FAMILY RESOURCES Fourth Week of Easter: May 3 - May 9 Written by Published Read Time

The HSYM Team April 24 2020 15 min. (each day)

USING THIS RESOURCE These weekly packets of Holy Spirit at Home will have activities that you can do daily by yourself or with your family. We hope that, while we cannot be physically together, doing these prayers and activities as a parish can bring us together spiritually.

Each day will have 5 sections. Do the ones that apply to your life and family situation. Don't feel overwhelmed because you can not do them all! Start small if you need to. Picking one day out of the week to do this with your family, or one section a day. Our goal is to send these packets every week so that you can continue to build the home with faith, hope and love! G A T H E R T his section will have something to act on for the day as well as activity suggestions f or the family to do together.

Suggestions for activities with younger children are on the last page.

R E A D This will be either one of the readings from the day or a bit about the life of a . Read this by yourself or with your family.

R E F L E C T This is a suggestion for something to reflect and ruminate on in personal prayer time. It may be a question or something for imaginative prayer.

P R A Y This is a prayer suggestion to do with your family or a friend. You can do this on a phone call, video conferencing, or with your immediate family in person.

D I S C U S S This is a question or two to discus with family or friends on the phone or in person with the people in your household.

SUNDAY, 5/3/2020 SUNDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

G A T H E R In today’s second reading Peter talks about how Jesus acted on earth, suffering for us. Choose someone to “suffer” for today. Every time something annoys you or adds frustration to your day, give up that suffering as a prayer for that person.

R E A D 1 Peter 2: 20b - 25 Beloved: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.By his wounds you have been healed.For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

R E F L E C T In this time of Shelter in place we may be focused on our own sufferings, instead of the joy of the season of Easter. The second reading talks about how Jesus suffered for our sins patiently, gracefully, and prayerfully. Take some time today to reflect on how you can live with more patience, grace, and prayer in your daily life.

P R A Y Lord give me patience to do you will, grace to suffer for others, and a prayerful heart to praise you more. Amen. D I S C U S S How did it feel offering up your small sufferings for someone else today? Where can you be more patient in your life? Where can you have more grace in your life? Where can you add more prayer in your life? MONDAY, 5/4/2020 MONDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

G A T H E R When was the last time you did an art project? The early Church LOVED art. It was the main way of communicating the beauty of the Church. Grab out those colored pencils and paper and draw up what you see when you hear Jesus say: “I am the good shepherd.”

R E A D John 10: 11 - 18 Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

R E F L E C T Take a moment to think about how Jesus has been a shepherd in your life. Who else has been a shepherd in your life?

P R A Y Lord Jesus you are our shepherd and you lead us through the darkness. Be my shepherd now as we continue through this pandemic. Lead me to do your will. Amen

D I S C U S S How has Jesus been your shepherd? Who or what in your life is the “Hired Man” who doesn’t have true concern for your wellbeing and leaves you to fend for yourself? Are you following the Good Shepard and trusting that He has your wellbeing in mind at all times? TUESDAY, 5/5/2020 TUESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

G A T H E R Many of us have to spend our days at home right now. What are some ways you can share your faith during this time with those outside of your home? Write down some ideas and do one of those ideas together as a family.

What are some ways you can share your faith with those inside your home? Write down some ideas and do a few together as a family.

R E A D Acts of the Apostles 11: 19-26 Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

R E F L E C T In the early Church there were no physical church buildings The message of Jesus Christ, and his saving grace was spread, by laypeople. Sometimes it can feel like we are in a similar situation with our church buildings being closed. Take a few moments to consider how you can help to spread the good news of the Gospel during this time when we cannot physically go to church.

P R A Y Lord help me to be like the disciples in today’s first reading: spreading your Word and rejoicing when people come to believe in you. Lead me to do your will. Amen.

D I S C U S S When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone who didn’t believe? What did it feel like to participate in today’s gather activity? WEDNESDAY, 5/6/2020 WEDNESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

G A T H E R Today’s Gospel mentions how Jesus came into the world as light to dispel our darkness and the darkness of the world. Pay attention to the lights in your life during the day. Whenever you turn on a light switch or lamp, say a quick prayer of thanksgiving.

R E A D John 12: 44 - 50 Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”

R E F L E C T “I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world” Take a few moments to think about and reflect on this verse. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn but to save. Are there places in your life that you have condemned instead of saved?

P R A Y Dear God, you sent Your Son into the world as a light to save us. Help me be more like Jesus in my daily interactions with those around me. Amen.

D I S C U S S How has Jesus been a light for you during the Shelter in Place? Where in your life can you be more like Jesus, spreading the word of the Father but not condemning those who do not follow it? THURSDAY, 5/7/2020 FEAST DAY OF ST. ROSE VENERINI G A T H E R Today we learn about St. Rose Venerini who was a gifted teacher. Teachers right now are dealing with very difficult teaching circumstances. Take some time to say a prayer for any teachers you know. Write them an email or reach out in some other way to thank them for all of their hard work in helping their students continue to learn.

R E A D Story of St. Rose Venerini Rose was born at in Italy, the daughter of a doctor. Following the death of her fiancé she entered a convent, but soon returned home to care for her newly widowed mother. Meanwhile, Rose invited the women of the neighborhood to recite the in her home, forming a sort of sodality with them. As she looked to her future under the spiritual guidance of a Jesuit priest, Rose became convinced that she was called to become a teacher in the world rather than a contemplative nun in a convent. Clearly, she made the right choice: the free school for girls she opened in 1685 was well received. Soon the cardinal invited her to oversee the training of teachers and the administration of schools in his diocese of Montefiascone. As Rose’s reputation grew, she was called upon to organize schools in many parts of Italy, including . Her disposition was right for the task as well, for Rose often met considerable opposition but was never deterred.

She died in Rome in 1728, where a number of miracles were attributed to her. She was beatified in 1952 and canonized in 2006. The sodality, or group of women she had invited to prayer, was ultimately given the rank of a . Today, the so-called Venerini Sisters can be found in the United States and elsewhere, working among Italian immigrants.

R E F L E C T St. Rose’s life was turned upside-down many times. Her story helps us realize that God calls us to serve wherever we find our selves even if it isn’t what we planned. Spend some time asking God how he is calling you to serve right now.

P R A Y St. Rose Venerini, please pray for me as I feel like my life has been turned upside-down like your life was so many times and I am not sure how I am being called to serve God at this time.

D I S C U S S Who are the teachers that you remember making a big impact on your life? Tell a story of one of those teachers. FRIDAY, 5/8/2020 FRIDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

G A T H E R What will your dwelling place in Heaven be like? We have no idea. But look at your current dwelling place. Find something today that you can do to a place in your home to point your eyes toward you eternal home in Heaven. Maybe it’s hanging a crucifix above your door, displaying a piece of religious art, hanging a rosary on the wall. You can even create your own work of religious art to display in your home.

R E A D John 14: 1 - 6 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” R E F L E C T Jesus has prepared a dwelling place for you in his kingdom, and you know exactly how to get there. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He asks us to follow Him and we will dwell with Him in his kingdom forever.

P R A Y Jesus, I know you are the way and the truth and the life. Help me to follow your way, know your truth, and live out my life like you.

D I S C U S S How are you following Jesus’ way? How is Jesus leading you to Heaven? What has God been calling you to do lately? SATURDAY, 5/8/2020 SATURDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

G A T H E R All the ends of the Earth have seen the saving power of God. These powerful words from today’s Psalm make us think about the traveling we can’t really do right now. Today, reach out to a friend or family member who lives very far from you. If you can, have a conversation with them about today’s discussion question.

R E A D Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

R E F L E C T Psalms are meant to be sung, find a rendition of Psalm 98 on YouTube that you like and sit with your eyes closed listening to it.

P R A Y Dear God, all the ends of the Earth have seen your saving power. Help me to be more aware of your saving power every day. Help me to trust in you that you will save us from our sins.

D I S C U S S Where have you seen God’s saving grace in your life? ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN

S U N D A Y Today we learn about how Jesus is our shepherd. Pull out the craft materials and make some fund cotton ball sheep. Cut out the shape of a sheep on white construction paper or cardstock and give your child some glue and cotton balls as well as colored pencils to decorate their sheep. Talk about how Jesus is our shepherd and what that means to us today.

M O N D A Y Have your child draw a picture of what they see when they hear Jesus say “I am the good Shepherd” Explain to them what a shepherd is and what they do and what Jesus means when he says “I am the good Shepherd.

T U E S D A Y What are some ways you can share your faith during this time with those outside of your home even though we have to stay home? Brainstorm and write down some ideas. Do one of those ideas together as a family.

W E D N E S D A Y Explain that the Lord is our light. Help your child be the one to turn on and off light switches today and remember how Jesus is our light and he will help us through our dark times each time you turn on and off a light.

T H U R S D A Y Pray for your teachers today. Help your child write an email or mail a letter thanking their teacher(s) for all of the hard work they put into their jobs, especially lately.

F R I D A Y What will your dwelling place in heaven look like? Imagine the most perfect place ever! Draw a picture of what you imagine it will be like.

S A T U R D A Y Where is the farthest you have ever traveled from home? Find pictures of when you travelled there and talk about the adventure with your family.