This Lenten season, students and teachers have a variety of resolutions, with many in the La Salle community aiming for self improvement.
Ximena Carrillo, a freshman, made the decision to focus on helping others throughout Lent instead of spending money on things she doesn’t need.
“Something I want to give back is my time to those who need help,” she said.
In general, Carillo believes Lent will help her grow as a person and improve her habits by helping her know what to prioritize in life. She also hopes her new priorities will help grow her relationship with God.
Religion teacher Ms. Jane Nitschke has had more than one goal for the season, such as “walking a mile with God every day,” she said. Other examples included going to the chapel daily, and with another teacher, reading the Gospel of John.
To her, taking the time to center herself is important because it helps her prepare in celebrating Jesus’ resurrection.
When incorporating new habits into her life, Ms. Nitschke finds that it’s not limited to the period of Lent. “I have found every year that when I do something, and I add that something, oftentimes that something stays as part of my just normal routine,” she said. Ms. Nitschke also thinks of the time of Lent as joyful since it introduces the Easter season, spring, and a time of growth.
This year, junior Charlotte Robinson wants to stay off Pinterest and be a better person during Lent.
Once Lent is over, Robinson hopes that she won’t have the urge to constantly go onto social media. “I think there’s a lot of kids who use it more as just a way to try and improve themselves,” she said when referring to Lent.
Sophomore Trent Earls has been focusing on growing his relationship with God rather than giving up something. According to Earls, it also means “being more intentional” with what he does during the day.
As someone who learned the importance of Lent at a young age and grew up Catholic, Earls thinks that talking about the season with others helps him stay on top resolutions.
He currently participates in Bible study with the Keeping the Faith Club Friday before school, which Earls uses to support himself during the season. He finds that reading the Bible in the morning instead of going on his phone is another good way to participate in Lent.
His advice for anyone that wants to partake in Lent is to pray and “have God help you through everything,” he said.
Freshman YLan Tran is giving up sweets and video games, both of which are things she enjoys, and avoiding video games during Lent helps her prevent procrastination.
Tran enjoys reaching her Lenten goals since it helps her believe in herself more. After every Lenten season, Tran is proud of herself. “I’m like, ‘oh, I actually accomplished that goal, and I didn’t break it during [the] 40 days,’” she said.
Senior Paul Skoro gave up TikTok for Lent in order to make a more productive use of his time. He also prays during the first and last three minutes of every day.
Eucharistic Adoration is another event Skoro attends when he is free to make Lent more peaceful for him. In doing this, and listening to the priests, he finds the meaning of Lent.
Another goal of Skoro’s is progressing in his prayer life. “I can already see myself growing and giving things to the fortunes that I have,” he said.
With only a few days left in the Lenten season, people have been coming up with ways to make the most of Lent with strategies that can help bring them closer to God and improve their daily habits.
