Reclaim Your Sundays

April
Breaking Bread & Prayer

“But because of its special solemnity and the obligatory presence of the community, and because it is celebrated “on the day when Christ conquered death and gave us a share in his immortal life,” the Sunday Eucharist expresses with greater emphasis its inherent ecclesial dimension. It becomes the paradigm for other Eucharistic celebrations. Each community, gathering all its members for the “breaking of the bread,” becomes the place where the mystery of the Church is concretely made present.” Dies Domini 34

Just as we gather around the banquet feast at the Eucharist, our families can model this communal breaking of the bread in our own homes through celebrating the day with a special meal and extended time at the table.

ENTER INTO THE LORD’S DAY
(Possible Activities for April):

Pray with Hallow

• Plan! Plan! Plan! Make family plans for the Triduum and Easter.  There is so much more than just Easter morning!  Lent & Easter Schedule — Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church

• There are so many Triduum traditions that go with Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter morning! Adopt a new one. The website Catholic Culture has some great ideas Entering the Paschal Triduum | Catholic Culture

• Find ways to incorporate Alleluias into your family’s prayer, especially on Sundays. Sing it, pray it, decorate your prayer space with it, greet each other with it!  Check out this Spotify Playlist Easter: Hallelujah Is Our Song - playlist by Heather Khym | Spotify 

• Plan ways your family can intentionally celebrate the season of Easter for all 50 days.(especially appropriate on Sundays)

  o   For Adults: 4 Easy Ways to Celebrate the 50-Day Easter Season - Good Catholic

  o   For families:  Easter Season Resources - Strong Catholic Family Faith

• On Sundays, create a special meal and share time at the table together.

• Learn the Regina Caeli prayer said during the Eastertide.  It is one of four Marian Antiphons.  Regina Caeli | USCCB

Adapted from the document RECLAIMING SUNDAYS from the ARCHDIOCESE OF SAINT PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS

Homily Series: The Parish as a School of Prayer

Fr. Nick Vance offers a homily series on Prayer. Pope St. John Paull II called the parish the school of prayer. Listen to the series for hear wisdom and practical ways we can deepen our relationship with God through prayer.