Of the 2017 Easter Season! Invite Your Students to Learn More About the Saints and Solemnities of the Easter Season

Easter Resources

Celebrate the Saints and Solemnities of the 2017 Easter Season! Invite your students to learn more about the saints and solemnities of the Easter season. Encourage them to grow as disciples by honoring these saints through the example of their lives and through their prayers. The grey boxes show where you can find their stories in RCL Benziger parish and school textbooks. For even more information on the lives of many of the saints listed here, go to SaintsResource.com. April 16: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord There are excellent lessons on the Easter season found in the liturgical year section of your textbook which can be incorporated into your classroom sessions. Two Easter classroom celebrations can be found by clicking on the resource Preparing the Easter Prayer Table and Welcoming the Alleluia and Prayer Collages. Make the fifty days of the Easter season a time of joyful prayer and celebration! Christ is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Be My Disciples and Sean mis Discípulos Grade 1: Chapter 9, WCCY Grade 2: WCCY Grade 3: Chapter 10, WCCY Grade 4: Chapter 10, WCCY Grade 5: Chapter 9, WCCY Grade 6: Chapter 9, WCCY

Additional Activities and LIturgical Lessons (Be My Disciples Junior High) Triduum: Easter Sunday; Ascension of the Lord; Pentecost Sunday

Blest Are We Faith and Word/Blest Are We Kindergarten Kindergarten: We Celebrate Grade 1: Feasts and Seasons Grade 2: Feasts and Seasons Grade 3: Feasts and Seasons Grade 4: Feasts and Seasons Grade 5: Feasts and Seasons Grade 6: Feasts and Seasons The Story of Jesus: Feasts and Seasons The Story of the Church: Chapter 2, Feasts and Seasons

Faith First Legacy/Faith First Kindergarten Kindergarten: We Celebrate Special Days Grade 1: Chapter 10, We Celebrate Grade 2: We Celebrate

April 24: Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, presbyter, religious, martyr Saint Fidelis was known as the “poor man’s lawyer.” He would take the legal cases of those who could not afford a lawyer to help them. He gave much of his money and many of his material possessions to the poor, and he supported many students by providing scholarships. Saint Fidelis was a man of prayer who did not hesitate to do any task that was asked of him. In later life he was sent to Switzerland to preach the Gospel. At that time Catholics and Protestants were arguing about religion, and this assignment was not an easy one. In 1622 Saint Fidelis was martyred by a crowd who did not agree with what he taught and preached. Today, in honor of Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, pray for lawyers who defend those who have no one to help or to speak for them. Pray for those who teach and preach the Gospel in places where it is not always welcome.

Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, pray for us! Alleluia!

April 25: Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist Saint Mark himself was not an Apostle, but was a friend of Peter, and accompanied Paul on one of his missionary journeys. The Gospel of Mark is both the oldest Gospel and the shortest Gospel. It focuses on the life and ministry of Jesus, and is filled with details that help us come to know Jesus as man. Mark himself was not an Apostle, but he did know both Peter and Paul, and assisted both in their missionary work. Saint Mark’s symbol is a winged lion. In his life, Saint Mark did what every Christian is called to do. He proclaimed the Good News to others. Today, in honor of Saint Mark the Evangelist, read the story of the Call of the First Disciples (Mark 1:16-20). Saint Mark, pray for us! Alleluia!

Be My Disciples and Sean mis Discípulos Grade 2: Chapter 9 Christ in the New Testament: Chapters 2 and 3

Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 1: Chapter 12 The Story of Jesus: Jesus and His Times; Chapter 1

Faith First Legacy Grade 2: Chapter 11 Grade 6: Chapter 10 Chapter 10 (Pope John Paul II) Jesus in the New Testament: Chapters 2 and 3 Morality: Life in Christ: Chapter 2

April 28: Saint Peter Chanel Saint Peter Chanel grew up on a farm in France. He worked on the farm and herded sheep. His parish priest noticed that Peter was intelligent and had a great love for God. The priest encouraged Peter’s parents to let him attend school. When Peter became a priest he was sent to a parish in a poor area where people were not interested in church. By his example of caring for the poor and the sick, Peter drew people back to the Church. Peter eventually served as a missionary on the Pacific island of Futuna. With other missionaries he taught the people of Futuna about God by his loving service. When Futuna’s leader became angry because his son wanted to be baptized a Christian, he had Peter killed. Saint Peter Chanel became the first Christian martyr of the Pacific Islands, and his death inspired many of Futuna’s people to become Christian. Today, nearly all of Futuna’s population is Roman Catholic. Today, pray for vocations to the priesthood, and for all priests who serve as missionaries and who show others Jesus by their loving service. Pray for the Catholic Church in Futuna, that she may continue to grow in numbers and in faith. Saint Peter Chanel, pray for us! Alleluia!

April 29: Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Doctor of the Church Saint Catherine of Siena was the twenty-fourth of twenty-five children. When she was a teenager, she dedicated her life to God despite the fact that her family was not supportive of her choice. A joyful person, she lived in service to the poor and needy, but also advised the leaders of the Church in matters of great importance and concern. She was one of the first women to be named a doctor – or great scholar and teacher – of the Church. Today, pray for all women who serve the Church as scholars and teachers. Remember by name the women who have taught you about discipleship, Scripture, and the teachings of the Church. Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us! Alleluia!

Be My Disciples and Sean mis Discípulos Grade 1: Chapter 3 Grade 2: Chapter 11 Grade 5: Chapter 18 Christ in the Liturgy: Chapter 1

Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 2: Chapter 17 The Story of the Church: Chapter 15

Faith First Legacy: Grade 1: Chapter 2 Grade 2: Chapter 23 Grade 5: Chapter 18

May 1: Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker On March 19 (March 20 in 2017) the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today’s memorial is fairly new to the Church calendar, added in 1955 by Pope Pius XII. It is customary today to celebrate the Blessing of Tools or Other Equipment for Work (see Book of Blessings, copyright 1989 by The Order of St. Benedict, Inc., or Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, copyright 2007 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops). The following suggestion is an alternative activity and prayer for use in the classroom.

1. If possible, bring to class a small tool kit. Display the various tools and invite students to name the tools and what they are used for. (For the safety of the students, please have adults only display and handle the tools.)

2. Ask the students what tools their parents use in their work at home or at jobs outside of the home.

3. Invite the students to display on their desks the tools they use in their work – the work of studying.

4. Invite the students to stand at their desks as you offer the following prayer:

Loving God, Saint Joseph the Worker used many tools in his work as a carpenter.

Our parents use many tools in their work at home and outside of the home.

Bless us as we use the many tools here before us to study and to grow in knowledge.

Help us to use the tools of our faith – your Word in the Bible, the prayers of the Church, and the teachings in our religion books – to grow as disciples of Jesus.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be My Disciples and Sean mis Discípulos Grade 3: Chapter 3

Blest Are We Faith and Word The Story of Jesus: Chapter 6

Faith First Legacy/Faith First Kindergarten Kindergarten: We Celebrate Special Days Grade 3: Chapter 5

May 2: Saint Athanasius, Bishop, Doctor of the Church Saint Athanasius wrote many scholarly works on faith and doctrine, and defended the belief that Jesus was fully human and fully divine. He remained true to this belief in the Incarnation, despite being exiled for it five times. In celebration of the feast day of Saint Athanasius, pray together the Nicene Creed, the prayer of our faith that states what we believe. Saint Athanasius, pray for us! Alleluia!

Faith First Legacy Mystery of God: Chapter 5

May 3: Saints Philip and James, Apostles Saint James, the son of Alphaeus, is also known as Saint James the Lesser, so as not to confuse him with Saint James, the son of Zebedee. Nothing is known about him, except that Jesus chose him to be one of his twelve disciples. Saint Philip was also one of the twelve disciples called by Jesus. The stories in the Gospel tell us that Philip grew in his realization of who Jesus was. As a Greek, Saint Philip was able to lead Gentiles to Jesus. Today, we pray for all the leaders in the Church who lead us to know Jesus. We remember especially those local and everyday people who may not be famous, who work in the Church.

Saint Philip and Saint James, pray for us! Alleluia!

Be My Disciples Grade 1: Chapter 1 Grade 2: Chapter 2

Faith First Legacy Grade 2: Chapter 1

May 10: Saint Damien de Veuster, Priest (USA) Saint Damien de Veuster, also known as Damien of Molokai, was sent to Hawaii and was ordained there in 1864. Once there, he learned of a large colony of lepers who were living on the island of Molokai. He asked permission to live with and to care for the lepers. Damien helped the people of Molokai build homes, and he used his limited resources to provide medical care to the lepers. Eventually, Damien himself contracted leprosy. But he ministered to the other lepers until he was physically unable to do so. Today, pray for the nearly quarter of a million people who have been diagnosed with leprosy, and for those who care for them. Saint Damien de Veuster, pray for us! Alleluia!

Be My Disciples and Sean mis Discípulos Grade 2: Chapter 16 Grade 5: Chapter 20

Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 5: Unit 1 The Story of Jesus Unit 2

May 13: Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima On this date in 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary first appeared to three shepherd children in Portugal. She continued to appear on the 13th day of the month for six months, ending on October 13. With each appearance she asked the children to pray for sinners and to pray the Rosary. By that October 13, tens of thousands gathered with the children to witness Mary’s appearance to them. Fatima continues to be a place of pilgrimage, with the greatest crowds gathering to pray on May 13 and October 13. Today, take time to pray together all or part of the Rosary. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us! Alleluia!

Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 6: Feasts and Seasons

Thursday, May 25 or Sunday, May 28: The Ascension of the Lord Refer to the liturgical year lessons in your textbook for resources on the Ascension of the Lord. Thursday, May 25, is also the beginning of the nine-day novena of prayer in preparation for the celebration of Pentecost Sunday. As a class, pray together the Prayer to the Holy Spirit found in many of the Catholic Prayers and Practices or prayer sections of your textbooks. Continue to pray the prayer on each of the nine days leading up to Pentecost Sunday. (An alternative would be to sing a Pentecost hymn or refrain each day of the novena.)

Be My Disciples and Sean mis Discípulos Grade 1: Chapter 6, WCCY Grade 2: Chapter 7, WCCY Grade 4: Chapter 6, WCCY

Additional Activities and Liturgical Lessons (Be My Disciples Junior High) Ascension of the Lord

Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 3: Feasts and Seasons Grade 4: Chapter 5, Feasts and Seasons Grade 6: Feasts and Seasons The Story of Jesus: Chapter 15, Feasts and Seasons The Story of the Church: Feasts and Seasons

Faith First Legacy Grade 1: Chapter 5, We Celebrate Grade 2: Chapter 9, We Celebrate Grade 3: Chapter 6 Grade 6: Chapter 5, We Celebrate Mystery of God: Chapters 7 and 10

May 26: Saint Philip Neri, priest Be My Disciples and Sean mis Discípulos Grade 2: Chapter 22 Grade 5: Chapter 15

Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 5: Chapter 18

Faith First Legacy Mystery of God: Chapter 10

May 31: The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Be My Disciples and Sean Mis Discipulos Grade 3: Chapter 3

Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 5: Feasts and Seasons

Faith First Legacy Grade 3: Chapters 3 and 26 Grade 5: We Celebrate Grade 6: Chapter 9, We Celebrate

June 1: Saint Justin, martyr Justin was not raised a Christian. He was well-educated, and taught philosophy. After witnessing the martyrdom of many Christians, Justin was inspired by their great courage and himself became a Christian. He studied the writings of Christians and Jews, and began a school to teach Christian studies. Among his many writings were letters that record how Christians in the early Church worshiped. In those writings, one hears much of what gives shape to the Order of Mass today. Today, take time to think about what happens when your parish community gathers to celebrate the Mass. Think about the parts of the Mass that you love best and why. Pray for all of the ordained and lay ministers who serve your parish as priests, deacons, lectors, music ministers, altar servers, ministers of hospitality, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Saint Justin Martyr, pray for us! Alleluia!

Be My Disciples and Sean mis Discípulos Grade 2: Chapter 13

June 3: Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, martyrs Be My Disciples and Sean mis Discípulos Grade 4: Chapter 20 Grade 6: Chapter 10 Christ in the NT: Chapter 7

Faith First Legacy Grade 3: Chapters 9

June 4: Pentecost Sunday Pentecost Sunday celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. On this day, the disciples boldly were sent out on the mission to proclaim the Good News to all. Take time to read the dramatic story of the first Pentecost found in Acts of the Apostles 2: 1-13. Refer to the liturgical year section of your textbook for resources to highlight this solemnity. Sing a Pentecost hymn or refrain, and pray together the Prayer to the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful! And kindle in them the fire of your love! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Be My Disciples and Sean mis Discípulos Grade 1: WCCY Grade 2: Chapter 7, WCCY Grade 3: Chapter 6, WCCY Grade 4: Chapter 7, WCCY Grade 5: WCCY Grade 6: Chapters 7 and 11, WCCY

Additional Activities and Liturgical Lessons (Be My Disciples Junior High) Pentecost Sunday

Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 2: Feasts and Seasons Grade 3: Chapter 12, Feasts and Seasons Grade 4: Chapter 9, Feasts and Seasons The Story of Jesus: Chapters 16 and 18, Feasts and Seasons The Story of the Church: Chapter 4

Faith First Legacy Grade 1: Chapter 10, We Celebrate Grade 2: Chapter 9, We Celebrate Grade 3: Chapters 7 and 11, We Celebrate Grade 4: Chapter 8, We Celebrate Grade 5: Chapter 13, We Celebrate Grade 6: Chapters 7 and 10, We Celebrate Mystery of God: Chapter 12