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The Path of Holy The greatest week in our Church Year!

Family Prayer Service for

Packet originally created by Ann Marie Clavette, Catechetical Leader for Notre Dame du Mont Carmel, Madawaska, ME

FIRST STOP along the Path

Palm Sunday

THE STORY: On , we remember when arrived in the city of . Many people loved Jesus. They knew that He was extra special. When he came to the city, they were very excited. He rode in on a donkey, and many went to greet him. They shouted, “! HOSANNA!”, as they praised God for all the wonderful things Jesus had done. They waved branches taken from the trees to show honor to Jesus, and a large crowd followed him into Jerusalem. Wave your palm branches (or your hands) and shout, Hosanna! Hosanna!

AT HOME…read the above story of Palm Sunday. If you got palm branches at church this weekend, place them on the table to remind you of that day and what it means.

• Have your child do the coloring sheet for today.

SECOND STOP along the Path Holy

THE STORY: Our Church celebrates special days. Holy Thursday is one of the most important days for our Church. On this day we remember and celebrate the day on which Jesus gave us the . On Holy Thursday, we remember the dinner Jesus had with his friends. It is called the , or the Meal. Jesus knew that he would soon die. He wanted to show his friends how much he loved them, and how he would remain with them in a very special way. So, at that meal, he took the bread blessed it and broke it and giving it to the disciples he said, “This is my Body!” Then he took the cup and blessed it and gave it to them saying, “This is my Blood!” Then Jesus said to them, “Do this in memory of me.” We celebrate the Eucharist every time we celebrate . When we do, we are doing what Jesus asked us to do. Share a piece of bread with each other and a cup of juice remembering what happened on that night.

AT HOME…reread the above story and add the piece of bread and cup of juice to your symbols on the table.

• Have your child do the coloring sheet for today.

THIRD STOP along the Path

Good Friday

THE STORY: Sometimes we look at pictures or a gift that someone has given us. This helps us to remember and think about that person. What do you look at to help you to remember someone special? is a very special day for all Christians. It is the day on which Jesus suffered and died for us. He gave us the gift of himself. On Good Friday at church, the deacon or priest holds up a cross for us to look at. Looking at the cross, we think about and remember how much Jesus loves us. One way we show our love for Jesus is by loving one another. A kind neighbor called offers a tomb to Mary for the body of Jesus. With great love and sadness, his body is wrapped in a clean sheet and laid in the tomb. His tomb is in a small garden. A big stone blocks the opening of the tomb. A soldier is ordered to stand guard over the tomb in case somebody steals the body of Jesus. Be silent for a few seconds and think of Jesus’ great love for you. Look at the and tell Jesus how much you love him.

AT HOME…read the above story of Good Friday and place a

tiny stone with your other Holy Week symbols on the table. Try to be quiet from 1-3pm on that day.

• Have your child do the coloring sheet for today.

FOURTH STOP along the Path Holy

THE STORY: On , we wait for , the day we celebrate Jesus’ rising from the dead. That will be a joyful day, but Holy Saturday is a quiet, thoughtful day. We think of Jesus’ friends who did not know that he would rise from the dead. They were very sad. We think about how Jesus loves us so very, very much. This is the day we get ready for the great feast of Easter!

AT HOME…begin preparations for your home Easter Sunday celebration. You may want to color Easter eggs also. Add these to your Holy Week symbols on your table.

• Have your child do the coloring sheet for today of the tomb where Jesus is

buried and color the eggs in preparation for Easter morning.

FIFTH STOP along the Path EASTER SUNDAY!!!! !

THE STORY: Early in the morning, the third day after Jesus died; when Jesus’ friends went to his tomb to pray, they found it empty. The stone had been rolled away and an angel told them that Jesus was no longer dead, but that he was alive again! They could not believe the news. Jesus was dead and now he is alive again! They were so happy, and so are we! But later on we were all to discover that this was not the end of the story of Jesus, but the beginning of his story. Every time we gather together in church on Sunday we remember all these things that Jesus did for us. We speak of how Jesus died so that he could free us from our sins and we celebrate the fact that he rose from the dead. When the priest takes the bread and wine and says the words that Jesus said at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, they become the Body and Blood of Jesus. In this holy Sacrament, we meet Jesus who died and rose from the dead for us. The Church will continue to celebrate this wonderful Mystery until the day when Jesus returns in all his glory! ALLELUIA!!!

AT HOME…before you begin your Easter meal, light a large white candle and read the story of the first Easter. Share small eggs with each other and share you’re your family the reason why eggs are such a wonderful symbol of Easter – that of the and new life!

• Have your child do the coloring sheets for today.

Palm Sunday Coloring Sheet

Washing of the Feet Coloring Sheet

Last Supper Coloring Sheet

Good Friday Coloring Sheet

Holy Saturday Coloring Sheet

Easter Morning Coloring Sheet

Our Risen Lord Coloring Sheet