Community Corner

Mokena Churches Talk About Lent

From a Catholic nun replacing video games with charity to a Lutheran church adding extra services, Mokena is readying for the 40-day period between today's Ash Wednesday and Easter.

Sister Rose Marie of St. Mary Catholic Church will be giving up video games for Lent.

The Mokena nun said Lent—the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday, which is today, and Easter Sunday—is not about giving up, in her case, FreeCell and Spider Solitaire, but how she replaces it.

"I'm going to give up playing games on my computer—not that I play all the time—but use that time to send people e-mails of comfort, sending little notes to them," she said.

Find out what's happening in Mokenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

She said people often focus on the sacrifice part of Lent (giving up candy, for example) and not the opportunities Lent presents (donating the money that would have gone to candy).

"I think Lent for me is an opportunity for renewing and deepening my relationship with God," Sister Rose Marie said. "I do that by doing more prayer, having more prayer in my life, by seeking out opportunities for almsgiving and by doing more penances, giving something up that I like."

Find out what's happening in Mokenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Rev. David Constien of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church called the practice of giving up pleasures for Lent "an optional spiritual discipline" some Lutherans choose.

"For the Lutheran faith, Lent means a repentant focus on the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ," Constien said.

All Lent, the church offers Lenten services 7 p.m. Wendnesdays.

"The services usually are put together around a theme and a focus for us to consider, especially our great need of a savior," Constien said. "This year's theme is 'God's Love Breaks Through.'"


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here