Holy Week is a time in which we figuratively transport ourselves over time and space to the Holy Land to walk with Jesus on the road to Calvary. One Director of Religious Education, Victor Valdez, invites parishioners to walk this journey in a creative and unique way by having the children of the religious education program reconstruct a miniature Holy Land on the Parish Green! The site includes displays of the areas of Nazareth, Bethlehem, Galilee, Jericho, and Jerusalem. Take a look at Victor’s flyer:
Passport_to_the_Holy_Land Flyer
Upon arrival, each family receives a passport that includes a pilgrim’s map, a pilgrim’s prayer, and New Testament references. The families first check-in and then share a food item related to the Holy Land of Jesus’ time: pomegranate or grape juice, fruits and nuts, whole grain flat bread or olives, cheese, or milk. At each of the locations mentioned above, children re-enact scenes from the life of Jesus.
What an incredible idea! Hats off to Victor and to his parish religious education program for putting so much time and energy into this wonderful idea. I hope we can see pictures when it is all over!
Victor is DRE at St. Athanasius parish in Mountain View, CA.
Update: here are pics from the event!
What a wonderful idea! Victor, please send pictures of your event!
This is a great idea. Thank you for sharing!
This is a SUPER idea. They say in the teaching world the greatest
flattery is copying. I hope I can do something similar in 2011 to
bring together our parish school and parish Religious Ed kids. May I use
your passport?
Thanks for the pictures, too.
AND Joe, thank you for your great ministry. My catechists have really
appreciated your many works, ideas and feedback. THANK YOU!
Jodie, I know of a few other folks who plan on copying Victor’s great Passport to the Holy Land idea! Victor graciously shared this with us so you can use it but it would be courteous to give him credit: Victor Valdez, Saint Athanasius, Mountain View, CA.