Lent calendar 2015

1
Lent calendar 2015
21 Feb
19 Feb
18 Feb
22 Feb
20 Feb
23 Feb
26 Feb
25 Feb
24 Feb
28 Feb
27 Feb
1 March
3 March
2 March
5 March
4 March
8 March
7 March
6 March
9 March
10 March
14 March
12 March
11 March
15 March
13 March
16 March
19 March
18 March
17 March
21 March
20 March
22 March
23 March
26 March
24 March
28 March
27 March
25 March
29 March
31 March
30 March
2 April
1 April
3 April
5 April
4 April
2
Ash Wednesday 18 February
This Lent were asking you to Cut it out

As we start the 40 day journey, think of
different ways you can Cut it out this Lent.
Martin
Act
Using labels downloaded from our website, make a
collection box for your class, to help
communities like Martins in Myanmar.
3
Thursday 19 February
...like a tree planted by streams of water.
Isaiah 58
When Cyclone Nargis destroyed trees in the
jungles of Myanmar, our partners worked with
villagers to restore the jungle. Kyin Nu says
Every Saturday we would plant for four weeks
It produces shade, blocks winds and defends the
village from cyclones.
Act
Watch our video about Martin from Myanmar and
begin to plan your Lent Fast Day fundraising.
4
Friday 20 February
Raise your voice like a trumpet. Isaiah 58
What injustices should I be shouting about?
Give
Contact your local office to find out how you can
speak in your parish to help raise money for
people in poverty.
5
Saturday 21 February
You shall be called the repairer of the breach
Isaiah 58
Daur San Mhwe (pictured, right), from Myanmar
says If you work alone, you never succeed. We
always work together. Everyone participates a
few people together will triumph. How can I help
people, near and far away, to know that we are
standing alongside them in their troubles?
Act
Find out about our Climate Coalition event.
Could you and your friends attend?
6
Sunday 22 February
Behold, I establish my covenant with you and
with every living creature that is with you.
Genesis 9
Gods covenant is with every living creature. The
whole of creation is important to God we are
only one part of it.   Do I appreciate the whole
of creation?
Act
Visit our website today to support others by
taking action on climate change.
7
Monday 23 February
neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of
your vineyard. You shall leave them for the
poor
Leviticus 19
Fairtrade Fortnight starts today, reminding us
that it is possible to create a more just and
fair way of farming and trading the Earths
produce fair to the Earth and fair to its
poorest people. How will you more fairly share
Earths produce?
Give
Buy something with the Fairtrade mark and thank
your local shop for stocking it.
8
Tuesday 24 February
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.
Psalm 33
Kyin Nu from Myanmar was broken-hearted after
Cyclone Nargis. 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
you.
Act
Look out for anyone who is sad today and say an
encouraging word to them.
9
Wednesday 25 February
And the people of Nineveh believed in God.
Jonah 31-10
When the Jonah spoke Gods message, the people of
Nineveh believed him. They changed their attitude
and their lifestyle. One of Gods messages to us
is to care for our planet. By doing this we also
help to protect its poorest people who are the
most affected by climate change. Yet many people
still think climate change is a myth.  
Act
Go to our website and find answers to some
climate change myths.
10
Thursday 26 February
On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.
Psalm 137
Do I give my worries and cares over to God? Or do
I struggle on trying to solve everything myself?
Pray
In todays Gospel Jesus says, Ask and you shall
receive. Bring your needs and the needs of
others before God today in prayer.
11
Friday 27 February
Today is CAFOD Lent Fast Day. ..be reconciled
to your brother, and then come and offer your
gift. Many of our sisters and brothers unjustly
live in poverty due to unfair trade systems,
conflict or the impacts of climate change. We
can help by our prayer and fasting, our actions
and our giving.
Give
What will you cut out today?
12
Saturday 28 February
Creation is a wonderful gift that God has given
us, so that we care for it and we use it for the
benefit of all, always with great respect and
gratitude.
Pope Francis
God gives the world to everyone. How, this week,
can I show love beyond the people I know
personally?
Pray
Creator God, thank you for always loving
everyone, regardless of our actions. Amen.
13
Sunday 1 March
This is my beloved Son, listen to him.
Mark 92-10
The disciples thought that they knew Jesus and
themselves. But as they saw Jesus in his true
glory, their perceptions of him were changed.
Later, as they obeyed the Fathers command to
listen to him, they grew in faith and wisdom
until they were transformed from simple fishermen
into heralds of the Gospel.   Will I let God
transform and use me?
Pray
Ask God to show you who you could be, and listen
to him.
14
Monday 2 March
Give and it will be given to you. Good measure,
pressed down, shaken together, running over
Luke 636-38
Todays Gospel calls us to be generous. This
Lent, every pound you give will be matched by the
UK government, up to the value of 3.5 million.
Thats double the help for people living in
poverty around the world!
Give
Put a donation into your CAFOD collection box.
15
Tuesday 3 March
For they preach but do not practise.
Matthew 231-12
Jesus criticised the Pharisees for not practising
what they preached. Our campaign One Climate,
One World calls on politicians to commit to act
to prevent climate change pushing people deeper
into poverty. But we cannot ask others to do
what we do not do ourselves.
Act
Pledge to play your part to care for creation and
love your neighbour. Add your individual pledges
to a giant heart and send us a photo.
16
Wednesday 4 March
Whoever would be great among you must be your
servant
Matthew 2017-28
Jesus was the Son of God, but chose to serve. In
our leadership, we too are called to the service
of others. CAFOD partners are inspiring examples
- like Oscar Romero, who spoke in defence of poor
and oppressed people. Where in my life am I
called to be a leader who serves others?
Pray
Servant King, teach me how to serve bravely. Amen.
17
Thursday 5 March
The world is given to all, not only to the
rich. St Ambrose
Compared with most of our world, our country is
rich. Around 12 per cent of the people in our
world suffer from chronic hunger. We are called
to share the goods of creation, for the good of
all.   How will you share your talents, time and
money to help the poorest communities of our
world?
Act
Take part in the Close up on climate film project
details at cafod.org.uk/greatgeneration
18
Friday 6 March
There was a master of a house who planted a
vineyard

Matthew 2133-46
As tenants we dont have ownership but are called
to care for the Earth for God.   How do we
produce its fruit? Are we good tenants on the
Earth? And will we share its produce when we are
asked to do so?
Act
Go to our website and find out how you can email
political leaders to take action.  
19
Saturday 7 March
I will show them marvellous things.
Micah 714-20
We often hear of marvellous things being done by
our partners, thanks to your donations and with
Gods help. For example, in Myanmar, people have
practised emergency drills, to prepare for future
cyclones.   Before we had the training our
losses would have been great. Now I think they
would be far, far less. U Than Win, Community
leader
Pray
Thank you, Lord, for the great things you do
through ordinary people. Amen.
20
Sunday 8 March International Womens Day
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
Exodus 201-17
God knows that we need time to rest and to pray,
as well as time to work. Today, International
Womens Day, we remember and pray for women
living in extreme poverty who labour long hours
to feed their families and are not able to rest.
Act
In thanks for the rest time God has given, go out
and appreciate nature, relax and reflect on the
gift of creation.
21
Monday 9 March
No prophet is accepted in the prophets
hometown
Luke 424
Jesus audience were used to thinking of
themselves as Gods chosen people, and
interpreting this as Gods favourites. But
Jesus preached an inclusive, welcoming message
for all people. Do I recognise that everyone is
special?
Pray
Lord, help me to treat everyone with dignity and
respect. Amen.
22
Tuesday 10 March
Lord, teach me your paths
Psalm 24
We all need good teachers, both in school and in
life. Sadly, in many countries where CAFOD works,
people are denied a good education. Ke Kachok
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.  
Give
As a class, buy our Teach someone to read World
Gift to help communities like Ke Kachoks.
23
Wednesday 11 March
Whoever does these commandments and teaches them
will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 517-19
If I use my skills, that is great. But if I teach
two others a skill today, and they teach two
others tomorrow, and so on, by the tenth day,
there are 1024 people who have learned that
skill.   We can change the world, if we lead by
example.
Pray
Divine Teacher, show me how to teach your ways by
word and example. Amen
24
Thursday 12 March
With songs let us hail the Lord. Ps.94 U Win
Myi, a fisherman in Myanmar whose village was
devastated by Cyclone Nargis in 2008, 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 voiceand it helps
I feel singing helps me to be at one with God.
I found it is good way to discover God. Singing
is a spiritual thing.
Pray
Sing a song of praise to God.
25
Friday 13 March
You shall love your neighbour as yourself...
Mark 1228-34
Do I love whatever the cost or only so far as it
is convenient for me? Who do I consider to be
my neighbour?
Act
Act as a good neighbour to those you meet today.
26
Saturday 14 March
What I want is love, not sacrifice.
Hosea 515-66
We make sacrifices in Lent fasting and trying
to focus on less material things. But it is
important that our motivation is love love of
God, but also solidarity with those who have too
little food. If we share the money we have saved
with the poorest people, our fasting can make a
lasting difference to them and help us to grow in
love of our neighbour.
Give
Deny yourself a treat today, and take the money
you save into school to put in your collection
box.   
27
Sunday 15 March Mothering Sunday
We are Gods work of art created in Christ Jesus
to live the good life
Ephesians 24-10
We are artworks by the ultimate artist. Every
human being is created in Gods image and has
dignity for this reason. If we truly recognised
this, we would protect and care for others with a
sense of awe.
Act
Create a card or other work of art for your
mother or another woman who is important in your
life.
28
Monday 16 March
They shall build houses and inhabit them
Isaiah 6517-21
After Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, our
partner, Cordaid, helped communities to build
new, safer homes and to prepare for future
typhoons. When Typhoon Hagupit arrived 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.
29
Tuesday 17 March
The Lord of hosts is with us  the God of Jacob
is our refuge.
Psalm 45
When Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar, Daur San Mhwe
was on her way home I used a mosquito net to
tie myself to a pillar. It made me a little
warmer, but not much. I could see many people
like me holding onto pillars for their lives...
I focused on Christs Passion when the storm was
at its height.
Pray
Pray the Stations of the Cross from the secondary
school pages of our website.
30
Wednesday 18 March
He will guide them to springs of water.
Isaiah 498-15
In an area where scorching sun is a daily
challenge, people in Isiolo, Kenya are working to
bring Isaiahs 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.
Act
Go to our website and watch a film about the
Isiolo project.
31
Thursday 19 March
They have made themselves a calf of molten metal
and have worshipped it
Exodus 327-14
Take a look at your life and the things that you
focus most on. What are your false idols? Try
to focus on what is really important instead and
share your ideas on facebook or twitter.
Give
Cut out an activity that costs money, like going
to the cinema or buying something new. Put what
you save into your collection box.
32
Friday 20 March International day of happiness
His way of life is not like others, the paths he
treads are unfamiliar. Wisdom 212-22
The Yanomami people in the Amazon forest of
Brazil work hard to protect their land and their
way of life, which is very different from our
own. We can learn much from them about living
simply and respecting creation. Do I have the
courage to learn from others, to live
differently, to challenge our consumer-driven
society?
Act
Think of ten reasons, not connected to consuming,
to be happy today.    
33
Saturday 21 March International Day for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Lord God, I take refuge in you.
Psalm 7
We often hear of refugees fleeing conflict.
Communities whose resources are already stretched
are frequently the most generous. Thousands of
Syrian refugees have been welcomed into Jordan
and Lebanon, where CAFOD partners are also
supporting them.
Pray
Lord, open my heart and help me to welcome those
who need help. Amen.
34
World Water Day Sunday 22 March
Christ offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and
in silent tears
Hebrews 57-9
Even the Son of God turned to his Father in
prayer. How much more do we need to do
this?   Whether we pray aloud or silently,
whether we pray for ourselves or for others, God
is listening and is always with us.  
Act
Think of new ways to save water today. If you are
in a parish youth group, play our simulation
game, Life without taps.   
35
Monday 23 March
Neither do I condemn you.
John 81-11
If, like Jesus, we are rooted in love, compassion
is our immediate response to suffering. Whether
that suffering is caused by global poverty or is
closer to home, we are compelled to take action.
Compassion is one of the seven values that
underpin CAFODs work.   What are the values in
my life?
Act
Name the three values that matter most to you.
36
Tuesday 24 March
Today is the anniversary of Oscar Romeros death.

Pray
Reflect on Romeros words Aspire not to have
more but to be more.
Act
Find out more about Oscar Romero by watching the
video on our website.
Give
Buy a Romero cross for your classroom.
37
Wednesday 25 March
Nothing is impossible to God. Luke 126-38
The Angel Gabriel told Mary, Nothing is
impossible to God. Like Mary giving birth to the
Son of God, we too can play our part in miracles
that transform the world.   When I think about
our world, what seems impossible to change? What
does God want me to do? What small steps can I
take to start to make this a reality?
Give
Small actions make a difference. Count the light
switches in your house - for each one, put 10p in
your collection box.
38
Thursday 26 March
I will establish my covenant between myself and
you, and your descendants.
Genesis 173-9
How will the next generations remember us? What
kind of Earth will we be leaving behind for
them?   Our choices today can be a promise to
them of a habitable, fruitful planet.
Pray
Lord, may future generations remember my
generation with a blessing. Amen.
39
Friday 27 March
The waves of death rose about me
Psalm 17 2-7
This psalm must bring back vivid memories to
those who have experienced floods like those
caused by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.   Yet the
psalm writer is reminding us all that when it
feels like we are drowning in our troubles, God
is still there.  
Pray
What troubles do I want to leave with God today?
Act
Make a donation in your collection box to support
people experiencing extreme weather.
40
Saturday 28 March
I will console them, give gladness for grief.
Jeremiah 3110-13
In refugee camps for people fleeing Syrias
violence, our partners use puppets to help
children overcome the trauma they have
experienced.   Through the voice of a puppet,
children can speak about things they would
otherwise be too upset to share. The puppets also
provide a welcome and essential source of fun.
  How can I bring joy to others today?
Pray
for peace.
41
Palm Sunday 29 March
Those who went before and those who followed
cried out, Hosanna!
Mark 111-10
The crowds welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem and a
few days later about demanded his crucifixion.
How quickly they had completely changed their
attitude to Jesus!   Do I stick to my
convictions, even when people around me express a
different opinion? Do I try to influence others
for the good?
Act
Share your beliefs with others. Write to your MP
or, better still, become an MP correspondent
speaking out for justice.
42
Monday 30 March
Faithfully he brings true justice.
Isaiah 421-7
There is still injustice in our world. As members
of the Body of Christ, it is our job to continue
Jesus mission. This Lent, CAFOD supporters
have been making tremendous efforts to support
the communities where our partners are based and
make the world a more just place.
Act
Tell us what you have done this Lent so that we
can use your story to inspire others.
43
Tuesday 31 March
Before the cock crows, you will have denied me
three times.
John 1321-38
Peter is going to get it wrong. He will deny he
even 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 its
okay as long as we repent and make a change.
Pray
Lord, forgive me and help me to forgive others.
Amen.
44
Wednesday 1 April
I have reached the end of my strength.
Psalm 68
In developing countries 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
partners support people at the end of their
strength and help them to find a way forward.
Act
Put some money in your collection box and, as
Easter approaches, make plans to send it in to
us.  
45
Maundy Thursday 2 April
This is my body do this as a memorial of me.
1 Corinthians 1123-26
The Eucharist is an amazing gift - Jesus present
with us. But the Eucharist also commits us to
service of others. Jesus makes this clear when,
in Johns Gospel, he washes the disciples feet
before the meal.   Pope Francis said In the
Eucharist the Lord makes us walk on his road,
that of service, of sharing, of giving. Do I let
the Eucharist motivate me to serve others?
Act
Do an act of service for someone else today
without being asked.
46
Good Friday 3 April
They crucified him, and with him two others, one
on either side, with Jesus between them.
John 181 - 1942
Even as he was dying, Jesus spoke with the
repentant thief and gave him hope.   Consistent
compassion without barriers is not for the
faint-hearted it takes determination and courage.
Act
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.
47
Holy Saturday 4 April
Today we watch and wait.
48
Easter Sunday 5 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 is capable of
so much more than we can imagine.   Lets rejoice
today with our Lord who has conquered death and
entrust our world and all its people to his care.
Jesus is alive! Alleluia!
Act
Eat a (Fairtrade!) egg, sing an Easter Alleluia
and look for Jesus alive in yourself and others
today. 
49
Picture credits Eleanor Church Michel Monginda
Mondengele Phil Knox Stephen Wood Ataklti
Mulu Development Partnership in Action,
Cambodia Simon Rawles Lucasz Cholewiak Sam
Carling Shareef Sarhan Emma Clark The
Archbishop Romero Trust Asad Zaidi Stuart
Matthews Shea Bradley Annie Bungeroth CAFOD.