Life with Jesus Family Retreat

This virtual First Holy Communion Retreat is made up of online prayer and reflection experiences that you can enjoy wherever you

are with your child(ren). Some are interactive. Some are prayerful. Some are multimedia. Some are also available as

printable PDF documents. They are all easy to access and will create a great spiritual experience for the whole family to enjoy.

The retreat will last for one to two hours a day for five days. Each day, you will recreate a “Day in the Life of Jesus” for your family

to experience. All you need to do is follow the instructions for each day and find a quiet time and place to prayerfully enter into the

following opportunities:

Day 1: The Best Gi/ Ever

Day 2: The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Day 3: The Day Jesus was Bap=zed

Day 4: Holy Thursday and The Triduum

Day 5: First Holy Communion-

Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ

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DAY 1: THE BEST GIFT

EVER

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THE BEST GIFT EVER The Birth of Jesus Christ

This will work best with a small group. If you use it with a large group, you may want to display each object rather than passing it around. With minor adaptions, it could be used with youth or adults. I think it would be fun with a senior adult group. Supplies you will need:

• Select a box and decorate it with Birthday wrappings, ribbons, etc. For the activity to be most effective, it should be very easy to get the lid off the box. You might use a shoe box by wrapping the lid separately from the box so that you can quickly untie a ribbon and lift the lid off.

• The following objects should be inside the box:

▪ a Nativity scene manger

▪ Baby Jesus

▪ a sheep- if you don’t have a stuffed sheep, cut one out of paper. You can glue cotton balls to it so it appears more authentic

▪ a scroll- you can make your own by wrapping string around a rolled-up piece of paper

▪ a cross

▪ a small, unwrapped gift- perhaps a piece of candy or an inexpensive ornament for each child

The story of the birth of the Savior two thousand years ago is amazing, filled with exquisite and meaningful details treasured by those present as well as believers millennia after.

Experience: Leader: What's your favorite time of year? (Allow each child to answer) Lots of us like our birthdays or Christmas better than any other time of year. One of our favorite things about these days is probably the gifts. Bright, colored packages with ribbons and lots of tape are great fun to open.

(hold gift box up and turn it around to display all sides)

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Leader: I think my gift is very pretty, don't you? Some gifts are almost too pretty to open! This one would make a pretty decoration. But my curiosity always gets the best of me. I simply must find out what's inside.

(begin to untie the ribbon)

Leader: I hope this is something really special! What is the best gift you've ever received? (Allow each child to answer) I've received many nice gifts. It would be hard to pick a favorite.

(lift the lid off the box)

Leader: This is interesting!

(lift out the manger)

Leader: This is a manger - a place where farmers put the feed for cows to eat.

(pass the manger around for each child to hold - wait for the manger to get back to you before you continue)

Leader: Look at this!

(lift out the Baby Jesus)

Leader: Since the beginning of the world, people have wondered what God is like. On the first Christmas, God came to earth. His name was Jesus. He was born in a stable. His mother wrapped Him up and laid Him in a manger.

(pass it around for each child to hold - wait for it to come back before you continue)

Leader: God put a special star in the sky that night and He sent angels to show the way to the manger.

(lift out the sheep)

Leader: There were some shepherds spending the night out in fields and taking care of their sheep. Most people thought shepherds were not very important people. But God sent an angel that came to tell them that Jesus was born. The shepherds were afraid when they saw a real angel. But the angel told them not to be afraid because he had good news for them. The angel invited the shepherds to see Baby Jesus in the manger. And God sent a whole sky full of angels to celebrate Jesus' birth. When I look at this sheep, I remember that God loves us all - even when other people don't think we are very important, we are important to God.

(pass sheep around for the children to hold - wait for it to come back before you continue. Now remove one gift from the box and give it to the first child saying, “John, this is a gift for you, will you accept it”? when the child agrees, give the gift. Repeat for each child)

Giving is Greater Than Receiving

Read Acts 20:35 below to your kids - "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Acts 20:35

In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

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Show the kids the words “Giving” and “Receiving”.

Ask the kids which act the Bible says is greater...giving or receiving?

Explain to the kids that it's okay to receive things. It's nice to get awards, birthday gifts, etc.

Show the kids this - GIVING > RECEIVING.

But it's even better to give to help others because it makes an eternal difference and you're like Jesus when you give. He came to give instead of receive.

Leader: Each of you accepted the gift. What if someone said “No, I don't want the gift”? (Allow each child to answer) You can only take a gift with you if you accept it. It's the same with Jesus' gift to you. It only belongs to you if you accept it. You are growing up just like Jesus did. Someday, the Spirit of God will speak to your heart and ask if you want to accept Jesus' gift. Please bow your heads with me.

(pray with the children - thanking God for all he gives us)

Pray for Families Heavenly Father,

We praise You for all Your gifts to us. In a special way, We thank You for our many blessings.

Bless us always in Your love. Bless us too, Holy Father, And all of us in this family.

Help us all to praise You and give You glory Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen. (Prayer from “Catholic Online”)

FUTURE ENDEAVORS-Think of Joseph and Mary having to make the manger their first little home together as a family. With this in mind…Build the most epic fort ever. Create a castle out of cardboard boxes or rig up a

tent by draping old sheets and blankets over the furniture. The idea for this lesson came from a drama by Tony R. Stuckless

This This

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Tomorrow we con=nue our journey together into “The Life of Jesus” with Jesus as a Boy in the Temple.

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DAY 2: THE BOY JESUS IN

THE TEMPLE

THE BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

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Supplies you will need: Copies of (or you can simply sit around your computer or laptop as a family):

▪ THE BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE-Page 12 ▪ TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM-Page 13 ▪ WHEN WE TRAVEL-Page 14 ▪ JESUS WAS JUST LIKE ME-Page 15 ▪ MAP OF JERUSALEM- Page 17

• Blank pieces of paper • Crayons, colored pencils, markers

One of the most incredible things about Christ is that he became a human being just like us. We can relate to him even though he is God. Even children can relate to God, knowing that Christ was once a child too! Use the lesson plan below to help young people come to know the boy Jesus.

Leader: Very little is known about Jesus’ life when he was a boy. We have only one story about Jesus between his birth and life as an adult. In the Gospel of Luke, the boy Jesus is accidentally left in Jerusalem by his parents. They later find him listening and teaching in the temple as if he was an adult.

A C T I V I T I E S

1. W H E N W E T R AV E L

Once everyone is seated, have each child complete the worksheet titled, “When We Travel” (page 14). The purpose of this worksheet is to help your child(ren) think of their latest vacations so they can relate to Jesus’ trip when He was left behind at the Temple. (This activity is especially well timed since we all need to think about what is to come once we are able to travel again.)

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When they finish, have them all read about their vacations to the family or have them partner up and read what they have written to another family member.

2. R E A D T H E S T O R Y A B O U T T H E B O Y J E S U S I N T H E T E M P L E ( L U K E 2 : 4 1 - 5 2 )

Read the story “The Boy Jesus in the Temple” on page 12, pausing to highlight important parts of the story and defining new words (Jerusalem, Passover, caravan, the temple, father vs. Father, and Nazareth).

3. R E - E X A M I N E T H E W O R D

Pass out one piece of paper to each family member. Have each family member draw a picture of the main scenes with the crayons, markers, or colored pencils:

1. Jesus and his family travel to Jerusalem.

2. Mary and Joseph can’t find Jesus.

3. Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the Temple with the teachers.

4. Jesus returned with his parents to Nazareth.

4. Q U E S T I O N S T O S H A R E

D I S C U S S T H E Q U E S T I O N S B E L O W A S A F A M I LY.

• Who were Jesus’ parents?

• Where did Jesus live?

• Where did he go on vacation for Passover?

• What was he doing when his parents lost him?

It is more likely that Jerusalem and the Temple will be new to your children. Show them a picture of the Temple in Jerusalem (page 13) at the time of Jesus and a Map of Jerusalem (page 17).

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5. R E V I E W T H E S T O R Y

Distribute the “Jesus Was Just Like Me” (page 15) worksheet. Children will notice that it is similar to the worksheet they completed at the beginning of today’s experience. Have them complete this version based on the story you read as a family today. Go over the worksheets to make sure the kids had a complete understanding of the story.

6. C O N N E C T I N G T O J E S U S

Have the children reflect on how their lives are similar to Jesus’ life. How were their vacations similar and different to Jesus’ vacation? Think about this in terms of:

• How they got there? • Who came with them? • Why they went? • Also, ask them if they remember ever being separated from you parents.

Ask:

▪ What did that feel like?

▪ What did they think you felt like?

▪ If you have older children, have them write their feelings down about this.

Prayer for My Whole Family – That We All Know Jesus

Dear Father God, thank You so much for my family and for making each one a part of my life. Lord I praise Your name for each member of my family that knows and loves You and has placed their trust in the Lord Jesus as Savor. How it rejoices my heart to know that they are secure in You and are bound for heaven. Fill each of us with Your

grace and goodness and may we learn day by day to cast all our cares upon You.

Lord I also know that there are those that I love that have not yet placed their trust in Jesus and others that have grown weary of the Christian life and have wandered back

to worldly activities or selfish pursuits. Reach out Your arm of love to each one and draw them back to You.

Lord I know that it is not Your will that any of my family should perish – and I long to know that one day we will all be together in heaven – convict every member of my

family of their sin and bring them to saving faith in Jesus I pray, in Whose name I pray,

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Amen

(A prayer from “Knowing Jesus”)

7. F U T U R E E N D E AV O R S - P L A N A T R I P O F A L I F E T I M E

The crazier, the better! Have the kids map out a route and choose their dream destinations. Add an educational twist by having them research each region, explore different cultures, and calculate travel costs.

Tomorrow, we will con=nue our journey together into “The Life of Jesus” with The Day Jesus Was Bap=zed.

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Luke 2:41-52 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After

three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all

who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents[a] saw him they were astonished;

and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” 49 He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[b] 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His

mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years,[c] and in divine and

human favor.

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TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM

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I was born in__________________.

I live in______________________.

My parent’s names are

____________________________

and_________________________.

Our most recent vacaQon was to ____________________________.

I traveled with________________.

When We Travel

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He was born in________________.

He lives in____________________.

His parent’s names were

____________________________

and_________________________.

As a child, He went on vacaQon to ____________________________.

Here is what He did:

_________________________________________________

How long do you think he was

Jesus was Just Like Me!

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DAY 3: THE DAY JESUS WAS BAPTIZED

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The Day Jesus was Baptized

Prayer Stations

Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist at the Jordan River is the first act of His public ministry. John’s was a baptism of repentance and although Jesus did not need such a baptism, He consented to it in order to identify Himself with sinners. In fact, in His baptism, Jesus identified with the sinners whose sins He would soon bear on the cross where He would exchange His righteousness for their sin.

There are 3 steps today and the needs for each step are listed below. Step one: 

• Copy of the Baptism picture on page 18 or a copy of your child’s baptism • A laptop, computer, or cell phone to pull up the Baptism link

Step two: • A Lego set (If you do not have a set of Legos, you can use pennies, dominos, or

anything else that can be used to build a tower) • A small treat for the winner

Step three: • Copies of the Hangman Board on page 19 or a Marker Board, newsprint, or any

other large surface that can be written on • Markers

Step One LEADER: What does “baptize” mean?

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Show the children the picture of the Baptism on page 24. Ask these questions:

• What do you think is happening in this picture? Explain to students that Baptism is one of the seven sacraments and most of them were baptized when they were babies so they do not remember it. Others are baptized later because you can be baptized at any age.

• Have you ever seen a baptism?

• Do you know why you are baptized?

Show this short video of a baptism to answer these questions by Sophia SketchPad: Baptism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv5GyWJaQ-Q

Step Two Lego Competition: Now that you have watched the video, let the competition begin. Get out a Lego set. Each time a family member gets the answer correct, they get a Lego. The object is to build the biggest tower that you can with the Lego’s you receive for the correct answer given.

1. Who are godparents?

A special man and woman that your parents pick to help them teach the baby

how to be a child of God.

2. What do they promise to do?

At least one godparent must be a practicing Catholic.

3. What do you wear?

A white robe as a sign of your new life.

4. Who administers baptism?

The priest or deacon

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5. What does the priest or deacon pour on your head to show we have

new life and to wash away your sins?

Water.

6. What kind of water is it?

Ordinary water.

7. When should children be baptized?

As soon as possible after birth.

8. At Baptism holy oil is put on you by the priest or deacon and they

make the Sign of the Cross on your forehead. Long ago, oil was used

to mark people as kings and priests. Oil is a symbol of strength and

healing. The newly baptized is anointed with sacred oil to signify

that the Holy Spirit dwells within the heart of this new Christian. It's

also a sign of being anointed to a mission to live and love as Jesus

lived. The priest or deacon makes the Sign of the Cross on your

forehead with what?

Holy oil

9. Why does your godfather light the Baptismal candle from the Pascal

(Easter) candle?

To show that we have new life.

10.When we are baptized, we become members of what Church?

The Catholic Church.

11. When you are born you have original sin. Who did we inherit

original sin from?

From Adam and Eve.

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12.When you are baptized, it takes away original sin. It also removes

every sin the person has done. How many times can you be

baptized?

Only once.

13.A priest usually does the Baptism and sometimes a deacon. But, if

there is danger that someone will die without Baptism, can anyone

baptize another?

Yes, they may and should baptize.

14.Who was baptized by his cousin?

Jesus Christ.

15.Why is baptism the first sacrament you receive?

The Sacrament of Baptism is one of the seven sacraments. Baptism is the first

sacrament because no other Sacrament can or may be received until you have

been baptized.

Measure the towers. Have a piece of candy or small treat for the winner!

Step Three

Final thoughts of the Day:

Play a game of “Hangman” to review the key words and concepts of what we experienced today. It may be fun to divide the family up into teams.

• Play a few rounds of Hangman on the marker board using words or phrases from today’s stations below.

• Make copies of the hangman board on page 25.

• Use this time to review the key words and phrases and give the kids an opportunity to ask questions.

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HANGMAN WORDS:  John the Baptist Jesus Christ Galilee- region of ancient Palestine, now part of Northern Israel. It is between the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee. Cousin- a child of somebody’s uncle or aunt, a relative Baptize- to wash away the original sin Jordan River- river that flows through the Sea of Galilee and empties into the Dead Sea Holy Spirit- the third person of the Trinity, understood as the spiritual force of God Godparent- someone who promises at a person’s Baptism to help that person be a Christian Catholic Church White Robe Priest Holy Oil Sacrament Sign of the Cross Water

Baptism Prayer-Pray Together as a Family: There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

We thank you Lord for making us a living temple of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the water of our baptism through which, on this

day, you allow us to be born to spiritual life.

Amen (Author Unknown)

F U T U R E E N D E A V O R S - L E G O S

Get out every Lego set you own and build the ultimate city.

Tomorrow we con=nue our journey together into “The Life of Jesus” with Holy Thursday and The Triduum.

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DAY 4: HOLY THURSDAY

AND THE TRIDUUM

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Holy Thursday and The Triduum

Supplies you will need: • Basin • Towel • Water • Small pieces of paper • Pen or pencil • Copy of the Last Supper on page 31 “Holy Week is a time of Holy Waiting. We know we have something precious and beautiful, but we cannot yet see the completed picture. And so, we must wait.”

We cannot talk about Holy Thursday without talking about the Triduum.

What is the Triduum? • The word “Triduum” means “three days.” • It’s pronounced trih-do-um. • We observe the days from sundown to sundown, so we actually celebrate Holy

Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, and Easter Sunday.

• On Holy Thursday, we recall the Last Supper, the first Eucharist ever. We feel

privileged to carry on this sacred tradition.

• On Good Friday, we meet during the sacred hours of the afternoon. We

remember Jesus’ death and honor the cross that led to our salvation.

• The Easter Vigil begins on Holy Saturday evening. We hear our family history of

salvation. We welcome new members into the Church. We learn of Jesus’ new

life. We know that we, too, share in salvation. Our journey ends happily.

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Here is a great video to watch as a family that explains each day of the Triduum in a brief, helpful way:  https://bustedhalo.com/video/holy-week-in-two-minutes

Activities for Catholic Families

Given the big challenge facing today’s families, now is the perfect time. Home is a very meaningful place to experience the Triduum. After all, home is where we ?? in a hurry and take it easy, where we have faith and where we worry, where we love our families and find forgiveness. It is home where we most often experience daily salvation and these experiences can take place in nearly every room of the house.

The significance of Holy Thursday

Except for the resurrection on Easter, Holy Thursday is possibly one of the most important, complex, and profound days of celebration in the Catholic Church. Holy Thursday celebrates the institution of the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Jesus Christ and the institution of the sacrament of the priesthood.

Tell children that the sacrament of Holy Communion is the center or base of the Church. Without this remembrance, there is no Church. Jesus’ sacrifice is the foundation of our Church. We are blessed to be able to go to mass every Sunday and receive His Body and Blood.

Family Kindness and Sharing

Activity 1:

On slips of paper, write random acts of kindness, such as: • Give a compliment. • Do someone else’s chores. • Help someone that has not asked for help. • Play a game with your younger sibling.

Present each family member with two slips of paper. Use the first one to write down what they propose to do for another family member each morning of the Triduum. Invite each family member to perform the kindness without seeking recognition.

With the second piece of paper, have each family member write their name at the top. Then pass the papers to the right. As each family member gets a new paper, they need to think of the nicest thing they could say about the family member whose name is on the

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top of the paper and write it down. When each family member gets their own paper back, share as a family what everyone has written.

Pray with one another that your kindnesses will be passed on throughout the Triduum and beyond.

Retelling the Easter story is a great way to relate the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist and when Jesus gave it to us. The story of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday is particularly relevant as it is when Jesus instituted the sacrament.

Activity 2:

Play barefoot in the grass (in a space free of ouches, of course). When the kids are good and dirty and ready for a break, get their muddy footprints on white paper and sit down to read the story of the Last Supper on page 31. Talk about the way Jesus served his disciples out of love.

• Have a special meal tonight that includes bread/wine (grape juice for the younger children).

• At dinner, share your experience of the Eucharist and what it means to you with your children. 

• Invite your older children to share with your younger children their experience of their 1st Communion.

Before or after the meal, wash each other’s feet. When you are done, discuss the following questions:   The Washing of the Disciples Feet

• What would it feel like for Jesus to wash your feet?

• How would you respond? Would you say something similar to Peter?

• How has Jesus shown His love for you?

• How can you show your love to others?

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Pray as a family:

Jesus,

You showed us how much you love us

and taught us to love You, ourselves, and one another.  

We pray that all people

may live together joyously,

giving and receiving love. 

In your Holy Name,

AMEN. (A prayer from “Building Faith”)

F U T U R E E N D E AV O R S - Create a scrapbook or photo album from past Easters.

No need for fancy craft supplies. Decorate the pages with pictures, ticket stubs, maps, postcards, brochures, and any other mementos you can find.

Tomorrow, we con=nue our journey together into “The Life of Jesus” with First Holy Communion-Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ.

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The Last Supper

(by Sharla Guenther)

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples asked Jesus, "Where would you like us to plan for you to eat the Passover feast?"  Jesus replied to them, "Go into the city and you will find a man. Tell him that we would like to come to his house for Passover." First of all, what is the Feast of Unleavened Bread? What is the Passover? These are actually the same things. The Jews celebrated the Passover ever since the time of Moses, when the Lord saved all the Israelite babies.  This was when the Lord 'passed over' their houses, and they were kept safe.  This is another big story your teacher will have to tell you another time. During the time of the Passover celebrations, the people didn't eat or have any bread in their homes with yeast in it.  Yeast is what makes the bread all big and puffy.  Without yeast, the bread is flat and that is called unleavened bread.  Now back to the story. The disciples did just as Jesus asked, and they found a place and got ready for the Passover. The evening came, and Jesus and the twelve disciples sat to eat the meal.  The disciples were eating quietly because they had a lot on their minds.  They were worried. Some people wanted to kill Jesus since he was getting so popular. Jesus could see the disciples were worried.  He said to them quietly, "I tell you the truth, one of you here will betray me."  The disciples looked at each other in shock, and some of them asked Jesus, "It isn't me, is it Lord?" Jesus replied, "The one who dips his bread into the bowl with me will betray me.  I will die, just as it is written, but the man who betrays me will feel sorry forever. Then Judas, with his head down spoke quietly to Jesus, "It isn't me, is it?"  Jesus answered, "Yes, you are the one."  Judas' head went down even lower; he had hoped that the other disciples had not heard what Jesus said.  Luckily, they were paying more attention to Jesus breaking apart some bread.

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He thanked God for the bread and shared it with the disciples and said, "Take this and eat it.  This is my body which is given for you".  Then He took a full cup, thanked God for it and said, "This is my blood, which will be poured out for many people so their sins may be forgiven."  They all took a sip from the cup. The meal continued after this; it was a long celebration.  The disciples took their time because they enjoyed talking with Jesus and asking Him questions.  (Just like when you go out to eat with your parents and their friends, sometimes they seem to talk forever, and you just want to go home...). After some time, Jesus got up from the table and went to a different part of the room.  He took off his everyday clothes and put a large towel around himself to look like a servant.  After that, he poured water into a large bowl and began to wash the disciples' feet.  Then dried them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. First of all, Jesus is like a King - but even greater than a king: He's the King of Kings!  By washing the disciple’s feet, He was doing something that only a servant would do.  This would be like if someone famous came to your house and started to clean your room -- even getting down on their hands and knees to clean under your bed!  It probably would never happen. When it was Peter's turn to get his feet cleaned, he said to Jesus, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"  Jesus replied, "You don't understand what I am doing, but you will later."   "No," said Peter, "you will never wash my feet."  He said this because he didn't feel right having Jesus wash his feet.  He knew Jesus was very special. Jesus replied back to him, "If I don't wash your feet, you cannot be with me."   "Then, Lord," Peter replied, "don't just wash my feet but my hands and head too."  Jesus then explained that He only needed to wash his feet; and that, this would make his whole body clean. When Jesus had finished washing all of the disciples' feet, he put his everyday clothes back on and returned to the table.  "Do you understand what I have done for you?"  Jesus asked them.  "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and that is who I am.  And now that I have washed your feet, you can also wash one another's feet."   This is an example of how you should treat others.  You don't have to actually wash other people's feet, but doing nice things for others and acting like a servant for Jesus, that is what He wants you to do.  If you do these things, Jesus will bless you.

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DAY 5: FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

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First Holy Communion

Now that we have traveled through the life of Jesus, it is time to talk about First Holy Communion.

Have the kids repeat after you

Opening Prayer:

God, our Father, we thank you for bringing us together today. Be with us / as we continue to prepare to receive Holy Communion. Bless all of those in the Church who are preparing to receive the Eucharist for the first time. We ask this / and all things in the name of Jesus Christ, who is Lord, forever and ever. Amen

Explain to the children that they are going to different activity centers today. Tell them that they can go around as a family or on their own. Describe the different activities you will be working on today and explain what needs to be done at each. Materials and Preparation Materials Needed:

• a Bible, a candle, and other items to create a prayer space

• markers

• pens and pencils

• materials for each activity center

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• a basket or decorative box for family activity cards

Activities Painting At this station, families will be asked to take part in creating a mural collage of the Body of Christ in the parish.

Materials Needed:

• 8½-x-11-inch blank drawing paper

• markers

• poster paints and paint brushes

• glue

• tape

• drop cloths or newspaper for the floor

• paper towels

• smocks or oversized shirts for the children

• variety of decorative elements (lace, sequins, yarn, cotton, buttons, etc.)

Choose a large wall or floor space for this activity and place the picture of the Holy Family (on page 38) in the center of the space. Ask each family member to recreate the picture on an 8½-x-11-inch piece of paper and identify themselves on the drawing. Do they identify more with Joseph, the father, Mary, the mother, or Jesus, the son? Invite them to use the materials provided to add to their drawings. When everyone is done, talk about who each family member can identify with. Pray an “Our Father” together and find a place to hang all the drawings.

Worship At this station, families will learn and identify articles used in the Eucharistic liturgy.

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Materials Needed:

• index cards with numbers and with the name of each of the liturgical items on the “Liturgical Items List” for each family member (list on page 39)

• the actual liturgical items (or photos of them on page 40, cut apart) for each family member

Give each family member index cards with numbers and names for each of the liturgical items. Ask them to identify each of the liturgical items’ pictures on display by putting the number/name index card next to the item. Have the answers ready, (page 41) so the family can check their answers and, if they wish, go back and make corrections.

Prayer Here, families will pray together.

Materials Needed:

• Stuffed Animal (preferably a bear)

• List of questions below

Have the family all sit in a circle. Hand the prayer (bear, cross, or whatever you are using) to one family member. Have each family member answer these prayer requests:

• Something to praise God for..

o Pass to the next member until it comes back to the first.

• Something to thank God for…

o Pass to the next member until it comes back to the first.

• Something for which they would like to ask for God’s help…

o Pass to the next member until it comes back to the first.

• Something they would like to say sorry about…

o Pass to the next member until it comes back to the first.

Now pray together as a family for all your prayers to be answered.

Bread: Here we will bake bread together as a family and talk about the Eucharist.

Ingredients Needed:

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For Unleavened Bread: Makes about 12 pieces. *note*- this is not meant to be actual communion bread, just a fun recipe to try at home with your kids.

• 1 cup cold water

• 2 Tbs vegetable oil

• 8 Tbs honey

• 1 1/2 tsp salt

• 3 tbs softened butter

• 1 egg

• 5 cups flour (we used white)

• Copy of the recipe on page 42-43

The Making of Communion Bread is an awesome video that not only demonstrates how hosts are made but explains what the Eucharist means to us.  A Passionist nun of Erlanger, Kentucky is our guide for this brief ten-minute video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryL3xLPAPqk&t=18

Now, as a family, bake bread together that you can share with one another at dinner this evening. Follow the recipe on pages 41-42.

After the bread is baked, join together in prayer¬

God our Father,

we thank you for this special time together

to celebrate your love and celebrate each other.

We ask you to continue to guide us

as we prepare for the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Help us always to celebrate

the gifts you have given us to share with one another.

We ask for your blessings

on all of those at home

throughout the world

who are preparing for First Eucharist.

Send us the Holy Spirit

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to help us follow Jesus every day.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Parents, please bless your children by tracing the Sign of the Cross on your child’s forehead with your thumb. Then have your children bless you, their

parents, by tracing the Sign of the Cross on your foreheads with their thumb.

End the day and the retreat week with the Sign of the Cross.

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Liturgical Items

Sacramentary

Altar

Chalice

Paten

Purificator

Lectionary

Tabernacle

Chasuble

Ambo

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Liturgical Items Answer Sheet

Altar

Ambo

Tabernacle

Chalice

Paten

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Purificator

Lectionary

Chasuble

Sacramentary

Unleavened Bread Recipe- Great Activity for First Communion

(Catholic Icing) Before I lose anyone- trust me… you can bake unleavened bread! It doesn’t involve any yeast or rising or anything! Seriously, you can’t mess it up.

Baking unleavened bread with your kids is a great activity for anytime you’re learning about the Last Supper or First Holy Communion.

In the picture above, the bread (and grapes).

Ingredients Needed for Unleavened Bread: Makes about 12 pieces. *note*- this is not meant to be actual communion bread, just a fun recipe to try at home with your kids.

▪ 1 cup cold water

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▪ 2 Tbs vegetable oil ▪ 8 Tbs honey ▪ 1 1/2 tsp salt ▪ 3 tbs softened butter ▪ 1 egg ▪ 5 cups flour (we used white)

Recipe for Unleavened Bread: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Mix all above ingredients except for the flour. Slowly add the flour. Knead until the bread is elastic.

Oil your hands, then shape balls of the dough in the same way that you shape hamburger patties. Ours were also about the same size as hamburger patties. Then poke holes in them with a fork.

Grease the pan, and place the bread on it. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown around the edge.

We served ours with grapes. These are the perfect addition to any Holy Thursday dinner. Kids are really capable of this mostly on their own, given the easy nature of the recipe. Don’t forget to actually teach them about the Last Supper when you do this.

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