April Family Faith Home Packet Outline

Topic: God, the Father Week One: Adoring Jesus in the Eucharist Focus: To love and adore the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Opening Page for Parents: This page reminds us that we are called to adore Jesus in the Eucharist. It gives a little history on the Tabernacle the special place we reserve Jesus in the Eucharist for adoration and for the sick and homebound so they can have Jesus in the Eucharist brought to them. I. Adoring Jesus in the Eucharist a. Jesus gave us the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, which we commemorate on Holy Thursday b. At the Last Supper, the apostles were given the power to do what Jesus did call upon the Holy Spirit to change the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus. i. Priests are given this ability by the laying on of hands by the Bishop at their ordination. ii. Transubstantiation: the changing of the bread and wine into Jesus Body and Blood The Eucharist is the Center of the Churchs Life a. Jesus is most especially present in the Eucharist. b. To receive Communion is to receive Christ himself. (CCC 1382) c. When the consecrated Host is present in the monstrance during adoration, we adore the Real Presence of Jesus. i. We talk to Jesus ii. We listen as Jesus speaks to our hearts iii. We praise and worship Jesus d. Our Lady of Fatima i. Jacinta Marto was 7 Blessed Mother appeared to her ii. An angel had told her and her brother, Francisco and her cousin, Lucia that people do not appreciate the Eucharist 1. An intimate union with Christ. (CCC1391) 2. Strengthens our Charity 3. Wipes away venial sins 4. Commits us to the poor 5. Deepens our incorporation into the Church iii. Jacinta love the Eucharist and spent much time in adoration (she was too young to receive Jesus in the Eucharist yet) e. Receive Eucharist often i. Be sure that we have properly prepared our hearts ii. Behave & dress in a way that shows we appreciate how special it is iii. Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation often and necessarily if we are in a state of mortal sin

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Sanctuary Lamp i. Always lit in any Church that has Jesus present in the Tabernacle.

ACTIVITY: S*O*U*R*C*E of Love Booklet Read and discuss the meaning of each section of the booklet. Follow the instruction to make the Source Mountain page. Sacrifice Offering Unity Real Presence Christ Eucharist

Week Two: Triduum & Easter Focus: The Triduum celebrations are at the heart of our Catholic Faith Jesus redemptive death and Resurrection. With our added understanding of the importance of each of these days, we all can enter more fully into worship. Opening Page for Parents: Explains that the Easter Triduum starting with the celebration of Mass on Holy Thursday (which commemorates the Last Supper) to Good Friday when we fast and abstain and meditate on the Passion of Jesus and adore the cross to Holy Saturday when we, as a Church sit at the Lords tomb, meditating on his passion and death, and on his descent into hell, and awaiting his resurrection with prayer and fasting, and, finally, concludes with the celebration of the Easter Vigil. I. Holy Thursday a. The commemoration of the Last Supper the First Eucharist b. After supper, Jesus and his disciples went to a garden to pray c. Jesus asked God, if possible, to stop what was about to happen but, of course Gods will be done d. Peter afraid of the soldiers denied he knew Jesus 3 times just as Jesus said he would. Good Friday a. The that we remember Jesus dying on the cross b. Good because without Jesus suffering and dying, He never could have risen from the dead c. We are sad because our sins made Jesus have to suffer d. This is the day Jesus became our Lord and Savior Holy Saturday a. Vigil day to watch b. Guards kept watch over the tomb of Jesus c. Easter Vigil mass special Mass i. Paschal Candle represents the light of Christ ii. New Catechumens are baptized & confirmed & receive their First Holy Communion iii. Candles are lit bells ring out the Alleluia returns Easter Sunday a. High Point of the Church Year b. Jesus rose from the dead

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ACTIVITY: Holy Week Symbols read Bible verses to understand each symbol ACTIVITY: Uncover the Alleluia. If you buried the Alleluia at the beginning of Lent, now is the time to celebrate and uncover parading and proclaiming Alleluia! ACTIVITY: Easter Placemats Create your own Easter themed placemats ACTIVITY: Lamb Cake Use the Lamb Cake recipe to discuss the symbols of Easter

Week Three: Divine Mercy Sunday Focus: To realize the depths of Gods mercy for all of us. Opening Page for Parents: Instituted by Pope John Paul II in 2000 after the canonization of Sr. Faustina Kowalska Divine Mercy Sunday is the 2nd Sunday of Easter celebrates Gods abundant mercy. I. Sister Faustina a. Saw a vision of Jesus he wanted a picture of him just as she saw Him, saying Jesus, I trust in You! b. She wrote down all He told her of his mercy c. Jesus said His mercy is available to even the greatest of sinners. d. Divine Mercy in My Soul diary of Sr. Faustina i. The Feast of Mercy Sunday after Easter ii. The Hour of Great Mercy immerse ourselves in His passion 3:00 hour iii. The Chaplet of Mercy CD and Booklet to help us understand Divine Mercy iv. The Sacraments Confession and Holy Communion e. Trust and Mercy i. Approach Jesus with a sincere heart ii. Trust Him in ALL things iii. He will pour out His unlimited Mercy f. ABCs of Mercy i. Ask ii. Be merciful iii. Complete trust g. Be Merciful i. Pay it forward 1. Deed 2. Word 3. Prayer ii. Corporal & Spiritual Works of Mercy h. Angel of Chastisement i. Wrote prayer we pray with the Divine Mercy Chaplet

ACTIVITY Big Mercy Burger Build the burger with the different pieces each piece helps us take ownership of and understand how we can be merciful and how Divine Mercy works in our own lives.

Week Four: Mary and the Eucharist Focus: To understand the relationship of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Jesus in the Eucharist. Opening Page for Parents: Mary was united to Jesus from the moment of her YES! Her pilgrimage of faith brought her to the side of Jesus while he was dying. Mary is an Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix. I. Loving Jesus with the Heart of Mary a. Mary knows how to love Jesus more dearly and purely than any other b. Mary nurtured Jesus as a baby taught Him as a young boy encouraged Him as a young man stayed with Him when suffering and dying she was with Jesus through it all c. The Wedding at Cana i. Mary encouraged Jesus to perform His first public miracle ii. Jesus did as his mother asked iii. Mary interceded for us the same way she interceded for the bride and groom that day d. Jesus gave Mary as our mother just before His death e. Now Mary adores Jesus and prays for us f. Rosary Hail Mary unite us with Marys Immaculate Heart

ACTIVITY: Hear of Mary Puzzle Color the puzzle pieces, cut them out and fit them into the heart on the poster. Each picture represents a snapshot of Jesus and Marys life all these things she held in her heart.