The Domestic Church and Easter Season

Easter is a time of new life, new beginnings, and resurrection. Through Jesus’ gift of Himself, we experience love and mercy. Making Jesus the center of your family’s celebration throughout the Easter season is so important. This can present a challenge when images of the Easter Bunny are so prevalent throughout our culture. Parents should take special care to help children understand that Jesus is the giver of Easter gifts: His love, sacrificial death, salvation—not a big rabbit who hands out candy and colored eggs. What are some good ways to make Jesus and our faith the center this Easter season (which lasts until Pentecost, May 11)? Celebrate the Resurrection of Christ by doing the kinds of things Jesus did. Extend God’s love to others by visiting the elderly and sick, gathering clothing for the poor, or making and delivering food baskets to families in need. As a family, choose a few craft projects that emphasize the meaning of Easter: perhaps make a paschal candle; decorate Easter eggs with Christian symbols: fish, wheat, doves, crosses; create a Mary garden with fragrant flowers and a statue of Mary; decorate Easter cookies; make handmade Easter greeting cards for friends and family. Finally, read passages from the Easter scriptures together (Mt 28, Mk 16, Lk 24, and Jn 20); go on a walk together and notice and enjoy the signs of new life in nature; go to Sunday Mass together and have a big breakfast afterward celebrating the joy of Easter. In essence, spend time together as a family sharing your faith and joy in the risen Lord. More ideas can be found at the following websites: domestic-church.com and catholicmom.com. (Suggestions are adapted from www.catholicmom.com)