St. Emily and St. Thomas Becket Parishes
 April 3, 2020
Dear Families,

OWEA Museum, Odessa, Ukraine
In the Jewish traditions around the Seder, the youngest child asks four questions, beginning with "Why is this night different from all other nights?"

We're all asking that question right now, "Why is this Holy Week different from all other Holy Weeks?" In this time of crisis and a new reality, we are invited to think about how to keep Holy Week and celebrate Easter without gathering as a church community. Like elearning and working from home and social distancing, we need to adapt as we mark these ancient days. 

HolyweekathomeI would like to share with you some things that might make this easier - and special - for your family.  Of course, if you have your own ideas and traditions, feel free to share them. I often get great ideas for family-friendly activities from parents.

One resource that is offered free by Liturgical Press covers the whole week.  Download it here.

More ideas to make each day special in your home can be found below.
There are two movies that you can access online which might make for good family viewing over the next week.  One idea is to view the segments that apply to each day.
  • The Miracle Maker is available on YouTube.  It is a wonderful claymation retelling of the story of Jesus. Ralph Fiennes plays Jesus.
  • Jesus of Nazareth, the classic mini-series by Franco Zeffirelli is available on Amazon (and included in a Prime subscription.)

massesOur parish lives will continue from afar for the time being.  You can watch the masses and Holy Week services at both St. Emily and St. Thomas Becket online. 


A word about the Easter collection: As you can imagine, the financial strain on the parishes mirrors the general economic dislocation we are all experiencing. The Easter collection is always a major source of revenue in any parish budget.  We know that your own family's needs might be great, but your help in supporting your parish will ensure that ministries continue during this emergency and resume seamlessly when we can gather again.  You can donate electronically to  St. Emily here  and to  St. Thomas Becket here.  We are so appreciative of what you can share with us!

palmPalm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
  • We always think of this as "Palm Sunday", but for those who live in colder climates, palms have not always been readily accessible.  The tradition was to decorate with budding branches. (Germans and Austrians use pussy willows, for example.) 

    Take any budding branch and use it to decorate your door or put it into water in your home.
     
  • Read the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.  Here are the readings for Sunday.
     
  • Watch one of the masses online with the family. Make an Act of Spiritual Communion.
thursHoly Thursday
  • A good movie for the background to Passover is Prince of Egypt. It is available on Amazon and Hulu.
     
  • You might enjoy making matzoh and eating it with your evening meal.
     
  • Serve wine and/or sparkling grape juice.
     
  • You can find the story of the Last Supper here. (Matthew 26:26-30) Talk about how we have this gift of Jesus' Body and Blood at every mass.
     
  • You can find the readings for the evening mass here.  When you read the Gospel, talk about how you serve each other in your family.
     
  • Watch the mass online and make an Act of Spiritual Communion.
fridayGood Friday
  • Remember that this is a day of abstinence and fast.  All those fourteen and over should abstain from meat.  All those between the ages of 18 and 59 should fast (eat only one main meal for the day.) Those who are ill, pregnant or nursing need not fast.
     
  • Place a crucifix in a prominent place in your home - on a table or in the living room - where all can see it.
     
  • One tradition is to keep the hours between 12 and 3 as solemn as possible.  Maybe no screens and no music in the house?
     
  • You can pray the Stations of the Cross as a family.  Here is one option.  Here is another.  The booklet suitable for children and families that we use is here. It includes this music, Jesus, Remember Me.

    You might want to have your children draw a set of Stations for your home.
     
  • The readings for Good Friday, including the Passion from the Gospel of John, are here.
     
  • Watch the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion online and make an Act of Spiritual Communion.
easterHoly Saturday / Easter Sunday
  • The Easter Vigil begins with the lighting of the Easter fire and the new Paschal candle. We remember that Jesus is the Light of the World and no darkness will overcome him.

    You might want to place some sort of lantern or light on your porch, in your driveway or in your window after 8:00 PM on Saturday night, as a sign of the Light of Christ.
     
  • Easter eggs are a sign of new life, of course.  In the Eastern tradition, there is a legend told about St. Mary Magdalene.  She was the first person who saw the Risen Lord and she was the first to proclaim the Good News of the Resurrection.

    According to tradition, she was bold enough to preach the Gospel to the Emperor Tiberius in Rome.  She took a hard-boiled egg from a bowl, and as she held it, it turned blood red in her hand.  She told the Emperor of Jesus' Passion and death.  Then she opened up the egg, to show the white and gold inside and preached about the Resurrection.

    In keeping with the tradition, you might like to dye some of your eggs deep red.
     
  • Place a bowl of water and some flowers where you can see them often.  Repeat your baptismal promises or recite the Apostle's Creed together, then bless yourselves with the water, recalling your baptism.
     
  • The readings for Easter Sunday are here.  Watch the Easter Vigil (Saturday night) and/or Easter mass online and make an Act of Spiritual Communion.
Other Resources and Links

Cardinal Cupich has asked us to unite in prayer at certain times of the day for specific intentions.  (A good suggestion might be to put these times and the intention as alarms into your phone.)

Magnifikid, a subscription publication, has made their materials available online for free during this time.  Check it out.  It is a wonderful way to involve your child in the Sunday mass readings and prayers. 

The daily Scripture readings at mass can be  found here.

This  nighttime prayer  might be a good resource to settle your child into bed with assurance and to allay anxiety.
 
Pray this novena with your family to help us deal with coronavirus.

VidAngel  is offering their service for free in the next two weeks.  They have an excellent mini-series,  Chosen,  with each episode about the people who met and interacted with Jesus.  It is very well produced.

Quick Links
St. Emily Parish
Catherine Crino, DRE
847-299-5865
St. Thomas Becket Parish
Renata Sosin, CRE
847-296-9051
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