator God, help me to show by the way I live how precious your creation is. Amen. Find a way to reduce waste today.

8. “On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.” Thursday 14 March Psalm 137 Do I give my worries and cares over to God? Or do I struggle on, trying to solve everything myself? In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Ask and you shall receive.” Bring your needs and the needs of others to God in prayer today.

9. Friday 15 March Today is CAFOD Family Fast Day “…be reconciled …then come back and present your offering.” Matthew 5:23-24 Many of God’s family live in extreme poverty due to unfair trade systems, conflict or the impacts of climate change. We can help change this by prayer, speaking out, living simply, and taking the challenge this Lent to give it up! Lord, help me to work for a world where everyone has a fair share. Amen What will you give up today?

10. Monday 18 March “Give and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over…” Luke 6:36-38 We are called to be generous to others, just as God is generous to us. Schools all over England and Wales are doing this through give it up. Pictured are some of the ways give it up helps our local experts to support families like Mahinur’s in Bangladesh. Lord, open my hands to receive your gifts and to share them with others. Amen Visit our website to find out more about Mahinur’s family and their life.

11. Tuesday 19 March Solemnity of St Joseph “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him” Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 We may not see angels, even in our dreams. But God still wants to speak to us. Lent is a good time to make more space to listen. How is God speaking to me today? Lord, help me to listen for your voice today. And to act on what you say to me. Amen Buy something with the Fairtrade mark and thank your local shop for stocking it.

12. Wednesday 20 March International Day of Happiness “I say, ‘You are my God…’” Psalm 31 U Win Myi, a fisherman in Myanmar, told us: “I take my boat a long way from the village at night and sing... when I get depressed, I sing gospel songs with a very loud voice… and it helps… I feel singing helps me to be at one with God. I found it is a good way to discover God. Singing is a spiritual thing.” Sing a song today… and look out for God!  Think of ten reasons, not connected to consuming, to be happy today. 

13. Thursday 21 March World Poetry Day “At his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus…” Luke 19:20 Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus. This story is still relevant: around one in ten people in our world live in extreme poverty. Today is World Poetry Day. Poetry can help change attitudes about people living in poverty. Listen to a spoken word poem written by Rachel Mannix to change attitudes towards refugees. Lord, thank you for the riches and talents you have given us to share with others. Amen Plan a fundraiser with our give it up A-Z of ideas

14. Friday 22 March World Water Day “They threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.” Genesis 37:24 Joseph’s brothers, consumed with jealously, threw him down a dry well. This must be one of the few times that lack of water has been an advantage. Around the world, lack of water is a growing problem. But schools and parishes in England and Wales are helping to change this! Share our film of Beauty in Zimbabwe telling how your Lent fundraising brought her water and joy. We pray for those who have no access to water. Move us to help them, Lord. Amen

15. “Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord…’” Monday 25 March The Annunciation Luke 1:38 St Oscar Romero’s feast was yesterday. Like Mary, Romero was a servant of the Lord. He was killed because he defended the poorest people. It takes real trust in God to be willing to serve. Am I brave enough to be a servant? Reflect on Romero’s words: ‘Aspire not to have more but to be more.’ Find out more about Oscar Romero by watching and sharing the video on our website.

16. “Lord, teach me your paths…” Tuesday 26 March Psalm 24 We all need good teachers, both in school and in life. In many communities around the world where people are denied a good education, CAFOD local experts are helping. KeKachok runs adult literacy classes in his village in Cambodia: “My village has 40 students… most can now read, write and do maths. As a result, some have started running small businesses.” Lord, thank you for the chance to go to school. May every child have access to a good education. Amen. At the end of today, take a minute to look back and see what you have learned.

17. Wednesday 27 March “Whoever keeps these commandments and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-19 If I use my skills, that is great. But if I teach two others a skill today and they teach two others tomorrow, who teach two more the next day… by the tenth day, 1024 people will have learned that skill. (Do the maths!) If we lead by example, we can change the world. Divine Teacher, show me how to teach your ways by word and example. Amen Explain to others face to face or on social media why education is so important to poor communities.

18. Thursday 28 March “O that today you would listen to his voice!” Psalm 95:8 CAFOD local experts support Hrar Women’s Association in Lebanon. The high number of Syrian refugees in the country often causes tension but here Syrian and Lebanese women make and sell chocolates together. This raises their income as well as reducing intolerance in the area. Women, especially mothers, are key in changing and developing communities. Why might this be? Lord, bring justice to all women whose rights are ignored. Help us to create a fairer world. Amen

19. Friday 29 March “You must love your neighbour as yourself...” Mark 12:28-34 Do I love, whatever the cost, or only when it is convenient for me? Who do I consider to be my neighbour? Lord, remind me of my neighbours both near and far. Amen Act as a good neighbour towards those you meet today.

20. “They will build houses and inhabit them…” Monday 1 April Isaiah 65:17-21 After Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, our local experts helped communities to build new, safer homes and prepare for future typhoons. When another typhoon hit a year later, the houses survived and everyone benefited from the disaster training: “Everyone was smiling, everyone was more prepared than ever, we were safe, we were alive.” Lord, thank you for my home. Bless everyone who does not have a safe house to live in. Amen

21. Tuesday 2 April “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” Psalm 45 Ronaldo, 17, lives in Puentecitos in El Salvador. Our local experts supported Ronaldo’s parents and other farmers nearby to improve their crops, raise their income and develop the community. Here, Ronaldo is helping to lead Stations of the Cross in his village. Pray one of the Stations of the Cross from the secondary school pages of our website.

22. Wednesday 3 April “He will guide them to springs of water.” Isaiah 49:8-15 In an area where scorching sun is a daily challenge, people in Isiolo, Kenya are working to bring Isaiah’s vision to life for their community. They now have a greenhouse irrigated by a solar-powered pump and can grow enough tomatoes to feed themselves, with some left over to sell. Lord, help me to care for creation and to speak up for communities affected by climate change. Amen Go to our website and watch a film about the Isiolo project.

23. Thursday 4 April “They have made themselves a calf of molten metal and have worshipped it…” Exodus 32:7-14 In today’s reading, while Moses went up the mountain to talk to God, the people worshipped a golden calf. Do I ‘worship’ the things that I want, or am I open to letting go of them when necessary? Lord, show me how to be centred on you and on the things that really matter. Amen

24. Friday 5 April “His way of life is not like others’, the paths he treads are unfamiliar.”Wisdom 2:15 Today’s reading says that people who are trying to live as God wants will stand out as different. Yet we’re bombarded with adverts that tell us to look like this, act like that or buy this product in order to fit in. Do I have the courage to live differently, to challenge our consumer-driven society? Lord, you created each person as unique. Help me to treasure my difference. Amen.  Giving up your phone for a day (or longer) is different! Get sponsored to raise money for Lent.

25. Monday 8 April “You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.” John 8:12-20 If, like Jesus, we are rooted in love, our natural response to others is not to judge but to have compassion. When we see suffering overseas or closer to home we are compelled to act. Compassion is one of the values that underpin CAFOD’s work. What are the values in your life? Lord, help me never to condemn another person. Amen. Decide the three values that matter most to you.

26. Tuesday 9 April “Do not hide your face from me...” Psalm 101 The psalmist today asks to see the face of God. God’s face is all around us, in those who act for justice and peace, or who choose to love. Do I recognise God’s face in those around me? Lord, let me see your face. Amen Try to spot the face of God at least three times today.

27. Wednesday 10 April “He has sent his angel to rescue his servants who, putting their trust in him, defied the order of the king…” Daniel 3 The Book of Daniel tells a story of God rescuing three men from a fiery furnace. We may not face a furnace, but the criticism of others can sometimes seem as bad. From what do I want God to rescue me? God of the impossible, help me to trust you. Amen Small actions make a difference. Count the light switches in your house - for each one, add 10p to your Lent collection.

28. Thursday 11 April “Here now is my covenant with you: you shall become the father of a multitude of nations.” Genesis 17:3-9 God made a covenant with Abraham and he became father of many generations. What kind of covenant are we making with the Earth? How will the next generations remember us? Our choices today can be a promise to them of a habitable, fruitful planet. Lord, may future generations remember my generation with a blessing. Amen.

29. Friday 12 April “The waves of death rose about me…” Psalm 17:2-7 When an earthquake and tsunami struck part of Indonesia last September, Fatwa Fadillah, part of our global network, told us: “All along the coast, you can see just how massive the tsunami was and the extent of the damage.” Many areas were cut off by landslides. But our local experts worked around the clock to reach families in some of the remotest areas with vital emergency aid. Lord, be with all who work to help people affected by floods and other disasters. May they bring comfort and hope. Amen.

30. Monday 15 April “Faithfully he brings true justice.” Isaiah 42:1-7 There is still injustice in our world. As the Body of Christ, it is our job to continue Jesus’ mission. This Lent, CAFOD supporters have gone the extra mile to support communities living in extreme poverty and make the world a more just place. Jesus, you said, “He sent me to bring good news to the poor”. May I be good news too. Amen. Tell us what you have done this Lent so that we can inspire others: schools@cafod.org.uk

31. Tuesday 16 April “Before the cock crows, you will have disowned me three times.” John 13:21-38 Peter is going to get it wrong. He will deny that he knows Jesus. But after the resurrection, Peter will be reconciled with Jesus. His experience will make him an even better leader. We all get it wrong sometimes. But it’s okay, as long as we repent and make a change. Lord, forgive me and help me to forgive others. Amen.

32. “I have reached the end of my strength.” Wednesday 17 April Psalm 68 In LEDCs, there are people every day who reach the end of their strength: women exhausted after carrying water for miles; farmers whose crops fail; children without enough food or medicine. Thanks to your donations, our local experts support people at the end of their strength and help them to find a way forward. Put some money into your Lent collection and, as Easter approaches… …make plans to send it in to us. 

33. Maundy Thursday 18 April “This is my body… do this as a memorial of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Taking part in the eucharist commits us to serve others. Jesus makes this clear in today’s Gospel as he washes the disciples’ feet before the Last Supper. Pope Francis said: “In the eucharist the Lord makes us walk on his road, that of service.” Do I let the eucharist motivate me to serve others? Do an act of service for someone else today without being asked.

34. Good Friday 19 April “They crucified him with two others, one on either side...” John 18:1 - 19:42 Even as he was dying, Jesus spoke with the repentant thief and gave him hope. It is not easy to show compassion all the time; it takes courage and determination. Draw the outline of a cross. Write on it the names of people you know who are suffering and in need of hope. Pray for them at 3pm, the hour Jesus died.

35. Easter Sunday 21 April “This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.” Psalm: 117 How often we limit our expectations of God. Yet the Lord who can rise from the dead can do more than we can ever imagine. Let’s rejoice today with our Lord who has conquered death and entrust our world and all its people to his care. Jesus is alive! Alleluia! Eat a Fairtrade egg, sing an Easter ‘Alleluia’ and look for Jesus alive in yourself and others today.

36. Picture credits: See notes fields on each slide. Where not specified, please credit CAFOD.