Weekly Reflections from Mary’s Meals

It’s hard to believe Lent is only three days away! If you are like me, you might still be planning what your Lenten sacrifices are going to be this upcoming holy season.

If you are a long time reader, you have probably read about how Mary’s Meals, a non-profit organization that feeds 1.4 million children a day (for less than 10 cents a child) has been very transformative and inspiring to my own personal faith life. Emily and I were recently with Magnus MacFarlane Barrow, the founder of Mary’s Meals at our 2019 Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference. He again inspired us to commit to this amazing mission with our prayers (listen to the whole talk here).

Mary’s Meals has launched a beautiful new prayer program for Lent called “Lent is…” I recently spoke to Leah Swindon, the executive director of Mary’s Meals and she asked that I personally invite each of you to join us this Lent as we pray and fast together in solidarity for those who do not have enough to eat. Below is a letter from Leah as well as the beautiful Mary’s Meals prayer written for you to meditate upon during this Lenten Season.

Join the Lent is… experience

Dear Friends,

We invite you to join us for a series of weekly reflections during the season of Lent.      

One of the beautiful things about being a part of Mary’s Meals is that we come together as a family to serve and care for children around the world. Our approach is very simple – providing a meal for a child in their place of education – and yet the roots of this work run deep.  

We’ve created Lent is…, an experiential program for the 40 days of Lent, that can be undertaken as an individual, a family, or with a group of friends.

Each week, you will receive a reflection that connects to the children we serve, and an activity designed to bring you closer to the daily challenges they face.   This series is based on Lent, the season of preparation before Easter, using scripture and a weekly devotion.

The staff at Mary’s Meals USA are taking part in Lent is… and we hope that you will join us.  We believe that coming together through shared experience to focus on the children we serve will draw us closer as a community.    

Please spread the word about Lent is… by sharing this email with friends and family or posting on our Facebook page. We are honored and humbled to walk this 40-day season of Lent with you.  

Many blessings,

Leah Swindon Executive Director, Mary’s Meals USA 


Mary’s Meals Prayer
Our Father
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us for the times when we take more than our share of the bread that belongs to all.
Let us help You fill the starving with good things, not with scraps from our table.
Teach us how to share what is not ours to keep. Clothe us with Your love that we may complete each good work you created us to do.
Place in our hearts Your compassion for each starving child and use our little acts of love so that they starve no more.
Amen
Join the Lent is… experience
Emily & I with Magnus, Leah Swindon, Ellen Miller, Rob Turner and Stephanie Patka, all part of the amazing Mary’s Meals team!