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St. Agnes Catholic Church

Ways to Celebrate Holy Week 2020 at Home

This year we will be experiencing a different kind of Holy Week.  Our Lent went to fasting from the Eucharist… by not attending Sunday Mass…  now we are experiencing a new hunger for Jesus!

Here are some simple and meaningful ways to draw closely to Jesus in his passion and death, all while staying home.

Set a Schedule

Since many of us have spent a few weeks at home and the days are starting to run together, it is important to set Holy Week apart, so it feels special.

  • Create a schedule to include times for: prayer, spiritual readings, simple meals, rest and recreation, and work.

 Create a Sacred Place

Set-up a designated prayer space.

  • Clear off a table, cover with a cloth.
     
  • Add things that draw your heart and mind to Jesus i.e. a crucifix, photo of Jesus, holy cards…
     
  • Place a chair near the table or place a large pillow on the floor.
     
  • Place the Bible, spiritual books, or other prayer books in a basket and place it near your prayer space.

Live-Stream the Liturgy

Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday

(YouTube – GI Catholics Channel)

  • Here are a few tips for watching Mass at home:
    • Dress up
       
    • Create a reverent atmosphere – involve the family, especially the children in setting up the space.  Add candles, a Bible …
       
    • Keep your post-Mass traditions – if you go to brunch following Mass – go to the same place and order food to-go.  Whatever your tradition is, try to keep to it as much as possible as it will help things feel a bit more normal.
       
    • Stay flexible and pray for patience.  Nothing is normal or easy and that is ok.  During this time pray for patience and continue to adapt as this current crisis evolves.  Most importantly, trust that God will provide everything you need.
       
    • At the end of the day, God is so pleased with our sincerest effort, no matter what that looks like for you!  Be assured that your desire to experience him is enough.  He will meet you wherever you are, now and always.

 Pray with the Scriptures
Pray and reflect upon the daily Psalms and Gospel readings.  You can go to
www.usccb.org for the daily readings or the Magnificat’s on-line magazine is free right now.

  • Here are some simple guidelines for praying with scripture:
     
  • Spend 5-10 minutes settling down, notice your cares and concerns – this is a good time to journal those thoughts.
     
  • Invite God to approach you, notice his presence and enter into it.
     
  • Read the daily Scripture several times slowly – highlight words or phrases that resonate with you.  Pay attention to what rises in your heart: thoughts, emotions, memories, hopes, fears, or dreams – offer them to God.
     
  • Listen.  Listen for God’s response, through the Scripture or a stirring in your heart.
     
  • At the conclusion of your prayer time, thank God for this time together and journal your thoughts if you desire.

Turn Down the Noise

During Holy Week, limit secular music, social media, and news programs.

  • Instead enjoy sacred music and reading.
     
  • Watch or listen to a program from Formed on Demand.
    • www.formed.org is a gift to you and your family from the parish.  If you haven’t checked it out do so today.  There are also many movies and books for children on this platform.
       

Grow in Your Faith

Do something each day to enhance your faith

  • Stream Daily Mass – St. Agnes Facebook Page
     
  • Read a spiritual book
     
  • Watch a program on Formed on Demand
     
  • Watch EWTN
     
  • Listen to Spirit Catholic Radio

With Your Children

If you have children, enjoy a prayerful activity with them each day

  • Read aloud the Easter story
     
  • Print out faith-based coloring sheets.
     
  • Bake Hot Cross buns for a simple Good Friday breakfast.
     
  • Watch the Stations of the Cross – for children EWTN has the Way of the Cross for Kids on YouTube.

Enter the Triduum

Holy Thursday – Good Friday – Holy Saturday

Holy Thursday

    • Have a foot washing ceremony
       
    • Read John 13:1-5
       
    • Parents wash your children’s feet. Roommates wash each other’s feet.
       
    • Share a time when someone showed you an act of service and what that meant to you.
       
    • Brainstorm ways to incorporate the Works of Mercy into your life, during this time of quarantine.
       
      • Corporal Works of Mercy
        • Feed the Hungry
        • Give Drink to the Thirsty
        • Clothe the Naked
        • Give Shelter to the Homeless
        • Visit the Sick
        • Bury the Dead
           

Remain with Jesus

Spend time with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
 

  • Unite your loneliness during this time of quarantine with his loneliness in the Garden.
     
  • Add flowers to your prayer space.
     
  • Take your prayer outside if the weather allows.
     
  • Read Matthew 26:36-46

Good Friday
Follow the guidelines of fasting and abstaining from meat.

  • Keep a period of silence from Noon – 3 p.m.

Venerate the Cross

  • Read John 18:1-19:42
     
  • Kneel at the words, “he handed over his spirit.”
     
  • Pray the Stations of the Cross or live-stream the Stations.

Holy Saturday

The Scriptures are silent about Holy Saturday with the exception of Luke 23:56 “on the Sabbaath they rested according to the commandment.”

  • Rest and Wait
    Life feels a lot like Holy Saturday now. We are waiting, at times we don’t know what to do.
     
    • Jesus’s own disciples teach us what to do.  In the midst of tremendous sorrow and pain, in the midst of chaos, in the midst of uncertainty and fear, Jesus’ friend rested and waited.
       
    • In Holy Week 2020 we are invited to do the same during this time of “shelter in place.”
       
  • Make Preparations
    • Quietly and hopefully prepare for Easter.
       
    • Dye eggs, make Easter cards and send them with loved ones.
       
    • Write hopeful messages in chalk on the sidewalks…

Easter Sunday

Begin the morning with an Easter prayer:

O God, who this day by Your only-begotten Son vanquishing death, has unlocked for us the gate of eternity, help us to attain the desires to which You have led us by Your inspirations. We ask this through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, as we renew our Baptismal vows, help us to be made worthy of Eternal Life, that we may always seek to do Your will in our hearts and minds, that we may show others Your saving grace and Your love. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

O God, who makes the faithful to be of one mind and will, grant that we, Your people; may love what you command and desire what You promise so that, amid the changing things of this world, our hearts may be fixed where true joys are to be found. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

  • Read and reflect on the Gospel story, John 20:1-9
     
  • Stream the Easter liturgy and watch as a family.
     
  • Share with each other what stood out for you in the readings today.

Family Renewal of Baptismal Vows
This is a family service that is directed by one of the parents. The family members renew their baptismal vows and sprinkle themselves with the Easter Holy Water.

  • V. Do you reject Satan?
    R. I do.
     
    V. And all his works?
    R. I do.

    V. And all his empty promises?
    R. I do.

    V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
    R. I do.

    V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
    R. I do.

    V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
    R. I do.

    V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.


     R. Amen.

Easter Parental Blessing

Have your children kneel before you. Place your right hand, or both hands on the head of each as you repeat: "God bless you, my child." Then you may take holy water, and with the thumb of the right hand, make the Sign of the Cross upon the forehead, lips and breast, saying: "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The child may answer. "Thank you."

Or one may make the Sign of the Cross in silence upon the forehead or over all the children. Another way is to say, while making the Sign of the Cross on the forehead: "Bless you, my child, in the Name of the Father and of the Holy Spirit. "You may send your blessing to those away from home, or even in purgatory. Send your blessing to your absent children, and at the end of every letter you write them, add: "Your father and mother love you and bless you."

When to Give the Blessing

The parental blessing should be given in the evening after night prayers. It may be given also, when little ones go to school; before they go to confession or receive Holy Communion; when going on a journey or setting out on a dangerous occupation. Finally, bless your children when lying upon your deathbed. "You may not be rich," says St. Ambrose "you may be unable to bequeath any great possessions to your children, but one thing you can give them: the heritage of your blessing, and it is better to be blessed than to be rich." St. Louis, King of France, realized this and at the end of his life, wrote to his son: "I give you every blessing that a loving father can give a son. May the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity and all the saints protect you from every evil."  So, bless your children daily, especially in these times when the dangers surrounding youth threaten their innocence, their futures, their very lives and eternal salvation.

Easter Blessing of Your Home

  • V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
    R. Who has made heaven and earth

    V. The Lord be with you.
    R. And with your spirit.

    Let us pray.

    We humbly beg of you, God the Father almighty, to bless and sanctify this home,
    those who live in it and everything in it.  Be so kind as to fill it with all good things.
    Grant them, Lord, abundance of blessings from Heaven and the substance of life
    from the richness of the earth. Direct the longings of their prayer to the fruits of Your mercy. Be so kind, then, as to bless and sanctify this home at our coming in, just as You blessed the home of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. May Your angels of light live within the walls of this house, and guard it and all who live in it, through Christ our Lord.


                     R. Amen.

                    (Then the home is sprinkled with holy water.)


 

    Saint Agnes Catholic Church
    2314 Third Avenue
    Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361

    PH: 308.632.2541

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