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This Sunday, we begin the observance of Holy Week, remembering Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and how the crowds welcomed him with shouts of joy. On Holy Thursday, we will commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper with his Apostles. On Good Friday, we will remember his Death on the Cross, remaining in sacred silence as we wait for the joy of his Resurrection, which we will first celebrate on Saturday night at the Easter Vigil Mass.
Make sure you share with your families all the information they need about the Holy Week liturgies at your parish.
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find helpful tips for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and information about our online resources and seasonal activities. Here are tips for teaching the Gospel Weeklies lessons this week:
Videos of Sunday’s Gospel
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids – John 12:20–33
Holy Heroes: Palm/Passion Sunday
Bishop Barron on Palm Sunday
Dominick the Donkey – Palm Sunday
Lego Palm Sunday Movie
Videos for Palm Passion Sunday and Holy Week
Stations of the Cross videos (one segment for each station)
Holy Week in Three Minutes
Veneration of the Cross, Good Friday
The Stations of the Cross with Bishop Barron
Seeds
Lesson Theme: We welcome Jesus.
For this lesson you will need scissors, markers or crayons, and a Church Year calendar. We suggest you have one or two aides to assist with the cutting activity on page 4.
During this Sunday’s Mass, we will listen to two Gospels. Before the procession of palms, we will hear about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Later, the priest or deacon will proclaim the Passion account according to Mark. In Seeds, we will share the first Gospel.
If possible, bring some palm branches so the children can use them during their reenactment of the Gospel. We also suggest sending home a note with the times of the Holy Week liturgies in your parish.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus gives us his Body and Blood.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), copies of the Blessing Before Meals prayer (one per child), and a Church Year calendar. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from pages 3–4 in advance.
This is the only Sunday of the year that has two Gospels—Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem before the procession of palms and the Passion account according to Mark. We share the first Gospel in Promise. The children will learn about the events of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday later in the lesson when they put together their Holy Week booklets.
We suggest that you send a note home with the children’s Holy Week booklets that gives the times of the Holy Week liturgies in your parish.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus suffered and died to save us.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, a rosary or several rosaries, a crucifix, a violet cloth to cover the crucifix, and copies of the Closing Prayer (one per child), and a Church Year calendar. If you have access to blossoms from a dogwood tree, you may wish to bring some in to show the children how they appear to bear the marks of Jesus’ wounds.
We suggest that you go through the Gospels on pages 1–3 individually—proclaim the Gospel, reflect on it, and then add color to the picture. You will proclaim all three Gospels again later in the lesson during which the children will dramatize the Gospels. We suggest that you create three spaces in your meeting space or church for this prayer journey: (page 1) place of welcome, (page 2) gathering and eating, and (page 3) seriousness.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus died and is raised up.
We suggest that you separate pages 1–4 from pages 5–8 before class. Make sure to check the parish bulletin for the times of the Holy Week liturgies in your parish. For your Gathering Prayer, be prepared to sing or share an audio or video recording of the song “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.” Here is one option on YouTube.
We encourage you to celebrate the Closing Prayer in your parish church if possible. See page TG4-15 in the Teaching Guide for materials needed and ways you can adapt this prayer for the classroom. This activity can be expanded to involve the children in preparation for the prayer service.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
“All Glory, Laud, and Honor”
Veneration of the Cross, Good Friday
Pope Francis – The Passion of Christ on Good Friday
Holy Week in Two Minutes
Visions
Lesson Theme: We celebrate Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
During this lesson, the young people will reenact the events of Holy Week. Make sure you read the materials box on page TG4-12 in the Teaching Guide to see all the props that we suggest for this play. You can adjust this play to your class size, assigning two or more parts per student (or simply taking turns in a home-study setting).
For the Closing Prayer, make enough copies of the prayer on page TG4-15 so that every student has a copy (and can take it home after class).
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Holy Week in Two Minutes
Image credit: tynza/stock.adobe.com
