Family Faith News
Holy Family Parish
Sunday, April 10, 2022
Preparing our Hearts during Holy Week
Holy Week is a time of reflection as we culminate this final week of Lent leading to Easter Sunday. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday when Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem. The week leads us through the Last Supper, His crucifixion, and ends on Easter Sunday with His resurrection. This is the basis of our faith.
Jesus' sacrifice launched the New Covenant God promised and many had prophesied throughout the Old Testament. Each day of Holy Week allows us to open our hearts to His love for us. It is reflected in every significant step toward the cross, every breath up to the last, and His resurrection.
To view Holy Family Parish's schedule of Mass times for Palm Sunday and Holy Week, click on this link to the Holy Family Parish website:
April Family Faith Sessions: In Person!
Our April Family Faith Meetings are scheduled for the week of April 24. During that week, our Family Faith Sessions will be In-Person for families to join a combination of outdoor/indoor activities. Weather permitting, it will take place at Sacred Heart Church grounds, both along the sidewalk leading to the church and the Hall. Please come to this event with your family (do not plan to drop off your child or allow children to attend alone).
During our April Family Faith In-Person Session, we will share family activities related to the joy of the Easter Season, Divine Mercy Sunday, and a new Holy Family Church family garden project. Sessions will be 60 minutes. Below are details about our April In-Person Session. We can't wait to see you then!
Structure of this In-Person Family Faith Event
This In-Person Session will be set up for families to participate in different activities through three stations. When families arrive, they will sign in and receive a sticker noting the station to begin. Throughout the session, families will rotate to different stations, participating in the various activities.
What are the Dates and Times of our In-Person Session?
Sessions will be approximately one hour:
- Sunday Morning Session: Sunday, April 24 at 11:30AM-12:30PM
- Sunday Afternoon Session: Sunday, April 24 at 4:00PM-5:00PM
- Wednesday Session: Wednesday, April 27 at 5:30PM-6:30PM
- Thursday Session: Thursday, April 28 at 5:30PM-6:30PM
*So that we can plan accordingly, please attend the session your family is registered.
What if it rains?
In-Person Family Faith will take place both outside and in the Sacred Heart Hall. If it rains or the weather is not permitting, we will have a Family Faith Meeting virtually through zoom (as in previous months). The morning of your session, an email will be sent confirming that day's Family Faith session will be In-Person if weather permits, or virtual (including the zoom link). If it rains and class will be take place virtually, please note that the family activities and learning that will be offered at the In-Person Session will be the same theme as activities taught during the virtual zoom meeting
What do we need to bring?
Nothing!! Be ready to participate and enjoy the time with your family!
This is a FAMILY Faith Event
This In-Person Session is a FAMILY event. Please come with your family. Parents, do not drop off or allow children to attend this event alone.
Mass Readings for Sunday, April 10: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. We hear the story of Jesus’ king-like entry into the holy city of Jerusalem . . . on a donkey. That does not seem like a very kingly way to ride, however, that is Jesus' point: He is a new kind of king, the King of Peace foretold by the prophets. Then we hear the reading about the Last Supper, and Jesus’ Passion.
As you listen the Gospel, you can point out these important aspects of the Mass so your children have a better understanding of significance of Palm Sunday and Holy Week:
- Red vestments. Because we hear the Passion today, the priest wears red vestments. Red is the symbol of martyrs, of whom Christ is the prototype.
- Procession before Mass. In most places, especially during times prior to COVID, people will gather before Mass to bless palm branches and hear the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem from the Gospel of Matthew. Then that triumphant entry is re-enacted as the people process into the church singing a song of praise and waving palm branches.
- Palms, a symbol of victory. Palm branches are distributed before Mass. In the ancient world, palms were symbols of victory, given to athletes, military leaders, and kings. Jesus was welcomed and greeted by the people in Jerusalem with palm branches.
- We hear the Passion. We hear a very long Gospel reading of the Passion—that is, the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Usually, the Passion is read by several different readers; people attending mass may assume the role of the crowd demanding Jesus’ death. Have children reflect on how they feel when they hear, “Crucify him!”?
Activities for Family
Palm Sunday Cross
Palm branches are traditionally given out at Palm Sunday Mass as we remember Jesus' triumphant ride into Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week. Because these palms are sacramental, they cannot be thrown away. They must either be burned or buried to be disposed of correctly.
As we care for these palms, there are many ways you can fold and display them. Below are easy steps and a video to demonstrate how to fold palms into a cross.
For this week's Family Activity, try to create a cross out of palms, or any other design. Send us a picture of your family and their palms!
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
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Step 11
Done!
Project IMT
Answer to last week's question
1. The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves in most Southern States.
Question for this week:
1.What are the two longest rivers in the United States?
Snap a Picture & Share Your Crafts with Us!
We welcome pictures of your children's projects and family engagement in Family Faith! Completion of the craft activities do count towards participation, so please feel free to email us a photo of the crafts that your children create! We will feature their work in our next Family Faith Newsletter!
- Send photos to catherinek@holyfamilyforall.org. Once I receive your email, I will always send a reply email confirming I received it.
- Include your child's first and last name (as you would want it to appear in the newsletter) and session your child is registered in Family Faith.
- If you prefer we DO NOT include the photo in the next Family Faith Newsletter, please note that in your email.
Asuzena's Open the Eyes of my Heart Project
Rodrigo's Open the Eyes of my Heart Project
Asuzena & Rodrigo's Open the Eyes of my Heart Project
Asuzena & Rodrigo's Open the Eyes of my Heart Project
Guadalupe & Henry's Open the Eyes of my Heart Project
Aileen's Forgiveness Rock
Angie's Open the Eyes of My Heart Project
Angie's Saint Project
Marco's Forgiveness Rocks
Geraldine Jaslyn & Kimberly's Forgiveness Rocks
Amnelly's Forgiveness Rock
Edsel's Forgiveness Rock
Amnelly's Open the Eyes of my Heart Project
Edsel's Open the Eyes of my Heart Project
Pamela's Forgiveness Rock
Kevin's Saint Project
Ryan's Forgiveness Rock
Oscar's Forgiveness Rock
Kimberly's Open the eyes of My Heart Project
Brandon's Forgiveness Rock
Joel's Forgiveness Rock
Brandon & Joel's Forgiveness Rock
Brandon & Joel's Forgiveness Rock
Brandon & Joel's Forgiveness Rock
Steven's Forgiveness Rock
Steven Montiel
Jasmine & Irma's Forgiveness Rocks
Jessica & Benjamin's Forgiveness Rock
Jessica and Benjamin Mendoza
Jessica & Benjamin's Forgiveness Rock
Jessica and Benjamin Mendoza
Jessica & Benjamin's Forgiveness Rock
Jessica and Benjamin Mendoza
Benjamin's Forgiveness Rock
Benjamin Mendoza
Uplift Video of the Week!
Four Year old Cake artist and Mom Team!
During the long months of isolation during the pandemic, Joey Lo lost her job, but revived her side job as a cake decorator. In building up her business, she got a boost from her daughter, Ellis', help!
Working together with her daughter, Joey helped to modernize her business. Check out this video to learn how!
Holy Family Parish
- Register online: holyfamilyparishnewbrunswicknj.flocknote.com
OR
- Text holyfamilyforall to 84576 (or 202-765-3441 in Spanish)
Email: catherinek@holyfamilyforall.org
Website: holyfamilyforall.org
Location: 56 Throop Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Phone: (732) 545-1681
Facebook: facebook.com/holyfamilyparish
Twitter: @holyfamily4all