Before the 2022 Advent season, Dana Dempewolf, prompted by the Holy Spirit, organized a small Advent share group. A handful of parishioners from Saint Mary Catholic Church in Ardmore began meeting weekly to share how God was leading them to the birth of Christ.
Popularity of the group’s journey through Advent spread through the parish and more joined to share their experiences. Now, almost 30 parishioners have joined Dana Dempewolf and Kathryn Abbey for a Lenten pilgrimage, beginning with Mardi Gras on Feb. 21, and continuing weekly until April 12.
“I am not aware of any other parish having a program of this type,” Dempewolf said. Each participant purchases the Ascension Lenten Companion Guide and has access to free, weekly videos by Father Mark Toups. The Lenten guide leads pilgrims with a daily focus word, a reflection, a prayer prompt, which encourages conversation with Jesus, space for journaling and sacred artwork for inspiration. Dempewolf added,
“Accompaniment is a valuable part of any spiritual journey. What better Lenten resolution than to walk more closely with Jesus and walk with fellow Christian pilgrims. It’s a call to more while choosing to be a little less to the world.”
Each week, Father Toups, through Ascension Press, has an accompanying video inviting people to prepare their hearts for the commemoration of our Lord’s death and resurrection.
Father Toups said in his video, “Lent is a chance to have a renewal in your spiritual life. Lent is for people who want more!”
Father Toups also added, “If we give up the same thing and make the same Lenten resolution on each Ash Wednesday, we end up being the same person on each Easter Sunday. We need to commit our heart to Christ on a Lenten pilgrimage.”
Gerald Johnson, a long-time parishioner and lector at Saint Mary Catholic Church, joined the Advent pilgrimage in the Fall. Since he was already a lector, he doubted the program would enhance the Advent Season for him in any meaningful way.
“I surprisingly enjoyed a greater understanding of the Gospel each Sunday. I got so much more out of the Advent Season. I am excited about the Lenten Pilgrimage. A few weeks ago, I spoke to the parish about how I want to get more out of the Lenten season, and this is a great way to accomplish that goal. People are usually very generous with their money and talent; however, some people seem reluctant to give Christ as generously with their time. Lent reminds us, we all have a limited amount of time on earth,” Johnson said.
For more information, contact Saint Mary Catholic Church, 125 E. Street S.E., in Ardmore at (580) 223-0231, [email protected].
Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.