Young Family
Pray together with the bible
As we heard at our March sessions, there are so many ways to pray! The 5th and 6th graders prayed together using "Lectio Divina" or divine reading. This is a beautiful, prayerful approach to Scripture that we can use with younger children too. Here are simple directions for leading your family in this form of prayer.
Family Prayer intentions
How many times have I promised to pray for someone? When I hear about someone's illness or struggles or loss, it is easy to say that I will pray for them. But then do I remember to do so? There are many easy (and fun!) ways to help our families remember to pray for others and for intentions that are important to them.
1. Put a notebook in your prayer space or on your kitchen table. Whenever someone in your family is asked to pray for someone, they can write their name -- or draw a picture of them -- in the notebook. Or when a story in the news moves you to pray, this can be a place to write or draw about it. At prayer time, it can serve as a reminder of those people and things you want to pray for.
2. Craft a prayer box. Make slips of paper available to write or draw prayer intentions on and as they are completed, put them into the box. At prayer time, draw one or two out and pray for them. The box can be as simple as an inexpensive recipe box with index cards, or there are dozens of more creative ideas for making a prayer box on Pinterest and other sites.
3. Make a prayer calendar. Use any paper calendar to "schedule" days and times to pray for people and other intentions. Younger children can schedule their prayer by drawing or using stickers. As you keep track of birthdays, anniversaries and other special days, this can be a great reminder to lift people in prayer.
1. Put a notebook in your prayer space or on your kitchen table. Whenever someone in your family is asked to pray for someone, they can write their name -- or draw a picture of them -- in the notebook. Or when a story in the news moves you to pray, this can be a place to write or draw about it. At prayer time, it can serve as a reminder of those people and things you want to pray for.
2. Craft a prayer box. Make slips of paper available to write or draw prayer intentions on and as they are completed, put them into the box. At prayer time, draw one or two out and pray for them. The box can be as simple as an inexpensive recipe box with index cards, or there are dozens of more creative ideas for making a prayer box on Pinterest and other sites.
3. Make a prayer calendar. Use any paper calendar to "schedule" days and times to pray for people and other intentions. Younger children can schedule their prayer by drawing or using stickers. As you keep track of birthdays, anniversaries and other special days, this can be a great reminder to lift people in prayer.
blessings and family prayers
Parents, you can bless your children and each other any time. Did you know that? Click here to learn more about how we can make every moment and task of our day holy by praying over it and blessing each other.
What Do We do with our Palms from Palm Sunday?
On Palm Sunday, palm branches are distributed and blessed, and then we use them to participate in the procession at the beginning of Mass. Once we take them home, they dry out quickly. A compact and attractive way to preserve them for the coming year is to fold them into crosses. Go here for simple directions.
Celebrate Holy week as a family
Palm Sunday begins the holiest week of the Christian year. For a simple explanation of the days and ideas to celebrate them as a family, click here.
