Transcription
THE ROAD TO EMMAUS
EMMAUS SUNDAY &BLUE SUNDAY (National Day of Prayer for Abused Children)Sunday, April 26, 2020MEMORY VERSE: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on theroad, while he was opening up the scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32OPENING PRAYER:Gather your family around your sacred prayer space. This can be any place where you and yourfamily can be together, quiet yourself and pray. Be sure to have a cross, a Bible, a picture of theresurrected Christ, and a candle. Remember, if you’re lighting a real candle to use proper safetypractices and blow out the candle when you’re finished praying! And since today is Emmaus Sunday(the third Sunday of the Easter Season), a WHITE or GOLD piece of fabric will finish your prayerspace off nicely. If you have some available, place a bread roll broken in half on a plate or napkin onyour prayer table.Open with the Sign of the Cross.Jesus, thank you for walking with useach and every day.Open our eyes to see youhere and everywhere we go. Amen.THEME INTRODUCTION: The third Sunday of Easter is known as Emmaus Sunday. This iswhen the risen Christ walks and talks with two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus but doesn’treveal himself to them until they break bread together at dinner. It reminds us of a time when perhapsyou looked ALL over for that special something.or someone.only to find it was right in front of youthe whole time?!? Somehow, we manage to miss the obvious; we simply cannot see it clearly at thatparticular moment! Has that happened to you before?If you have them available, before you read today’s Gospel, give everyone a pair of sunglasses towear. This should make it hard for everyone to “see.” If you don’t have sunglasses, some sort ofblindfold will work, as well. Do make sure someone is able to read. AcclamationListen and hear the Word of GodSpeaking to us in our hearts.Alleluia, alleluia,filling our world with love.A reading from the Gospel of St. LukeGOSPEL READING: Open your Bible and read Luke 24:13-35. Two discouraged disciples arejoined by Jesus on the road to Emmaus. They pour out their hearts to him, but they do not recognizehim. Jesus explains the Scriptures to them. It is only when Jesus takes bread, blesses it, breaks itand gives it to them that they recognize himThis is the Gospel of the Lord.Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection Questions:Spend a moment in silent reflection. Then invite family members to name those who were on a walktogether (two of Jesus’ disciples, extra credit if they remember the name Cleopas!).Where were they going? (to Emmaus)What were talking about. (all the things that had been happening)Then asked who joined them on the walk? (Jesus)Ask if the disciples knew Jesus was walking with them (no) and when did the disciples know they hadbeen walking with Jesus (when he blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to them). What does thisremind us of? (when we share Eucharist at Mass)Ask your family: Where/when do you recognize/see Jesus? Are there people in your life who help you recognize/see Jesus? Meals are important. What do you like about your family meals? How is Jesus with you duringyour family meals? Thinking back now, was there a time this past week that Jesus was close, but you missed himbecause you were too busy with other things or perhaps too upset or too angry?Remove your sunglasses or blindfolds. Isn’t it wonderful to “see!” This is what it’s like to see Jesus;everything is bright and crystal clear and beautiful! Remind your family that Jesus is walking with youall the time—in the hard times, like right now (give examples of hard things, such as not being able tosee friends or go to church or play on their sports team)—and in the good times, like right now, too(give examples of good things, such as having more family time, trying new recipes and spendingmore time outside). The sunglasses/blindfolds are a reminder to open your eyes to see the manyways Jesus is walking with us.Here are three simple ways to continue this week’s celebration.1. Today’s Gospel tells us that the disciples knew Jesus in the blessing, breaking and sharing of thebread. This would be a good week to renew or emphasize the practice of saying grace before andafter meals. Here is a simple Catholic blessing to say before eating:Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty,through Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Preceded and followed by the Sign of the Cross.)And after meals:We give you thanks for all your gifts, almighty God, living and reigning now and for everAmen. (Preceded and followed by the Sign of the Cross.)And a suggestion: Don’t be afraid to bless your food, and each other, in public!2. Cut out a heart and place it in the center of your kitchen or dining room table. At dinner eachnight, ask if anyone’s heart is burning with happiness and joy, just like the disciples! If so, invitethat person to hold the heart and share the reason for his or her happiness and joy. Familymembers can respond by saying, “We rejoice with you!”3. April has been a long and difficult month for many. This would be a good week to send familyecards or cards to your pastor and parish staff members, elderly family members, teachers andothers who come to mind. Simply say, “We just want to remind you—Jesus is walking with youtoday!” Use sidewalk chalk to put this message on your sidewalk, too! Trace family members’footprints all around the message.
EXTRA ACTIVITIES:CRAFTS: Using construction paper, pipe cleaners, large popsicle sticks and/or paint, makingsandals or footprints stating to Walk with Jesus. The pattern for the third craft is page 8 of the lessonplan.SNACKS:Graham crackers,green frosting(for the grass)and gummy bearsor Teddy grahamsas the disciplesand Jesus!Vanilla sandwichcookies andgummy wormsNATURE WALK: Take a walk with your family but this time TALK and pay attention to whatyour family members are saying. Take off your “blindfolds” and actually see what’s going on aroundyou. Use the Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt (page 9) to make it more exciting!VIDEO: h ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v YyTkL8MWtyo&t 75sSONG: “I Can See” by Steve Green h ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v cOHrapKFmIU (This is very avery beau)ful, medita)ve song so it is one to just sit and listen to. However, I recommend for Grades 4 and up and parents.)EXTRA! Here is an actual short on-line lesson plan from St. Mary’s Press!h p://resources.smp.org/Kno/CYB INT/Easter3A/?utm source SM&utm medium Email&utm campaign ELEM PAR 0420 E1Check out the website www.catholicicing.com for a great assortment of Emmaus Sundayactivities! If you haven’t signed up for this website newsletter, I highly recommend it!CONCLUSION: Oftentimes, we are blinded by the shiny things that surround us on a dailybasis.money, prestige, power, technology.and we often use these to help fill the holes ofemptiness in our lives. But, when we allow ourselves to take off the earthly blindfolds and are able tofinally see clearly, we know that Jesus truly walks side-by-side with us providing all the love, faith andhope we need to live a very fulfilled life!
BLUE SUNDAYNational Day of Prayer for Abused ChildrenThe last Sunday of April is known as Blue Sunday. It is the Sunday when churches take time to prayfor the victims of child abuse and for those who rescue them. This year, 2020, marks 26 years ofpraying for and helping abused children. The Blue Sunday prayer is included with this Sunday’slesson plan. Pray it together as a family.Blue pinwheels have become the national symbol for abuse prevention.Check out auntannie.com for easy instructions on how to make apinwheel. Place them out in your yard in support of Blue Sunday.Or if you have blue sidewalk chalk, draw some pinwheels on yoursidewalk or driveway. I have seen chalk drawings actually on home fencepanels, so if that’s something you’re not opposed to, those are moreeasily seen!To report suspected child abuse, contact 1-800-4-A-CHILD. Visit the BlueSunday website at bluesunday.org for more information/resources.For on-line computer activities, check out games.childrensbulletins.com (This is the activity sheet thechildren use each week in Faith Formation class.). Use the secret code ATEWX7 for children ages3-6 and secret code SVBSC4 for children ages 7-12. The secret code will change each week sowatch for the new code to access fun new games!After you’re done with your fun family faith activity(ies), please sure to finish up your EmmausSunday/Blue Sunday lesson plan with a Closing Prayer.CLOSING PRAYER:Begin with the Sign of the Cross.Read a line then have the rest of the family members repeat:Loving Father,open our eyes to your lovein the world and people around us,and make our heartsburn with faith and hope in you. Amen.See next page for upcoming Mass schedules.
And remember, even though we can’t go to Mass during this me,you can watch Mass on TV this Sunday together as a family!10 a.m. Mass with Fr. Eugene at Holy SpiritLive Streamed on our YouTube Channel at www.holyspiritcatholic.com10 a.m. Mass with Fr. Jesús Belmontes (Español) - Canal Univision 23Loca on: h7ps://www.youtube.com/dallascath11 a.m. Mass with Bishop Edward Burns and Auxiliary Bishop Greg Kelly (English)KDFW Fox Channel 4and12 noon Mass with Bishop Edward Burns and Auxiliary Bishop Greg Kelly (English)KDFI Channel 27 (rebroadcast)Loca on: St. Ann’s Catholic ParishEWTN—7 a.m. and 11 eekly Daily Mass Live Streamed with Fr. EugeneTuesday-Saturday at 9 a.m.And check out these great website for resources before Mass each Sunday for thereadings and Mass rg/readings
This can be any place where you and your family can be together, quiet yourself and pray. Be sure to have a cross, a Bible, a picture of the resurrected Christ, and a candle. Remember, if you're lighting a real candle to use proper safety practices and blow out the candle when you're finished praying! And since today is Emmaus Sunday
