Sharing Tips for the Household or Small Group

On each Sunday evening this month, gather your household around the table. Light a candle and place it in the center of the table. Give a piece of paper or an index card to each household member. Ask them each to:

Week 1:
name one of their roles in the household, at work or in the community and write a brief prayer of thanks to God for giving them that role

Week 2:
name a gift or talent they have and write a prayer to use this gift in service to others

Week 3:
name a reason for rejoicing or praising God and write a brief prayer of praise

Week 4:
name a problem or difficulty they are facing and formulate a prayer asking for God’s help to face this challenge

Week 5:
name a behavior that they want to “fast” from during Lent and write a prayer to ask God’s and the household’s help

Then invite them to place the cards in a circle around the candle.

Praying Together
Suggest that God wants us to radiate love to one another, just as this candle flame radiates its light to us. Then have someone share something from the day’s readings or a psalm that conveys God’s desire to relate to us.

After time for silent reflection, invite each one to read their prayer. After each prayer, invite everyone to respond in unison with the following:

"In you, we are a family (household)!
Thank you, Lord."

Conclude by inviting members to exchange a sign of peace to symbolize their identity as God’s household (family).