Be Local by taking part in special Lenten programs in your community
Lent, which takes place during the weeks between Ash Wednesday and Easter, is a time for reflection and prayer.
It is also an opportunity to be involved in special programs offered at local retreat centers and community worship services and activities sponsored by ministerial associations throughout the district.
Be Local means participating in events that can guide or motivate the better part of ourselves.
One way is through taking quiet time for ourselves.
“We need to connect with our inner spirit,” said Sister Carol Petrasovich, of the Byzantine Catholic Sisters of St. Basil the Great at Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown where the House of Prayer is offering several special programs during Lent.
“We are so caught up with technology,” Petrasovoich noted. “I think it’s deflecting or taking away from our ability to reflect. Silence helps us with that. We’re missing a time of quiet reflection to pause and be still.”
The House of Prayer is offering Lenten Noontime Reflection and Prayers with Petrasovich from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 20, 27 and March 6, 13 and 20. This includes a short prayer service with reflection, followed by private prayer that includes time to pray for someone in need.
Other programs during Lent at the House of Prayer include: Monday Morning Reading Series is being held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 26 and March 5, 12 and 19 with Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick. A healing retreat with the Rev. William Kiel of Uniontown will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 3 and includes lunch. A Lenten Day of Prayer with the Rev. Jason Charron of Carnegie will be held from 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 10 and includes lunch.
More information and registration deadlines for these programs are available at www.sistersofstbasil.org/events-2/house-of-prayer or call 724-438-7149.
While reflection is important, participating in community worship also allows us to connect with our neighbors.
“A good friend of mine who’s no longer in the area — Father James Ragan — had a saying that when churches come together from different religions, it’s like a little bit of heaven. And it is,” said the Rev. Charles Cochran, pastor of First Christian Church in Charleroi and president of the Charleroi Area Ministerial Association.
A number of area ministerial associations are organizing community events throughout Lent, open to everyone.
Cochran said that coming together allow participants “to focus on our relationship with God but also focus on our relationship with each other and our relationship as a community.”
The pastor noted, “It reminds us that we are not alone.”
Those interested in joining the Be Local Network can contact Ted Flowers at 724-425-7231 or by email at tflowers@heraldstandard.com. Discount cards are available at the 蘑菇视频, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, and at the Greene County Messenger, 82 W. High St., Waynesburg.