Message to Catechists from Bishop Gregory

 

Classroom Resources for the Easter Season

Resources for the Easter Season from Loyola Press

"Easter celebrates Jesus being raised from the dead. The Resurrection is the central mystery of the Christian faith.

In order to properly celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection, the central feast of Christianity, the Church sets aside 50 days of joyful celebration. These 50 days from Easter to Pentecost are celebrated as one feast day, sometimes called “the great Sunday.” Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring."

Easter Lesson Plans

Easter Lesson Grades 1–3

Easter Lesson Grades 4–6

Easter Lesson Grades 7–8

Easter Activities for Children

Four Ways to Help Children Understand Easter, the Feast of Feasts

Ascension to Pentecost: The First Novena—Free Poster and Booklet

Eight Ways to Teach Ascension and Pentecost

Pentecost Activities

An Interview with Thomas

Easter Baskets for Children

Easter Celebration

Easter Greeting Cards

Group Role-Play of “The Disciples Bear Witness”

Imaginary Interviews

Messengers of Good News

Sharing the Gift of Peace

Song: We Know that Jesus Is Alive

Where Is Jesus?

Blackline Masters

These Easter-themed BLMs are from the Christ Our Life program.

Signs of New Life

Emmaus Play

An Easter Poem

Pentecost Puzzle

Pentecost Play

Webinar to Spiritually Inspire - The Pieta

 

If you visit St. Peter's basilica in Rome today, you will find the world's most famous statue of Mary and Jesus just inside the doors: Michelangelo's Pietà. Chances are high that you will only catch a brief glimpse of the sculpture, as it is housed behind bulletproof glass, roped off at a distance from crowds of viewers, and placed upon a pedastal. Next Sunday, using a virtual three-dimensional model, art historian Amy Giuliano will give you an insider's look at this Renaissance masterpiece. Michelangelo intended this devotional sculpture to bring us closer to Jesus and his mother—just in time for Holy Week, see the Pietà as never before. THE PIETÀ Entering into the Passion of Christ Sunday, April 10 8:00 pm ET / Pre-class discussion 30 minutes prior  REGISTER HERE

Hossana Sunday/ Passion Week Resources

 This short dramatization is best for grades 6-up. Two brothers goof off in church on Palm Sunday and one is miraculously transported into the Passion of Jesus! 

HOW TO MAKE PALM CROSSES- All Ages

LAST SUPPER CRAFT for Ages 5-10

Click here for the instructions and materials needed. 

WALK THROUGH HOLY WEEK Click here for a lesson plan.   You can change it to reflect our Maronite terminology for the days of Passion Week, and use the prayers (adapted and excerpted) from the Book of Offering for each of these days.  Adapt to the grade you catechize. 

Sunday of the Prodigal Son - Great Lent 2022

In this series of Great Lent 2022, Fr. Vince Farhat walks us through the Gospel of the Prodigal Son and the command of Christ to forgive. Fr. Vince give practical spiritual insights and anecdotes to help us strive to truly forgive one another.

3rd Sunday of Great Lent - reflection with Deacon Joseph Chebli

The Healing of the Hemorrhaging Woman is the gospel for the third Sunday of Great Lent in our Maronite Church.  Deacon Joe walks through the scene of this healing and offers points to consider, especially in our own life of faith and healing.  

Stations of the Cross for Children

Resources for praying the Stations of the Cross with your class or parish Maronite Christian Formation:

Stations for Children with a downloadable handout - click here -

Cardinal Timothy Dolan explains what the Stations are -click here -

An on-line slide show of the Stations - click here -