Easter Resources
Celebrate the Saints and Solemnities of the 2016 Easter Season! Invite your students to learn more about the Saints and solemnities of the Easter season. Encourage them to grow as disciples by honoring these Saints through the example of their lives and through their prayers. The grey boxes show where you can find their stories in RCL Benziger parish and school textbooks. For even more information on the lives of many of the Saints listed here, go to SaintsResource.com.
March 27:
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
There are excellent lessons on the Easter season found in the liturgical year section of your textbook which can be incorporated into your classroom sessions. Two Easter classroom celebrations can be found by clicking on the resource Preparing the Easter Prayer Table and Welcoming the Alleluia and Prayer Collages. Make the fifty days of the Easter season a time of joyful prayer and celebration! Christ is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Be My Disciples and Sean Mis Discípulos Grade 1: Chapter 9, WCCY Grade 2: WCCY Grade 3: Chapter 10, WCCY Grade 4: Chapter 10, WCCY Grade 5: Chapter 9, WCCY Grade 6: Chapter 9, WCCY Additional Activities and LIturgical Lessons (Be My Disciples Junior High) Triduum: Easter Sunday; Ascension of the Lord; Pentecost Sunday Blest Are We Faith and Word/Blest Are We Kindergarten Kindergarten: We Celebrate Grade 1: Feasts and Seasons Grade 2: Feasts and Seasons Grade 3: Feasts and Seasons Grade 4: Feasts and Seasons Grade 5: Feasts and Seasons Grade 6: Feasts and Seasons The Story of Jesus: Feasts and Seasons The Story of the Church: Chapter 2, Feasts and Seasons Faith First Legacy/Faith First Kindergarten Kindergarten: We Celebrate Special Days Grade 1: Chapter 10, We Celebrate Grade 2: We Celebrate
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Easter Resources
April 4:
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is normally celebrated on March 25. Since that was the date of Good Friday, the solemnity is celebrated on April 4 this year. Take time today to proclaim all or part of Luke 1:26-38, Luke’s account of the Annunciation, which is the Gospel reading assigned to this solemnity. In addition, consider praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary (the first mystery is the Annunciation), the Angelus, the Litany of Loreto (or Litany of Mary), or the Hail Mary. Begin and/or end your classroom prayer with a hymn of praise to Mary. Holy Mary, Mother of God’s Son, pray for us! Be My Disciples and Sean Mis Discípulos Grade 1: Chapter 5 Grade 3: Chapter 3 Grade 5: Chapter 3 Grade 6: Chapter 5 Christ Reveals God’s Mystery: Chapter 12
Sean mis Discípulos: Grado 1: Capitulo 5 Grado 3: Capitulo 3 Grado 5: Capitulo 3 Faith First Legacy Grade 1: Chapter 4, page 353 (school) Grade 3: Chapters 3 and 11, pages 332-333 (school) Grade 4: Chapter 6, page 355 (school), pages 279-280 (parish) Grade 5: Chapters 3 and 6 Grade 6: pages 245-246 (parish)
April 7:
Saint John Baptist de la Salle, Priest
Saint John Baptist de la Salle dedicated his life to the education of boys from poor families. He was helped by the group of religious men that he founded, the Brothers of the Christian School (Christian Brothers). This religious order grew rapidly, and many schools today are staffed by the De La Salle Brothers. His success in part is due to the new methods of teaching he developed. Saint John Baptist de la Salle is the patron Saint of school teachers. Today, pray for all teachers and those dedicated to inspiring children to become good Christians. Saint John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us! Alleluia!
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Easter Resources
April 11:
Saint Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr
Saint Stanislaus is the patron Saint of Poland. As the bishop of Kraków, he spoke out against the unjust wars and evil acts of the king. The king ordered his soldiers to kill Stanislaus, and when they refused, the king killed him with his own hands. Saint Stanislaus is remembered for his courage in denouncing corruption in high places. Today, pray for all those who openly speak out against violence, corruption, and evil in the world. Saint Stanislaus, pray for us! Alleluia! Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 6: The Story of Our Church:
April 25:
pages 245-246 (parish) Chapter 6
Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist
Saint Mark himself was not an Apostle, but was a friend of Peter, and accompanied Paul on one of his missionary journeys. The Gospel of Mark is both the oldest Gospel and the shortest Gospel. It focuses on the life and ministry of Jesus, and is filled with details that help us come to know Jesus as man. Mark himself was not an Apostle, but he did know both Peter and Paul, and assisted both in their missionary work. Saint Mark’s symbol is a winged lion. In his life, Saint Mark did what every Christian is called to do. He proclaimed the Good News to others. Today, in honor of Saint Mark the Evangelist, read the story of the Call of the First Disciples (Mark 1:16-20). Saint Mark, pray for us! Alleluia! Be My Disciples and Sean Mis Discípulos Grade 2: Chapter 9 Christ in the New Testament: Chapters 2 and 3 Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 1: Chapter 12 The Story of Jesus: Jesus and His Times; Chapter 1 Faith First Legacy Grade 2: Chapter 11 Grade 6: Chapter 10 Chapter 10 (Pope John Paul II) Jesus in the New Testament: Chapters 2 and 3 Morality: Life in Christ: Chapter 2
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Easter Resources
April 27: T he Anniversary of the Canonization of
Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II
elebrate today the anniversary of the canonization of these two Popes who served and led the C Church in the way of faith, truth, and love. Invite students to search their textbooks to learn more about the lives of these two good and holy men. Pray, too, for all leaders of the Church today, most especially Pope Francis. Pope Saint John XXIII and Pope Saint John Paul II, pray for us! Alleluia! Be My Disciples and Sean Mis Discípulos Grade 1: Chapter 14 (Pope John Paul II) Grade 2: Chapter 9 (Pope John XXIII) Grade 4: Chapter 17 (Pope John Paul II) Grade 5: Chapters 1 and 9 (Pope John XXIII) Chapter 8 (Pope John Paul II) Grade 6: Chapter 20 (Pope John XXIII) Life in Christ Jesus: Chapters 2 and 3 (Pope John Paul II) Chapter 7 (Pope John XXIII) Christ in the Liturgy: Chapter 1 (Pope John XXIII) Chapter 5 (Pope John Paul II) Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 4: Grade 5: The Story of Jesus: The Story of the Church:
Chapter 18 (Pope John Paul II) Chapter 17 (Pope John XXIII) Chapter 6, Feasts and Seasons (Pope John Paul II) History and Mystery, Chapters 3, 17, 19, and 20, Feasts and Seasons (Pope John XXIII) Chapters 15, 16, 19 and 20 (Pope John Paul II)
Faith First Legacy Grade 3: Grade 5: Morality: Mystery of God:
Chapter 15 (Pope John Paul II) Chapters 1 and 11 (Pope John XXIII) Chapter 10 (Pope John Paul II) Chapter 3 (Pope John XXIII) Chapter 12 (Pope John Paul II) Chapter 3 (Pope John XXIII) Chapter 12 (Pope John Paul II)
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Easter Resources
Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Doctor of the Church April 29:
Saint Catherine of Siena was the twenty-fourth of twenty-five children. When she was a teenager, she dedicated her life to God despite the fact that her family was not supportive of her choice. A joyful person, she lived in service to the poor and needy, but also advised the leaders of the Church in matters of great importance and concern. She was one of the first women to be named a doctor – or great scholar and teacher – of the Church. Today pray for all women who serve the Church as scholars and teachers. Remember by name the women who have taught you about discipleship, Scripture, and the teachings of the Church. Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us! Alleluia! Be My Disciples and Sean Mis Discípulos Grade 1: Chapter 3 Grade 2: Chapter 11 Grade 5: Chapter 18 Christ in the Liturgy: Chapter 1 Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 2: Chapter 17 The Story of the Church: Chapter 15 Faith First Legacy: Grade 1: Chapter 2 Grade 2: Chapter 23 Grade 5: Chapter 18
May 1:
Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker
On March 19 the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today’s memorial is fairly new to the Church calendar, added in 1955 by Pope Pius XII. It is customary today to celebrate the Blessing of Tools or Other Equipment for Work (see Book of Blessings, copyright 1989 by The Order of St. Benedict, Inc., or Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, copyright 2007 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops). The following suggestion is an alternative activity and prayer for use in the classroom.
1. If possible, bring to class a small tool kit. Display the various tools and invite students to name the tools and what they are used for. (For the safety of the students, please have adults only display and handle the tools.)
2. Ask the students what tools their parents use in their work at home or at jobs outside of the home.
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Easter Resources
3. Invite the students to display on their desks the tools they use in their work – the work of studying.
4. Invite the students to stand at their desks as you offer the following prayer:
Loving God, Saint Joseph the Worker used many tools in his work as a carpenter.
Our parents use many tools in their work at home and outside of the home.
Bless us as we use the many tools here before us to study and to grow in knowledge.
Help us to use the tools of our faith – your Word in the Bible, the prayers of the Church, and the teachings in our religion books – to grow as disciples of Jesus.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Be My Disciples and Sean Mis Discípulos Grade 3: Chapter 3 Blest Are We Faith and Word The Story of Jesus:
Chapter 6
Faith First Legacy/Faith First Kindergarten Kindergarten: We Celebrate Special Days Grade 3: Chapter 5
Copyright © 2016 RCL Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce this page for classroom use is granted.
Easter Resources
May 2:
Saint Athanasius, Bishop, Doctor of the Church
Saint Athanasius wrote many scholarly works on faith and doctrine, and defended the belief that Jesus was fully human and fully divine. He remained true to this belief in the Incarnation, despite being exiled for it five times. In celebration of the feast day of Saint Athanasius, pray together the Nicene Creed, the prayer of our faith that states what we believe. Saint Athanasius, pray for us! Alleluia! Faith First Legacy Mystery of God:
May 3:
Chapter 5
Saints Philip and James, Apostles
Saint James, the son of Alphaeus, is also known as Saint James the Lesser, so as not to confuse him with Saint James, the son of Zebedee. Nothing is known about him, except that Jesus chose him to be one of his twelve disciples. Saint Philip was also one of the twelve disciples called by Jesus. The stories in the Gospel tell us that Philip grew in his realization of who Jesus was. As a Greek, Saint Philip was able to lead Gentiles to Jesus. Today, we pray for all the leaders in the Church who lead us to know Jesus. We remember especially those local and everyday people who may not be famous, who work in the Church. Saint Philip and Saint James, pray for us! Alleluia! Be My Disciples Grade 1: Chapter 1 Grade 2: Chapter 2 Faith First Legacy Grade 2: Chapter 1
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Easter Resources
Thursday, May 5 or Sunday, May 8:
The Ascension of the Lord Refer to the liturgical year lessons in your textbook for resources on the Ascension of the Lord. Thursday, May 5, is also the beginning of the nine-day novena of prayer in preparation for the celebration of Pentecost Sunday. As a class, pray together the Prayer to the Holy Spirit found in many of the Catholic Prayers and Practices or prayer sections of your textbooks. Continue to pray the prayer on each of the nine days leading up to Pentecost Sunday. (An alternative would be to sing a Pentecost hymn or refrain each day of the novena.) Be My Disciples and Sean Mis Discipulos Grade 1: Chapter 6, WCCY Grade 2: Chapter 7, WCCY Grade 4: Chapter 6, WCCY Additional Activities and Liturgical Lessons (Be My Disciples Junior High) Ascension of the Lord Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 3: Grade 4: Grade 6: The Story of Jesus: The Story of the Church:
Feasts and Seasons Chapter 5, Feasts and Seasons Feasts and Seasons Chapter 15, Feasts and Seasons Feasts and Seasons
Faith First Legacy Grade 1: Chapter 5, We Celebrate Grade 2: Chapter 9, We Celebrate Grade 3: Chapter 6 Grade 6: Chapter 5, We Celebrate Mystery of God: Chapters 7 and 10
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Easter Resources
May 13:
Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima
On this date in 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary first appeared to three shepherd children in Portugal. She continued to appear on the 13th day of the month for six months, ending on October 13. With each appearance she asked the children to pray for sinners and to pray the Rosary. By that October 13, tens of thousands gathered with the children to witness Mary’s appearance to them. Fatima continues to be a place of pilgrimage, with the greatest crowds gathering to pray on May 13 and October 13. Today take time to pray together all or part of the Rosary. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us! Alleluia! Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 6:
May 14:
Feasts and Seasons
Saint Matthias, Apostle
Read aloud or invite the students to read the story of Saint Matthias (see Acts 1:15-17, 20-26). Saint Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. Matthias was both a disciple of Jesus and witness to Jesus’ Resurrection. Again today, in honor of Saint Matthias and all Apostles, pray together the Apostles’ Creed. Saint Matthias, pray for us! Alleluia! Disciples and Sean Mis Discipulos Grade 2: Chapter 22 Grade 5: Chapter 15 Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 5: Chapter 18 Faith First Legacy Mystery of God:
Chapter 10
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Easter Resources
May 15:
Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. On this day, the disciples boldly were sent out on the mission to proclaim the Good News to all. Take time to read the dramatic story of the first Pentecost found in Acts of the Apostles 2: 1-13. Refer to the liturgical year section of your textbook for resources to highlight this solemnity. Sing a Pentecost hymn or refrain, and pray together the Prayer to the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful! And kindle in them the fire of your love! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Be My Disciples and Sean mis Discípulos Grade 1: WCCY Grade 2: Chapter 7, WCCY Grade 3: Chapter 6, WCCY Grade 4: Chapter 7, WCCY Grade 5: WCCY Grade 6: Chapters 7 and 11, WCCY Additional Activities and Liturgical Lessons (Be My Disciples Junior High) Pentecost Sunday Blest Are We Faith and Word Grade 2: Grade 3: Grade 4: The Story of Jesus: The Story of the Church:
Feasts and Seasons Chapter 12, Feasts and Seasons Chapter 9, Feasts and Seasons Chapters 16 and 18, Feasts and Seasons Chapter 4
Faith First Legacy Grade 1: Grade 2: Grade 3: Grade 4: Grade 5: Grade 6: Mystery of God:
Chapter 10, We Celebrate Chapter 9, We Celebrate Chapters 7 and 11, We Celebrate Chapter 8, We Celebrate Chapter 13, We Celebrate Chapters 7 and 10, We Celebrate Chapter 12
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