Lenten Programs 2022

Please join us for one of these Christian education programs, services, and retreats happening throughout the Diocese of Louisiana this Lenten Season. Contact Karen Mackey kmackey@edola.org for additions or corrections to the list. A blessed Lent to you!

Lent Challenge: Take the Lenten Fast for Creation sponsored by the EDOLA Environmental Commission.

For Lent 2022, we encourage you to forgo your Lenten fast from chocolate or social media, and instead, give up one thing or habit each day that contributes to waste and pollution in our world. As we meditate on Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert, may this “Carbon Fast” not only strengthen your faith, but also prove that taking small steps toward environmental stewardship can have a big impact. If you want to calculate your carbon savings as you proceed, this website offers “carbon calculators”: www.sustainislandhome.org

Download the Lent Challenge here

Christian Education Classes / Workshops

Dismantling Racism Training
* Saturday, March 19, 9 am-3 pm at St. James, 205 N. Fourth St, Baton Rouge Register here
* Saturday, April 2, 9 am-3 pm at Trinity Church, 1329 Jackson Ave, New Orleans Register here
The EDOLA Commission for Racial Healing invites you to a brave space of learning and growth in order to faithfully engage in the work of healing and wholeness to which God is calling us. Based on the Dismantling Racism training offered through the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing in Atlanta, Georgia, this training will “seek to increase racial healing and reconciliation.” This training is for all members of the church and is especially appropriate for clergy, church staff, and ministry leaders. Please note that all of our currently scheduled trainings are in-person.
Please note the following expectations before signing up for a training: We are only accepting new participants at this time. If you have already attended a Dismantling Racism Training in the Diocese of Louisiana, please do not sign up. We will be offering additional trainings in the future for those who have already attended. If you sign up, we ask that you commit to attending the full day. Arriving late or leaving early is not respectful of the other participants or the trainers. If you are unable to attend the full day, please sign up for a different training day. For further information or questions, please contact the Rev. Liz Embler-Beazley at lembeaz@stpauls-lakeview.org.

Myths & Martyrs: The Hidden Wisdom of Christianity
8:45 am on Sundays in Lent meeting at Christ Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St, Covington. Discover the patron saint of comedians and thieves, learn how prophets walked with angels and battled demons, and find out why God really destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. This class will explore just a few of the misunderstood stories, obscure saints, and biblical “dark passages” of the Christian tradition through history, anthropology, and mythology.

Storytelling and Wondering
8:45 am on Sundays in Lent meeting at Christ Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St, Covington. During the Season of Lent our Storytelling and Wondering group will consider how we can make time, make space and make room in our lives as a way to get ready to come close to the Mystery of Easter and to the one who is Easter. We will share stories and wonder, work with art and story materials, and listen for silence to help us to enter this great mystery. Join us for a gathering that is both playful and deeply meaningful.

Cultivating Peace Through Centering Prayer
8:45 am on Sundays in Lent meeting at Christ Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St, Covington. Inspired by the 14th century classic Cloud of Unknowing, centering prayer is a beautiful practice of quieting the mind and opening the heart to God’s calling. The reflective season of Lent offers an opportunity to explore, strengthen or return to centering prayer as a foundational practice in our prayer life. Join us in the chapel for quiet discussion and practice of this gently meditative prayer.

Becoming Beloved Community: Understanding Systemic Racism
9 am on Sundays in Lent meeting at St. Margaret’s, 12663 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge. The curriculum for this class explores how systemic racism has been integrated into U.S. culture from the very beginning, as well as The Episcopal Church’s history of active participation in systemic racism. The curriculum for this class offers guidance on learning from this history and building toward what The Episcopal Church’s Presiding Bishop Michael Curry describes as “the Beloved Community of God.” The Lenten class is facilitated by Jay Weber and Fr Tommy. Each of the six sessions include half-hour videos, optional self-assessments, opportunities for discussion, take-home materials, and recommendations for further research. If you cannot make the Sunday morning sessions, the class can be taken at each learner’s preferred pace online via St. Margaret’s Academy. Please contact Rector Tommy (rector@saintmargarets.com) with any questions.

Exploring the Book of Common Prayer
9 am on Sundays in Lent (March 13, 20, 27, and April 3) meeting at St. Andrew’s, 1031 S. Carrollton Ave, New Orleans. Bishop Brown will be leading a series of Sunday Morning Sessions on the Book of Common Prayer. This series will begin at 9 AM on March 13, 20, 27, and April 3 at Chalstrom House.Coffee and Donuts will be served.

Life Transformed – The Way of Love in Lent
9 am on Sundays in Lent meeting at St. Mark’s, 3245 Manhattan Blvd, Harvey. The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life, self-giving, and death; then, we rise in hope to life transformed. This Lent, communities are invited to walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life. Together, we will reflect anew on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings. Together, we will walk through the depths of salvation history into the fullness of redemption. https://www.episcopalchurch.org/life-transformed-the-way-of-love-in-lent/

Prayer Practices in the Christian Tradition
9:15 am on Sundays in Lent meeting at St. James, 205 N Fourth St, Baton Rouge. During the Lenten season, St. James will explore different prayer practices in the Christian tradition. Join Fr. Chris as each week the class will explore a particular way of praying and put it into practice. Practices included will be the Daily Office, Contemplative Prayer, Lectio Divina, Examen, and more. This Adult Forum class will meet in Coleman Hall.

Apostle to the Apostles, Mary Magdalene
Beginning on the First Sunday in Lent, March 6, following the 10:30 am service at St. Michael’s, 4499 Sharp Rd, Mandeville.

Contemplative Practices to Deepen Your Prayer Life
9 am on Wednesdays in Lent (March 9, 16, 23, 30) meeting at Grace Church, 11621 Ferdinand St, St. Francisville

Wednesday Night Lenten Program
Starting at 5 pm on Wednesdays meeting at St. Augustine’s, 3412 Haring Rd, Metairie. 5:00 p.m. Soup Supper; 5:30 p.m. Teaching and Contemplative Space; 6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist with Anointing (English)

Soup and Salvation
6 pm on Wednesdays in Lent meeting at St. Luke’s, 8833 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge. This annual tradition series is on Wednesday evenings at 6 pm following the 5:30 pm Healing Mass and we will discuss “Questions Jesus Asked.”

Bible Study: The Book of Ezekial and Daniel
* 5:30 pm on Wednesdays meeting at St. Andrew’s, 1031 S. Carrolton Ave, New Orleans. Evenings at 5:30 PM for a simple supper followed by our study at 6 PM. Join us on March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6 and 13.
* 11 am on Thursdays at St. Andrew’s, New Orleans, followed by a simple lunch: March 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7 and 14.
Register here

Lenten Soup Suppers
6 pm on Wednesdays in Lent (starting March 9) meeting at Trinity Church, 3552 Morning Glory Ave, Baton Rouge. 6 pm a soup and bread dinner. At 6:30 pm clergy and distinguished guest speakers educate the adults of the congregation on topics ranging from biblical history to current events. 

Lenten Wisdom Literature Series
6:00 pm on Wednesdays in Lent meeting at Christ Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St, Covington, in St. Cecilia House. Join Diana Branton in an openhearted, lyrical, 4-week exploration of the beautiful genre of literature and storytelling that offers teachings about divinity and virtue while holding tension between an ordered universe and life’s trials and tribulations. Taking place during Wednesday Link and part of the Theological Lecture Series, Lenten classes will take an exegetical look at the biblical books of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom of Solomon, and explore Sophia as the feminine personification of Divine Wisdom. To register to participate, be sure sign up for Wednesday Link at www.christchurchcovington.com and indicate whether or not you will be joining us for dinner beginning at 5pm ($5 per person). Childcare is available.

Dinner Table Theology
6:30-8:30 pm on Wednesdays in Lent (starting March 9) meeting at Trinity Church, 1329 Jackson Ave, New Orleans, in the Trinity Parish House. In the season of Lent, gather for a potluck style dinner and bible-based discussion on Wednesdays from 6:30pm – 8:00pm in Trinity’s Parish House. Facilitated by Becca Wallace and Chris Ryan, this group uses the African Bible Study method to explore how God’s word resonates in our lives and in the communities we share. Participants are asked to bring a prepared dish, snack or beverage to share.

Spiritual Gifts, Natural Talents
6:30 pm on Wednesdays meeting at St. Paul’s, 6249 Canal Blvd, New Orleans. Have you ever wondered if you have spiritual gifts? Is there a difference between those gifts and our natural abilities? In the season of Epiphany we focused on self-discovery. We continue that journey in Lent by trying better to understand our gifts. Using exercises from the book Discerning Your Spiritual Gifts by Lloyd Edwards we will learn together how those things that come most naturally to us are indeed gifts of the Spirit. Holy Eucharist is a 5:30 pm, Dinner at 6:00 pm. This is part of the W@tCh with Wednesdays at Church at St. Paul’s, a time of faith, fellowship, and learning

Hymn Study with the Women’s Bible Study in the Chapel
6:30 pm on Wednesdays meeting at St. Paul’s, 6249 Canal Blvd, New Orleans. Have you ever left church humming a hymn? Do you ever wonder how the music in church connects with the readings? Come and explore the music we sing on Sundays and learn more about the theology present in each verse we sing. We’ll grow in our faith and love of God as we study an important dimension of our worship. No vocal skill or musical experience required! Holy Eucharist is a 5:30 pm, Dinner at 6:00 pm. This is part of the W@tCh with Wednesdays at Church at St. Paul’s, a time of faith, fellowship, and learning

Lenten Soup Suppers
6pm on Thursday meeting at St. John’s, 718 Jackson Ave, Thibodaux. Evening Soup Supper beginning March 10 and continuing through April 7 at 6 p.m. followed by a short program and ending with Compline.

Expanding the Mind from 9 to 27. An Enneagram Subtype Workshop
Thursdays, March 10th through April 7th from 10:00am-11:30am on Zoom Led by The Reverend Morgan M. MacIntire
Calling all Enneagram Enthusiasts! You know your type, so now what? Did you know that within each of the 9 Enneagram types there are three subtypes or focuses of attention that we all have? Exploring your subtype will nuance your number and help you understand your inner wiring in a deeper way. Also, furthering your knowledge in this regard will help you find connection with other numbers who also lead with your subtype as well as foster compassion for those who present differently. In order to be part of this workshop, you must already have a working knowledge of your own Enneagram type, have participated in one of Mother Morgan’s prior workshops or have participated in other introductory workshops about the Enneagram. We will meet on Zoom for five consecutive Thursdays beginning on March 10th and running through April 7th from 10am11:30am. Please RSVP by emailing Mother Morgan at mmacintire@christchurchcovington.com.

Lenten Devotionals

Full to the Brim
Full to the Brim, is an invitation—into a radically different Lent, into a full life. It’s an invitation to be authentically who you are, to counter scarcity and injustice at every turn, to pour out even more grace wherever it is needed. When we allow ourselves to be filled to the brim with God’s lavish love, that love spills over. It reaches beyond ourselves; like water, it rushes and flows, touching everything in its path. More information: https://sanctifiedart.org/full-to-the-brim-lent-bundle-year-c. Churches following this Lenten devotional: St. Augustine’s, Metairie

Living Well Through Lent: Letting Go with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind by Living Compass
Designed for use as an individual reflection or for group study, this 80-page daily devotional provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Lent, an experience that will help prepare us for the true meaning of Easter. More information: https://www.livingcompass.org/lent. Churches following this Lenten devotional: St.Luke’s, Baton Rouge; St. James, Baton Rouge.

Episcopal Relief and Development Lent Meditation
This year, the Lenten Meditations will focus on that transformation. These reflections are organized into Episcopal Relief & Development’s priorities: Women, Children and Climate, and include a focus on our Disaster Resilience & Response work. We invite you to read them throughout Lent and share with those close to you. More information: https://www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/lent/. Churches following this Lenten devotional: St.Luke’s, Baton Rouge.

Lent Madness
Who will win the Golden Halo? The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and  people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo. More information here: https://www.lentmadness.org/

UTO 40 Days of Gratitude
From the United Thank Offering: The 40 Days of Gratitude Lenten Journal is designed for at-home use for adults to deepen their spiritual practice of gratitude during Lent. Each week, we will focus on practicing gratitude for a specific topic based on scripture. We recommend printing it out double-sided and stapling it on the long edge, so that it functions as a book. More information: https://unitedthankoffering.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/40-Days-of-Gratitude-4.pdf

We Wonder Lent
We Wonder: Lent is a podcast from the Church of England, a contemplative Lenten devotional for children to wonder together about the story of God. Each episode features: a scripture passage brought to life with dynamic music and sound effects, a short, engaging reflection on the passage, a contemplative time for wondering together about the story for the day, and brief thoughts and prayer led by a special child-guest each day. Churches following this devotional: St. Augustine’s, Metairie.

Faith at Home
Faith at Home is a weekly lectionary devotional / Bible study for families provided by Forma and Forward Movement. Its mission: Our faith is not just something we check in with on Sundays; our faith is how we live lives of meaning and purpose every day of the week, if we will learn to notice and respond to how God is moving. But this awareness, like anything worthwhile, takes practice. Which is why a weekly discipleship practice of Reading, Reflecting, and Responding to scripture in the context of community is so important. The devotions on this site have been written with this practice in mind. Use them with friends or family to help you deepen your experience of faith experience from Monday-Saturday.” Sign up to get it weekly via email or “like” it on Facebook.

Stations of the Cross

• Mondays at 5:30 pm at St. Andrew’s, 1031 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans
• Wednesdays at 5:30 pm at Trinity Church, 3552 Morning Glory Ave, Baton Rouge
• Fridays at 9:00 am online on the St. Philip’s, New Orleans Facebook Page
• Fridays at 11 am at St. John’s, 2109 17th St, Kenner (Incorporating the Twelve Steps)
• Fridays at 12:00 pm at Christ Episcopal Church, 1534 Seventh St, Slidell
• Fridays at 5:00 pm at St. Augustine’s 3412 Haring Rd, Metairie
• Fridays at 5:30 pm at Grace Church, 11621 Ferdinand St, St. Francisville
• Fridays at 6:00 pm at Christ Church Cathedral, 2919 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans (Followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament)
• Fridays at 6:00 pm at St. Luke’s, 8833 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge
• Fridays at 6:30 pm at St. Augustine’s, 3412 Haring Rd, Metairie (Vía-Crucis (español))

Lenten Services

Lenten Vigil Fire
at St. Andrew’s, 1031 S. Carrollton Ave, New Orleans. This Lent we will once again Keep Vigil with our neighbors by lighting Lenten Fires in the front of the church from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday.

Lenten Evensong with the Choir
Wednesdays in Lent at 5:30 pm at Christ Church Cathedral, 2919 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans

Healing Mass
Wednesdays in Lent at 5:30 pm at St. Luke’s, 8833 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge

Sung Compline (with incense)
Thursdays in Lent at 5:30 p.m. (starting March 10) at Grace Church, 11621 Ferdinand St, St. Francisville

Lenten Compline Series
Sundays in Lent at 7 pm at St. James, 205 N Fourth St, Baton Rouge. Compline will be preceded by a a 15-minute musical meditation at 6:45pm, performed by local musicians.

Many churches hold virtual Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Compline on Facebook. Find a service here.

Retreats / Quiet Days

Solomon Center Silent Retreat: The Parables
March 4-6 at the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center. This time of renewal will entail preaching on parables from scripture at Morning Prayer, Eucharist and Evening Prayer with lots of silence in between! Led by our very own Father John Pitzer of Trinity Episcopal Church of New Orleans. Plan to check in from 4pm to 6pm Friday afternoon. The event will end after Eucharist on Sunday morning. Registration is $250 per person which includes private lodging and 5 chef prepared meals. This promises to be a weekend to remember. Register here

Lenten Labyrinth
* Wednesday, March 9 at 10 am: Volunteer Build and Blessing
* Thursday, March 10 at 2 pm: Walking of the Labyrinth with Harp
* Saturday, March 12 at 2 p.m.: Walking the Labyrinth with Sound Bath
Christwood, 100 Christwood Blvd, Covington, has once again engaged local labyrinth historian Peggy DesJardins to supervise the building of its second annual Lenten Labyrinth on its campus. The public is invited to attend and participate in three labyrinth events: the build and blessing on March 9, the walking of the labyrinth accompanied by a harpist on March 10, and the walking of the labyrinth with sound bath on March 12. A sound bath is a meditative experience in which attendees are bathed in sound waves produced by tonal instruments such as sound bowls, chimes, tuning forks, gongs and more. Listening to and feeling the vibration of the sound bath relaxes one and engages the sense of hearing. The Christwood Labyrinth will be constructed using natural, organic materials, including cypress needles from local cypress trees. The Reverend Stephen Holzhalb will bless the newly constructed labyrinth, which will serve as a sacred prayer tool throughout the Lenten season. Enter Christwood on Brewster Road.

Lenten Quiet Morning for Men and Women
March 26 from 9 am-12 pm at All Saints Episcopal Church, 100 Rex Dr, River Ridge. Lenten Quiet Morning for Men and Women The Episcopal Church Women of All Saints Episcopal Church, 100 Rex Dr, River Ridge, invite everyone to a Lenten Contemplative Quiet Morning, Saturday, March 26, 9 am – noon, led by the Rev. Dee Dee Estes, retired chaplain of St Andrew’s Episcopal School, New Orleans. The focus of Mother Estes’ three meditations will be: “Where do you get that living water?” (John 4:11b). During the Quiet Morning, she will use the story of the Samaritan woman at the well to consider how God invites us into a loving relationship that will refresh, renew and restore us. The event begins in the parish hall at 9 am with continental breakfast, beverages and conversation. At 9:30 the first meditation will be held in the church. Following each meditation, during the contemplative times, participants are free to walk the church grounds, including the Mississippi River levee behind the church, enjoy the quietude of the church or visit the parish hall for snacks. The morning concludes with Noonday Prayers in the church from 11:45-noon. Everyone is welcome to this free Lenten event.

Lenten Quiet Day
April 9 at St. James, 205 N. Fourth St, Baton Rouge. Just as we are about to enter into Holy Week, you are invited to set aside the morning of April 9 for a time of prayer, meditation, and reflection. Brother Todd van Alstyne will facilitate our time together. Brother Todd is a member of the Anglican Order of Dominican Friars. He is the new Director of the Advent House in New Orleans and also a chaplain at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School.

Fish Fry / Gumbo Fundraisers

Fish Fry
Friday, March 11 starting at 5 pm. Lenten Fish Fry at Christ Episcopal Church, 1534 Seventh St, Slidell. The cost is $10/plate.

Lenten Fish Fry
Friday, March 11, 25, and April 8 from 4:30-6:30 pm. Lenten Fish Fry at St. Michael’s, 4499 Sharp Rd, Mandeville. Dinners include fish, green beans, mac & cheese, and dessert. The cost is $10/plate. Fundraiser for youth and children ministries.

Fish Fry
Friday, March 18 from 5-7:30 pm at All Saints, 100 Rex Dr, River Ridge. $13 a plate that includes: 3 pieces of fish, potato salad, coleslaw, French Bread, Brownie. Curbside Drive-Up Service available for to-go orders! Sodas and bottled water available for purchase

Gumbo!
Friday, March 25 from 11 am-1 pm and 6-8 pm at St. James, 205 N Fourth St, Baton Rouge. After a brief hiatus, St. James is pulling out their gumbo pots to celebrate their 70th (yes, 70th!) year of serving the community with food, fun, and fellowship. More information.

Gumbo Lunch
Mondays in Lent from 11 am-1 pm at St. John’s, 718 Jackson St, Thibodaux. Gumbo Lunches are served every Monday during the season of Lent. Lunches are $12, and proceeds help support Good Samaritan Food Bank.

Gumbo to Go
Fridays in Lent from 11 am-1 pm at Church of the Holy Communion, 5804 Court St, Plaquemine

Gumbo to Geaux
Fridays in Lent from 3-6 pm at St. Mark’s, 3245 Manhattan Blvd, Harvey. Shrimp and Okra Gumbo and Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, $12 a quart.