February 28, 2023, Class Update: The Lenten Journey

Greetings everyone!

In our most recent class, we had two special visitors, Aura Lee and Nathan, two friends of Paul's from Valparaiso University.  They shared about Aura Lee's journey from the Presbyterian Church to the Roman Catholic Church and how they live out faith in their work and as a married couple.  Thanks to Aura Lee and Nathan for visiting us.

We also spent time considering what Lent is about, which included some video footage of Paul from when he was in 8th grade.

Many centuries ago, those preparing to join the Church went through a long preparation process, which culminated in a 40-day retreat before their initiation on Holy Saturday.  That 40-day period is the basis for our observance of Lent, which is also an opportunity for us, who are already baptized, to renew our relationship with God, which started with our own baptism.

Part of what we're doing as a class during Lent is contributing to a collection for Companions Journeying Together.  Each person in class will contribute a minimum of $1 toward supplies for inmates to write Mothers' Day notes to their moms.  Contributions are due in class by March 14, because the collection ends on March 19.  Similar to our Christmas Angel gift, the money must come from allowance or chores, not by directly asking your parents.

Looking ahead, in our next class, we'll continue exploring the meaning of Lent.  And we're scheduled to have another guest speaker in class.

As usual, please feel free to contact me with questions, etc.

We remain connected as One Church on this journey of Lent to the Cross and the New Life of the Resurrected Christ:

All my relations.

God's blessings,

Paul

Inside Ascension Church with its Lenten decorations

P.S. The opening prayer for class was the 2nd reading from Ash Wednesday Mass, from 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2.

The closing prayer was the collect from the opening of Mass this past Sunday for the First Sunday of Lent.

So we journey with Jesus through the desert in these 40 days so that we repent, turning from sin, and growing closer to God.

Above is the desert in southern California along the route of the train between Needles and Barstow.  Below is the scene at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, the lowest point of elevation in the Western Hemisphere at 282 feet below sea level, and certainly one of the driest and hottest places in North America.

I made these pretzels for class, which is a tradition Lenten food.

Here's the recipe if you'd like to make them at home:

Mix 1 pkg. active dry yeast with 1 Tbs. sugar in 1 1/2 cups lukewarm (100-110 degree) water.  Mixture should bubble.  Stir in 1 tsp. salt and 4 cups flour.  Place on floured board and knead in 1/2 cup more flour.  Knead about 8 minutes.  Divide into pieces, roll into ropes, and shape into pretzels.  (As you fold the "little arms", pray the Lord's prayer or another Lenten prayer.)  Let rise until about double in size.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Place pretzels on greased cookie sheet.  Brush with mixture of 1 egg yolk mixed with 2 Tbs. water, and sprinkle with kosher salt.  Bake 12 minutes or until golden brown.

If you make the pretzels small in size, it's possible to make as many as 20-30.