Press Release

Lent offers Opportunity to Make Changes for the Better

Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College  
(574) 284-4579 (desk)
(574) 286-4977 (cell)

Feb. 23, 2009 (Notre Dame, Ind.)— Catholics will begin Lent this week with Ash Wednesday. Lent is the 40-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter that represents the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert enduring temptations by Satan. Many Christians mark Lent with acts of penance, which include prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. While some choose to give up a bad habit for 40 days, some opt to do something for others that they wouldn’t normally do. Carrie Call, director of Saint Mary's College’s Office for Civic and Social Engagement (OCSE) encourages people to make the most of this Lenten season by making a worthwhile change.

“Lent often ends up trivialized in that we talk about giving up chocolate or dessert for Lent,” says Call. “Instead, we need to reflect on the purpose of Lent, which is a time of repentance and reflection, preparing us for Easter.”

Call says as Christians, we need to think carefully about the kind of life Jesus calls us to, and how we can respond in small ways on a day-to-day basis. “Resolving to give up a negative, un-loving habit, like putting down my roommate or co-worker when she’s not around, may be the most powerful thing we can do.”

Another option is to take on something instead of giving up something. For instance, OCSE is asking students, faculty and staff to consider setting aside one non-perishable food item each week, beginning Ash Wednesday, February 25, through the Wednesday of Holy Week, April 8. On April 8, participants are encouraged to bring the food and money collected to a special service on the Alumnae Green at 4 p.m. for blessing and dedication. Food will go to Little Flower Food Pantry and funds will go to two causes—CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) and Operation Rice Bowl.

“We wanted to push the canned food drive as a response to the economic crisis and to put a new spin on giving something up for Lent,” said Call. It’s the first time OCSE has held such an event for Lent.

Call is available for media interviews on the meaning of Lent and ideas on how Christians to make the most of it. Please contact Gwen O’Brien, director of media relations, or Shannon Brewer, staff writer, to arrange an interview.

About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering bachelor’s degrees in more than 30 major areas of study. The College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary's College ranks among the nation's top liberal arts colleges in U.S. News & World Report's 2009 annual survey. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.