Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 13
A Declaration of DEpendence
This is an opportunity to remind ourselves of our reliance on God for everything.
Thursday, February 14
A Lenten Chain
Watch the chain grow during Lent as young people identify their Lenten goals.
Friday, February 15
My Lenten Calendar – 40 Crosses
Color a cross each day for 40 days showing good deeds done out of love for Jesus.
Saturday, February 16
Remembering the Lamb
Children glue cotton balls onto a lamb for each prayer or doctrinal formula they take to heart during Lent.
Monday, February 18
Salt Dough Crown of Thorns
Create a crown of thorns out of salt dough and remove a toothpick each time a Lenten discipline is practiced.
Tuesday, February 19
Bury the Alleluia
Symbolize the removal of the Alleluia during Lent in anticipation of its return at Easter.
Wednesday, February 20
Avoiding Temptations
Brainstorm temptations that young people face and can strive to avoid during Lent.
Thursday, February 21
What Lenten Hymns Teach
Search through Lenten hymns to identify the meaning of Lent.
Friday, February 22
A Group Fast
Find strength in numbers by joining together in an experience of fasting.
Saturday, February 23
Praying the Daily Examen
Learn how to practice an Ignatian form of prayer – the Daily Examen – during Lent.
Monday, February 25
A Sense of Direction
A demonstration of how conversion is a change of direction for our lives.
Tuesday, February 26
Operation Rice Bowl
Introduces young people to Operation: Rice Bowl (Catholic Relief Services), the official Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services.
Thursday, February 27
Stained Glass Cross Craft
A simple craft idea that enables young people to create a “stained glass” cross.
Wednesday, February 28
Overcoming Impulses
This activity helps us to recognize impulsive behaviors and work to overcome them.
Friday, March 1
The 7 Last Words of Christ Scripture Search
A Scripture search on the Seven Last Words of Christ as recorded in the Gospels.
Saturday, March 2
The Scrutinies
Focuses on the celebration of the rites called the Scrutinies which are celebrated with the catechumens (those to be baptized on Holy Saturday,on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent.
Monday, March 4
Justification
To be “justified” is to be aligned with God – this activity helps us to visualize that.
Tuesday, March 5
Good Deeds Bracelets for Lent
Young people design a bracelet to record good deeds practiced during Lent.
Wednesday, March 6
Jesus in the Garden
A Blackline Master that invites young people to create and decorate a scene of Jesus’ Agony in the Garden.
Thursday, March 7
Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary Scripture Search
Do a Scripture search to locate the 5 sorrowful mysteries prayed in the Rosary.
Friday, March 8
Stations of the Cross Tableaus
Young people create “freeze frames” of the Stations of the Cross.
Saturday, March 9
The Desert Experience
Explore with children the lenten image of the desert where God is encountered in a special way.
Monday, March 11
Making a Paschal Candle
Invites young people to create their own Paschal (Easter) Candle as a reminder of their call to renew their baptism this Lent.
Tuesday, March 12
An Examination of Conscience
An opportunity to help prepare young people to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation during Lent.
Wednesday, March 13
Sacred Art – Budding Artists
An activity to engage those young people who are more visual and perhaps even artistically inclined, focusing on the Stations of the Cross.
Thursday, March 14
Last Supper Craft
Ideal preparation for Holy Thursday based on Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper Painting.
Friday, March 15
Stations of the Cross Carousel
Provides young people with an opportunity to be creative while reflecting and praying upon the Stations of the Cross.
Saturday, March 16
A Spiritual St. Patrick’s Day
Explore ways to have fun with young people on St. Patrick’s Day while also teaching something of spiritual value.
Monday, March 18
What’s With the Pretzels?
Explore why pretzels are a traditional Lenten food that remind us to pray and fast.
Tuesday, March 19
Silence is Golden (In Honor of St. Joseph)
Use the Feast of St. Joseph, who was a quiet man, to teach young people to be quiet during this season of Lent in order to meet Jesus in their hearts.
Wednesday, March 20
Looking for Clues
An opportunity to help children become more familiar with the Passion story.
Thursday, March 21
Name That Song – the 7 Deadly Sins
A musical activity that helps us to understand and avoid the 7 Deadly Sins.
Friday, March 22
HCA Mission Stations of the Cross
An opportunity to combine prayer and almsgiving and to develop an appreciation for the Missions, specifically through the Holy Childhood Association.
Saturday, March 23
Holy Week Basket
An opportunity to connect Holy Week and the end of Lent to the celebration of Easter by creating Holy Week baskets.
Monday, March 25
Palm Weaving & Braiding
Tutorials on the popular custom of braiding and weaving palms for use in our homes (the domestic church).
Tuesday, March 26
Palm Crosses
A hands-on activity to help young people create crosses out of palms.
Wednesday, March 27
Scenes From Holy Week
A blackline master from the Finding God program inviting young people to imagine drawing the cover of a parish bulletin for Holy Week.
Thursday, March 28
Triduum Tryptics
An activity from the Christ Our Life program inviting young people to design a tryptic showing symbols of the Triduum.
Friday, March 29
The Passion and Resurrection Activity Centers
Invite young people to actively explore more deeply the story of Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
Saturday, March 30
Resurrection Eggs
Use Easter eggs to teach young people to recognize various elements of the Passion reading.
