ECHO
A Monthly Resource for Teaching the Faith 2.24
"The reason knowledge of age-appropriate catechesis is important is that if we teach something not suitable for the age of our students, we may plant doubt, rather than faith. We may plant confusion rather than peace. We may plant discouragement rather than hope. We may plant resistance rather than love."
-Margaret Nutting Ralph Scripture Basics for Catechists
This quote from author Margaret Nutting Ralph is especially important to consider as we plan for Lent and Holy Week. While we want children and youth to understand the centrality of the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ in our Catholic faith, we also want them to learn that knowledge in an appropriate way so that they can grow in relationship with Christ, not be afraid of details that should be left to older youth and adults. In this edition of ECHO we will look at ways to observe Holy Week at all ages and stages of childhood.
SHAPED BY THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT
A Visit with Grandma Helps Kids to Understand what Happens During the Mass
CATHOLIC 101
The Events of Holy Week
This craft and resource for younger children helps to bring the kids through the events of the week by making a special book they can look back at again and again. It could easily be done as a class project, where everyone contributes to one book, or could be something each family does at a gathering.
This Holy Week in a Box is perfect for elementary students who do best with sensory materials. With this box, you can share the the scriptures of Holy week in their simplest, non-frightening form and then the students will have a kit to take home and share with their family during Holy Week, perhaps at the dinner table!
A great video for Confirmation-aged or high school youth, and adults on the Betrayal of Judas. This promotes many opportunities for discussion and self-reflection. It is part of a week-long series by Catholic singer Matt Maher
Praying All Ways and ALWAYS!
FAMILY CONNECTION
KEEP LEARNING
RESOURCE REVIEW
The Way of the Cross Creative Activities for Teaching the Passion
Sold for just $9 by Pastoral Center publishers (pastoral.center), this resource offers WEEKS of learning created around the Stations of the Cross. This would be easily adaptable for family programs as well as classroom use and provides age-appropriate experiences that engage the senses. The resource can be previewed online and the license is per parish, so may be used by many groups and shared to parish families via email. It is a well-designed resource for Holy Week!
THIS MONTH'S RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS
February Finds Us in the Midst of Lent Planning
Christopher West and CRS
This short video opens up listeners to a great conversation about what it means to fast. It could be used with upper elementary - adults in any lesson on why we fast.
Pray with Sacred Art
Loyola Press provides weekly prayer experiences connected to Sacred Art and the season of Lent. These are great for older children. You can also scroll down on each and find additional meditation from their Ignatian Spirituality site.
The Corporal Works of Mercy and Almsgiving
Share this lesson on the Corporal Works of Mercy and then enlist families in focusing on their almsgiving efforts by completing the PDF chart or Mercy tree attached below!
FIND DOZENS OF FREE RESOURCES FOR FAITH THEMES IN OUR GOOGLE DRIVE
The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
Debtor in Possession
Email: leslie.barkin@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Phone: (585)328-3210