The middle school classes are preparing for the season of Lent. The students will be participating in a retreat to better understand the meaning of Lent. The youth ministers from the parish and the middle school teachers are preparing for this retreat. In addition each class is reviewing the Catholic Church  requirements for Lent. The following is from the American Catholic website:  Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, all Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent. Many students asked if they could refrain from meat even if they are under 14, and we decided it would be great practice to do this with permission from the family. The students also wrote their Lenten promises on a cross. The crosses are hung up in the classroom. Please encourage them to continue their sacrifices and good works for the next 6 weeks!