PINTEREST PAGE Go to the St. Joes YFF Pinterest page to see more activities for the students: https://www.pinterest.com/Faithforkids/ coloring sheets, activities, crafts, music, prayers… There are boards on: Palm Sunday Stations of the Cross Holy Week: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday First Holy Communion Creating a Sacred Place in your home Music Prayer

E-newsletterApril8Easter Who is St. Mary

Magdalene?

Except, for Mary, the Mother of Jesus, few women are more honored in the Bible more than Mary Magdalene. Scripture introduces her as a “woman who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.” (Lk 8:2). She was a woman who was entirely consumed by sin until she meets Jesus and experiences the love and mercy of God. She is flooded with grace and in an instant was transformed by God’s love. Mary was present with Jesus during his public ministry, death and resurrection. Even when his Apostles abandoned him at the foot of the cross, she was present. In the Gospel reading on Easter Sunday, we hear the story of the Resurrection when Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body and finds the tomb empty. She runs to tell the Apostles who also find it empty. After the Apostles have left, Jesus appears to Mary while she is still at the tomb. Mary was so close to Jesus that he chose to appear to her before any other recorded witness. Why do you think this is? What does this say about God’s love and mercy?

Gotoourparishwebsiteathttps://stjoesmarion.org/ forimportantinformationonupdatesandwhatourparishisdoingatthistime.HolyThursdayMass(7pm)andGoodFridayService(12noon)willbesavedtowatchonthosedaysanytimebefore11pm.Don’tforgettojoinFr.DaveonWednesdaymorningsat8:15forChildren’sMass,onourparishyoutubechannel,https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCea9zWzYof4NpdRjirS5iBQ Gotohttps://stjoesmarion.org/yff toviewourE-newsletters!

Some ideas for the kids for Eas

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, one of the most significant moments of the Church year. During this week, we journey with Christ from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem to his final meal with his closest friends and ultimately to his death on the cross.

As we walk with Jesus through Holy Week, we call to mind the countless men, women and children who even today carry heavy crosses: crosses of hunger, of homelessness, of a lack of resources or security. In these brothers and sisters we encounter Christ, Christ who continues to walk that long road to Calvary.

This final week of Lent is a time, too, to reflect on those words of St. Paul to the Philippians. Jesus emptied himself for us; how might we empty ourselves for others? Our Lenten prayers, fasting and almsgiving have prepared us to wrestle with this question.

We must always remember that Holy Week gives way to Easter; the fast turns into a feast. God wins the day. As we prepare to celebrate Easter joy, it is our responsibility as members of God’s one human family to share that joy with everyone, near and far.

As we prepare during Holy Week to enter the Easter season, it’s important not to forget the final pillar to Lenten spirituality: almsgiving. -Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

KEEPTHINKINGOFOURELDERLYAsweknow,theelderlyinthecarecenterscannothavevisitorsatthistime.Tohelpcheertheirday,manywouldlovetoreceivecards,picturesorlettersfromthechildrenintheparish.DeaconJeffhasvolunteeredtotakethesetoourSt.JosephParishioners.Simply,takethemtotheparishofficeanddropthemthroughthemailslotandhewilltakeitfromthere.Weallappreciateeverythingyoudotohelpbrightenpeople’sday.

Since Mass is temporarily suspended and the parish office is closed we will not be collecting the Rice Bowl money at this time. Once Mass resumes we will let you know when the Rice Bowl collection will take place. Please do not drop the money off at the office at this time. Thank you for understanding.

Some Easter activities for the kids: Watch these videos: K-2 grade: HolyWeekandEasterexplainedwithLego,https://youtu.be/Jr04kOyAy283-5 grade:LegoEasterStory,https://youtu.be/-M8Yesnt1V86-8 grade (not for younger children): HeisRisen:Lego,https://youtu.be/q90twCcjg0g Prayers: JellyBeanPrayer,https://catholicsprouts.com/jelly-bean-prayer-free-tags-for-easter/K-3 grades Stations of the Cross, https://www.pinterest.com/Faithforkids/holy-weekeaster/k-3-grade-stations-of-the-cross/4-6: See attachment 7/8 grades: Busted Halo virtual stations, https://bustedhalo.com/video/virtual-stations-of-the-cross Song: Easter Song: Remember Me, https://youtu.be/nhFBX5ZSySo In Christ Alone: Kristian Stanfill, https://youtu.be/gMixnWehee0 Gethsemane, https://youtu.be/M-0JhXQNBhI Activities: (see Pinterest board) Easter Bingo for younger kids Resurrection Story Stones

EasterBlessings!Judy.JoAnn,Becky