Good Friday provides a wonderful opportunity to spend some time in silence with your teen. Since we live in a world of high activity, constant sound, and saturation of images, try to find a place of solitude - a park, a room apart, a church.
Read the Passion of Jesus, John, Chapter 19.
Reflection:
Why did Jesus have to die such a cruel death? When did he know he was to be crucified? How did the crowd react? How would I react? What does the word "sacrifice" mean? How do I sacrifice time and talent for God?
End this time with the prayer Jesus taught us: Our Father....
Adapted from Holidays, Holy Days, and Other Big Days for Youth Abingdon Press
FAMILY VIDEO CLIP: The Creed
On Holy Saturday, the Church welcomes new members into the community. In their process of preparation, they study our Creed. As you reflect on the celebration of Easter, take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the basic meaning of the phrases of our creed with this entertaining and informative video clip featuring the nationally known speaker, Bob Rice: Bob Rice Explain the Creed.
WATCH IT: Palm Sunday
Watch two teens discover the meaning of Palm Sunday (it was April 14 this year) in this award winning short from Spirit Juice.
BE OF SERVICE: Gift a Birdhouse
Cheer up the lives of some of your community's homebound or elderly with a gift of a free birdhouse. Contact your local home warehouse store (like Home Depot, Lowes, or Mendards) and see if they might have some materials they would be willing to donate. (Some stores even offer free classes with materials for building birdhouses). For simple directions for a one-board birdhouse, go here. Use your creativity to paint or decorate your birdhouse and give it to an elderly neighbor or donate to a nursing home garden.
