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 Saint. 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.