Description: This weekly meal and scripture program gives young adults the opportunity to reflect on the Sunday readings during Lent in a setting that builds community and provides nourishment for body and soul.
Get Ready
- Prep Time: Two-three hours of initial planning (including a few planning team meetings or conference calls to organize) and another 45 minutes before and 30 minutes after each gathering for set-up and clean-up.
- Volunteers Needed: One program planner and eight volunteers — two greeters (who can also run the laptop/projector during the prayer presentation if you chose the “tech” option), one volunteer at the check-in table, one volunteer at the drink table, two volunteers at the food table, one photographer, one prayer leader, on program planner). Everyone can help with room set-up and clean-up.
- Ideal Group Size: 10-60 people
- Reserve the Space: Reserve a space for this program for five weeks during Lent. Estimate how many young adults might attend and make sure you have enough space. You’ll need tables and chairs for everyone, plus extra tables for check-in, food and drinks, a projector (if you choose the “tech” option for prayer).
- Supplies: Information cards (3- by 5-inch cards to collect names, e-mails, phone numbers), markers/pens, nametags, participant folders (see details below), flyers for future events, evaluation forms (see “Recommends” section), ice, cups, plates, napkins, silver/plasticware, purple fabric or tablecloth, crucifix, Bible with stand, battery-operated candles, directional signs to the room, microphone/sound system for prayer leader (optional). For the “tech” option: laptop, projector, screen, speakers for laptop, Internet access (optional).
- Table Cards: Create stand up table cards made by folding a sheet of cardstock in half. Write the following on them:
- Table Prayer (see “Recommends” section below or look for ideas online at www.catholic.org/prayers)
- Icebreaker questions (see “Recommends” section below)
- Lenten quotes, scriptures, or fun facts (see “Recommends” section below or look for quotes and facts about Lent at www.bustedhalo.com)
- Participant Folders: Prepare folders for each participant that include:
- Sunday readings/psalm available online
- Reflection questions
- Blank pages
- Pen/pencil
- Prayer Presentations: No tech option — Look at the Lent and the Lectionary Step-by-Step Program and use the suggested scripture sharing and reflection questions in place of PowerPoint prayer presentations. Tech option — If you or one of your volunteers is PowerPoint savvy prepare in advance five PowerPoint prayer presentations that could include photos, graphics, animation, prayer and song texts, music and videos. Here are two sample outlines:
Opening Prayer
Gospel reading from the upcoming weekend
One or two questions for reflection/discussion
Closing Prayer
Sign of Peace
Extended Version
Gather with prayer/reflection
Sing opening son
First reading
Sing refrain of psalm and read verses
Second reading
Sing acclamation (or an appropriate song)
Gospel reading
Reflection
Reflection questions
Sending forth (closing prayer)
Invite participants to offer each other a sign of peace
Closing song
- Supply Box: Prepare a supply box for the program:
- Information card file (maybe a recipe box or other small box)
- Masking/magic tape
- Highlighters/markers/pencils/pens
- Rubber bands
- Ziploc bags (quart and gallon sizes)
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Prepare the Space: Set up a check-in table with information cards, markers/pens, nametags, participant folders, flyers for future events, and evaluation forms. Set up a table or tables for drinks and food with ice, napkins, plates, silver/plasticware. Cover a smaller table with the purple fabric and arrange the crucifix, Bible, and candles on it. Set up the projector and screen. Make sure there are plenty of garbage bags/cans in room for during dinner.
- When Is a Good Time for This? This program could run on a recurring night during Lent (every Wednesday) from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Potluck Meal: We suggest that the young adult ministry provide drinks and paper goods, etc. for this meal. If your young adult ministry budget allows, you could also provide some of the food. Ask young adults who are attending to bring potluck items that match up with the first letter of their last name:
- A-I — Entrée
- J-Q — vegetable or salad
- R-Z — dessert or appetizer
- Publicize the Program: Create a flyer, e-mail, Facebook event, and/or webpage to announce the program before you begin. Ask participants to RSVP so you can prepare materials and plan for food. You should follow-up with anyone who RSVPs to remind them about the program and share details about the potluck dinner. (See more ideas in the “Promote” section below.)
- Prayer for Program Planner: God of wilderness and water, your Son was baptized and tempted as we are. Guide us through this season, that we may not avoid struggle, but open ourselves to blessing, through the cleansing depths of repentance and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit. Amen. (Reprinted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts)
- Community Building: The table cards will encourage interaction during dinner. There should be one program team member seated at each table to help facilitate table prayer, discussions, and participant interaction during dinner. Participants should be encouraged each week to sit at a different table so that they continue to meet new people.
Make It Happen
- Planning team meets to set up the room for the program (45 minutes).
- Planning team greets participants as they arrive (15 minutes) then asks them to proceed to the check-in table, the food table, or to find a seat at one of the dinner tables. This will help keep the flow of traffic smooth.
- Prayer Leader reads the table prayer aloud. Next, participants enjoy dinner, facilitated discussions (30 minutes).
- Prayer Leader transitions into prayer time and asks for joys and concerns from the group (15 minutes).
- Present Lenten Prayer Presentation or Scripture Reflection/Discussion as outlined above (20-40 minutes).
- Announcements, collection of evaluation forms, and dismissal (15 minutes).
- Planning team volunteers help with clean up and program evaluation (30 minutes).
Ideas: Chapel/Church Times — Add time at the end of each program schedule (30 minutes) for time in the chapel/church:
- Week One: Reserve chapel/church and schedule a few priests to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
- Week Two: Reserve chapel/church and schedule a priest/deacon for Adoration with Benediction (plus a band or pianist for praise and worship).
- Week Three: Reserve chapel/church to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
- Week Four: Reserve chapel/church and schedule a priest/deacon for Adoration with Benediction (plus a band or pianist for praise and worship).
- Week Five: Reserve chapel/church for Stations of the Cross.
Promote
- Six weeks before: Prepare a flyer, e-mail, Facebook event and/or webpage to announce the program.
- Six weeks before: Send out postcards, Facebook event invitations, e-mail the dates of each program.
- One month before: Make announcements at Mass.
- One month before: Arrange for bulletin announcements.
- Three weeks before: Postcard/Evite/Facebook event with “save the date” announcement.
- During the program send out weekly postcards, e-mails, or Facebook reminders with upcoming dates and scripture themes for the evenings.
Recommends:
Weekly Prayers, Table Discussion Ideas, and More
Week One:
- Table Prayer: “Bless us, oh Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.”
- For Discussion:
- What was the first live concert you ever attended?
- If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
- What is one goal you’d like to accomplish during your lifetime?
- When you were little, who was your favorite super hero and why?
- Common Lenten Prayer: “Almighty and Everlasting God, You have given the human race Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility. He fulfilled Your Will by becoming Man and giving His life on the Cross. Help us to bear witness to You by following His example of suffering and make us worthy to share in His Resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.”
Week Two:
- Table Prayer: “Thank you for the food before us, the friends beside us, and the love between us. Amen.”
- For Discussion:
- Who is your hero? (parent, celebrity, influential person)
- What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer?
- If they made a movie of your life, what would it be about and which actor would you want to play you?
- If you were an ice cream flavor, which one would you be and why?
- Lenten Fun Fact: Counting the Days — If you count the days from Ash Wednesday until Easter, you will realize there are more than 40. The reason for this is that Sundays are not included because they are always celebrations of the Resurrection and, since the Second Vatican Council, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are considered part of the Easter Triduum instead of the last two days of Lent. This is not true for Eastern Orthodox and Eastern-rite Catholics. They begin Lent on Clean Monday, the Monday before Ash Wednesday, and include Sundays. Lent therefore ends on the Friday before Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday and Holy Week are considered separate from Lent itself.
Week Three:
- Table Prayer: “Thank you for the food we eat; thank you for the world so sweet. Thank you for the birds that sing; thank you God for everything. Amen.”
- For Discussion:
- Tell us about one of your unique or quirky habits.
- Describe yourself using three words.
- If someone made a movie of your life would it be a drama, a comedy, a romantic-comedy, action film, or science fiction?
- If I could be anybody beside myself, I would be…
- Lenten Scripture: “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” (Matthew 6:16-18)
Week Four:
- Table Prayer: “Bless those of us gathered here, O Lord; bless the food we are about to eat, which we have received from Your Goodness. Bless those who have worked to prepare it and provide it. Amen.”
- For Discussion:
- What’s your favorite cartoon character, and why?
- How many rings before you answer the phone?
- What’s the ideal dream job for you?
- Are you a morning or night person?
- Lenten Fun Fact: Pretzels are more than a salty snack. During the Middle Ages a monk was making unleavened bread for Lent with flour and water because eggs, milk, and lard were not consumed as part of the Lenten fast. He twisted some of the dough into the shape of people praying with both arms folded across their chests. He decided it would be a perfect treat for children learning to say their prayers. He called the treats pretiola, the Latin word for “little reward.”
Week Five:
- Table Prayer: “God, thank you for allowing us to share this meal together. Send your Spirit to bless these gifts, which you give us to sustain our lives. We thank you for them, and for all your blessings, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
- For Discussion:
- What are your favorite hobbies?
- My biggest pet peeve is…
- What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
- Name one of your favorite things about someone in your family.
- Lenten Quote: “May Lent be for every Christian a renewed experience of God’s love given to us in Christ, a love that each day we, in turn, must ‘re-give’ to our neighbor, especially to the one who suffers most and is in need.” — Pope Benedict XVI
Evaluation Forms
- Use this evaluation form or create your own to ask participants the following questions:
- How did you find out about the Lenten Prayer Series?
- What did you enjoy most about this program?
- What did you enjoy least?
- What are your recommendations for this week’s program or the Lenten Prayer Series overall?
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