Holy Week in the Catholic Classroom or Home School

We Learn our Faith 

with Catholic Education

Holy Week

Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week.  After listening to Sunday's readings in Mass, on Monday, re-read the Gospel according to John in The Catholic Children's Bible by Regina Press (John 12:12-19), or New American Bible for older children.  I often suggest the Comic Strip Bible or Action Bible. However, this week I recommend the former as it describes the prophecy of what was to happen to Jesus thoroughly.  A copy of the reading can be found in the sidebar if educators are on-line.

Learn more about Jesus' journey during Holy Week by exploring MAP 9 of Jerusalem, at http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CP051GOSPELMAPS.htm.    This is a wonderful link that displays the road to Bethany, the Garden of Gethsamini and Mount Olivet.

Discuss the Gospel with oral or written questions, depending upon age:

1. If Jesus was thought of as a King why did he ride into Jerusalem on a donkey?  Why not a regal horse?
2. What did Jesus' followers do when Jesus rode into town?
3. What did the Pharisees say to Jesus about the celebration in his honor?
4. "Out of the mouths of infants and sucklings you have perfected praise" is a quote Jesus reminds the Pharisees to follow.  Jesus is talking about children.  What is He saying about you?
5. What will happen to Jesus next?

These questions can be printed at http://www.scribd.com/doc/131999482/Holy-Week-Questions-
PALM-SUNDAY.

Now that your classroom or family has read and discussed the Palm Sunday readings, add a little fun to your Holy Week with the following activity:

Read Humphrey's First Palm Sunday aloud.  This is wonderful Christian Literature that brings your younger children close to Jesus, as a proud, silly camel named Humphrey runs into Jesus on his way to Jerusalem.

After reading about Humphrey, choose one or both of the following projects.

1. Download and color the worksheet linked to this address, http://www.scribd.com/doc/125834949/Humphrey-Drawing-1
2. Make a palm using paper towel rolls, green construction paper and glue. Wrap and glue paper towel roll with green construction paper or color with green marker.  Fold green consruction paper in half (long side length, short side width).  On one half, draw a palm leaf.  On the other half, draw a "tail" attached to the palm for wrapping around your paper towel roll.  Every few inches wrap palm tail around roll and glue to make a palm branch.  

Nothing can replace the praise at church on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.  Before next weekend I will post a lovely Easter Lesson for you to share with your home schools or classrooms during the Easter Season.  May you experience a fruitful Holy Week and a Blessed Easter Sunday.

Easter Season Jellybean Jar ~

Here is a fun idea for the next few spring weeks after Easter Season begins.  Every time you catch your children helping, being kind, or trying hard at academics put a few jelly beans in an empty jar.  Once the jar is full, celebrate with a movie or game party in the classroom or at home.