Lent 2012

Holy Heroes

Stations of the Cross Boxes
We've had these for many years and the kids really do enjoy them.
Portable Stations of the Cross
We made these using the cards from the Stations of the Cross Box and Popsicle sticks. We put them around the room or if the weather is nice--outside and pray the stations of the cross.

Jesus Tree and Biblical ReadingsBook Basket
The Story of the Cross
Celebrating Lent
New Catholic Picture Bible

Lenten Calendar and Sacrifice Cross

In years past we've had one calender for the whole family, but this year the two olders wanted their own calendar. Each kiddo has their own file folder to keep track of their Lenten Calendar, Sacrifice cross and decorated back cover with Stations of the Cross stickers from the Dollar Store.

40 Bag Challenge

Sacrifice beans
Burying the Alleluia

Coloring Easter Eggs

Resurrection Rolls

I've always wanted to do something like this with the kiddos, but due to milk protein allergies, I could not find a dairy free recipe that would work.  However, due to Princess and Big Boy growing out of this allergy we can use the Crescent Rolls without a problem.  I was excited to see Catholic Cuisine had a simple recipe for the Resurrection Rolls.  I copied it here so I would have it for future reference.  The kids really enjoyed it. 

What you will need:

1 package Crescent Rolls, divided into triangles

Butter, melted

8 large Marshmallows

Cinnamon/Sugar mixture

8 squares of foil (with child's name written on it if desired), sprayed with cooking spray

Cookie Sheet


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Give each child a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.

Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.

Have the child dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.

Next, have the child dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar. This represents the spices used to anoint the body.

Demonstrate how to wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up...but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside). This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after His death. (Optional: Have each child work on a square of foil with their name written in permanent marker on the foil to easily identify after baking.)

Place on a cookie sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The oven represents the tomb--pretend that it has been three days!

While waiting for the rolls to bake, use Resurrection Eggs or a child's Picture Bible and tell the story of Christ's Passion and Resurrection.

When the rolls have cooled slightly, the children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!

The rolls will be hollow because the marshmallow melted. While the children enjoy the rolls, explain that knowing Jesus is alive and He loves us feels so good, like the rolls taste good and sweet.

Jesus Tree

I have had this kit since Princess was a baby.  I made all the pieces her first Easter and now the kiddos are old enough to understand it.  I'm so excited to finally use it.   After reading the bible story and putting the ornament on our tree, Jessica over at Shower of Roses has included a link for coloring pages for each day.  Here's week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5.  While coloring I ask the kiddos to retell the story.  I'm taking the narrations and will compile a Lenten notebook for Princess and Big Boy.

Lenten Poster

We've never done a Lenten Calander as a family.  I found several great ideas and incorporated them into our Lenten Poster.  This is our guide and checklist as well :)

Lenten Calendar explanation

From Catholic Icing I used a free printable lenten countdown calendar

I could not resist incorporating this somehow in our lenten journey after seeing this original post about it.I included a lamb and after completing their pennance, they glue a cotton ball.

Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure

My kiddos are still talking about our Holy Heroes Advent Adventure and can't wait for the Lenten Adventure to begin.  If you would like to join here's the link.  Here's what you can expect on your adventure...

We invite you and your friends to join us for Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure - last year's was a lot of fun and this year's will be even better!

It's free (costs you nothing!) and easy for your Mom and Dad, because all they need to do is:

•Open our emails three times a week, then

•Click and watch... a short video of children teaching children,

•Click and listen... to children leading and explaining prayers,

•Click and print... fun activities for all ages,

•Click and answer... quiz questions to see how much you've learned.

40 Bag Challenge

Jessica over at Shower of Roses is doing a 40 Bag Challenge for Lent and invited others to join her.  This year I decided to join on in.

Here's the details taken from the original handout on vocations and family faith formation from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati :

Every day during Lent this year, empty one bag of 'stuff' that is no longer needed from your house, totaling a loss of forty bags of stuff!

1.) Taking a look at the size of your family and household, with an acknowledgement of how much 'stuff' is present, make a prudential choice on the size of bag to be employed during this challenge. Bag size should be small enough that the goal of 40 bags during the season of Lent is able to be accomplished, while not being too big that you are left with nothing. We must still live in the world, after all!

 

2.) If smaller children are a part of your family, a 'gauge' may be helpful to keep them engaged and help them keep track of progress. As part of your preparations, make a 'paper chain' of forty numbered links. As each new bag is started, place a new link in the bottom of the bag. This way, as the chain gets smaller, there is a greater sense of accomplishment.

 

3.) This challenge necessarily involves sacrifice. Each member of the family should be encouraged to give something to each bag, or there could be designated bags for each member of the family.

 

4.) Instead of just throwing things away, recycling is a great way to encourage good stewardship of the gifts we have been given, as it symbolizes that we are passing along our gifts to others. Families with children are encouraged to pass along clothes that no longer fit or toys that sit dormant in a closet to families in need instead of just throwing them away.

 

5.) Units of count need not necessarily be trash bags, either; however they should be equivalent. For example, a box of gently used toys or clothes could equate one bag off the chain. A stack of books donated to the parish library is another easy equivalent.

 

As the family accepts this challenge together, bonds will be created that will last a lifetime. Lessons are also learned not just by saying, but by putting it into practice. Here, the simple lesson will last throughout life that having fewer things can lead to a greater contentment in life.

I think I will use grocery bags for this one as I don't have a very large house and I have way too many of them.  During Hh week I also got rid of 5 bags worth of stuff in order to transform our rarely used dinning room into our schoolroom.  I will count those as well.  To keep me accountable I will keep track of the total bags on my sidebar.   Care to join in?