April-Liturgy

Email pictures to ycfaithformation@gmail.com                     Reflection Forms


Cares:Pope Francis wrote a letter to the world about how we can heal our Common Home (Earth). Take a moment to view his letter and think about what Pope Francis is asking us to do? What do you love the most about the Earth?Watch this video HERE too! Write a Reflection when done.
Coloring PageClick on the image above to print the page and color the Deacon, Priest and Bishop. Send us a photo of your child's finished colored page.Learn more about Holy Orders HEREWrite a Reflection when done.
7 Sacraments of our FaithThe Catholic faith offers 7 sacraments, allowing each of us to grow closer to Jesus. Click on the image above to print this page and learn a bit about each sacrament. Write a Reflection when done.
We All Serve GodEach of us serves God through our daily lives in our: Family, School, Neighborhood, Community, Church, Home and at the Library, Sports, Park, Music, Playground, Activities and more. Talk together about where you serve God or where can you start serving God.Write a Reflection when done.
Liturgy of the WordWhat do we call the person who reads the readings at Mass?Why do we sit for the 1st and 2nd readings and stand for the Gospel?Learn about the Liturgy of the Word and then create this Readings card game to play together.Write a Reflection when done.

Liturgy of the EucharistCatholics believe in the True Presence of Jesus, in the Mass. During the Consecration, through the Holy Spirit, the Bread and Wine truly become the Body and Blood of Jesus. Watch this video to learn why we believe:What is the Real Presence?You can also create this Jesus in the Eucharist at home craft.Write a Reflection when done.
Apostles' Creed
This prayer contains the central truths of the Catholic faith.  It is divided into 3 parts, just like the Holy Trinity.  In each part we profess our faith in God; first to God the Father, then to God the Son, Jesus and lastly to God the Holy Spirit.  
Activity:  Print and fill in the words on the Our Creed Worksheet to help you learn the prayer.  Answer Key here.Write a Reflection when done.
Mass JeopardyPlay this fun game together. Two people to several teams can play. Say the answer out loud, then reveal if it is correct, and add or subtract with each question. Learn something you didn't know about the mass. Or play Stump the Shepherd "Mass" version.  Another fun "Jeopardy-like" game that you can play alone or with three family members.  Good luck!Write a Reflection when done.
Holy Week BannerClick image for directions to create this banner for Holy Week - March 28-April 3. Display the banner through the Easter Season! Remember to send a picture of your child's completed banner to ycfaithformation@gmail.comWrite a Reflection when done.
Holy WeekCheck out this Holy Week Jeopardy - you can play a trivia game by cutting the squares out and covering up the answers. See if others can answer the questions. For Holy Week Mass schedules, click here: www.stjohnofthecross.orgWrite a Reflection when done.
Jesus is RisenWatch this short video clip of the Easter Joy! Jesus is Risen from the dead and we celebrate his Resurrection every day at mass!Write a Reflection when done.
Watch a Movie TogetherThe Greatest Story
Ever Told  (G)
Mary Poppins (G-original)
Shrek (PG)
Beauty & The Beast (G)
What lesson did you learn from the movie? How did it portray following the path God has for you?Write a Reflection when done.
Outdoor GamesTransform your driveway or sidewalk into a huge family game night. Click image for ideas for Chutes & Ladders, Checkers, Dots and more. Enjoy the warm weather!Write a Reflection when done.
Sunday April 24 is Divine Mercy SundayLearn about Divine Mercy and the graces of this devotion.Here is the Divine Mercy Chaplet, prayed on Rosary beads. A wonderful habit to teach your children is this short prayer whenever they need it "Jesus, I trust in you."Write a Reflection when done.
50 Days of EasterEaster lasts for 50 days - from Easter to Pentecost - We can celebrate all of the 50 days. Read this article to learn Why is Easter 50 days long?  This article has great ideas for your family each week of Easter: Maintaining Easter
for 50 Days.
Write a Reflection when done.
Family Spring ActivitiesBlow Bubbles - make them from this recipe.Fly a Kite - tips to have a blast.Welcome home birds in your yard - steps to make a feeder.Build a fort - using items in your home - inside or out.Spend the day at the Morton Arboretum or the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center or Brookfield Zoo.Write a Reflection when done.
What does giving thanks have to do with Mass?Eucharist means thanksgiving - how do we give thanks during the Mass and why is it important to do so? Watch this Fr. Schmitz short video to learn about the Catholic Mass
You can also view these slides about The Eucharist and Mass to learn more about Mass at our beautiful parish, St. John of the Cross.Write a Reflection when done.

SJC Photo Scavenger Hunt
Enjoy our beautiful parish campus, then take a picture at any of the special places below & email it to YC:
Fr. Dave's Garden - Mary Garden - St. John of the Cross statue  - YC Lent Tree - Cross outside church - Bocce court - Parish Center sign - Donating something at the St. Vincent de Paul drop box - Flag pole outside the School - YC Office Door - Jesus and the Children statue garden at church - Four square in parking lot - Tabernacle at the church courtyard. How many of these can you find?Write a Reflection when done.
Easter Stained GlassTransform your driveway into a beautiful stained glass image. Mom or Dad, put down masking or painting tape in any design and have your children color in the shapes with different colors of sidewalk chalk to create a beautiful stained glass. What a lovely way to celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter. Take a picture and email it to ycfaithformation@gmail.comWrite a Reflection when done.
Scavenger HuntChoose an indoor or outdoor list to discover God's beauty which surrounds us inside, outside and everywhere. Each family member can have a sheet to see who finds all the items first - or work in pairs. Or, take a blanket outside to lay in the yard - during the day look at the clouds and find animals in the shapes - or at night look at the stars and connect the dots and share what you see.Write a Reflection when done.
You are SJC family!  Join us for Mass this month!Masses are open for full capacity!
Click the image to watch the
4:00 PM Sunday Mass.. Or, check out Children's Liturgy of the Word with your young children.
Write a Reflection when done.
Holy Thursday to EasterUse one of these Bibles or any Family Bible to read about the Holy Triduum. Our Catholic Faith's highest celebration is the Holy Triduum with is comprised of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter celebration. Find the story in any of the Gospels, John Chapter 13 and Chapters 18-20, or in the Beginner's Bible on pages 437-461. Talk about the importance of this story to our salvation and how grateful we are to Jesus' death and resurrection to save us. Write a Reflection when done.
Sundays Scriptures
Use the Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families in your YC supplies. Then submit your Family Mass/Scripture reflection here.
You can also go to this site for online readings and questions.Write a Reflection when done.
Read together this MonthFrom the library or look online for video or pdf format:
Berenstain Bears: Say Their Prayers by Stan, Jan and Mike Berenstain
Journey to the Heart by
Frank Jelenek & Ann Boyajian
The Ball of Red String
by Marlene Halpin
We are Catholic
by Catherine Way Skinner 

Discuss how the lesson in the story applies to your life. Write a Reflection when done.