Blog – Page 20 – Family Together

Third Sunday of Easter

April 25, 2020
by Barbara Simon-Johnson

Focus:

Jesus may not always be easily recognizable to us, but he is always with us.

Materials Needed:

Candle
Bible
Illumination from the St. John’s Bible, The Road to Emmaus
Art materials

Create a special table or sacred space in your home you can where you focus during prayer and your in-home Sunday celebration.

Light the candle. Call your family to prayer.

Music:

Choose one of the music suggestions below. Sing together as a family.

Opening Discussion:

Have each family member recall a time when they were extremely excited about something. How did they feel inside? Describe those feelings. Sometimes when we have big feelings about something our stomach can do flip flops or we get shaky. Maybe it’s a warm feeling in our hearts. Whatever it is, that is what we will see happen to the disciples today on the Road to Emmaus.

Begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Sunday Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042620.cfm

Together read the Sunday Gospel. Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible. Be creative. Read it in parts. Act out the story. Here is a script: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/lpress-craft/files/ocf-files/liturgical-year-files/easter-activity-emmaus-Play.pdf

Discussion questions:

Why do you think the disciples did not recognize Jesus at first?

Would you have recognized Jesus? Why or why not?

Where do you see Jesus on your faith journey?

How do you let others know you have seen the Risen Christ?

Apostles Creed:

Together pray:

I believe in God the Father almighty Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

Music:

Choose another song to sing together.

Universal Prayers:

As a family, offer prayers for our Church, our world, your local communities, and your families.

The Lord’s Prayer:

Together pray the words that our Savior gave us:

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Conclude with the Sign of the Cross

Music:

Choose another song to sing together.

Family Activity Suggestions:

Take a walk together, imagining that Jesus is with you. What signs do you see in the world around you that show you Jesus is with you?

Spend some time with the illumination from the Saint John’s Bible, The Road to Emmaus, by creating Easter cards. Get creative! Send the cards to those you know to show them that you have seen the Risen Christ.

© 2020 The Saint John’s Bible. Allfdopyrigh Rights Reserved. Click on the Illumination to enlarge it.

Music Suggestions:

All Creatures of Our God and King https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_RkzFZoxDo

Join in the Dance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1YfdgWn8NI

I Know That My Redeemer Lives https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vemCy8NlNuk

Psalm 16: The Path of Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWlpPgg-_Wg

Behold the Lamb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4fHiL_j8Lg

Sing Hallelujah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WPQ2u-aRv0&list=PLZrXiYyPjteSsQ50QkPTWNcM1QRrttAu6&index=8

Rise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5m4N69UjQA

Other Web Resources:

Loyola Press:

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/third-sunday-of-easter-cycle-a-sunday-connection/

The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) (official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and part of Caritas International):

https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Children-s-liturgy

Catholic Mom:

http://catholicmom.com/kids/catholic-gospel-coloring-worksheets-sunday-mass/

USCCB:

https://catholicdotbible.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/easter-3.pdf

Strong Catholic Faith:

http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/easter-season-resources.html

The Religion Teacher:

https://www.thereligionteacher.com/roadtoemmaus-lesson-plan/

Seeing the Word (The Saint John’s Bible):

http://blog.seeingtheword.org/?p=1386

Ignatian Spirituality:

https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/imaginative-prayer-a-meeting-on-the-road-to-emmaus/?utm_source=cj&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=ignatian

Lessons in English

Second Sunday of Easter

April 17, 2020
by Barbara Simon-Johnson

Focus:

Jesus tells us, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Materials Needed:

Candle
Bible

Create a special table or sacred space in your home you can where you focus during prayer and your in-home Sunday celebration.

Light the candle. Call your family to prayer.

Music:

Choose one of the music suggestions below. Sing together as a family.

Opening Activity:

Choose an age-appropriate video from Ripley’s Believe It or Not (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSJuKkObJ0fvcz8krT-xhUg/videos) to watch together. Discuss how sometimes we are told about things that seem unbelievable. We may not believe that they are true unless we can see them. Sometimes it is hard to believe in God without being able to see. That is what happens to the apostle Thomas in today’s Gospel.

Begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Sunday Gospel: John 20:19-31

Together read the Sunday Gospel. Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible. Be creative. Read it in parts. Act out the story. http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041920.cfm

Do you think you would have had the same reaction as Thomas? Why or why not?

Is it hard to believe in Jesus when you do not get to see him? Why or why not?

How do you have faith in Jesus when you can’t see him?

How do you show your faith in Jesus to others?

Apostles Creed:

Together pray:

Music:

Choose another song to sing together.

Universal Prayers:

As a family, offer prayers for our Church, our world, your local communities, and your families.

The Lord’s Prayer

Together pray the words that our Savior gave us:

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Conclude with the Sign of the Cross

Music:

Choose another song to sing together.

Family Activity Suggestions:

Go on a scavenger hunt. Find things within your home or outside that help you to believe that Jesus is real without seeing him. Bring them together and discuss with your family why this is as sign for you of your faith in God.
Create your own “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” type video showing how Jesus is alive and present in your life.

Music Suggestions:

Jesus Christ is Risen Today (EASTER HYMN) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9a41CvVEHw

Come to the Water/I Will Run (Foley/Maher) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5047C0Lulc

Worthy is the Lamb (Ricky Manalo) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSOG64-sTpg

Hallelujah Is Our Song (Sarah Hart) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL065Ww1Z4w

Alleluia! Love is Alive (Steve Angrisano) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6H0BkcllH0

Alleluia! Alleluia! Let the Holy Anthem Rise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7e2FLW_NRA

Other Web Resources:

Loyola Press:

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/second-sunday-of-easter-cycle-a-sunday-connection/

The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) (official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and part of Caritas International):

https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Children-s-liturgy

Catholic Mom:

http://catholicmom.com/kids/catholic-gospel-coloring-worksheets-sunday-mass/

USCCB:

https://catholicdotbible.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/easter-2.pdf

Strong Catholic Faith:

http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/easter-season-resources.html

Lessons in English

Easter Sunday

April 12, 2020
by Barbara Simon-Johnson

Focus:

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad! We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus – the day that God triumphed over death and we are given the gift of eternal life.

Materials Needed:

Candles
Bible
Cross
Symbols of new life (eggs, butterflies, plants)
Materials from Liturgical Press: https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3788244/Holy_Week_at_Home%20(1).pdf

Opening Activity:

Set up a table with a bible, candle, cross and your signs of new life.

Light your candle and call your family to prayer.

Begin by watching: https://bustedhalo.com/video/watch-holy-week-in-three-minutes

The section on Easter Sunday starts at 2:13.

Music:

Choose a song (or more than one) to sing together.

Prayer:

Follow the outline for Holy Saturday prayer found at the above link from Liturgical Press.

Music:

Choose a song (or more than one) to sing together.

Family Activity Suggestions:

Celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! Have a special meal together. Keeping social distancing in mind, go for a walk together and find signs of new life in your neighborhood. Watch a religious movie together. Plant seeds to watch new life spring forth.

Music Suggestions:

Jesus Christ is Risen Today (EASTER HYMN) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9a41CvVEHw

Come to the Water/I Will Run (Foley/Maher) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5047C0Lulc

Worthy is the Lamb (Ricky Manalo) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSOG64-sTpg

Hallelujah Is Our Song (Sarah Hart) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL065Ww1Z4w

Alleluia! Love is Alive (Steve Angrisano) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6H0BkcllH0

Lessons in English

Holy Saturday

April 8, 2020
by Barbara Simon-Johnson

Focus:

Holy Saturday is a time of waiting and prayer while Jesus is in the tomb. In the evening, we gather as a church to prepare for his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Materials Needed:

Candles
Bible
Cross
Materials from Liturgical Press: https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3788244/Holy_Week_at_Home%20(1).pdf
Special treats

This celebration should be done in the evening of Holy Saturday.

Opening Activity:

Set up a table with a bible, candle, and cross.

Call your family to prayer.

Begin by watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs6UeOzaKe8. The section on Holy Saturday begins at 2:45.

Prayer:

Follow the outline for Holy Saturday prayer found at the above link from Liturgical Press.

Music:

Choose a song (or more than one) to sing together.

Family Activity:

Have a party following your prayer service! Enjoy special treats together to celebrate the triumph of Jesus over the grave. Stay up a little later tonight.

Music Suggestions:

Jesus Christ is Risen Today (EASTER HYMN) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9a41CvVEHw

Come to the Water/I Will Run (Foley/Maher) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5047C0Lulc

Worthy is the Lamb (Ricky Manalo) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSOG64-sTpg

Hallelujah Is Our Song (Sarah Hart) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL065Ww1Z4w

Alleluia! Love is Alive (Steve Angrisano) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6H0BkcllH0

Lessons in English

Good Friday

April 8, 2020
by Barbara Simon-Johnson

Focus:

Jesus gave up his life for us.

Materials Needed:

Candle
Bible
Cross or crucifix

Opening Activity:

Create a special table or sacred space in your home you can where you focus during prayer and your in-home celebration. Place your Bible and cross or crucifix on the table. Light the candle. Call your family to prayer.

Today we will begin in silence, recognizing that this is the day Jesus will give up his life for us. Take a few moments for silence.

Scripture:

Together read the Passion according to John.

Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible. Be creative. Read it in parts. Act out the story.

USCCB – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041020.cfm

Give Us This Day, Liturgical Press – https://giveusthisday.org/Digital

This resource has the Passion in parts, as well as the Solemn Intercessions we pray on Good Friday. Choose “Friday, April 10” and “Liturgy of the Word” in the dropdown menus.

After reading the Passion, talk about how it makes you feel that Jesus dies today. Talk about the different people in the story: Peter, John, Mary. What do you think they were feeling today?

Solemn Intercessions:

See the link above for the Solemn Intercessions.

Adoration of the Cross:

Part of the liturgy for Good Friday is Adoration of the Cross. The cross is a very important symbol for Christians because it was the instrument of Christ’s death. Spend some time together in silent prayer reflecting on the cross or crucifix in your sacred space. Then pray together the Litany of the Sacred Passion found at: https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/prayer/traditional-catholic-prayers/litanies/litany-of-the-sacred-passion

The Lord’s Prayer

Together pray the words that our Savior gave us:

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

We will conclude our prayer again in silence.

Family Activity:

Find a version of the Stations of the Cross to pray together online.

Other Web Resources:

Catholic Mom:

http://catholicmom.com/kids/catholic-gospel-coloring-worksheets-sunday-mass/

Ave Maria Press:

https://www.avemariapress.com/engagingfaith/2011/04/guided-meditation-peter-denies-jesus/

Sadlier Religion:

https://www.sadlier.com/religion/blog/holy-week-resources-for-families

Lessons in English

Holy Thursday

April 8, 2020
by Barbara Simon-Johnson

Focus:

Jesus celebrated his Last Supper with his apostles. The Eucharist was instituted at this time. Jesus also showed us how to care for one another by washing his apostles’ feet.

Materials Needed:

Candle
Bible
Bowl
Towels
Pitcher of Water
Ingredients for bread baking or a nice meal

Create a special table or sacred space in your home you can where you focus during prayer and your in-home celebration. Include your bible, candle, bowl, towel, and pitcher of water.

Light the candle. Call your family to prayer.

Begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Music:

Choose one of the music suggestions below. Sing together as a family.

Opening Activity:

Begin by talking about summertime, when we have the opportunity to be barefoot or wear sandals more often. Our feet get dirtier in the summer because of this. Jesus and his apostles lived in a place and time where people wore sandals or even no shoes. Their feet were always dirty and when they would enter a person’s home their feet were washed by a slave. Jesus changed that for us when he washed his disciples’ feet himself. This was an act of true love for another.

As a family, show an act of true love by washing one another’s feet.

Scripture:

Together read the Gospel. Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible. Be creative. Read it in parts. Act out the story.

USCCB – http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/040920-lord-s-supper.cfm

Jesus was preparing the disciples for life without him as he knew his death was drawing near. He wanted them to know ways to show great love for others. Discuss other ways we can show love for one another, especially in this time of social distancing.

Apostles Creed:

Together pray:

Music:

Choose another song to sing together.

Universal Prayers

As a family, offer prayers for our Church, our world, your local communities, and your families.

The Lord’s Prayer:

Together pray the words that our Savior gave us:

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Tonigh, we end in silence in preparation for Good Friday.

Family Activity Suggestions:

Bake bread together as a family. Choose to make a family favorite or if you have never baked bread together before, you find easy recipes online. If you cannot find yeast, you can make unleavened bread together as well. Unleavened bread would connect well with the first reading from the liturgy.

Another idea is to take time to prepare and eat a meal together, choosing favorite family foods. Decorate the table to show the importance of sharing a meal together as Jesus did with his apostles.