For Parents To Teach To Their Children
Preparing for Lent
Wed, Feb 14, 2024 – Through, Mar 28, 2024
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 is Ash Wednesday. Although Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, it is a profoundly meaningful day in the Liturgical Year. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which extends for forty days.
USCCB Mark 1:12-15
“The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.'”
USCCB (Ex 34:28).
“So Moses stayed there with the Lord for forty days and forty nights, without eating any food or drinking any water, and he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments”
“What is Lent?”
USCCB.org
Wednesday, Feb 14, 2024 – Through, March 28, 2024
“Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ’s death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.”
Our Art Gallery
Learning About The Life of Jesus Through Words and Pictures
Source of Photos for Collages: National Geographic “The Story of Jesus” “Re-issue of a National Geographic Favorite”
I used photos from a National Geographic magazine, which I had purchased, for use of making a collage with the great photos. I hope to interest my Religious Education class to use their eyes to understand these stories more deeply. My source is the National Geographic magazine, “The Story of Jesus” by Jean-Pierre Isbouts, “Reissue of a National Geographic Favorite.”
Reading for Children and Families–Preparing for Lent and Easter
A Lenten Worksheet
Our Readings–USCCB.org
Gospel–“Can a blind person lead a blind person…”
“Jesus told his disciples a parable,
‘Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?
You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.
‘A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,
nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.
For every tree is known by its own fruit.
For people do not pick figs from thorn bushes,
nor do they gather grapes from brambles.
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good,
but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil;
for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.’”
THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS
“Jesus touches our lives through the sacraments. Our celebrations of the sacraments are signs of Jesus’ presence in our lives and a means for receiving his grace. The Church celebrates seven sacraments, which are divided into three categories.”
“Sacraments of Initiation”
“These sacraments lay the foundation of every Christian life.”
Baptism
In Baptism we receive new life in Christ. Baptism takes away original sin and gives us a new birth in the Holy Spirit. Its sign is the pouring of water.
Confirmation
Confirmation seals our life of faith in Jesus. Its signs are the laying on of hands on a person’s head, most often by a bishop, and the anointing with oil. Like Baptism, Confirmation is received only once.
Eucharist
The Eucharist nourishes our life of faith. Its signs are the bread and wine we receive—the Body and Blood of Christ.
Sacraments of Healing
These sacraments celebrate the healing power of Jesus.
Penance
Through Penance we receive God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness requires being sorry for our sins. In Penance we receive Jesus’ healing grace through absolution by the priest. The signs of this sacrament are our confession of sins and the words of absolution.
Anointing of the Sick
This sacrament unites a sick person’s suffering with that of Jesus and brings forgiveness of sins. Oil, a symbol of strength, is the sign of this sacrament. A person is anointed with oil and receives the laying on of hands from a priest.
Sacraments at the Service of Communion
These sacraments help members serve the community.
Matrimony
In Matrimony a baptized man and woman are united with each other as a sign of the unity between Jesus and his Church. Matrimony requires the consent of the couple, as expressed in the marriage promises. The couple and their wedding rings are the signs of this sacrament.
Holy Orders
In Holy Orders men are ordained as priests, deacons, or bishops. Priests serve as spiritual leaders of their communities, and deacons serve to remind us of our baptismal call to help others. Bishops carry on the teachings of the apostles. The signs of this sacrament are the laying on of hands and anointing with oil by the bishop.”