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Holy Week
A special thanks to Elizabeth Vogt from St. Theresa's in Palatine for compiling these activities for families to do during Holy Week and for allowing us to share them with you. These ideas are meant to help make Holy Week a special time of prayer and reflection. Please do not feel you need to do all of the suggested activities. Choose the ones that work best for your family.
Palm Sunday
Today we celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The word, Hosanna, appears in the story when Jesus enters into Jerusalem. Watch the video above to find out what the word means.
Palm Sunday Mass is at 10 a.m. Click here for live streaming.
Ideas to do:
- Wear red.
- On your kitchen table or prayer area, place a red cloth, crucifix, and lighted candle, and any green branch from your yard as a centering point of prayer. Proclaim Matthew 21:1-11.
- Make a palm at home out of paper. Use construction paper, cardstock or whatever you have - cut a palm branch free form or use this template
- Looking for a sweet treat? What about Palm (ice cream) Sundaes - green ice cream (vanilla with green food coloring, mint, pistachio, or green sherbert), mint leaves, and a cherry on top Click Here for more details.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week
Ideas to do:
- On the table place a purple cloth, a candle, and the Bible open to Psalm 51: Have mercy on us Lord, for we have sinned against You.
- Clean the house as a prayerful preparation for Easter.
- Color Easter Eggs, which are a symbol of new life.
- Paint a stained glass window at home using painters tape, washable paint, and a drop of Dawn dish soap? Click Here for directions.
- Not sure you want to paint a window? How about a paper stained glass window? All you need is tissue paper, wax paper, school glue, scissors, and construction paper Click Here for directions.
Holy Thursday
Today we celebrate Jesus giving the Eucharist to the disciples, the Real Presence, and the institution of Holy Orders. Today begins the Sacred Triduum, one long liturgical celebration over three days. Our Holy Thursday Mass will be live streamed beginning at 5 p.m. Click here to live stream.
Maundy Thursday is a common name for Holy Thursday. Watch the video above on the Meaning of Maundy Thursday.
Ideas to Do:
- Light two candles and place a white or gold cloth on the table. If you have one, place an image of the Last Supper on your table as well. Proclaim 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and John 13:1-15. Read Psalm 116: Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.
- Bake bread or unleavened bread.
- Celebrate a meal as a family. Wash the feet of family members as an expression of love reconciliation, and service.
- Discuss how we remember others who need to go away (trip, move, no longer with us). How do we remember them? We have photos, videos, share stories, and may have items to help us remember them. Jesus wanted to give His friends and us something to remember Him by as well - Himself! Receiving Jesus in the Eucharist is the Real Presence!
Good Friday
Today we enter the solemn time of Jesus' Passion. Jesus makes the ultimate sacrifice of Himself for us:
We adore you O Christ and we praise You. Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
How is Jesus' death on the cross a sacrifice like no other?
Ideas to Do:
- In the liturgy, the altar is bare. For your prayer space, no cloth or candles, just a simple cross. Proclaim John 18:1-19:42.
- Fast
- Participate in the Stations of the Cross at 12 noon. Click here for live streaming.
- Participate in the Passion of the Lord at 3 p.m. Click here for live streaming.
- Read the Passion Narrative from one of the Gospels.
- Consider having a Passion symbolic lunch for the kids. See here for details.
- Do extra good deeds and sacrifices.
- Forgive someone who has hurt you.
- Process and venerate a cross at home and talk about the crucifixion.
- Say the Our Father at bedtime in remembrance of God's gift for all Salvation.
Holy Saturday
The Easter Vigil begins with the symbol of fire. The fire represents that Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus Brings light to darkness and new life.
What are other symbols of the resurrection?
- Jesus rising to new life is transformative and life-changing. What does this mean?
Ideas to Do:
- Take a walk around the neighborhood and look for signs of new life in springtime.
- Make Easter Story Cookies? Click here for directions.
Easter Sunday
Alleluia! Jesus has Risen! Sing the Gloria!
Easter Sunday Mass Livestream at 10:00am. Click here for the live streaming.
Lessons for Sunday, March 29
Our K-5 Faith Formation program uses Gospel Weeklies. You can find the videos about this Sunday's Gospel here. The guest login information is:
username: pgw
password: temporary
You can download the accompanying worksheets:
username: pgw
password: temporary
You can download the accompanying worksheets:
- Promise for grades K-1
- Good News for grades 2-3
- Venture for grades 4-5
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Other Lenten Resources
Vidoes about Lent from BustedHalo.com:
Videos for Sunday, March 22
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March 22 is the 4th Sunday of Lent, which is called Laetare Sunday. Click on the video to learn about its significance. You can also find videos about this Sunday's Gospel through Gospel Weeklies. The guest login information is: pgw (username) temporary (password) |
Blessed: Counting Our Blessings
Our First Communion students have been watching the Blessed: First Communion Series. Here is a video that is appropriate for all. May we always remember the blessings God gives us even when times are difficult!