Easter Sunday

On this day we proclaim, “The Lord has indeed risen, alleluia. Glory and

kingship be his for ever and ever.” (Entrance Antiphon, Easter Sunday)

We gather with our parishes and families to celebrate this most important Sunday of the year. We know that Jesus is with us always.

*Make an Easter card for a family member (or two)

Happy Easter 4th grade!

Holy Thursday

The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins the Easter Triduum. Many things happen at this celebration. We remember what happened at the Last Supper. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave the gift of himself

in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is a promise that we will share God’s life forever. We remember Jesus’ teachings to serve others and the example of service he gave us by washing his

disciples’ feet. “He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and

dry them with the towel around his waist.” (John 13:4–5) 

We also have a special collection for those who are in need. As the parish community leaves this celebration, they are not actually dismissed as usual. This reminds us that Holy Thursday and Good Friday are

connected in a special way.

Good Friday

On Good Friday, the Church remembers the Death of Jesus on the

cross. The cross is the sign of Christ’s suffering and Death. But it is also the great sign of his Easter victory. When Jesus died on the cross, he was not defeated. He rose from Death, and in doing so won over sin and death forever. In church, the altar is bare, without cloths, candles, or even a cross. We honor the cross with a prayerful procession during the liturgy. We listen to the Scripture readings about what happened to Jesus on the day of his Death. We remember that Jesus was the faithful servant of God who suffered and died so that we might have new life. We also pray for the whole world on this day, since Jesus died and rose for the whole world. And, as with Holy Thursday’s liturgy, the Good Friday liturgy does not actually end but extends into Saturday.

Easter Triduum

Triduum is a Latin word that means “three days.” The Easter Triduum is the greatest celebration of the year. It is during these three great days that we remember Jesus’ passing from Death to new life. It is

an amazing thing that joy can come from death. But by dying, and then rising, the Son of God changed our lives forever.

We count the days of the Easter Triduum from evening to evening. The

Easter Triduum begins on the evening of Holy Thursday and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday. The Church’s liturgical year continues the

Jewish tradition of counting days from evening to evening. We spend these three days in prayer and worship. Because we celebrate them as the Triduum, we celebrate them as one special liturgy.

God cares for all people, no matter what they do. God’s grace strengthens us to love and respect others. Love and respect lead to peace in our hearts and in our world. Peace comes about when people truly love one another and work together. The Church community works toward peace by making sure people:

● have the things they need to live

● feel free and safe to talk to one another

● respect the dignity of individuals and societies

● follow Jesus’ command to love others as he has loved us.

Jesus taught his disciples to value love above all else. He told them, “You have

heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But

I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you

may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and

the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:43–45).

If individuals, groups, and nations work for peace and justice, we will have a world of love, not

hatred and violence. We trust that God will help us to be strong witnesses to his love. Together

as the Church, we hope in God’s mercy and pray for peace.

Take a few moments to think quietly and prayerfully about ways you follow the Fifth

Commandment. These questions may help you.

Have I respected the dignity of all people?

Have I shown by my actions that all

people have the right to life?

Have I lived each day in a healthy way?

Have I done anything that could harm

myself or others?

Have I spoken out against violence

and injustice?

Have I lived in peace with my family

and neighbors?

You would only need the following if you do not have your religon book or you can't get on religion.sadlierconnect.com

God created each of us. We trust that he

will continue to give us what we need

for life. Jesus taught us to ask God our

Father for “our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).

Each time we pray the Our Father, we

ask God to provide for us and for others.

When we take care of ourselves and

those in need, we show that we are

grateful for the gift of life. When we live

a healthy life, we show respect for the

life we have been given. We also show

respect for life when we give food to the

hungry and care for those who are sick.

Create a chart with a list of ways to live the Fifth Commandment.

In the second column add some specific things you can do to

live out the Fifth Commandment. You can write it on your dojo portfolio or

take a picture to share on your portfolio. This is an example, you can copy:

LIVING THE 5TH COMMANDMENT SPECIFIC THINGS YOU CAN DO

Take proper care of our bodies                     _________________________

Take care of our minds, hearts and souls       _________________________

Take care of others                                      _________________________