40/40 – Lenten Activities: A Change-of-Heart Tree

Joe Paprocki Lenten Activities

On to our next Lenten activity which comes to us from the Christ Our Life program, grade 8 Catechist’s Guide.

A Change-of-Heart Tree

  • Have the young people make a Change-of-Heart Tree to show their progress in keeping their Lenten resolutions.
  • Assign a group of young people to design the trunk and bare branches of a tree out of brown paper or felt.
  • Have them glue it to a piece of white fabric or paper (about 3-foot by 2-foot).
  • Direct the other young people to cut out seven purple hearts (one for each week of Lent) and glue them on the branches.
  • Have each young person cut out seven leaves from green paper.
  • Post the banner and collect the green leaves in a container.
  • Tell the young people that once a week, whenever they feel that they have kept their Lenten resolutions, they may glue a green leaf around the purple heart designated for that week.
  • By the Easter Triduum which begins on Holy Thursday evening, the Change-of-Heart Tree will be complete, symbolizing renewed life in Christ.
Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Friendly
About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

Related Articles

Lenten Activities

40 Ideas for 40 Days – Lenten Activities: Palm Crosses

Joe Paprocki Lenten Activities

This is another Palm Sunday/Holy Week Lenten activity. For this one, we go to a Web site called King of Peace and learn how to make palm crosses. Palm Crosses This activity comes to us from King of Peace Episcopal Church in Kingsland, Georgia. This is something that can be done with children and families right after Palm Sunday Masses or at religious education classes held during Holy Week. For this activity, click here. You may […]

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Friendly
crucifix
Lent

New Projects for Lent

Barb Gilman Lent, Primary Grades

This is my 13th year of teaching Lent to third graders, and I’m in need of some fresh new projects and activities for my students. While I will still use my usual activities—they will still be new to this group of third graders—I have realized that adding new activities and projects helps keep me engaged and challenged. This year I will include my usual Ash Wednesday video that shows photos of our foreheads after receiving […]

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Friendly
boy with magnifying glass
Lenten Activities

40 Ideas for 40 Days—Lenten Activities: Looking for Clues

Joe Paprocki Lenten Activities

This Lenten activity is called Looking for Clues and is an opportunity for catechists to help children become more familiar with the Passion story. Looking for Clues Gather pictures of the following items from the Passion according to Mark (14:1—15:47). a jar (bottle of perfume) (14:3) water jar (14:13) a dish(14:20) bread (14:22) cup (14:23) olive tree (14:26) swords and clubs (14:43) sword (14:47) a fire (14:54) blindfold (14:65) rooster (14:68) rope (they bound him) (15:1) whip (scourging) (15:15) purple robe (15:17) crown of thorns (15:17) a […]

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Friendly

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*