Presentation: Hope from the Ashes: Preparing for an Evangelizing Lent
Each Ash Wednesday, millions of people—many who are not active in the practice of faith—will take time to receive ashes. Even more will engage in a Lenten custom in their personal lives such as Friday fasting. However, after Easter, this engagement often wanes, and the connection with the Church might be lost. This momentary experience, though, is still an occasion of hope for the Church. As the world moves through uncertain times, this annual phenomenon touches the heart and soul of so many people as it has for centuries: as a source of refuge, stability, and belonging in the midst of anxiety, crisis, and isolation. There is also hope that can come from the efforts of active Catholics and Church leaders who respond to this experience with boundless hospitality, radical warmth, and unconditional compassion. Drawing from his book, Hope from the Ashes, Paul will help people understand the phenomenon and offer ideas of what they can do to respond and accompany Lenten visitors, and in so doing, help transform “moments of return” into “milestones of faith” for countless men and women who will come for ashes.
Hope from the Ashes by Paul Jarzembowski can be purchased in both paperback and eBook formats on the Paulist Press website.
The webinar video for this podcast can be found on the Catholic Apostolate Center's webinar page.
For more Lenten resources, visit the Catholic Apostolate Center's Lenten and Easter resource page.
