Family Religious EdAdvent Week – Family

Theme: Lent

Host Family will lead opening prayer and introduce their family members. (Give a little detail about each person such as where they go to school, etc.)

Faith Filled People to choose from (and why are they important to you and/or your family?): Venerable Henriette Delille

Saint Maximilian Kolbe

Saint Blaise

Today’s Readings from Lectionary: Read or summarize today’s readings to prepare for church or unpack for those that attended 8:30 mass.

Song led by Jennifer St. Jacques

Host Family Activity

Video’s to choose from that go with the theme of the lesson.

Preparing for Lent (8:17 minutes), Fr. Mike Schmitz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qDG51cl9gY

The Significance of Ash Wednesday (7:48 minutes) Fr. Mike Schmitz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPTcMWpHfKk

Lent in Three Minutes (3:00 minutes) Busted Halo. But all written, so maybe not for our pre-readers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo1mjuy1NA0

What is Lent? (2:39 minutes) Cardinal Timothy Dolan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06-yPBCZlIY

There are loads of Lent crafts for the family. I have included several below. Print off one or two from below or choose one you like better. Print off Lent Calendar below and make colored copies at the Religious Ed Office (main hall towards Gathering Area). One thing I had never seen before in my pulling together Lenten things, a crèche for the Resurrection. Like a nativity, but for the Resurrection.

Anyway, there is a lot below, so just choose one that speaks to you. Also, here are Lenten Apps and online calendars and ideas.

There are two Fish Fry this year. One on Mark 9th and one on Mark 23rd. They run from 4:45 to 6:45. Stations of the Cross are every Friday at 7:00 except for March 23rd when Matthew Kelly is speaking in the sanctuary.

There is a great vlog called acatholicmomslife. She lists the top activities for her family and herself for Lent. They are:

Stations of the Cross on Fridays (Holy Family does them every Friday at 7:00)

Reading the Consoling Heart of Jesus

Read Matthew Kelley’s Rediscovering Lent

Do the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily at 3:00

Read Diary of St. Faustina

Some websites I like for Lent:

https://dynamiccatholic.com/bestlentever/ - Matthew Kelly. And he is speaking during out Lent on March 23rd, so this could be doubly good. It is an email signup and you’ll get a daily short email of him speaking.

http://www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/ A well organized website that breaks it down by week and then day. Should visit daily and has a reflection and question.

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/index.cfm A kind of fun calendar from the USCCB. Daily reflections. Visit daily.

Here are some apps:

Lentsanity (aimed at high school and college students)

3dcatholic developed by Notre Dame. This aims for the three traditional parts of Lent – fasting, alms giving (service) and prayer.

Xt3 Lent Calendar – from our Brethren to the south of us, way south. Australia. I followed this app last year, but have not checked it out for this year.

These are free apps, but there are more that you pay a few dollars for.

Craft Ideas:

From Catholicicing.com

Lenten Sacrifice Ideas and Activities for Kids

February 16, 2010 By Lacy

This year, my kids are putting together a lent box. What you do is, find any box and have the kids put in their favorite toys, games, or whatever they’d like to sacrifice for lent.

A Lent Box for an older child might look something more like this:

Then, put on the lid and label it “Good-bye for Lent- See You at Easter!”.

Find a place in a closet or on a high shelf where it’s out of sight. Don’t forget to bring it out for opening on Easter! 🙂

Easter Wreath:

From http://www.weelittlemiracles.com/2012/04/make-easter-story-wreath-free.html a Lenten wreath? Kind of a wreath with the stations of the cross.

I wanted to include Pentecost in my wreath (it's not included in the one above) and

also add scripture verses to make it tell the Easter story in better detail. Here is my own version of an Easter Story Wreath. Please feel free to print as many as you like! There are three documents to print (2 image docs and one scripture egg doc). [towards end of document]

To assemble the wreath simply print, color and cut out the images. For a wreath base I used a large circle (approx. 11 1/2 " in diameter) cut from a 12" x 12" piece of cardstock:

I arranged the pictures to "tell" the story from Palm Sunday (starting on the top right) through Pentecost (placed in the top center). If you're interested in making this wreath I'm sure you're already very familiar with the order of the events, but I will go ahead and list them just in case:

1. Jesus enters Jerusalem (palm branch and donkey pictures)

2. The Last Supper (bread and wine pictures)

3. Jesus Prays in Gethsemane (praying hands picture)

4. Jesus is Crucified (cross picture)

5. Resurrection (empty tomb picture)

6. Ascension (Jesus in clouds picture)

7. Holy Spirit Comes Down (dove and flames pictures)

Here is an example of an assembled wreath will look like:

I overlapped some of the pictures on top of each other to make them fit nicely--feel free to arrange them however you like! Glue stick or Glue Dots work well to

affix the pictures to the wreath base.

[pages are below]

I hope this wreath helps make the Easter season more meaningful for your family!

Okay, I had never seen this, and had to include it.

From http://www.weelittlemiracles.com/2011/03/idea-for-your-family-this-lent.html. I think of it kind of like a Jesse Tree for Lent.

Inspired by the gorgeous circular Lenten wreath I saw at A Holy Experience, I decided to try my hand at making my own version at home. I love having a visual symbol for the family to gather around for our evening devotions as we did during Advent. I wanted to

incorporate some Lenten symbols into the craft as well. I made sure to work in the color purple (the liturgical color of the season) and also burlap--representing the sack

cloths people wore while fasting during biblical times.

I thought I'd share how I made it, in case you might want to make your own.

You Will Need:

*3-4 packages of black Fimo modeling clay (or similar sculpting clay)*Cardboard (approx. 2' x 3' square)

*40 small polished river stones* 1/2 yard of burlap (I like to have extra on hand in case of mistakes!)

*glue gun w/glue sticks*stick lighter

*purple votive candle*scissors

I started by cutting cardboard into a spiral pattern. (Size is up completely up to you. Mine measures approx 24 in. diameter)

Once the Fimo was soft enough to work with, I sculpted 40 little bowls (think pinch pots from grade school!). I like the free-form irregular look, so I made each of mine a

slightly different size and shape.

I baked them according to the directions on the package.

Once they were baked and cooled I arranged them on my spiral to make sure everything would fit nicely.

Using the cardboard as a guide I cut the burlap into a spiral pattern leaving a tiny bit of overhang on all sides to take into account the fabric that will be lost by burning.

I selected 40 stones that would fit nicely into the cups.

Using my glue gun I then glued the burlap securely to the cardboard working in 6 inch sections from the outside toward the

center.

Once the spiral was glued and dry I Very carefully burned the edges of the burlap working by 2 inch sections and blowing out each section before moving onto the next.

Once the edges were singed I glued the 40 clay pots to the burlap with a glue gun.

Gathering sticks from the yard, I fashioned a cross out of them. I used purple embroidery thread (love using purple however I can!) to secure it. I then molded black no-bake clay around the base of the cross and secured it into the center (40th pot) of

the spiral.

Once the project was completed I placed everything into a black tray for use. I chose a purple candle to further highlight the color for the season and placed the stones we'll

be using into a glass container wrapped with twine.

Our family will be using the book A Family Journey With Jesus Through Lent for our evening devotions.

If you decide to give it a try I hope it turns out well for you! If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment and I'll be happy to answer!

I wish you all a wonderful 40 day walk with Jesus this Lent.

And one final project: from http://www.lbrummer68739.net/3rd-grade-projects-gallery-2/lent-to-easter-start-and-finish-strong/

Lent to Easter: Start and Finish Strong

     This Lenten project is meant to encourage the children to stay motivated throughout the Lenten season.While doing this Lenten craft, use the opportunity to share, with the children, the need for prayer and giving.  Have them suggest specific actions for each of the words.

Supplies:

White cardstock Lent To Easter-front  (Pattern) [below] Symbols-back  (Pattern) [below] Paper fastener Colored pencils Scissors

Directions:

1. Print the front and back patterns on white cardstock or heavy, white  paper.2. With colored pencils, color the front and back pictures.3. Carefully cut out both the front and back.4. Poke a small hole in the centers, at the dot shown.5. Carefully cut the opening out of the front.6. Attach the front to the back with the paper fastener.7. Turn the front circle to see the symbols and words on the back circle.

40 Lent Activities with Kids1. Make a Prayer Chain: List 40 intentions or people on 40 slips of paper. Link

them together into a chain. Rip one off each morning of Lent and pray for that need.

2. Bury the Hallelujah: Explain why we don’t proclaim hallelujah during Lent. To symbolize, write out hallelujah on paper and bury it in the yard or put it away in a box.

3. Temptation Cookies: While baking cookies, tell your children about the temptation of Jesus in the desert. When the cookies are done, leave them on the table, but they cannot eat them until the next day. Talk about how tempting this might be and what we can do to resist temptation.

4. Memorize a Prayer: The Act of Contrition would be a good one for Lent, but if your kids already know it, pick a prayer they are unfamiliar with.

5. Color Easter Eggs: While you do, talk about why they are part of Easter. They represent new life.

6. Watch an Easter Related Movie or Show: Veggie Tales and Storykeepers are just a couple of the many series that have Easter specials.

7. Read Easter Books: I like The Crippled Lamb, The Story of Easter, and The Legend of the Three Trees

8. Children’s (or regular) Stations of the Cross: Visit one, Read one, Color one, etc.

9. Make Pretzels: They symbolize arms crossed in prayer. Find out more here.10. Pick a Service Activity: It can be something small like paying for the

person behind you in line at lunch, or do something bigger like visiting a nursing home to chat with residents. Talk about the Corporal Works of Mercy today.

11. Study the Saint of the Day: The dates of Lent are always changing, so pick a day to do this and learn about the Saint for that day. Read his or her biography and maybe even find a craft or prayer to go along with your study.

12. Make a Tomb Scene: I like this one, this one and this one.13. Browse a Catholic Book Store: Wander around and look for Easter and

Lent related items. Maybe even treat your little one to a small gift.14. Visit a Cemetery: Find a family member in a cemetery and explain how

Jesus died so this person could go to heaven.15. Go to Church: But, not during Mass or Adoration. Instead, just explore the

building.16. Adoration: You might not be able to stay long, but try for 10 minutes or

so. Before going, prep your child on what Adoration is, how we behave and what is to be expected. Sit in silence for just a little while or help your child pray. Ask him what he thought of the experience after you leave.

17. A Daily Mass: You might not be able to get the brood out of the house each day to do this, but pick on day to get up early and attend Mass on a weekday. Maybe even have a special breakfast at home afterwards.

18. Rosary: Catholics always pray the Sorrowful Mysteries during Lent. It may be hard to get wiggly kids to sit for this, but just practice. Maybe even find a guide for your child to follow along with. If you’re feeling really ambitious, consider making your own Rosary while you pray it.

19. Divine Mercy Chaplet: Do this in the same way you did the Rosary. Use a guide if it helps. Or, listen to one using an app for your phone.

20. Take Stock of Sacrifices: Write a journal or talk about how your sacrifice is going this Lent. What can you do better? What are you doing well?

21. Learn an Easter Song: I like Christ the Lord is Risen Today, but I know there is also a Veggie Tales song you could use too.

22. Make Hot Cross Buns: They symbolize Christ’s suffering on the cross.23. Plant Something: Plant flowers, a plant or Easter grass, take care of it and

watch it grow. Talk about new life and rising from the grave.24. Make an Easter Basket for a Neighbor: Fill it with your favorite treats and

surprise your neighbor with your gift. Don’t forget to add a prayer card!25. Make a Crown of Thorns: I love the idea of taking out a thorn for each

good deed your child does.26. Explain the Easter Bunny: I also love these Scriptures that show what a

“real Easter bunny” is. Act it out with a stuffed animal.27. Easter Coloring Pages: Spend a day relaxing and coloring some cute

pages. I like this one.28. Read the Story of the Last Supper: Either read it straight from Scripture or

find a kid’s version. Either way, prepare a nice meal for dinner, and read and discuss the story while you eat.

29. Plan and Cook a Meatless Meal Together: Obviously, save this one for a Friday. Go simple like mac n’ cheese or try something more complicated that looks good to them. Explain why we abstain from meat on Fridays of Lent.

30. Almsgiving Activity: Create an almsgiving box and choose a charity to donate to. Save all of your change this season by putting it in your family’s box.

31. Petting Zoo: Visit a petting zoo, but make sure they have lambs or sheep. Talk about why we call Jesus the Sacrificial Lamb.

32. Fill a Bag to Donate: Declutter your house and make a donation to Goodwill. Toys, clothes, books, housewares, etc. are all fair game. This is part of almsgiving too.

33. Light a Candle at Church: Let your child choose a special person to light a candle for.

34. Dress in Purple: Explain how purple is a color of mourning but also a color of royalty – Jesus the King.

35. Write a Note to a Clergy Member: Whether it be local or farther away, have your kids choose a person to write a letter to. Maybe your kid wants to write a thank you letter. It could even be a letter asking questions about our faith. You might get a great response!

36. Get a Fast Food Fish Sandwich: This is the one time of year that advertisers take Catholics into account. I like to support that idea by feasting on some fatty goodness.

37. Make Resurrection Cookies : Make sure you read the story along with it.

38. Pick a Nice Outfit for Easter Mass: Shop the closet or the store and talk about dressing our best for Jesus and the celebration of Easter

39. Go on a Garden Walk: Explain the story of the Garden of Gethsemane while you meander.

40. Attend a Passion Play: Most churches have them. Look around at your local parishes. If you’re more adventurous, try out for a part

– adapted from http://callherhappy.com/40-lenten-activities-for-kids/

Jesus Enters Jerusalem

“The crowd spread garments on the road and others spread palm

branches. They shouted 'Hosanna in the highest!'”

Matt. 21:8-9

The Last Supper

“Jesus took the bread, blessed it and broke it saying, 'Take this and

eat it; this is my body.'”

Matt. 26:26

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

“He fell on his face and prayed, 'My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; but not as I will but

as you will.'”

Matt. 26:39

Jesus is Crucified

“Jesus cried out with a loud voice 'My God my God, why have you

forsaken me?' He cried again and yielded up His spirit.”

Matt. 27:46,50

Resurrection of Jesus

“He is not here for He has risen!”

Matt. 28:6

The Ascension of Jesus

“As they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out

of their sight.”

Acts 1:9

The Holy Spirit Comes Down

“And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, resting on each

one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:3-4