THE FAMILY ZONE
Equipping the Domestic Church/ISSUE 84/ 4.17.22
Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
LIVE THE EUCHARIST
The Precepts of the Church remind us that our role as Catholics is to be active participants in our faith. One of them is known as the Easter obligation, and says: "You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season." While we note that the purpose of this precept is to keep us connected to the Eucharist, it provides us with the bare minimum of practicing our faith. As Catholics, we believe that we come to the table to be nourished weekly by the Body of Christ. It is in that experience of Mass, that we come with humility for the ways in which we have strayed on our path to holiness during the week, and are fed, once again, to strengthen us to try harder in the coming week. The Eucharist is at the center of our life as disciples; living it acknowledges that we need to receive it again and again and again, as we work to grow as disciples of Christ!
Photo by Sylvain Brison on Unsplash
READ!
SUNDAY READINGS:
Click on the link below for the readings that you will hear at the Sunday's Mass for the coming two weeks. This will give you a chance to prepare your heart and mind for full and active participation in Mass this weekend! For a Mass schedule in our diocese click on the grey button below.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042422.cfm
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050122.cfm
Family Stories: Story Time with a Positive Message. Choose one of these stories to help bring the theme of Resurrection and the events of Easter to life for your child in a child- friendly format!
- The Story of Easter by Jean Miller
- Petook, the Rooster Who Met Jesus by Caryll Houselander
- The Wordless Weaver by Claudia Cangilla McAdam
- The Legend of the Sand Dollar by Chris Auer
Parenting Articles: The Easter season is a great season of hope. Sometimes, as parents, we need to discover new ways to help our children recognize this all important virtue. This secular article suggests many ways parents can help their children find hope in tough times. Many of the suggestions are tied directly into our faith practices: serving others, acknowledging gratitude, and sharing stories of Hope! Help your child connect to the spirit of the Easter season with the practical suggestions found in this article: https://brainpowerboy.com/hope-activities-for-kids/
WRITE!
Eggs are a sign of new life! Use this Egg worksheet with preschoolers as a starting point to talk about all the signs of life you are seeing in the Spring. Observing the seasonal change can help us make connections to the changes in the Liturgical year as well!
LISTEN!
WATCH!
CREATE!
For children:
- https://equippinggodlywomen.com/parenting/empty-tomb-craft/
- https://wearethatfamily.com/2012/03/diy-mini-resurrection-garden
- https://www.trueaimeducation.com/resurrection-craft-for-easter/
For teens or adults:
- https://thehousethatlarsbuilt.com/2014/04/potted-paper-easter-lily.html/
- https://www.theresourcefulmama.com/tape-resist-easter-cross-craft/
- https://www.momontimeout.com/coin-covered-cross-paid-in-full-easter/
To bring Ukraine into your prayer and observance of the season:
PRAY!
PLAY!
BE WELL!
Word of the Week!
TEACHABLE MOMENT!
WONDER!
- What would it have been like to come to the tomb and see it empty?
- Was it hard for the disciples to believe?
- How would I feel if Jesus showed up and walked alongside me on the road after I knew he had died? Would I run? Or would I be excited?
Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
Debtor in PossessionEmail: oec@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Location: Diocese of Rochester, Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-328-3210