Part Two

Ways Families Celebrate Lent and Easter

2011 SURVEY RESULTS LENTEN PRACTICES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN, RECIPES, AND MORE

Compiled by Catholic Heritage Curricula www.chcweb.com As a parent, which Lenten activity/prayer/practice is the most helpful to your own spiritual growth and renewal?

Doing sacrifi cial things as a family is helpful to We prac ce the “Our Father” during Lent each me. It is like holding hands through life. It’s a per- day. It helps the li le ones to learn the words. sonifi ca on of our Lord suff ering with us as we It also gives everyone a chance to ask ques- are met with each day. ons about what the words mean especially if Renee in Belleville, WI they don’t understand. Some mes the kids ask ques ons that I’m able to answer right away and During Lent, I try to pray the rosary more dili- others I have to research. The ques ons help gently. At the beginning of the Lenten season me with spiritual growth because it gives me a it seems so labored to try to squeeze it into my chance to think about Our Lord for a longer pe- already busy schedule of raising 3 young children, riod during my busy day. but by the end of Lent it is like second nature. I Tiff any in Disputanta, VA love that. I feel so much closer to Jesus and Our Mother Mary by the me Easter is here. Trying to keep all of Lent austere - no celebra ng Lindsey in Boerne, TX if possible, trying to turn off as much interior and exterior noise as possible, and par cularly trying The Rosary and prayer to Padre Pio help to calm to keep the Triduum as solemn a me as the li le my soul and prepare for motherhood as a daily ones will allow. We are so bombarded by noise calling. and images that it makes it diffi cult to hear and Sarah in Corpus Chris , TX see God some mes; this helps me to see Him more clearly. Sta ons of the Cross, Benedic on, and Adora on. Lu in Spring Lake, MI Anne in Barron, WI Praying the Sta ons of the Cross is especially Concentra ng on the Sorrowful Mysteries while powerful for me during the Lenten season. reci ng the rosary. Karen in Bethel, CT Molly in Ridgway, PA It is all of the things we do put together, it is For me, it’s praying a decade of the Rosary. I pu ng Jesus constantly on our minds and in our was not raised Catholic so just saying that prayer hearts. aloud with my child is s ll very powerful to me. I Jamie in St Cloud, MN don’t take for granted that I am giving him a solid founda on in the Catholic faith. The Family Sta ons our parish has organized re- Stephanie in Broussard, LA ally bring families together. Everyone par cipates whether it be reading or making a picture. Each We have Lenten speakers every year. Every Thurs- family chosen presents the sta on in their own day night we have a speaker and then Confession. way. A variety of ages always makes for a blessed It keeps me on the right track through the Lenten experience. season. Cathy in Louisville, KY Marta in Cincinna , OH Discipline. If I work at being disciplined as a The Way of the Cross has been the most power- mother, prayer me and spiritual growth are a ful prayer for me. priority. Robin in Hickory, NC Mallory in Bemidji, MN Increased spiritual reading. Helping the kids un- This past year has been a spiritual awakening of derstand Lent, helps me too. sorts and it began during Lent by reading scrip- Cathy in St. Louis ture daily and we have con nued throughout the en re year and loved it! We love to say the Rosary Last year, our parish gave out Lenten devo onals too and my sons really enjoy joining in on the called The Li le Purple Book. This was a great ac vity, even my three year old! way for me to focus and meditate on my Lenten Ann-Marie in Rome, NY journey. Melissa in Albuquerque, NM I e purple ribbon on each and every holy pic- ture and statue in our home. Seeing that purple We open our home and share our beau ful reminder makes me stop and think about Christ’s woods each Friday during Lent. Homeschooling sacrifi ce, even for a brief moment, throughout the families are invited to join us for The Outdoor Sta- day. ons of the Cross. E. D. in Sanford, NC

We have built a “Sta ons Journey” through the Each year is diff erent. I try to choose a new inspi- trails of our woods...the images (which we pur- ra onal read. Last year’s book was “Ascending chased from CHC!!!) hang on trees with a small the Heights” by Father John Mack. I don’t o en cross and a purple ribbon on each one. We have set aside that me for myself to tackle a book, so I cleared out a circle at the foot of each Sta on, really look forward to it. where my 14 year old son stands with a HUGE Laura in Campbell, CA wooden cross he constructed to lead us in proces- sion...as we go from Sta on to Sta on, we sing The Li le Black Book that my church off ers every the Divine Mercy Chaplet. A erward, families are Lent. A doable bit of prayer and medita on and invited in for a light snack and fellowship. scripture for a busy mom. Hilary in Leeds, AL This has strengthened my children in their jour- ney, has taught them about the importance of The sacrament of Reconcilia on just before Easter work...as service...(they had to help build the helps me to feel a sense of renew that I don’t get sta ons and maintain their upkeep)...and also at any other me of year. teaches them that we have a larger family in the Bridget in Los Gatos, CA community, with whom we are blessed to share our Lenten journey. The Lenten Group (Lenten prayer group that meets each week in Lent). We have run it for 15 By far, one the most enriching Lenten exercises years in our home. It certainly has brought us I have ever done was keeping Lenten Gra tude closer to Our Lord. The Sta ons make me cry and Journal about my husband. Each day, I was to want to do good always. write 3-5 ways in which he blesses my life or Leanne in Medowie NSW Australia things I am thankful for about him...it was VERY healing and nurturing to my soul...in so many Giving something up - usually sweets or chocolate ways...at Easter, I ed the journal in a lovely rib- - has been just right for me, as I tend to ‘indulge’ bon and gave it to my husband as an Easter gi ! in such things when stressed, red, crabby, etc. I HIGHLY recommend this for anyone who wishes The sacrifi ce is diffi cult -- all the more incen ve to to grow closer to Christ in their marriage during try to curb my appe te! Lent. Polly in Grand Rapids, MI Judy in Warfordsburg, PA Do you usually We cut out a big red heart from Both are important. I think that construc on paper and write it is a great way to balance the “off er some- down what we will give up or spiritual life, and to remember do extra. The year my husband that we must both deny ourselves thing up” for gave up chewing tobacco was the as well as do unto others, not just Lent or do you best! one or the other. Anne in Barron, WI Lu in Spring Lake, MI fi nd “giving Off ering something up works bet- Ideally, I like to try to do both! alms and doing ter for us, because it is too easy Some mes our “giving alms” is for us to slide and not “look for” only a li le coin folder or card- acts of charity” opportuni es to do acts of char- board box - something we can is more benefi - ity. Our sacrifi ce is with us every do without really thinking much moment throughout Lent. about it. Fas ng (especially cial — or both? Molly in Ridgway, PA from TV!!) is more of a constant reminder, a sacrifi ce renewed I fi nd giving up TV for a certain again and again, which has more part of the day to be moving. impact on me personally. Even though somedays I wouldn’t Karen in Bethel, CT watch TV in the morning at all, it was s ll powerful when it be- We like to do both. We usually came an off ering to Jesus. give something up as a family, Stephanie in Broussard, LA like no desserts or something like that. We also each individually I do give something up, but I’m give something up. We add The very involved in church, so I give Chaplet of Divine Mercy in the a lot of me to service work. a ernoons. We do a Sacrifi ce jar Both, we give up something dur- Marta in Cincinna , OH where they put dry beans into ing Lent. The children might make the jar whenever they sacrifi ce it candy or chips. I seek to make Usually we off er something up something or do something extra life quieter during this me. Turn and give alms. We usually decide like an act of charity, even doing off the radio in the car or no TV. to give up something diff erent someone’s chores. I’m not s ngy We eat no meat on Fridays and the night before at the dinner with the beans, every li le thing send extra food to the Mother table. The kids usually give up a counts. Then on Easter Sunday, Theresa Day Shelter for the diff erent thing each day (40 days those dry, brown beans turn into Homeless. is a li le long for small children. bright colored jelly beans! Sarah in Corpus Chris , TX I feel it loses the message, but Jamie in St Cloud, MN each day is really more meaning- Each year I try to off er something; ful for them). And my husband We do both, although I prefer I also add something... this helps and I give up something for the doing acts of charity. We try to me to teach and involve the kids en re me, plus whatever the avoid the things that are tem- as well as make the sacrifi ce my family chose to give up on a daily porary (ie. giving up so drinks extra me and energy. basis. and then diving right back in on Jeanne e in Washington, LA Tiff any in Disputanta, VA Easter). I like to take it as a me to make real sacrifi ces that last We give something up and off er We usually give up something and change me for the be er. something as a family. We decide and try to think of something Cathy in Louisville, KY together and post it on the refrig- charitable to off er our good erator. deeds too. Tammy in Sulphur, LA Kim in St. Augus ne, FL I am due with baby boy #3 on I usually give up sweets - because We try to do both... I especially Easter Sunday, which means that that is a love of mine, and I really like not ea ng meat or having the last days of my pregnancy will no ce the lack of it! desserts on Fridays, and we elimi- be during Lent. God has a sense Kiera in Tallahassee, FL nate cartoons on Saturday morn- of humor, because those last 40 ings as well. days of pregnancy aren’t a piece Megan in Pearland, TX of cake, and I know that this year We off er something up and I’ll work on making those sacri- then try to have extra things like I fi nd that if I “off er up” a food, I fi ces JOYFULLY. almsgiving and comple ng acts of end up thinking of Lent as a diet, Mallory in Bemidji, MN charity for others. rather than a spiritual exercise. Helen in Wingello NSW Australia So for me, it’s be er to “add” I have been giving up “being lazy” --like a end more weekday for the last few years. Helps me I do try to ‘off er up’ my sacrifi ce Masses, chant Evening Prayer, go to be a be er parent, wife - and of sweets; on one hand it seems to Adora on for a few minutes reminds me that I can always so minor, but I know God can use daily... improve in that area. And as a my weakness. With small children Lenora in Carlisle, PA family this year we are giving up in the home, the witness is won- buying things we don’t need - no derful. “Look (gasp)! Mom isn’t We usually off er something up for extras. having maple syrup in her oat- a daily sacrifi ce, but we also like Cathy in St. Louis meal again!” With li le ones it’s to do an act of charity as a family hard to do ‘big’ things like visi ng during the Easter season. We like to off er things up as a a soup kitchen, but I can set good Megan in Apex, NC sacrifi ce and also give to others example at home this way. as much as possible. This year Polly in Grand Rapids, MI I usually off er something sweet we are going to forgo electronics and try to add something to in- (internet, computer games) as a Hands down, I believe off er- crease my spiritual devo on like family. I am looking forward to it ing something up is the most following a daily Lenten refl ec- since we tend to some mes get benefi cial for my family. Acts of on or adding more adora on too caught up in these things. charity are something we work me. I like both but for me giving Ann-Marie in Rome, NY on throughout the year so it is up some type of food or plea- part of ordinary life. Because we sure that I enjoy really helps me Off ering something up is pre y are very low income and Lent is refocus on le ng God purify my standard for me. It is that solid a par cularly income restricted heart spiritually. daily reminder that I am in the me of the year for us, alms gets Andrea in Fort Collins, CO season of lent. incorporated into other mes Laura in Campbell, CA of the year for us. But off ering We try to do both, to remove a something up ... that is a very normal ac vity that we do that We try to do one good act every- Lenten thing. And for me as a gets in the way of our rela on- day. former protestant, it is also what ship with God and to collect Bridget in Los Gatos, CA sets the Catholic Church apart. funds for the needy. Protestants that I knew growing Melanie in Iowa City, IA We off er up and have taught up just never did that. However, our children to off er up. We do my childhood Catholic friends did Both because it teaches us to almsgiving as well. We do these give things up (like chocolate or love and have an open heart. through the year as well. tv) and that really intrigued me. Some mes we are so clu ered Leanne in NSW Australia So I really embrace this prac ce with things and ac vi es we for- and fi nd it means a lot to my kids get how truly important we are to I think it is a balance of extra also. each other. prayer, almsgiving, and sacrifi ce. Karla in Fargo, ND Nicole in Brook Park, OH Robin in Hickory, NC Cannot beat Cheesear derful! during Lent --anactofcharity, plusittastes won- This istheperfect mealto make for someone Bake at 350degrees for 40minutes. salt &pepper 1/8 cupparmesancheese 1/4 cupmildcheese wave) 1 cupofsteamed spinach(1minute inthemicro- seasonings -herbs cup ofmilk(goat milkworks too) 5-6 eggs DELUXE SPINACH QUICHE Lenten Recipes choke orvegetable pizza.

Krista inNew Market Kris inLansing,KS added in.We alsoo Our standby recipe isMac-n-cheesewithtunaand peas also great w/zucchiniinitaswell -madethesameway! Quesadillas -meltcheesebetween two tor bel/Meatless h I have afew! Someofmy meatless recipes are here: generous amounts ofgrated cheeseandsalsamixed in. dip madeofhalfrefried beansandhalfcooked rice,with you have peeledandlightly coated with Eggplant Lasagna...replace themeat w/eggplantthat Salmon mornay made withpasta noodles. serve withyour favorite Mexican toppings. sparse andmeager. meal, whiles We can SEEtheemptyspotonourplate...and the thing up”. FEELS muchmore asthoughwe are “o This helpsto visualize thesacri beans... it onourplates....and we JUST have thepotatoes and But...we SKIPthemeatloaf, leaving anemptyspacefor beans... such as:Meatloaf, mashedpotatoes, andgreen We make whatever mealwe would normallymake, p://jamieskitchenblessings.blogspot.com/search/la- ll nutri en have tor

ous enough...isde Leanne inMedowieNSW Australia

Sharon inShelby Township, MI Judy inWarfordsburg, PA fi ce to thechildren and lla chipsserved witha Melanie inIowaCity, IA Anne inSaint Paul, MN Jamie inStCloud,MN ff ering some- fl our andfried, fi nitely more llas and COWBOY HOTPOT MEDITERRANEAN QUESADILLAS (really ridiculously easy) Spread a crushed garlic clove or garlic powder on 4 1 big can of baked beans tor llas; 1 can mixed vegetables Sprinkle 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese on each Scalloped potatoes. tor lla; Cover with thinly sliced tomato and a generous Layer in casserole. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. sprinkle of dried or fresh basil (and salt and pepper to taste); Hilary in Leeds, AL Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of feta cheese over toma- toes and a pinch more mozzarella, if desired; Cover each tor lla with a second tor lla to make a “sandwich” and spread a very thin layer of olive oil on top of the second tor lla; A simple pasta dish with a tomato based sauce Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes; that I add basil and pine nuts to then mix Let rest 10 minutes before cu ng into wedges and through the pasta and top with some grated serving. cheese. Helen in Wingello NSW Australia Kiera in Tallahassee, FL

YELLOW SPLIT PEA SOUP. ZUCCHINI SOUP I don’t remember the recipe exactly but some- thing like: 6 zucchini 1 large onion 1 lb dried yellow split peas, rinsed 3 potatoes dried vegetable broth (or chicken broth for salt pepper to taste non-Lenten mes) onion & celery sautéed in bu er un l onion is Boil in low water un l so : blend un l smooth! so TBSP olive oil in the serving bowls and Parmesan coined carrots to taste cheese. Served with toasted bague e or homemade lots of water (sorry, don’t remember the quan- croutons. ty!) Kim in St. Augus ne, FL

Put all of the above in a pot and simmer while Here’s some ideas: s rring o en or cook on low in a Crockpot all 1) Bean soup (cook pinto beans, add fried onions, a day. Check water level frequently (since I can’t jar of spaghe sauce and various veggies. Sprinkle remember the amount, I have to do that too!) cheese on each bowl when serving.) Great with home- Serve with Lawry’s Season Salt as garnish and made whole wheat bread! sourdough bread and salad on the side. 2) Salmon Corn Chowder- Sauté onions in bo om of stock pot, add water, chopped potatoes and carrots. Karla in Fargo, ND Boil ll cooked. Add frozen corn and a can of salmon (mush up the bones well with a fork fi rst) add some milk , salt and pepper and fresh dill to make it tasty. Mary Ann in Sainte Anne, Manitoba MEATLESS LENTIL LOAF It’s fun to focus on new and interes ng grains, when we shi away from ea ng meat during Lent. 1 1/2 cups len ls One of my favorite dishes is “Creamy Vegetable- 3 1/2 cups water or vegetable broth Millet Casserole” from John Robbins’ “May All Be 2 onions, diced Fed” (Avon Books, 1992). Any grain/vegetable 2 cloves garlic, minced combina on that your family likes can be subs - 3 tbsp olive oil tuted! 2 cups pre-cooked rice 1/2 tsp salt 3-1/2 cups water 1/4 cup ketchup or barbecue sauce 1 cup millet 1/2 tsp sage 8 medium carrots, sliced diagonally into 1/4-inch 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning thick slices Prepara on: 2 broccoli stalks, cut into small fl orets AND stalks sliced 1/2-inch thick Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. 1 medium onion, fi nely chopped 1/2 cup raw tahini In a large soup or stock pot, simmer the len ls 1/2 cup hot water in water or vegetable broth un l cooked, 2-1/4 tablespoons brown rice miso about 30 minutes. Drain thoroughly then 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds mash the len ls un l they are half mashed. Sautee the onions and garlic in olive oil for Bring 3 cups of water to a boil, add the millet and 3 to 5 minutes, or un l so . Combine the cook, covered, 20-30 minutes onions, garlic and olive oil with the mashed len ls and add the rice, salt, ketchup or Meanwhile, cook the vegetables in the remaining barbecue sauce, sage, and Italian seasoning. 1/2 cup water un l they’re crisp-tender; drain. Gently press the mixture into a lightly greased Mix the tahini, hot water and miso together to loaf pan. Drizzle a bit of extra ketchup on top make the sauce. Pour onto the vegetables and if desired. mix well.

Bake for 1 hour. Allow to cool slightly before Put the cooked millet into a 1-1/2 quart baking serving, as this will help the len l loaf to fi rm dish. Pour the tahini-vegetable mixture over and up. sprinkle the sesame seeds on top. Bake, uncov- ered, un l heated through, about 15 minutes. Bridget in Los Gatos, CA Karen in Bethel, CT

Potato Soup for sure! For a quickie meal, I Salad! But not just le uce, and more le uce - this boil water and s r in potato fl akes to the right is the me of year that I research new ways to consistency. Season as desired (onion powder, make salads tasty and interes ng, e.g. trying new seasoned salt, and pepper) and add bu er. salad foods that I haven’t tried before in a salad S r in a li le milk to thin if needed. Top with (e.g. whitloff , raddichio, purple carrots, etc), and grated cheese and you’re set. also concoc ng new salad dressings. The goal is Savanna in Sweetwater, TX to make a salad that even the children like. Marina in Kapunda, South Australia Bu er a casserole dish. Place fi sh fi llets or steaks in dish and dab the fi sh with bu er pats. (Halibut SALADE NICOISE is recommended; any fi rm fi sh will do). Season to taste (salt, lemon pepper, garlic powder, and dill). salad greens green beans Mix mayonnaise (2 cups), sour cream (1 cup), and boiled eggs dry mustard (1-1/2 Tbsp); slather over halibut. small, boiled potatoes Don’t be s ngy with the mayo mixture; liberally sliced onions coa ng all the pieces of fi sh will keep them ten- sliced tomatoes der (and it bakes into a yummy sauce). canned tuna dressing made from olive oil, wine vinegar, and Dijon Sprinkle chopped green onions, sliced fresh mustard mushrooms, and grated cheese over en re dish. The “restaurant way” is to have the greens as a base Cover and bake at 350, about 35–45 minutes and arrange everything ar s cally on top, with the tuna (depending on thickness of fi llets). Use a fork to in the middle and everything else around it. In my fam- check the halibut . . . you want the meat tender ily, everyone prefers to have all the ingredients on one and fl aky, not rubbery (overcooked) or translu- plate, but in their own space! The dressing is drizzled cent (undercooked). over the top of everything.

Michele in Coal Township, PA Lenora in Carlisle, PA

The kids really just like shrimp sautéed in the MINESTRONE SOUP skillet & my husband & I enjoy salmon broiled in 1 onion diced 2-3 carrots peeled and chopped the oven. Another favorite is corn chowder for 3-6 red potatoes chopped 1 cup of frozen peas our lunch me meal. Very simple to make & fi lls 1 cup frozen corn 1 can of green beans everyone up quickly without a lot of work. 1 cup diced celery 1/2 garlic bulb peeled, and diced 1-2 tbl olive oil 1 diced zucchini 1 10oz package of frozen sweet corn Sauté veggies in pan un l just so . During this me 1 potato, peeled & cubed pre cook some whole wheat shell pasta about 1 cup. 1 carrot, peeled & diced Add: 1/2 cup onion 1 can spaghe sauce or 1 can tomato sauce 1/2 cup water 1 box veggie broth 1 can vegetable broth 2-3 bay leaves salt & pepper 2-3 tbl Italian seasoning 1 3/4 cup milk 1-2 tbl garlic powder 1 Tbsp. bu er 1 cup kidney beans or navy beans (they are much bet- 2 Tbsp. fl our ter if you can cook with the soup in a pressure cooker, other wise used precooked) In a saucepan, combine the corn, potato, onion, 1-2 tsp Bragg’s liquid aminos carrot, water, broth, salt & pepper. Cook over dash cayenne powder medium heat for 15 minutes, un l vegetables Again I use my pressure cooker and I cook for about 1 are tender. S r in 1 1/2 cups milk & bu er. Mix 1/2 to 2 ours so this could easily be a Crockpot recipe, remaining milk with fl our and add to chowder. it gets its fl avor from cooking a long me. Once the Cook & s r un l thickened. I have even added soup is done (maybe 3-4 hours?) add 1 to 1 1/2 cups sweet potato & celery to this as well for added of fresh spinach and pre cooked pasta. Salt and pepper fl avor. I also give the children grated cheese to to taste. Goes great with To Die For French Bread Rolls put in it if they wish. here h p://allrecipes.com/Recipe/French-Bread-Rolls- Jodi in Stewartsville, MO to-Die-For/Detail.aspx and a green salad. CeAnne in Aumsville, OR Which Lenten activity has been the most helpful in teaching your children about the Lenten Season of love and sacrifice? Why is this activity your favorite?

We a end Mass daily from Ash Wednesday For Lent and Easter, we try to keep our me to Easter. We also make a special eff ort to together simple since everyone is encour- say the Rosary every day. It is very early aged to also think of and off er their own morning Mass and an appropriate way for sacrifi ces. Last year we par cipated in Holy them to understand giving of our me for Heroes Advent adventure, which was perfect God. Also by sacrifi cing my me for God it for us! This ac vity was my favorite because helps to remind me that I am also here on it reinforced the meaning of Lent along with earth to do God’s will. the sacrifi ce por on of Lent. Sarah in Corpus Chris , TX Molly in Ridgway, PA

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My children are li le (6,4,2) we color the sta- *I use a purple tablecloth for Lent ons of the cross and hang them down our *I use a child’s big sized rosary as the center- hallway. We can walk and discuss them and piece also pray the sta ons. It gives them a picture *We pray one decade every morning (he is 2 and story to see, remember and par cipate years old) in. *We give up TV in the mornings during Lent Jeanne e in Washington, LA *Every day is a diff erent prayer inten on - Priests, Grandparents, School Teachers, etc. + I personally like the purple tablecloth. It’s a small thing but the color really serves as a 1. Sta ons of the Cross at church and home. strong reminder. We have two candle holders with seven Stephanie in Broussard, LA candles each. The children take turns light- ing the candle and reading the sta on. +

2. We make a bread dough crown of thorns We’re fairly new to our faith, but we’ve with tooth picks s cking out. When a kind found the Sta ons of the Cross to be ben- deed is done, a tooth pick is removed. efi cial to teaching about the Lenten Sea- Anne in Barron, WI son. My children connect with the ideas by seeing the pictures and walking through the + prayers. Pamela in Indianapolis, IN Live sta ons of the cross shows our family up close what Jesus went through for us. + Tammy in Sulphur LA On Fridays, we meet families and friends at This then became their prayer book for our our fi sh fry, and then go in to church for Sta- weekly praying of the Sta ons. I liked this ons. It means so much to all of us we never ac vity because it really got the children to want to miss it, and the kids feel the same think about what they thought that each Sta- way. It really brings the kids closer to Jesus to on must look like; the me spent in contem- understand his suff ering and sacrifi ce for us. pla ng that will hopefully become a deeper It makes Eucharis c Adora on much more prayer later on. meaningful to them as well. Lu in Spring Lake, MI Marta in Cincinna , OH + + When Lent begins, I put up a simple hand- Our family does a couple of diff erent things drawn poster with forty footsteps or a path during Lent to prepare for Jesus. The one that with forty paving stones, leading to the Cross. our family seems to enjoy the most is the Each day has either a scripture reading or a “Jelly Bean Prayer”. Everyone gets a jar to simple act of mercy to be performed. When fi ll with jelly beans with diff erent colors to my son completes whatever the task may be, represent doing things that were Christ-like he puts a s cker on the space. It’s easy for each day i.e. being kind, forgiving, being sorry us all to see that we’re coming closer to Our when we hurt someone, saying prayers, sacri- Lord (both in me - closer to Easter- and in fi cing, doing a good deed, etc. The only color our hearts!!). Some me during the night be- they couldn’t earn is white ( God’s grace). And fore Easter (while my son is asleep), I replace on Easter morning the jars would be fi lled the the Cross with a beau ful, gli ering image of rest of the way with white jelly beans. I really the Resurrected Christ, or His empty tomb, enjoyed this ac vity because the kids were for a special surprise when we wake up. I love more conscious about being kind and would how this ac vity demonstrates that small acts speak up for the others if each other wasn’t of kindness or devo on lead us, step by step, being kind. Also, they would ask about out- closer to Our Lord. We can choose to follow side people’s ac ons and we had a chance to Jesus in the Way of the Cross each day. discuss those. How would they act in those Karen in Bethel, CT situa on. I also liked that it was a visual re- minder of doing Christ-like deeds. They could + see which areas they did more deeds because of them being color-coded. I joined in on a “Lent Link-Up” and posted Tiff any in Disputanta, VA about some of the ac vi es we do for Lent. One of our favorites from CHC is the Sta ons + of the Cross, pictured in the post: h p:// makemeasaint.blogspot.com/2010/02/lent- In years past, I have wri en out the words to link-up.html. I think the Sta ons of the Cross the Sta ons of the Cross and let each child and the beau ful pictures bring the children illustrate one for themselves. It was very to the true meaning of Lent, the sacrifi ce of interes ng to see the diff erent illustra ons, Jesus for us. I fi nd it teaches them to also as in a way, they were “pu ng it in their own sacrifi ce for Him. words”, except by pictures rather than words. Jamie in St Cloud, MN We have par cipated in Family Sta ons of We also collect money all lent in a jar that the Cross services in a variety of ways over says “To whom much is give, much is expect- the years (in our parish, with our home- ed” and we use the money the week before school group on outdoor walks, and on our Easter to help the less fortunate with Easter own). One of my favorites was when my kids treats. were very li le and we went to our church on our own with a Sta ons coloring book. At And we try to do the 40 bags of stuff to each Sta on we read from the coloring book donate using paper shopping bags which are and worked on the picture. It’s been impor- more manageable. tant to bring the Sta ons to their age level. The outdoor walks are great for the ages my The salt dough crown of thorns is a hands boys are now because they have so much on experience. They make it, paint it, put energy. :) in the thorns and then get to take them all Cathy in Louisville, KY back out. It’s presence in a prominent place in our home is a reminder to try and sacrifi ce + during the day. And the delight of taking that terrible thorny crown and turning it My children are s ll very young (4, 2), so we into something beau ful at the end of lent is haven’t had a lot of opportunity to make any wonderful. las ng tradi ons. In just the last year, as my four year old is growing up and understand- Remembering how blessed we are by giving ing more, we’re fi nally able to implement to the less fortunate is also good for all of us. some of the “ideas” that we’ve wanted to And pu ng together Easter baskets for the do. Our plan for Lent this year is to a end less fortunate is a good hands on way to have one daily Mass a week, to prac ce the Sta- the li le ones remember the importance of ons of the Cross on Friday, and to really giving. try to teach the children the importance of Cathy in St. Louis self sacrifi ce for the conversion of sinners. I am most excited to do Sta ons of the Cross + with the children. My son loves Bible stories anyway, and I know his child-like insights into My children give up their dessert two nights the suff ering of Jesus will be humbling for a week. They get to go to the grocery store the whole family. and chose the treat they would have had for Mallory in Bemidji, MN a dessert, and then they bring it to the food box at St. Vincent de Paul. I think this shows + my children that sacrifi ce can be more mean- ingful when accompanied by ac on. We like the salt dough crown of thorns Melissa in Albuquerque, NM where the kids have to do good deeds to remove thorns (toothpicks) and then on Holy + Saturday once all the thorns are gone we replace them with fl owers or jewels to make I feel that reading to my boys from the Bible a beau ful crown. and prayer are the best examples I can give them. My boys love to talk about Jesus, especially at meal me. I reinforce what si ng them all down for Sta ons is in itself a we have discussed through diff erent ac vi- sacrifi ce! There are so many other things to es and always demonstrate that people get done, and the kids don’t always behave. are more important than things! I like that But we keep at it and now even the 4-year- they are very kind, though ul and giving to old can see the Sta ons plaques in a church people. and iden fy the name of the Sta on, which Ann-Marie in Rome, NY tells me she is actually tuning in! Anne Marie in Saint Paul, MN + + We make a salt dough crown of thorns, the “thorns “ being toothpicks. With each good My children are very small, so we do a deed, they may pull off a thorn. Easter morn- Lenten Prayer Tree-very heavy on the arts ing, the crown has magically (read: I spray and cra s. This helps them “see” an abstract paint in the yard late at night) turned gold, concept and visually reminds us all to pray with beau ful fl owers adorning it! The kids without ceasing. love to secretly do good deeds for each other Hilary in Leeds, AL and us. Somehow, the secrecy makes it more a rac ve, and they talk a lot about how + these good deeds make Jesus happy. E. in Sanford, NC My daughter loves the Sta ons of the Cross. I think that walking the path along with Christ + really resonates with her. About halfway through the Sta ons, she begins to tear up. I We have a jar fi lled with “lent fortunes” think the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifi ce be- (small strips of purple paper with daily tasks gins to overwhelm her and as we fi nish she is such as praying for a certain inten on or fi lled with gra tude. doing some small good deed). Each morning Bridget in Los Gatos, CA we all (even mom) choose a fortune from the jar. This has turned out to be very meaning- + ful ac vity for my children. It is so simple and doable, yet meaningful. So o en ac vi es we The Sta ons of the Cross and modeling sac- choose can become overwhelming. This is rifi ce- fas ng. We also run a Lenten prayer not, and it is nice for the children that there group every week in Lent. The Sta ons of the is a new sacrifi ce focus each day. Cross are Our Lords Passion, so the words Laura in Campbell, CA read aloud resonate with each of us. He died so we must do his will and spread the Gospel + and try to be his disciples. Leanne in Medowie NSW Australia Sta ons of the Cross. We light 14 candles, dim the lights, and let our li le ones blow + out a candle a er every sta on. At the end, the room is quite dark and appropriately solemn. Our children are all quite young, so Our family prayer me to begin the day everyone’s eyes to the fact that we truly do consists of our “Sta ons of the Cross box” on have an abundance of blessings... more than Fridays during Lent. The box is a simple shoe we need, much more than many others have. box covered with purple construc on paper It has prompted dona ons of some items to and decorated with a drawing of the crown of places like the St. Vincent de Paul store, and thorns. Inside is a small object corresponding of course, it spurs a greater a tude of gra - to each sta on, for example a small crucifi x tude in our family. for the Crucifi xion. As we pray each Sta on, Polly in Grand Rapids, MI the children can look at and hold the object and it helps them focus and, I hope, more + deeply understand our prayer. It’s hands-on ac vity that has become a tradi on that the A ending a Living Sta ons of the Cross. children look forward to. Kiera in Tallahassee, FL Studying the St. Francis Prayer “Lord Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace”. We went + through the St. Francis prayer line by line, each day studying the next line and discuss- The Lenten ac vity that has been most ing what it means. helpful is the Way of the Cross, daily in our home... I taped the sta ons up all around This really brought the passion and death of our living room and we prayed from sta on Jesus *alive* to my younger children espe- to sta on as a family. This was so helpful in cially. We also have prayed the Sta ons of forming a true sense of compassion for the the Cross along with our parish, but I think suff erings of Our Lord. the younger children just didn’t understand Robin in Hickory, NC and really engage in the prayers un l they *saw* it. + St. Francis is a special family saint for us and Sta ons of the Cross and the alms jar where we felt studying the prayer was an important they add the purple beans. It is something spiritual exercise for Lent for the en re fam- visible the children can see and brings con- ily. The discussions we had with this were crete substance to their Lenten season. amazingly in depth with par cipa on from Helen in Wingello NSW Australia all of our children (who at the me were 14 years old on down). + Karla in Fargo, ND

We adapted an idea found in a book some + years back, which calls for coun ng a diff er- ent object around the home each day, and We honor Jesus through the making of the then adding that many pennies to the rice crown of thorns and every me we do some- bowl that day. It’s amazing how many plates thing especially nice or sacrifi cial for the sake in the cupboard, barre es in the drawer, of someone else we remove a thorn from the shoes in the closet, stuff ed animals on the crown. And vice versa for an unkind act. We bed, etc. we have! This ac vity has opened also limit our tv me to only Spiritually Edu- ca onal shows. We can see Love in ac on Our favorite Lenten ac vity has been mak- and how our bad choices not only hurt us but ing “crowns” out of white modeling clay. We Jesus who loved us so much that he died for s ck toothpicks in them to represent Jesus’ us. crown of thorns. Each me that one of my Kim in St. Augus ne, FL sons makes a sacrifi ce, they get to remove a “thorn” from the crown. At Easter, the crown + is bare, and we add fl owers to it, to show the children the real crown of glory that Christ Each of our children tradi onally makes a wears now! This ac vity is a tangible way “Lenten Journey” poster. We fi gure out how to show my young children how all of our many Sundays are in Lent, and then create a ac ons, good or bad, aff ect everyone. It is stepping-stone path, with one gray stone for an illustra on of the Church as the Body of each day and one purple stone for each Sun- Christ. We also talk about how each of our day. Holy Thursday is white, Good Friday is sins is a thorn in Christ’s crown, and how red, Holy Saturday is white, and the des na- our suff erings and sacrifi ces help to ease His on, Easter Sunday, is a drawing of an empty pain. tomb. We also create a li le cut-out from Megan in Pearland, TX an index card (a drawing of Jesus, a cross, a lamb, or something along those lines), and + move the cutout stone-by-stone as Lent progresses. I like this ac vity because, like an Working at a homeless shelter and soup Advent calendar, it gives the kids a tangible kitchen. It brings in perspec ve how other picture of how long Lent lasts, and as the kids people live and we have so much. move along their journey, we remind them Barbara in Rossville, IN that we are supposed to be uni ng ourselves, and our suff erings, with Christ’s. + Michele in Coal Township, PA We love our Resurrec on eggs! We usually + also do an alms jar, but I’d like to do more. My children are s ll small and I’d love to fi nd Serving dinner at the Fish Fry and then stay- some great ideas to help teach them more ing on for Sta ons of the Cross. Saving all of about Lent. I’m a convert and so is my hus- the money from no Friday dinners out and band, so we didn’t grow up with this and dona ng it to the food pantry to feed others. I’d like to make it more meaningful for my It helps the children understand what Jesus children. We made our own set and really did for us and the importance of giving of enjoyed the process of pu ng them together their me and what they have. and con nue to enjoy them. They really help Diane in Dearborn Heights, MI my small children be er understand Jesus’ sacrifi ce for us. + Erika in Clarkrange, TN