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Use for personal reflection or as a way to engage in conversation as a family.

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Journaling is one of my favorite ways to pray. There have been many times when I've gone into adoration or the chapel, journal in hand, and sat in front of Jesus writing about everything that was on my heart. Perhaps one of my favorite aspects of keeping a prayer journal is being able to go back and reflect on past writings. Often, I am able to see how God has answered past prayers. I hope that these journal prompts help you to draw closer to Jesus during Holy Week, as we prepare our hearts for the holiest day of the year.

1. On the night before He died, Jesus washed the feet of the apostles. He said to them "If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do" (John 13:14-15).

What does it mean to wash one another's feet? Who are the people in your life whose feet you need to wash? Is there someone in your life who you know you should be helping, but are afraid to? How can you overcome this fear so that you are truly following Jesus' model?

2. As Jesus is suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prays to God, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39).

Is there something God's calling you to do that you are afraid of? How can you surrender yourself to God and trust in His plan for you? Sometimes, the things God asks of us seem impossible. He calls us to do things we never planned, or imagine. Let our prayer be like Jesus': "Yet not as I will, but as You will."

3. Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. Every time we sin we betray Jesus too. And every time we sin Jesus is waiting for us with open arms; he is waiting for us to turn away from sin and turn towards Him.

What area in your life do you need to turn away from in order that you might turn back towards God? Ask for God's grace to strengthen you in the face of temptations.

4. At the Last Supper, Peter says to Jesus, "Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You" (John 13:37). Yet, shortly after, in the face of adversity, Peter denies ever knowing Jesus.

How many times have we been like Peter-singing God's praises, and then, just as quickly, denying our Lord? Have there been times that you've denied Jesus? Have you ever been afraid of your Christian identity? What are you afraid of?

Jesus reminds us: "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great" (Matthew 5:11). Pray that God may give you a spirit of courage and love of God, so that even when it is difficult or unpopular, you never deny your Christian identity.

5. Jesus takes up His own cross and carries it out of love for us. We know that as disciples of Jesus, we too must carry our own crosses for Jesus says: "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24)

What cross are you carrying right now? Do you bear your cross with humility, remembering the sacrifice of Jesus? Or do you complain and focus on negativity? Have you asked God to help you carry your cross?

6. Mary stays by her Son's side throughout His suffering and death. It must have been excruciating for her to watch her only Son be humiliated, tortured, and killed. Yet, Mary remains loyal, loving, and steadfast.

Sometimes it can be difficult to watch another person, especially a person we love, endure suffering. It may be tempting to abandon them in the midst of their pain because it is so painful for us. Are there people in your life who are suffering right now? How can you be more like Mary to these people? Ask God for the courage to be loving and loyal, as Mary was, even when it breaks your heart.

7. Simon of Cyrene, an innocent bystander, was asked to help Jesus carry His cross. He must have been scared, reluctant even. He must have wondered why God had chosen him. Still, he succeeds in helping Jesus carry His cross.

It is easy to look at a stranger who is suffering and want to turn away- because helping them is inconvenient, or difficult, or painful, or perhaps it is embarrassing. But do we remember that every time we ignore that suffering person we are turning away from Jesus? How many times have we asked "Why me Lord?" instead of willingly being the hands and feet of God?

Have you ever avoided helping someone? Is there a person in your life whose cross God is asking you to help bear? How can you help them as a sister or brother, but not try to rescue them and fix all their problems (something they have to figure out on their own)?

8. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus cries these words just before His death on the cross. While God never abandoned His Son, Jesus, in His humanity, feels a sense of despair and abandonment as he is suffering.

Have you ever felt abandoned by God? When? How can the Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus help you to trust that, just as God had not abandoned Jesus, God will never abandon you?

9. Reflect on the words of St. Paul:

"'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

Because of Christ's sacrifice, we are one with Him again. What does Jesus' Passion, death, and resurrection mean to you? Are you aware that you are a beloved child of God? How will you live out the joy of the Gospel message? How can you share this message with others?

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9 Journal Prompts for Holy Week - LifeTeen.com for Catholic Youth

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Journaling is one of my favorite ways to pray. There have been many times when I've gone into adoration or the chapel, journal in hand, and sat in front of Jesus writing about everything that was on my heart. Perhaps one of my favorite aspects of keeping a prayer journal is being able to go back and reflect on past writings.

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Ideas for discussions and activities with all ages!

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Bring the Easter story to life for your kids through one amazing download and four easy-to-use, age-appropriate activities:

Walking Through Holy Week

Focus on the Family's free Easter activity kit retraces the events of Jesus' final days on earth, helping kids learn more about Christ's sacrifice and victory over death. This free kit includes craft ideas, recipes, puzzles, eight days of faith-based activities and object lessons, and easy-to-follow instructions for an authentic Passover meal.
-T.F. Edwords
The Easter Story Scramble

Once my two older kids could read, their grandparents wrote key events from Jesus' life on 10 slips of paper - from His birth to His ascension - and put them in plastic eggs, along with candy, coins or snack crackers. After the kids found the eggs, they worked together to put the story in order so it could be read. It extended their time of fun and helped them focus on the reason for the celebration. (Find these slips for your Easter egg hunt at FocusOnTheFamily.com/Easter!)
-Sharie Thoelke with Joyce K. Ellis
Preschool Activity

Retell and celebrate the Resurrection story with your child by creating a preschool version of "Resurrection eggs." Gather six plastic eggs, each a different color. Place the following items inside, one item per egg: breadcrumb, paper cross, strip of cloth, rock and piece of candy. One egg will remain empty. As you tell the Resurrection story, let your child open the eggs. Explain each item in the following order:

1. Bread crumb: Jesus ate dinner with His friends. (Luke22:14-15)

2. Cross: The next day, Jesus died on the Cross. (John19:17-18)

3. Strip of cloth: He was wrapped in cloth and placed in a tomb.

(John 19:40)

4. Rock: A stone was placed in front of the tomb. (Matthew27:59-60)

5. Empty egg: Jesus' friends came to the tomb and saw the stone had been moved. The tomb was empty! (Luke 24:1-3)

6. Candy: Jesus is alive. That's the sweet surprise of Easter. (Matthew 28:5-6)

Once you've finished sharing the Resurrection story with your child, encourage her to use the eggs to tell the story in her own words.

- Becky Baudouin

School-age Activity

Use this activity to help your kids understand that Christ's resurrection means that we can have eternal life!

Lay a skein of yarn on a table and pull 2 inches of yarn from one end. Ask your child to slowly pull on this piece, and when she has pulled out about an arm's length of yarn, snip it off with scissors. Tell your kids that this piece of yarn has a beginning and an end, just like our lives here on earth.

Take the snipped piece of yarn and tie it back onto the skein, explaining that, through Christ, we are free to live with God forever. When Jesus died and rose again, He gave us eternal life. Although our time on earth will come to an end, our life with God will go on and on forever. Celebrate the power of the Resurrection by allowing your kids to pull freely on the piece of yarn and run with it as it unravels from the skein. Let them run out of the room! Up the stairs!

Pray together, thanking God for sending His Son and welcoming us into eternal life with Him.

Tween Activity

To teach your tweens about the forgiving power of Christ's resurrection, try this activity. First, put on an old, white T-shirt. Then discuss what sin is by asking your tweens to share some examples, such as lying or envy. Invite them to use permanent markers to write their examples on the shirt.

Explain that our sins create a rift in our relationship with God and keep us from experiencing His love. To be reconciled with God, we need to get rid of the sin that separates us. Ask for ideas on how to remove the marker stains from the shirt. If the kids suggest washing it, try scrubbing it in the sink. Let them see that the stains are permanent. Also note how the "sins" can't be hidden, even if the shirt is turned inside out.

Ask: "If we can't remove our own sin, who can help us?" Guide your tweens toward understanding that only Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has the power to get rid of our sins. Take the old, dirty shirt and place it in a trash bag near a Bible or a cross, where you've also set anew, clean white shirt. As you put on the clean shirt, talk about how Christ takes away our sin and gives us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
-Jeannie Vogel
Time With Your Teen

The thrill of driving, the freedom to ignore homework, the delight of staying on the computer all night long-teens love to assert their independence. They hold tight to a "my way is the best way" attitude that influences the choices they make during these formative years. Sometimes that attitude protects them from peer pressure; other times it drives them to settle for less than God's best.

Could the power of the Resurrection and the hope of eternity actually make a difference for a teen who is torn between choosing God's will and doing his own thing?

As parents, we get to be the voice reminding teens that pleasing Christ is better than pleasing self. Living with an eternal perspective can help them see that the joy of living forever in God's presence far outweighs the momentary satisfaction of getting their own way.

The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to strengthen our teens to make wise choices today (Romans 8:11-14). Ask your teen about choices she's watched her friends make that were not pleasing to God. Were there any disappointing consequences? Ask your teen if his friends have shared stories about decisions they regret. Share honestly about your own teenage choices to either choose God's best or have things your way.

Now remind your teen that God has provided all she needs to live a life pleasing to Him-both now and forever (2 Peter 1:3). Encourage your teen to trust God for the strength to do His will, and pray that the hope of eternity will empower her to choose wisely (Colossians 1:10-12).
-T.F. Edwords
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:
"Why Easter Matters" by Tony Evans "Finding Easter in Bunnies and Baskets" by Kim Wier Subscribe to Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine Focus on the Family magazine

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Holy Week and Easter Activities for the Whole Family

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Bring the Easter story to life for your kids through one amazing download and four easy-to-use, age-appropriate activities: Focus on the Family's free Easter activity kit retraces the events of Jesus' final days on earth, helping kids learn more about Christ's sacrifice and victory over death.

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Good Friday: The Meaning of the Cross-Fr. Mike Schmitz

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Good Friday: The Meaning of the Cross-Fr. Mike Schmitz

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The Role of Hope in Holy Week-Fr. Mike Schmitz

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The Role of Hope in Holy Week-Fr. Mike Schmitz

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Loads of Holy Week Activities for use at home!

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I find it strangely ironic that, as catechists, we have always expressed a desire for parents to be more involved in their children's faith formation and now, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have been thrust into this role. The problem is, parents can feel as though they've been thrown into the deep end of the pool unless we provide them with the support they need and deserve to form their children in faith.

One such example is on our doorstep right now: the coming of Holy Week, which is the most solemn time of the year for Christians. Under normal circumstances, we catechists would be encouraging our students to participate fully in Palm Sunday and the Triduum and providing them with catechesis to prepare them for the experience. Since we won't be able to celebrate these holy days with our parish communities this year, we need to encourage families to learn about and mark the days of Holy Week in special ways at home. With that in mind, I'd like to draw your attention to the following resources that can assist and support parents in observing Holy Week with their families at home.

Finally, a few books to consider for Holy Week:

Seek & Find Bible-Explore the Bible with small children through this whimsically illustrated book.

Loyola Kids Book of Bible Stories-Read with older children the chapters about Jesus' final week before the Resurrection. The stories include questions for reflection and short prayers to pray together. (Also available as an eBook.)

Station to Station-Take an Ignatian journey through the Stations of the Cross with Gary Jansen's book. (Also available as an eBook.)

Let's partner with parents to bring the experience of Holy Week to Catholic homes during this challenging time.

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I find it strangely ironic that, as catechists, we have always expressed a desire for parents to be more involved in their children's faith formation and now, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have been thrust into this role.

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The Corporal Works of Mercy- Practical Ideas BLANK

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Corporal Works of Mercy | Catholic Central

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Educational Videos for Students (Cartoons on Bullying, Leadership & More)

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Mother Teresa (Biography for Children) Youtube for Kids (Women's  History Month)

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Read the St. Patrick prayer, cut it out and paste onto construction paper. Have students illustrate something they will bind themselves to.

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Copy and paste the prayer into a word document. Number each section, print it out, and then cut it into sections to distribute to your students. If you have time, include the last line of the preceding stanza in each section.

For example:

Have them draw a picture on the back of their paper of one of the things in the prayer that they will bind themselves to today.

The Creator of the Universe.

In the obedience of angels,

In prayers of Patriarchs,

In predictions of Prophets,

In preaching of Apostles,

In purity of holy Virgins,

In deeds of righteous men.

The brightness of the moon,

The flashing of lightning,

The compactness of rocks.

God's Shield to shelter me,

Against the snares of demons,

Against the seductions of vices,

Against the lusts of nature,

Whether few or with many.

Against the deceits of idolatry,

Christ in the chariot seat,

The Creator of the Universe."

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Saint Patrick's Breastplate Prayer Activity

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Copy and paste the prayer into a word document. Number each section, print it out, and then cut it into sections to distribute to your students. If you have time, include the last line of the preceding stanza in each section.

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Catholic Community of Ascension and St Augustine

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The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit Explained

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Summarizes each lesson of unit 5.

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Different activities for reflection and discussion to go along with the information presented in Unit 5.

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Summarizes the material covered in unit 5 and offers additional activities for use at home.

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Love is Patient...The Theological Virtues 

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Love is Patient...The Theological Virtues 

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"Love Is Patient and Kind" - 1 Corinthians 13 (Bible Animation) | Logos Bible Software

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Catholic News | March 13

Kevin Nelson reports on Catholic news.

Pope Francis held his general audience during a live broadcast from the library of the Apostolic Palace

Pope prays for those affected by coronavirus pandemic and people in Syria who are suffering on the border of Greece and Turkey

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis profoundly saddened about Abortion Provider Appreciation Day

Pope Francis entrusted to Jesus' mother the suffering and anguish of millions of people affected by the coronavirus pandemic

Colorado senate has voted to replace Columbus Day, a federal holiday, and instead create a day to honor Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the patron of immigrants

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The RosaryPray the mysteries of the rosary with Bishop Robert Reed each day of the week in beautiful Catholic locations around the world.Episodes featuring Cardinal Sean O'Malley and Archbishop Robert Carlson also air as part of The Rosary on CatholicTV.Watch:Sundays 3am, 9:30am, 6:30pm (glorious mysteries)Mondays 3am, 10am, 6:30pm (joyful mysteries)Tuesdays 3am, 10am, 6:30pm (sorrowful mysteries)Wednesdays 3am, 10am, 6:30pm (glorious mysteries)Thursdays 3am, 10am, 6:30pm (luminous mysteries)Fridays 3am, 10am, 6:30pm (sorrowful mysteries)Saturdays 3am, 10am, 6:30pm (joyful mysteries)all times

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Watch the Mass on Catholic TV from your computer or check your local cable listings for times

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We Are America's Catholic Television Network® CatholicTV is a beacon of Hope and a unique Herald of the simple, yet profound Message of Jesus Christ.

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Catholic Signs and Symbols Matching Game 

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Catholic Signs and Symbols Matching Game 

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Play a fun game matching pictures of Catholic signs and symbols with the words that describe them. Challenge your family or classmates to see who can match all the pairs fastest.

Learn more about the signs and symbols of our faith by reading Loyola Kids Book of Catholic Signs & Symbols by Amy Welborn. All the images in this game -- as well as full explanations of what they signify -- can be found in that book.

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Catholic Signs and Symbols Matching Game | Loyola Press

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Play a fun online game matching pictures of Catholic signs and symbols with the words that describe them.

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Looking for information for Catholic teens? Find Catholic information for teens and other Catholic teen resources at Loyola Press.

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This Sunday's Readings

First Reading
Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
(or the first reading from Cycle A: Sirach 3:2-7,12-14)
God fulfills his promise to Abraham, and Sarah gives birth to a son.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 105:1-6,8-9 (or the psalm from Cycle A: Psalm 128:1-5)
A prayer of thanksgiving to God for his faithfulness to his covenant.

Second Reading
Hebrews 11:8,11-12,17-19 (or the second reading from Cycle A: Colossians 3:12-21)
Paul examines Abraham's example of faith.

Gospel Reading
Luke 2:22-40 (or shorter form: Luke 2:22,39-40)
Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the Temple in accordance with the Law of Moses.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family. This celebration is assigned to the Sunday within the octave of Christmas. The Gospel for today is taken from the Gospel according to Luke and is part of Luke's Infancy Narrative.

Today's Gospel describes the presentation of the child Jesus in the Temple and shows Joseph and Mary as devout Jews, following the prescriptions of the Law of Moses. The Gospel alludes to several aspects of the Law of Moses: circumcision, the dedication of the firstborn son to the Lord, and the purification of a woman after childbirth.

According to the Law of Moses as presented in the Book of Leviticus, a woman was considered ritually unclean during her menstrual period and for a prescribed period of time following the birth of a child. After the birth of a son, a woman was considered ritually unclean for 40 days. After the birth of a daughter, a woman was considered unclean for 80 days. In order to be restored to ritual purity, a Jewish woman performed the appropriate rites of purification and made the prescribed ritual offering.

Today's Gospel notes that Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, in accordance with the Mosaic Law. At that time, he was called Jesus, the name he was given by the angel Gabriel. On the 40th day after Jesus' birth, Mary performed the appropriate purification rites and made her offering at the Temple. Although the Law of Moses required an offering of a lamb, those who could not afford a lamb could substitute two turtledoves or two pigeons. In this scene, Luke identifies Joseph and Mary as being poor, and indeed throughout Luke's Gospel, Jesus will show special concern for the poor.

Another Jewish rite referenced in this Gospel is the dedication of the firstborn son to the Lord. In remembrance of the feast of Passover, when the firstborn children of the Israelites in Egypt were saved from death, the Law of Moses prescribed that all firstborn males of Israel should be consecrated to the Lord. In this tradition, Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem.

In Jerusalem, Luke reports that Mary and Joseph encounter two devout Jews, Simeon and Anna, who recognize the infant Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel's hope for redemption. In Simeon's words we find a prediction of Mary's witnessing of Jesus' death on the cross. The Canticle of Simeon, also called by its Latin name, Nunc Dimitis, is prayed at night prayer, or compline, during the Liturgy of the Hours.

Gospel Reading
Luke 2:22-40 (or shorter form: Luke 2:22,39-40)
Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the Temple in accordance with the Law of Moses.
Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3)
Families are most important in the general development of young children, and this is no less true for their growth in faith. In the family of Jesus we find a model of what it means to be a family of faith.
Materials Needed Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Say: We know that Jesus learned many important things from his family. Joseph was a carpenter, and Jesus probably learned from Joseph how to make things out of wood. What other things do you think that Jesus might have learned from Joseph? (Accept all reasonable answers.)What might Jesus have learned from his mother, Mary? (Accept all reasonable answers.) Today's Gospel tells us about another important thing that Jesus learned from his parents.

2. Read today's Gospel in its shorter form, Luke 2:22,39-40.

3. Say: Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to Jerusalem and presented him to the Lord. By doing this, they honored an important Jewish tradition. What do you think Jesus later learned from this? (That faith in God was important to his family.) What does our Gospel say happened next? (Mary and Joseph took Jesus home to Nazareth; Jesus grew up.)

4. Conclude in prayer together, thanking God for our families and asking God to bless our family. Invite each child to ask God to bless his or her family by saying, "God bless [the name of the family]." When everyone has finished their prayers of blessing, pray together the Glory Be to the Father.

Gospel Reading
Luke 2:22-40 (or shorter form: Luke 2:22,39-40)
Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the Temple in accordance with the Law of Moses.
Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6)
Our families have the primary role in teaching us about the traditions of our faith and how we express our faith. The family of Jesus is a model for Christian families in this important task.
Materials Needed Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Ask the group: What are some ways in which we express our faith in God? What do we do to show that we are Catholic? (daily prayer, reading Scripture, gathering for Mass, praying the Rosary) Ask: From whom did you learn the importance of these expressions of our faith? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

2. Invite one or more volunteers to read aloud today's Gospel, Luke 2:22-40.

3. Ask: What are Mary and Joseph doing in this reading? (They are honoring the traditions of their Jewish faith by bringing the infant Jesus to the Temple.) Why do you think it is important that we know this about Jesus' family? (It shows Jesus' family's faithfulness to their religious tradition; it shows that Jesus learned his faith from his family.) Are there ways that Catholic families express their faith that are similar to the way that Jesus' family expressed their faith? (bringing a child to church for Baptism, bringing children to weekly Mass, and so on)

4. Conclude in prayer together, asking God to bless and strengthen our families. Invite members of the group to offer their prayers for their families. Pray together today's psalm, Psalm 105, or pray the Lord's Prayer.

Gospel Reading
Luke 2:22-40 (or shorter form: Luke 2:22,39-40)
Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the Temple in accordance with the Law of Moses.
Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8)
Young people continue to be profoundly influenced by their family, even though at this age they often resist and deny this influence. We can invite young people to consider the importance of family and help them grow in appreciation for their family's influence.
Materials Needed Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Observe that neighbors, teachers, or acquaintances often know our family connections before we tell them any information about our brothers or sisters or parents. Ask the young people to think of a time when someone identified them based on family relationship, perhaps by asking something like the following: "Aren't you Jack's brother/sister?" "You are one of the Johnson children, right?" Ask: On what basis are people able to make these family connections? (family resemblances; similar mannerisms; shared family interests)

2. Invite one or more volunteers to read aloud Luke 2:22-40.

3. Ask: What are Mary and Joseph doing in this reading? (They are honoring the traditions of their Jewish faith by bringing the infant Jesus to the Temple.) What does this tell us about Mary and Joseph's influence on Jesus? (They raised Jesus to be faithful to their Jewish tradition; Jesus learned his faith from his family; their practice of the Jewish faith connected them with other people in their faith community.)

4. Conclude in prayer together, asking God to bless and strengthen our families. Pray together today's psalm, Psalm 105, or pray the Lord's Prayer.

Gospel Reading
Luke 2:22-40 (or shorter form: Luke 2:22,39-40)
Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the Temple in accordance with the Law of Moses.
Family Connection
Today's celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family highlights the importance of family in our religious life. We know that Mary and Joseph's faithfulness to God enabled them to cooperate in God's plan for our salvation by accepting the responsibility to raise God's Son, Jesus. From his parents, Jesus learned how to be a faithful believer in his Jewish tradition. Simeon's prophecy about Mary's sorrow alerts us to the importance of a family's commitment to one another, a commitment that is expressed in both good times and bad.

Gather as a family and recall times when your family showed its commitment to one another in good times and in bad. Recall times when your immediate family was supported by members of your extended family. Note that today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, and we see in the family of Jesus an example for our own family life. Read together today's Gospel, Luke 2:22-40. Joseph and Mary expressed their faithfulness to God through their observance of the Law of Moses. Simeon prophesied the grief that Mary would experience at the foot of Jesus' cross. One of the blessings of family life is our commitment to one another, sharing good times and supporting one another through difficult times. Conclude in prayer together thanking God for the grace expressed in your family's commitment to another. Write a prayer together, thanking God for your family life and asking God to strengthen your family's commitment to one another. Pray this prayer together.

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Our Sunday Connection will help you prepare for the Sunday readings at mass. Find information on Catholic Sunday readings at Loyola Press.