April 2012

We are an Easter People

CNS photo

In my son’s class, the teacher puts a tally mark on the chalk board if the children misbehave. Last week, Aidan had two tally marks. While I was driving Aidan into school this Monday morning, I noticed that he was feeling especially jolly. “Why are you so happy to be going to school on a Monday?” I asked him. He said, “Mom, my tally marks are gone. They were erased on Friday and now I get to start with a fresh clean slate this week!"

As Catholic Christians, we sometimes act like “Lent people.” We are weighed down by our sins, focusing on how many tally marks we have and the many ways we fall short in our lives. And yet, the Christ event does not end with the cross. Jesus overcomes the cross – even death cannot hold his great power. Alleluia! Celebrate the season as a family knowing that our tally marks have been counted, our sins have been forgiven and we are called to begin again with a clean slate of hope and new life.

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Happy, happy, happy Easter!

--Heidi Busse and the OSV staff
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This month on Teaching Catholic Kids

New feature! April at a Glance (PDF)

Activity One: (Grades K-5): Easter and New Life (PDF)

Activity Two (Grade 6 and up): I Believe in You

Lifelong Catechesis Corner:
Reflect on the Sunday readings and the Easter season:

•Jesus rose from the dead to a new and more glorious life. Discuss ways that your family can celebrate the new life of Easter this week.

•Make a large cross on poster paper. Have each member of the family decorate it with his or her favorite Easter symbols. Talk about how the Resurrection of Jesus impacts the way you view the world.

Activities online at the Lifelong Catechesis page.

Soul Food for Teachers: Eastertime Renewal

Catholic Stewardship for Kids: St. Catherine of Siena

Catherine lived a very long time ago in the city of Siena, in Italy. She had 24 older brothers and sisters! When she was seven years old, she decided she would work for God when she grew up. As a young woman, she spent many hours praying. Sometimes she prayed so hard, she heard and saw Jesus! A few years later, she began a different kind of work for God. Catherine visited prisoners and helped sick people. She talked with people who had done wrong things, helping them to see how they could stop. She wrote hundreds of letters to help people with problems. Catherine showed people how to settle fights over land. She even helped the pope. Catherine is remembered as one of our smartest and greatest saints.

Discussion Starter: Whom did Catherine visit?

Catechist Know-How: Time Talent and Treasure from Mary Lou Rosien

Prayer

Today we are reminded of the new life we have in Jesus.
Before going up to heaven, Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit
would soon come and then it would be up to them to spread the Word of God.
Help us to spread the Good News about the life of Jesus
by thinking of others first and always doing our best.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.

Also on www.TeachingCatholicKids.com: