Spring Break
Giving up junk food, gum and Facebook for Lent
Emily Lance
Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: News
Katie McKeeman promised her mom she would give up sweets for Lent. Beginning last Wednesday, things like cookies, candy and chocolate were kicked out of her diet.
"I have tried to give up gum and soda or different things like that," said McKeeman, a freshman sports medicine major. "I couldn't do Girl Scout cookies. It was just too hard."
Lent is the symbolic representation of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, where he fasted and prayed. It is said that he resisted temptation by the devil during this time, was spoken to by angels and then began his ministry in Galilee, a region of Israel.
Catholics are among the traditional Christians who sacrifice something for Lent, but others in the faith observe it as well, including non-Christians.
The Rev. Lawrence Christensen of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, encourages his congregation to give as well as sacrifice during this time.
"Through sacrifice, prayer and alms giving, we remember and reflect on this time," Christensen said. "I encourage all people to take part in some way."
Alms giving is an act in which Catholics will save their pocket change, typically nickels and dimes, in a round cardboard container and bring those savings to church on the last Sunday of Lent, also known as Palm Sunday. The church will give the funds received to Catholic relief or other charitable organizations in the community.
"It is up to the individual what they choose to give or sacrifice. Some give up movies, some choose not to have a drink or even smoking. Some do positive things like visit a person in the hospital, call a person you have not talked to in a while or volunteer at a soup kitchen," Christensen said.
Danielle Lohman, a freshman social work major, chose to give up Facebook, the popular networking Web site.
"It is hard because it is something you check when you're bored," Lohman said. "I have so much more time for other things. You don't realize how much time you are on Facebook until you give it up."
"I have tried to give up gum and soda or different things like that," said McKeeman, a freshman sports medicine major. "I couldn't do Girl Scout cookies. It was just too hard."
Lent is the symbolic representation of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, where he fasted and prayed. It is said that he resisted temptation by the devil during this time, was spoken to by angels and then began his ministry in Galilee, a region of Israel.
Catholics are among the traditional Christians who sacrifice something for Lent, but others in the faith observe it as well, including non-Christians.
The Rev. Lawrence Christensen of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, encourages his congregation to give as well as sacrifice during this time.
"Through sacrifice, prayer and alms giving, we remember and reflect on this time," Christensen said. "I encourage all people to take part in some way."
Alms giving is an act in which Catholics will save their pocket change, typically nickels and dimes, in a round cardboard container and bring those savings to church on the last Sunday of Lent, also known as Palm Sunday. The church will give the funds received to Catholic relief or other charitable organizations in the community.
"It is up to the individual what they choose to give or sacrifice. Some give up movies, some choose not to have a drink or even smoking. Some do positive things like visit a person in the hospital, call a person you have not talked to in a while or volunteer at a soup kitchen," Christensen said.
Danielle Lohman, a freshman social work major, chose to give up Facebook, the popular networking Web site.
"It is hard because it is something you check when you're bored," Lohman said. "I have so much more time for other things. You don't realize how much time you are on Facebook until you give it up."
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