This Lenten season, La Salle students and teachers were dedicated to preparing for Easter through self-reflection and self-restraint.

Senior Nur Hannosh committed to becoming healthier during Lent. Instead of giving things up, she decided to add things into her life, she said, such as being more physically active and drinking six bottles of water every day.

She used discipline and her relationship with God to guide her through Lent and to become stronger in her faith.

“Utilizing the time to do something to better yourself in various ways brings you closer to God,” she said.

After Lent is over, she plans to continue these beneficial habits and implement the new practices she started into her daily routine.

Junior Arsema Abraha focused on honoring her parents more often and managing her screen time better.

“I feel like it will bring my relationship closer with God, and I feel like it will break my bad habits,” she said.

In the past, Abraha has found it difficult to devote herself to Lent, but this year, she said she stayed committed and didn’t give up even in the face of a mistake.

This year, sophomore Stephanie Lara gave up added sugar because she wanted to test how much she is willing to sacrifice for her faith and relationship with God. To accomplish this objective, Lara incorporated more fruits and vegetables into her diet.

Religious studies teacher Ms. Katie Cassidy decided to include more things into her routine rather than subtract, since she finds it to be a better fit personally.

“I’ve instead been trying to add more practices into my life that give me a little bit more space,” she said.

Ms. Cassidy prioritized her morning routine and doing things that give her additional “mental clarity,” she said, like taking her dog on more walks and journaling.

Religious studies teacher Mr. Noah Banks gave up caffeine and social media. According to him, he did this by utilizing a special software that blocks the use of certain apps on his phone.

“When I’m experiencing a desire to have that thing, I can remember my need for God and also offer that experience up for other people in my life,” he said.

Mr. Banks enjoys the time he has saved off his phone due to the removal of entertaining apps, saying that it gave him a “peace of mind.”

After Lent is over, Mr. Banks plans to start drinking caffeine again but will still have app limits on his devices. Mr. Banks’ favorite part of Lent is the flow.

“I love the rhythm of the Church here, and I love that we get a built-in opportunity to be thoughtful and reflective about how we have room to grow,” he said.

Religion Studies Department Chair Mr. Edward Kendrick limited his usage of single-use plastics to only seven items a week.

“It cues me into stewardship of the environment,” he said. “I think a lot about garbage during Lent.”

Mr. Kendrick uses Lent as a time to test things out and see what he should add or subtract into his daily life. He described it as a time for experimentation.

“It’s a lab,” he said. “I will test things and see, ‘should I actually do this forever?’”

This year, Mr. Kendrick plans to make Easter more intentional than it has been in the past and not just rush through it.

“It’s actually a season that’s supposed to be longer than Lent, and supposed to be a celebration,” he said.

As the end of Lent is nearing and the arrival of Easter is approaching, students and staff have been strengthening their faith and building their relationship with God.