Category: At Home Review

"At Home Review" - 9th Week in OT

5/30/2021

Scripture: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26
Next Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, often referred to as Corpus Christi. In the Alleluia verse next Sunday we will hear from John 6: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever." The Eucharist is a great gift to us. It is also a great mystery. In the Eucharist Jesus is truly present with us, yet still hidden by the signs of bread and wine. Write the Alleluia verse from John and then draw an image of this great mystery.

Level II (1st-2nd)
The Eucharist

We have pondered the great gift of the Eucharist in so many ways in the Atrium. Draw at least four materials which have helped you to think about the Eucharist, this way in which Jesus has chosen to remain with all people of all times. Has the Good Shepherd material helped us to ponder this truth? How about the True Vine? What about the model altar or the gestures altar? Do you remember the Cenacle material? Perhaps you would like to choose four of the works I have listed here or maybe you can think of another way by which you have been helped to ponder the Eucharist in the Atrium.

Level III (3rd-6th)
The Mystery of Faith

After the priest has asked the Holy Spirit to come down and transform the bread and wine into Jesus, and after he has said the same words that Jesus said: "This is my body...This is my blood," we hear, "The mystery of faith." One way we might respond is "We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection, until you come again." The Eucharist is the mystery of our faith. But Jesus who died, rose, and will come again is also the mystery of our faith. Look back at the request above to draw the Eucharist. Could you add to your illustration, showing the Mystery of Faith?

"At Home Review" - 8th Week in OT

5/23/2021

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20
We have returned to the season of Ordinary Time, this time in which we are invited to continue to unpack the great truths we have prepared for in Lent and celebrated during Easter. However, we are actually not finished celebrating great feasts! Next Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Read the Gospel passage from Matthew listed above. It should sound familiar! If you have been baptized, ask your parents this week to show you photos of your Baptism day and tell you what they remember about that day you were welcomed into the flock of the Good Shepherd.

Level II (1st-2nd)
The Sign of the Cross

When we pray the Sign of the Cross we use the same words that Jesus spoke in next Sunday's Gospel, the same words that were said on the day of our Baptism, the day on which we were marked with His sign as one of His sheep. Do you have a holy water font in your home where you can bless yourself and pray this gesture as a reminder of your Baptism? Or do you have a crucifix in your home that could serve as a similar reminder? Perhaps that's something you and your family could work on putting together.

Level III (3rd-6th)
The Trinity

One of the greatest mysteries of our faith is the Holy Trinity. We know that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God...but that there is only one God. We also know that the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. We have one God in three Persons, united yet distinct.

Many people have tried to draw the Holy Trinity. How would you draw God, showing the truth stated above. Give it a try!

"At Home Review" - 7th Week of Easter

5/16/2021

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4
We are enjoying our final week of "The Great Sunday." It has been so good to celebrate Jesus' resurrection and His sharing of His risen life for such a long period of time. But God always has more to give to us and next Sunday we celebrate the great Solemnity of Pentecost. Today, read Acts 2:1-4 to hear about the very first Pentecost. Make a list of the signs of the Holy Spirit and then think about how the apostles were changed by His coming. Draw one of the apostles, showing the coming of the Holy Spirit as well as the effects or changes that His presence brought.

Level II (1st-2nd)
The Gifts of Pentecost

Read Isaiah 11:2-3a. Here we are given a list of the gifts of the Spirit. Do some research on one of these gifts. Write a definition for it and then begin to pray that the Holy Spirit might stir up within you this week. In Baptism we receive these great gifts...but we can always ask God to stir them up within us when we are in need of His help in our life!

Level III (3rd-6th)
The Sacraments

Last week we looked at the sacraments as ways Jesus remains with us. Did you know that each sacrament has a moment of epiclesis or calling down of the Holy Spirit? Read Acts 2:1-11. Now make a list of the seven sacraments of the Church. Do you know the moment of epiclesis for any of these sacraments? Why do you think His coming is so important for that sacrament?

"At Home Review" - 6th Week of Easter

5/9/2021

Scripture: Mark 16:15-20
We are getting so close to the great Solemnity of Pentecost! But before God could send the gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus needed to return to the Father. Next Sunday we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. Throughout the time of Easter Jesus has been speaking of peace. Now He says to His disciples, "Go and teach all nations; I am with you always, until the end of the world." Do you think that knowing Jesus would remain with them brought the disciples peace? How does Jesus continue to remain with us today? Write or show how Jesus continues to be with us even now.

Level II (1st-2nd)
The Origin of the Eucharist

In the Atrium we have recalled the celebration of the Last Supper many times. That night Jesus told the apostles about a most particular way in which He desired to remain with all people of all times. Do you remember the new words that He said? These words are still said today and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus continues to be with us under the signs of bread and wine. Who says these words of Jesus today? Perhaps this week you could write a letter thanking your parish priest for bringing us Jesus.

Level III (3rd-6th)
The Sacraments

Jesus remains with us in a most beautiful way through the sacraments. Choose one of the sacraments and write about how Jesus remains with us through the articles and gestures of that sacrament.

"At Home Review" - 5th Week of Easter

5/2/2021

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-10
We continue to hear from the parable of the True Vine in next Sunday's Gospel. We also hear from the First Letter of John. Read 1 John 4:7-10 from the letters or epistles section of the New Testament. Do you hear how often John uses the word love? Recently we have been hearing from John so often through the parable of the Good Shepherd, the parable of the True Vine, and from his letters. How does he know so much about Jesus? How does he know so much about love? What do you know about love? Write about what you know about how God shares His love with you both in the world around you, through your family, and at Church.

Level II-III (1st-6th)
Psalm 98:1-4

The Psalm for next Sunday is a great song of praise to God. Read Psalm 98:1-4 and then turn your writing about God's love from above into a poem or song of praise. What will it be like when all the earth sings songs of praise to God with great joy? How could you illustrate your song?

"At Home Review" - 4th Week of Easter

4/25/2021

Scripture: John 15:1-8
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower." Next Sunday we will hear this beautiful parable proclaimed at Church. Read this passage and then think back to the parable of the Good Shepherd from last Sunday. Why do you think we hear both of these parables in the Easter Season and that we hear them so close together? Write one verse from the parable of the True Vine and one from the parable of the Good Shepherd. Draw in a way that shows how these two parables reveal the same truth about God's love for us and our closeness to Him.

Level II & III (1st-6th)
"Remain in me."

"Remain in me as I remain in you, says the Lord. Whoever remains in me will bear much fruit." We have pondered how to remain. Jesus said we will remain if we keep His commandments...and then, "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you." Make a list of ways you could live this command of Jesus today.

"At Home Review" - 3rd Week of Easter

4/18/2021

Scripture: John 10:11-18
Just a few weeks ago, near the middle of Lent, we read the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Next Sunday we will hear this parable proclaimed at Mass! Read this passage from the Gospel of John. What stands out to you? Why does the hired man run away? How is the Good Shepherd different from that man in how He cares for the sheep? The Alleluia verse says, "I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep and mine know me." Write this verse and illustrate it in such a way that this "knowing" between the sheep and the shepherd are shown.

Level II (1st-2nd)
Silence

Part of knowing God and being known by Him is taking time to listen for His voice. This week, find a place either inside or outside your house where you can be still and listen for God. Perhaps you would like to find or draw a picture that will help you to listen. Maybe you would like to take your Bible to that place or a copy part of a Scripture passage to read in that place. Then, take ten minutes at least two different times this week to go to that place, still your body, and listen deeply for the voice of the Good Shepherd.

Level III (3rd-6th)
Psalm 23

We often read Psalm 23 together during Lent. However, this Scripture is also so beautiful to read together during the Easter Season. Look up Psalm 23 and read the whole psalm. How does this Old Testament Scripture fit the parable that you read about the Good Shepherd. Make a list of the similarities between the shepherd described in the Psalm and the Good Shepherd in the parable. Perhaps you would also want to make a third column for "today" and write how the Good Shepherd acts with us today.

"At Home Review" - 2nd Week of Easter

4/11/2021

Scripture: Luke 24:35-48
Next Sunday we celebrate the 3rd Sunday of Easter. While the Gospel will be from Luke, we will hear something similar to last Sunday's passage from John where Jesus says, "Peace be with you." Again, after hearing these words, the disciples are filled with much joy. How are peace and joy related or similar? Think about a time when you have experienced peace and joy. Is there a way that you could share peace and joy with someone else today? Could you "Say 'yes' when you mean 'yes' and 'no' when you mean 'no'?" Could you "Love your enemies?"

Level II (1st-2nd)
The History of the Kingdom of God

We have spoke many times about Creation, Redemption, and Parousia. Using a large sheet of paper (or three pieces of paper) write the names of each of these moments and then draw or write about peace and joy in each. Is peace different in Creation than it will be in Parousia? What does true joy look like today, in the moment of Redemption? Are peace and joy separate or can they be shown in a similar way? How can we "write" well on the blank page of today in order to help peace and joy grow?

Level III (3rd-6th)
"Make our hearts burn"

Read Luke 24:13-35, the passage that comes just before next Sunday's Gospel. Verse 32 forms part of the Alleluia verse for next Sunday: "Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us; make our hearts burn while you speak to us."

Has your heart ever burned when you were listening for God's voice? Have you heard or read about anyone else who has had this experience? Make a list of people who have met God like this. (Think about the prophets!) Then make a list of times or ways you have experienced this as well.

"At Home Review" - Octave of Easter

4/4/2021

Scripture: John 20:19-23
Alleluia! He is risen! What a great gift to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ! During the Easter season we will often be reading about how Jesus came to spend time with His disciples during the weeks after His resurrection. Today, read part of next Sunday's Gospel passage (John 20:19-23). Jesus speaks of peace. Do you think the disciples needed His peace? What could you draw to show what Jesus' peace looks like?

Level II (1st-2nd)
The Sign of Peace
and the Breaking of the Bread

During the Mass, when Jesus is present on the alter under the signs of bread and wine, the priest invites us to receive Christ's peace much like Jesus Himself did in the Gospel passage for next Sunday. Next, the priest breaks the Host. This one Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist, will then be shared with all who are invited to receive Him. We are all fed by this one food, the life of the Risen Christ. Perhaps you would like to add to your picture of what Jesus' peace looks like, this peace which unites us in Him.

Level III (3rd-6th)
The Rite of Reconciliation

Return to the Gospel passage mentioned above. After Jesus has shared His peace with the disciples He does something else. He breathes on them. Where else do we hear of God breathing on someone? What do you think this gesture might tell us? Then, in verse 23, Jesus tells the disciples they now have the authority to forgive sins. Was this just for the people in that time or do we experience this gift today? Perhaps this week you would like to write a letter of thanks to God for the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation or for the Priesthood. He is truly so very good to us!

"At Home Review" - Holy Week

3/28/2021

As we enter into Holy Week, we remember that this most sacred week is an opportunity for extra attentiveness to the voice of the Good Shepherd who so willingly laid down His life for His sheep. In order to listen, however, we need to take time to do so. One way to enter more fully into this week is to recall Jesus' words and actions. Last year we were unable to celebrate this week as a parish and universal community in our churches. How can you enter into this week anew this year, rejoicing in all the gifts we receive in being able to worship God this year as a community, even if still socially distanced. Take time to prepare to celebrate the Triduum as a family, parish, and world community this week.