CALENDAR
All of these calendars are great for keeping track of Lent:
- Kids Lent Calendar Coloring Page - TheCatholicKid.com
- Lenten Calendar for Children – The Kids' Bulletin (thekidsbulletin.com)
- Never the Same Thing Twice: February 2013 (neversamethingtwice.blogspot.com)
- https://thekidsbulletin.com/lent-calendar/
- https://go.sadlier.com/religion/lenten-calendar (This one requires a download).
40 Ideas for 40 Days:
- Lots of great ideas here: https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/resources/40-ideas-for-40-days/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=The+Mass+and+a+Lent+Preview%3A+Catholic+Faith+Formation+Newsletter&utm_campaign=cff-jan22-6709
- Make a Lenten paper chain. Cut purple construction paper into 40 strips. On each strip, write a prayer intention. Staple the strips into circles and create a chain. Each day of Lent, remove a strip from the chain and center your prayer on the intention contained therein.
- From Catholic Sprouts: 40 Faith-Building Lenten Activities - Catholic Sprouts
- Realistic Family Activities: Realistic Family Activities for Lent - Ask Mama MOE
- Scroll to the bottom to access this resource: https://www.reallifeathome.com/40-lenten-activities-for-catholic-families/
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
- (For adults) What are the Stations of the Cross?: Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf2Vk7E8LwA
- (For families) Watch the Stations of the Cross: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY2hcqxh7IA&t=233s
- Attend Stations of the Cross at SMM at least once during Lent. The schedule can be found in the Bulletin or church website.
- Print out the Stations of the Cross and make them into standing, 3-D Displays: https://www.catholicicing.com/printable-stations-of-the-cross-craft-for-kids/
- Play Stations of the Cross Board Game: https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/275132/_catholicmom/Lesson%20Plans/stations_ffg.pdf
- Make a Stations of the Cross booklet: http://rschurchlady.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html
- Create a Stations of the Cross Scavenger Hunt: Make the traditional Stations of the Cross more interactive for children by organizing a scavenger hunt. Create stations representing the key moments of Christ’s journey to the cross, placing visual cues or items at each station. Provide a list of clues or scriptures guiding the family from one station to the next
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
- Set aside time every day for Family Prayer. You may choose to make a Lenten Prayer or Prayer Corner. Put out a Bible, a picture of Jesus’ Passion and/or the Last Supper, and some other decoration that reminds you of Lent (maybe a crown of thorns, palm branches, or dry twigs). Pray around the Lenten Prayer Table.
- Pray every day for the 16 St. Margaret Mary parishioners who will become Catholic this Holy Saturday.
- Make rosaries. There are many tutorials, this is an easy one: https://www.catholicicing.com/how-to-make-a-rosary-with-kids/. Once you make the rosaries, pray the rosary! Learn how here: https://www.usccb.org/how-to-pray-the-rosary.
- Go to Reconciliation as a family at least once during Lent. The schedule can be found in the Bulletin or church website.
- Work on a Family Lenten Candles Activity: https://thelittlesandme.com/lenten-candles-family-activity/?epik=dj0yJnU9WHVPZ0JQVGdiQWFab25VbDFWS3hKVFVsbWFmaDZXRnUmcD0wJm49WU1ITUE0dGpyZHNORGNyQ0g2aWRNUSZ0PUFBQUFBR0FaY2Rr
- Crown of Thorns: Make a crown of thorns out of clay {or play dough} and toothpicks (or small pieces of dry spaghetti). Every time someone in the family does a good deed, take out one of the thorns. Try to remove all the thorns before the end of Lent.
- Jelly Bean Jar: Start a jelly bean jar. Choose certain actions you’ll do as a family every day during Lent. Whenever someone does one of these things, put a jelly bean in the jar. Collect as many jelly beans as possible before Easter!
- Set up an almsgiving box– you simply set out a box, and take 1 thing from your own pantry every day of Lent. At the end of Lent, take the box to a food pantry.
- Plant a Lenten Garden: Symbolize growth and renewal by planting a Lenten garden as a family. Choose seeds or small plants that can be nurtured and cultivated throughout the season. As you care for the garden, discuss the parallels between the growth of the plants and the spiritual growth experienced during Lent.
- Plan a Family Retreat Day: Designate a weekend day during Lent for a family retreat. This doesn’t necessarily mean leaving home; it could be a day of unplugging from technology, focusing on prayer and reflection, and engaging in activities that strengthen the family’s spiritual connection. Plan simple devotional exercises, share meals, and spend quality time together, creating an environment conducive to spiritual growth and familial bonding.
- Commit to reading the Bible (even if it’s a Children’s version) every day together as a family.
- Make a Lent Wreath: wee little miracles: An Idea for Your Family This Lent
- Learn about a new Saint every day. Here are some good places to start: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/ or https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints.html. You can also utilize a book about saints.
- Memorize a prayer (or prayers) that you didn’t already know. The Act of Contrition is a good choice. You can also work on the Nicene Creed (which will be recited at our Masses during Lent) or the Morning Offering. The text for common prayers can be found here : https://www.catholic.com/tract/common-catholic-prayers
- Spend some time at Adoration. The Chapel of Reservation, to the right of the Altar, is usually open for prayer. Formal Adoration is held the First Friday of every month in the Chapel. Come for some quiet time of prayer and peace with Jesus.
HOLY WEEK
- Attend Stations of the Cross, Holy Thursday mass and/or Holy Friday services.
- Fold your Palm into a Cross: https://teachingcatholickids.com/how-to-fold-a-palm-cross/
- Fold your Palm into other shapes: 10 Things To Do With Palms From Palm Sunday (catholicicing.com)
- Make your own Resurrection Eggs: https://www.familyfaithbuilders.org/diy-resurrection-eggs/
- Make Hot Cross Buns: https://www.thekitchn.com/heres-why-we-eat-hot-cross-buns-at-easter-holiday-traditions-at-the-kitchn-217463
- Make an Easter Story Wreath: http://www.weelittlemiracles.com/2012/04/make-easter-story-wreath-free.html
- Have a Family Last Supper: How To Have a Family Last Supper During Easter Week - So Festive!
- Attend Easter Sunday Mass or the Easter Vigil! Check the bulletin and church website for mass times.