Happy Easter Seekers Families!  

I pray that while our churches are empty today, may we find hope in that the tomb is empty too!

 

In this crazy new world we have all been thrown into where children are home from school indefinitely, no Mass on Sundays, stores and businesses closing, it can be easy to lose hope. Easter Sunday calls us to be “Seekers,” proclaimers, and persons of hope and life.

How we live as people of hope is today’s challenge. We cannot ignore the sick and suffering around us. We cannot turn a deaf ear to the cries of creation. We must all be clothed in hope and work to bring hope to all people. Every single human being can make a difference in the world (whether we working on the front-lines or staying safe at home). The Easter season reminds us that we are called to be messengers of hope. Jesus’ Resurrection calls us to make a difference.

During this Easter season as we celebrate the new life of Jesus, risen from the dead, I encourage you to try the following with your family:

• Reflect on the word “hope” (Use it in a sentence to get started, such as, “I hope we will have chocolate cake for dessert.” )
• Offer examples of things you and your family hope for
• Think about things that others who are less fortunate might hope for (such as a warm bed)
• Reflect on how you and your family can bring hope to others
• Challenge your family to do one thing this week to bring someone hope (such as sending a hand-made card in the mail)

During this overwhelming and challenging time, please know that I continue to hold you and your family up in prayer. Please let me know if I can help with anything, in anyway, at anytime.

Hope and health for all,

Melissa Gozzo
Billerica Catholic Religious Education (BCRE)
Young Disciples Coordinator (Gr. K – 1)
Seekers Coordinator (Grade 2)
First Reconciliation and Eucharist Coordinator (Grades 2-5)

Easter Enrichment

We decorate Easter Eggs with bright colors and beautiful designs. The egg is somewhat like the tomb in which Jesus has been buried. Just as the little chick stays inside the egg for a time and then comes to live a new life, Jesus was inside the tomb and left it to live a new risen life. Sometimes we find a candy chick in our Easter basket.

Jesus shares his new life with us. When we try to live in the joy and love of our risen Savior, we are new people.

Watch the following underlined link: Easter Eggs: What do candy filled eggs have to do with Jesus? with your family. In this Youtube Video Clip, Douglas Talks about Easter eggs and how they remind him of the amazing Gift of Jesus’ resurrection!

Easter Sunday is one day, but Easter is a whole season that lasts fifty days long and ends on Pentecost Sunday. During this Easter Season, have a special Easter Egg Hunt by doing the following with your family:

• Explain that today they will be trying to discover a special Easter word, just as the women discovered that Jesus was not longer in the tomb.
• Tell them that they find the letters to this words in eggs that have been hidden around the house or yard. 
• Once all eight eggs have been found, invite them to look at the letters and see if they can figure our what word they might spell.
• Give some time to make guesses, ant then start spelling the word, one letter at a time, until the full word is spelled out.
• Ask your family to share if they know anything about the meaning of the word Alleluia. 
• Explain that it means “Praise the Lord!” and that we say it to celebrate the fact that God is good and that Jesus was raised from the dead.