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April 4, 2023Families,
As we approach the holiest days in the liturgical year, I hope you and your children find rest and are able to immerse yourself into the very days that make us who we are as Christians. I wanted to pass along some resources for your family to explore this week; I prayerfully hope they are a blessing to you and your family!
General Holy Week Resources
Check out this week's episode of our parish podcast, as we go on a tour through the Liturgies of Holy Week. I promise you will walk away having learned something new!
Not convinced that your family has time to do something in observance of Holy Week? Check out this video from Kendra Tierney about how their family observes Holy Week.
Wednesday, April 5 - Spy Wednesday
Traditionally remembered as the day that Judas betrayed Jesus to the High Priests, this is a great way to talk about greed with your children. Author Kendra Tierney suggest having a hunt for 30 pieces of silver (quarters) around the home for your children, as it lends itself to a good discussion with children about how easily we are influenced when money and greed is involved. Check out her video on her silver hunt here!
Thursday, April 6 - Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday is a bittersweet day, as we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist and mourn the beginning of Christ's passion. Check out some in-home ways to observe Holy Thursday with Kendra Tierney here; this video includes an explanation of the practice of Seven Churches Visitation, and how the Tierney family adapts it to work with children with early bedtimes! Additionally, here is a short animated film about the Last Supper for children. Holy Infant will celebrate the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7 p.m. If your child would like to participate in the Mass that evening, bring a nonperishable food donation, which can be brought to the altar during the offertory Thursday evening.
Friday, April 7- Good Friday
Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence from meat. It is a somber day, where we focus on Jesus's passion and death. Consider keeping it a quiet day around your home, or especially from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Holy Infant will celebrate the Service of the Lord's Passion at 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross will be hosted by the Knights of Columbus at 12:00 p.m. Want to share with your children the suffering of Christ in an age-appropriate way? Watch this animated film about Jesus's death together on Good Friday. Today is also the first day of the Divine Mercy Novena, leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday on Sunday, April 16.
Saturday, April 8 - Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is the universal Church's day of great silence. No bells, no sacraments. It is a day of preparation and longing. Consider resting, and keeping it a mellow and anticipatory day. The waiting is almost over! The Easter Vigil will be celebrated at Holy Infant beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday evening.
Services on Easter morning will be celebrated at Holy Infant at our normal Sunday mass times (8:30 & 11:30 a.m.).
We will have Family Formation at our normal time on Sunday, April 16. Praying for a Blessed Holy Week for you and your loved ones.
In Christ,
Michalene