Here are some of the things I'd like to do with my family during this Holy Week. Some are my own ideas, but most are things I've learned from other Moms or picked up on the internet somewhere ;)
I hope this helps your family to enjoy a blessed Holy Week!!!
Palm Sunday
Coloring Page http://www.sermons4kids.com/palm_sunday-colorpg.htm
Re-enact the Palm Sunday Story with your children before dinner. Have Dad play Jesus while kids sing "Hosanna" and wave palms and Mom reads from the bible.
~youtube clip of JC Superstar scene (ok I know it's a little hokey, but it's still fun) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feWcodU51QY
Monday-Wednesday
~Spring Cleaning! The house cleaning tradition symbolizes the spiritual renewal we undergo during Lent. Also an additional sacrifice as we redouble out efforts in preparation for Easter.
Suggestions: Come up with a concrete game plan to tackle each area of the house. Plan meals ahead of time so you can have some thing quick and clean that won't mess up your newly scrubbed kitchen! You can think of your spiritual house while you clean your physical house. Ask the Lord "Do I have any 'junk drawers' in my soul that are full of things that aren't pleasing to you, that I continually ignore? Do I have dirty laundry (sins) piling up? Make time for confession. Do I have a 'storage room' in my heart that is filled with old junk that I need to give to God?
~Donate extra clothes and things.
~Get all your preparations and shopping done for Easter so that you can spend the rest of the week @ home relaxing with your family!
Holy Thursday
~ Read the Gosple account Matt 26:1 ; Mark 14:1 ; Luke 22:1 .; John 13:1
~Last Supper Meal- (perhaps @ lunch) read the article below for some great suggestions on what to serve and the symbolism behind it.
~Eat Lamb chops for dinner and talk about the sacrifice of the Lamb.
~Bake a Lamb cake if you have a mold or just frost a cake white and place a lamb on it
~A great article on Holy Thursday activities http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=513
~This day should have a sense of celebration. The Gloria is sung @ Mass and bells are rung.
Good Friday
~Eat traditional Hot Cross Buns for breakfast Recipe- http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/delicious-hot-cross-buns?autonomy_kw=hot%20cross%20buns&rsc=header_2
~Before kids wake up, cover all religous statues and images with purple cloth. (tulle is inexpensive and available at most craft stores)
~This day should have a quite and somber tone. If possible, avoid the TV, Computer, Radio, ect, except to play quite music that might enhance the mood of silence.
~go to church for veneration of the cross and find a church that does a living stations of the cross.
~When you get home from Church, turn on as few lights as possible. Perhaps spend the day by candle light. Put dinner in the crock pot that morning (here's a link to meatless crockpot recipes http://busycooks.about.com/library/recipes/blcrockmeatless.htm) so that you wont' need to turn on extra lights or make more mess. To make things really easy, you could use paper plates for dinner.
~Watch the Passion of the Christ
~Create a tomb by hotgluing stones together. See photo here http://www.flickr.com/photos/godsgracenotes/2679559912/in/set-72157606231931688/
~ Or crate a tomb out of paper plates like this (scroll down to find the pic) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Deblily/
~ good article http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=514
~ Place the family crusifix on the table surrounded by rocks and branches
~Maria Trapp(Von Trapp) made her family eat all meals standing up
Good Saturday
~Plant seeds. Relate the dark soil you put the seed into, to the tomb. You can't see the seed anymore, is it gone? Will the seed be the same when it comes out?
~ Continue using a few lights as possible.
~Keep meals simple. Try to keep this day a simple and solmn as possible. Enjoy family time and don't plan any outside activites.
~ Decorate a white pilar Candle to use as your Paschal Candle, or have your kids make and decorate one made from a toilet paper roll. Or color this one http://www.topolewski.com/coloring-page/candle.htm
~ Decorate Easter Eggs! Easter egg symbolism http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=576
~ Have kids create other easter decorations such as a large cross to color or glue picture to.
~ Attend Easter Vigil Mass! Bring Bells to ring!
~When you get home turn on all the lights that have been off all weekend! Perhaps hang some Christmas lights! Decorate with more Christmas lights so the whole house can be filled with light on Easter morning!
~ See Bottom for a great recipe for Holy Saturday**
Easter
~ Wake the Children with Joyful Songs, Carry a candle or decorated cross downstairs to hunt for eggs and candy.
~ Act out the ressurection story with the tomb you made on Friday. Draw simple figures on card stock, make them out of sculpy or use cut out clip art figures to illustrate the story (I couldn't really find any good ones, but maybe you'll have luck)
~ Decorate your house with as many Lights as possible! The Light of the World has returned!
**An Activity for Holy Saturday Evening
Resurrection Cookies
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
cookie sheet covered with wax paper
tape (painter’s tape comes off easy – or duct tape – just enough for each child to have a piece)
Bible (parent might wish to place slips of a paper marking text pages)
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important - don't wait until you're half done with the recipe!)
2. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let each child have a turn to beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
6. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
10. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.
11. GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.
12. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9
Coloring Page http://www.sermons4kids.com/palm_sunday-colorpg.htm
Re-enact the Palm Sunday Story with your children before dinner. Have Dad play Jesus while kids sing "Hosanna" and wave palms and Mom reads from the bible.
~youtube clip of JC Superstar scene (ok I know it's a little hokey, but it's still fun) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feWcodU51QY
Monday-Wednesday
~Spring Cleaning! The house cleaning tradition symbolizes the spiritual renewal we undergo during Lent. Also an additional sacrifice as we redouble out efforts in preparation for Easter.
Suggestions: Come up with a concrete game plan to tackle each area of the house. Plan meals ahead of time so you can have some thing quick and clean that won't mess up your newly scrubbed kitchen! You can think of your spiritual house while you clean your physical house. Ask the Lord "Do I have any 'junk drawers' in my soul that are full of things that aren't pleasing to you, that I continually ignore? Do I have dirty laundry (sins) piling up? Make time for confession. Do I have a 'storage room' in my heart that is filled with old junk that I need to give to God?
~Donate extra clothes and things.
~Get all your preparations and shopping done for Easter so that you can spend the rest of the week @ home relaxing with your family!
Holy Thursday
~ Read the Gosple account Matt 26:1 ; Mark 14:1 ; Luke 22:1 .; John 13:1
~Last Supper Meal- (perhaps @ lunch) read the article below for some great suggestions on what to serve and the symbolism behind it.
~Eat Lamb chops for dinner and talk about the sacrifice of the Lamb.
~Bake a Lamb cake if you have a mold or just frost a cake white and place a lamb on it
~A great article on Holy Thursday activities http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=513
~This day should have a sense of celebration. The Gloria is sung @ Mass and bells are rung.
Good Friday
~Eat traditional Hot Cross Buns for breakfast Recipe- http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/delicious-hot-cross-buns?autonomy_kw=hot%20cross%20buns&rsc=header_2
~Before kids wake up, cover all religous statues and images with purple cloth. (tulle is inexpensive and available at most craft stores)
~This day should have a quite and somber tone. If possible, avoid the TV, Computer, Radio, ect, except to play quite music that might enhance the mood of silence.
~go to church for veneration of the cross and find a church that does a living stations of the cross.
~When you get home from Church, turn on as few lights as possible. Perhaps spend the day by candle light. Put dinner in the crock pot that morning (here's a link to meatless crockpot recipes http://busycooks.about.com/library/recipes/blcrockmeatless.htm) so that you wont' need to turn on extra lights or make more mess. To make things really easy, you could use paper plates for dinner.
~Watch the Passion of the Christ
~Create a tomb by hotgluing stones together. See photo here http://www.flickr.com/photos/godsgracenotes/2679559912/in/set-72157606231931688/
~ Or crate a tomb out of paper plates like this (scroll down to find the pic) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Deblily/
~ good article http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=514
~ Place the family crusifix on the table surrounded by rocks and branches
~Maria Trapp(Von Trapp) made her family eat all meals standing up
Good Saturday
~Plant seeds. Relate the dark soil you put the seed into, to the tomb. You can't see the seed anymore, is it gone? Will the seed be the same when it comes out?
~ Continue using a few lights as possible.
~Keep meals simple. Try to keep this day a simple and solmn as possible. Enjoy family time and don't plan any outside activites.
~ Decorate a white pilar Candle to use as your Paschal Candle, or have your kids make and decorate one made from a toilet paper roll. Or color this one http://www.topolewski.com/coloring-page/candle.htm
~ Decorate Easter Eggs! Easter egg symbolism http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=576
~ Have kids create other easter decorations such as a large cross to color or glue picture to.
~ Attend Easter Vigil Mass! Bring Bells to ring!
~When you get home turn on all the lights that have been off all weekend! Perhaps hang some Christmas lights! Decorate with more Christmas lights so the whole house can be filled with light on Easter morning!
~ See Bottom for a great recipe for Holy Saturday**
Easter
~ Wake the Children with Joyful Songs, Carry a candle or decorated cross downstairs to hunt for eggs and candy.
~ Act out the ressurection story with the tomb you made on Friday. Draw simple figures on card stock, make them out of sculpy or use cut out clip art figures to illustrate the story (I couldn't really find any good ones, but maybe you'll have luck)
~ Decorate your house with as many Lights as possible! The Light of the World has returned!
**An Activity for Holy Saturday Evening
Resurrection Cookies
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
cookie sheet covered with wax paper
tape (painter’s tape comes off easy – or duct tape – just enough for each child to have a piece)
Bible (parent might wish to place slips of a paper marking text pages)
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important - don't wait until you're half done with the recipe!)
2. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let each child have a turn to beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
6. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
10. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.
11. GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.
12. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9
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