Break Open the Word At Home
Break Open the Word is on summer break! Join us again in August for more Bible fun!
Each week, check here for the Sunday readings from the Children’s Lectionary, some background on the readings, questions to discuss with your family and activities to help your children connect to the readings.
Past Episodes
May 31 – Pentecost Sunday
May 24 – The Ascension of the Lord
May 17 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 10 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 3 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 26 – Third Sunday of Easter
April 19 – Second Sunday of Easter
April 12 – Easter Sunday
April 5th – Palm Sunday
March 29 – Fifth Sunday of Lent
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How to Celebrate Mass from Home
You can watch the weekly mass here on our website each week until the Archbishop reinstates public masses. Visit the home page for the mass video. Here are a few tips to help you reverently watch mass from your home…
1. Create a “home altar” in front of your TV or the device where you will watch mass. This might be on your TV cabinet, a coffee table, a card table, TV tray or even a large box. Lay out a nice cloth or table runner and a crucifix or cross if you have one.
2. Open your family bible to the Gospel of the day and place it on your “home altar” to remind you that God’s word is among you.
3. Light a candle to symbolize the light of Christ that shines in the darkness and to help your home resemble our church.
4. Set up chairs like a pew to help you engage in the mass and to keep you from passively watching from the couch.
5. Get dressed as you normally would to attend mass. Keeping this routine is especially helpful for children.
6. If you have Holy Water at home, use it to bless yourselves before you begin the mass.
7. Take a few moments of silence to transition from the normal busyness of your home to the sacredness of the mass.
8. Fully participate in the mass as if you were there. Stand, kneel and sit at the appropriate times. Sing along with the music. Join in saying the prayers and responses out loud.
9. Enjoy a little fellowship after mass is done. Have coffee and breakfast as a family, or maybe take some time to call friends from the parish to connect and see how they are doing!
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Celebrations of First Eucharist
Due to the most recent updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Archbishop made the difficult decision that we need to put a hold on the sacrament of First Eucharist for the time being, making it seem unlikely that we will be able to celebrate the sacrament of First Eucharist on our planned dates in early May. We also know that parents like to invite extended family to come and celebrate with their child who is receiving the sacrament. It may be difficult for families to travel to be with us for these celebrations in the next few months due to the ever-changing guidelines on safety. For those reasons, we have decided to reschedule the celebrations of First Eucharist to the following dates and times:
Saturday, July 11th – 1 pm Private mass
Sunday, July 12th – 1 pm Private mass
Saturday, July 18th – 1 pm Private mass
Details for the rescheduled First Eucharist mass selections have been sent via email to parents.
During this time at home, Second graders can be decorating their stoles for First Eucharist. Here are some examples from previous years:
