It’s interesting to know the origin of the word Lent means: lenghten, as in lengthening of days, lengthening of sunlight. It refers to springtime! It should have joyful and good conotations, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate Easter.

I will enjoy a feast during lent. With God’s help, I will feast on the freedom I will have from being tied to so many ‘things of this world’. Not that I will become a recluse, but just more ‘in tune’ with ‘my cravings’, be it for chocolate, red meat, money, or other, selfish concerns, and things, and to deney myself some of those, to free myself from their hold on me. And to share more of what I have with others.
It is true that by being aware of our call to pray, fast and give alms - we are set free to feast on the graces God gives us for being faithful. And we are filled with ‘joy’ along the way with the knowledge of the glory of Easter - a risen Lord who has won our salvation! I will surely pray for all who post on this stl site - that you too may share in the feast! ps. we are ALL brothers and sisters. Happy Lent

EJ - suzyjaz - crashtest - ect
white trash or just ignorant? Do you make jokes and mock about any other religions? race?, sex?

realitycheckstl:
“P.S. I would bet $1 million that you are a liberal (of course you will deny it here). You liberals talk all about tolerance and then show how horribly intolerant you are. Priceless…”

dirty pinko commie homo liberals! we won’t tolerate liberalism!

………….Bill, exactly how did my post make a joke about, or mock Catholics?

1. I didn’t see “Catholics Only” in the guidelines to post, and the question was “are you giving up anything or doing something extra for Lent?”.

2. I’m not Catholic, so therefore I see no need to give up anything for Lent.

3. I really do like fish fry dinners and go to my local Catholic Parish hall (Never saw a sign there that said Catholics Only) to get fish fry dinners when they have them during Lent.

Perhaps instead of “giving something up” for Lent, try taking a vow to do something you would not normally do.

In taking a vow, one chooses to do something, whereas abstention is merely not doing something.

Just a thought….

Why is it that people never take the opportunity to mock Jews and Muslims for their refusal to eat pork, or Bhuddists for their veganism? What *is* this intrinsic hatred of Catholicism based upon? I really would like to know. If you’re not in the “club” why do you care what we do?

Bill… I mock all religions equally. They were all created by a clergy class to live off the labors of others. And they’re all cults. It’s just that the ones with a large number of adherents are referred to as `organized religions.’

Stlcatholic… Well, it just seems that Catholicism has a more, let’s say, boisterous following. They seem to have more of a tendency to use strong-arm tactics to get people to come around to their way of thinking. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I just view it this way because I was raised Catholic. However, I’m much better now. As for Buddhists and Muslims, you don’t hear as much criticism of them because there are less of them in the Midwest’s general population, as opposed to Christians. I see, hear the Christian mantras constantly. Let me ask you something: when someone wears a crucifix above their clothing, is this not proselytizing? I believe it is. Otherwise, why would’t that person just wear it beneath their clothing? If it’s their choice, and it only matters to them, why wear it above the clothing. Because they are proselytizing — albeit indirectly and silently. This is why I keep in my arsenal T-shirts that read things like, “Religion Stops a Thinking Mind.” If Christians are going to act smug and all-knowing as to the ultimate truth, then — at least for me — it’s going to be tit for tat.

Also, you might consider that another reason people might knock Catholics so much is because of their apparent condonement of the sexual abuse scandals from the last 20 years or so. Why else would they continue to sit in the pew?

Maybe priests should give up pedophilia for Lent.
Maybe Americans should quit whining and buckle down for Lent and quit going to Starbucks, the casinos, and maybe
eat home more with the kids.Quit all the activities their kids tie them to like Soccer, Cheerleading, baseball and save the money and spend it on home activities.(Reading)
Give up Cell Phones, Blackberrys and act like we did B4 this madness.

JUST GIVE UP COMPLAINING and do something to make your life simpler. YOu lived OK b4 all the gadgets now do it again and you just might find yourself and make your family and America Stronger, and buy AMERICAN.

Rick… `American,’ or do you mean products made in the `United States?’ There’s a gigantic difference.