Continuing the Lenten Journey
How are you going with your Lenten journey? Every day we are invited to lead our families in turning to God, to be fed by his Word and to talk with him in prayer. If you’ve missed a few days, or if you’re new to this collective, I encourage you it’s not too late. You can still pick up the Lent readings (younger kids / school kids) and join us for Holy Week. Be patient. Sit with the stories of Jesus’ Holy Week ministry and passion. As much as possible, try not to skip ahead yet to Easter. The path to life must journey through death.
Together, let’s continue walking the way of the cross with Christ.
Holy Week at Home: Ideas for Families
I encourage you to participate in the Holy Week services of your local parish with your children. If you are also keen to include a few fun activities at home, here are a few:
Worksheets
Holy Week Game
Memory/Match
Playlist: Lent for Littles Playlist
By participating in these activities, children can develop a deeper understanding of the Easter story while engaging with it in a tangible way.
Preparing for Easter Celebration
As we plan to celebrate Easter in our homes, here are a few tips on how to tangibly transition from Lenten repentance & fasting to Easter celebration & feasting:
Take up a Holy Week family fast from treats and entertainment (no dessert, no devices). This makes the treats of Easter all the more sweet and celebratory.
Make a “Christ is Risen” banner to use as decoration for your house all Easter.
Consider not decorating for Easter early. Wait until the children have gone to bed and decorate Saturday night.
Celebrate every day, beginning each morning with the acclamation, “Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”
Extend the feast over 50 days and celebrate well. Have a family dance party. Get ice creams. Invite friends & neighbours for a donut, waffle, or pizza party. Practice generous, invitational, intentional hospitality. Begin each feast with the Easter acclamation to proclaim the reason we celebrate.
Reclaiming Easter Symbols
Consider how the items in your baskets display or distract from the Easter story.
You may want to replace non-story-related symbols (bunnies, eggs, etc.) with signs of Christ’s victory and resurrection.
Since the tomb was found empty, give a giant hollow chocolate Easter egg as the biggest treat in the basket.
In baptism, we identify with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Include candles and salt (signs of your child’s baptism) along with treats in their Easter basket. If you aren’t yet baptized, have a conversation with your parish priest about receiving baptism this Easter as a response to the good news of Jesus and his Kingdom.
Easter (Family Worship) Playlist: Listen here
Join the Catechesis Collective
Are you interested in simple practices for household discipleship? Join the Catechesis Collective. We’re exploring how to be faithfully formed through a rediscovery of catechesis and yearly rhythms.
Email kara.dodds@yahoo.co.nz for more information.
As we approach the celebration of Easter, let us walk intentionally through Holy Week, remembering Christ’s sacrifice and rejoicing in His resurrection. May this season be filled with grace, reflection, and the joyful proclamation of our risen Lord.
