The Family Zone
EASTER SUNDAY! ALLELUIA!/Issue 3/April 12, 2020
THE RETURN OF THE ALLELUIA!
Throughout the liturgical year, the Catholic Church makes certain changes to the Mass to reflect the liturgical season. You may have noticed the absence of the Alleluia during Lent. It disappears from Shrove Tuesday, until the Easter Vigil. Did you bury the Alleluia at your parish? Some churches do that as a wonderful symbol during the liturgical season of Lent. Often, the Alleluia returns with great fanfare at the Easter Vigil. The word Alleluia means “Praise God!” When it returns, it is done so with joy!
Though our time during this pandemic can often feel boring, uncertain and even scary, our joy comes in the little blessings we experience every day. Joy is a fruit of the spirit and it is much different than happiness. You might feel it is difficult to be bursting with happiness right now among all the suffering in the world, but you can still have joy. Possessing joy is a choice. We can choose whether or not we will see God’s presence at work in the life of our family and community and we can choose whether we will believe in the saving power of Christ. When we make these choices and see that God is working through the presence of helping hands, amazing heroes or the voice of a long-lost friend, we can experience joy and our own Alleluia! Praise God..He is at work and all will be well once again. We have fasted during Lent. The 50 days of Easter are a time to feast. So, feast on HOPE, feast on Christian JOY and feast on GRATITUDE! Why don’t you spend some time on Easter Sunday sharing, as a family, all that brings you joy, gives you hope and helps you to believe in the promise of New Life?
Happy Easter to you and your family; may the love of Christ fill your home.
MAKING GOSPEL CONNECTIONS WITH YOUR FAMILY
Easter Sunday's gospel centers around the empty tomb. The reading can be found at:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041220.cfm
A children's version with an accompanying story that places the theme in context can be found at: http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/Seasonal/Easter/K-Easter.html
The beauty of the Resurrection gospels are that they take us from a time of immense fear and darkness toward the realization that a great mysterious miracle has occurred and with our God, anything is possible. What a great day to help your family shift from their concerns and worry over the pandemic crisis, to setting their sights on the possibility that lies in the future!
This week, we haven't provided discussion questions because we would like you to use your family time to celebrate your blessings and your faith! Rejoice in one another and the love that Jesus Christ has for you!
If you are feeling cooped up, this week would be a great time for spring cleaning. Bring new life into your space and renew everyone's spirits! Try something new together and enjoy this gift of time with one another. Be blessed! You have each other and our God is with us.
Below are two videos that you might enjoy sharing with your family. The first is an imagining of the events around the the discovery of the empty tomb and is excellent for older children. The other, for younger children is a wonderful Easter story that places the focus on Christ. Enjoy!
LET US PRAY
CATHOLIC CONNECTIONS FROM THE CATECHISM
To help you learn the faith at home together
GET MOVING!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Easter brunch or dinner might feel a bit different this year if you are unable to get together with beloved family members. Here are some ideas for connecting at the family meal:
1. Get everyone in the house in on the cooking and make that part of the celebration. We have recipes linked below for levels of ability of your budding chefs!
2. Connect virtually with family members and plan your meal at the same time. Begin by sharing prayer together and consider sharing a game like charades after dinner
3. Dress in your Easter best and make the day feel festive
4. Create a beautiful centerpiece together that is filled with symbols of new life and the Resurrection
5. Spend some time with one of the Resurrection gospels
6. Go on an after dinner walk and look for signs of new life like budding trees and crocus!
CREATE!
SHARING HOPE
For this week’s craft, create something that shows the hope that Jesus has given us through his Resurrection! If possible, put what you create in your new classroom workspace at your house, or make it visible, outside, for your neighbors to be inspired by as they pass! You can create in anyway you want...using materials you have!
Other great signs of hope to share: plant a seed and watch it grow, write a hope-filled song or prayer, send a card to a friend who works in the medical field or one who is feeling down, fill your Instagram feed with positivity...brainstorm how you can create a feeling of hope around you!
LINKS FOR FURTHER RESURRECTION ACTIVITIES AND LEARNING FOR ALL AGES
Make a Resurrection garden as a lasting symbol of Easter!
Engage the artist in your family
Share this color experiment to teach your child that HOPE spreads
How can you share hope with those around you? This experiment uses water to spread color...Jesus is the living water, when we include him, we can spread Easter hope further!
https://www.kitchentableclassroom.com/color-mixing-on-coffee-filters/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