Easter Sunday Home Church by Lisa Brown, dre@ctredeemer.org

Happy Easter—though, we are mindful that it may not feel very “Happy” for those who are mourning loved ones and/orcaring for those who are sick. If you are one of those families, please know our hearts go out to you and that our whole CTR staff is praying daily for you.

Despite the challenges we face, today we join our hearts with Christians around the whole world to celebrate the highest feast day of our entire liturgical year.

During this unprecedented time of communion-via-internet I am reminded of just how much I cherish and love all the people (aka – The Body of Christ) with whom I have prayed our ancient prayer of the Mass with over the years. Not just my family and friends, but ALL of you – even if we have never formally met. This year we can even pray this sacred Mass with Pope Francis and people from all over the entire earth via the

Vatican Website at: http://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html.

This experience of spiritual connectedness and communion reminds me of Thomas Merton who wrote “Compassion is a keen awareness of the interdependence of all living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another…

We are already one. But we imagine that we are not. And what we have to recover is our original unity. What we have to be is what we are.” Hopefully your family has already been celebrating Mass together during this time at home—perhaps even inviting the children to lead Mass using our first “Home Church” guide found at this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dWtYMvYN59WXmC6JDxQEDVr5fBstSmYk/view?usp=sharing. Below is our very special “Easter Edition.”

It’s pretty simple…here is the “how to”

First, we bake the bread together. (If you don’t have time or ingredients to make the bread, any bread, bagel, or crackers will do—this is not an authentic “Mass” so there are no hard rules here).

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A fun family

craft!

While we are baking we can discuss how “going to church is the huddle but not the game.” The game, of course—our primary mission as Catholic Christians is to transform the world with the love of God. Our calling is to do our very best to be a loving, non-violent, giving, vulnerable, compassionate force for the common good as Jesus was in his earthly life. This makes for a hearty discussion while pre-heating the oven, mixing up the ingredients and kneading the dough.

Second, we work together to collect the following items and set the altar table:

Communion Bread Recipe

Ingredients: 1 cup Whole Grain Wheat Flour 1/4 cup of unbleached white flour 1/2 cup lukewarm water (Optional) A touch of honey if desired

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Measure the whole wheat flour. Pour water into the center of flour and incorporate by hand. Empty the mixture onto a lightly floured flat surface and knead by hand for 5 minutes. Dough will be sticky so

add as much white flour as it will take to make it smooth. Form the dough into a ball and cover with two damp paper towels or a few drops of olive oil so it won’t dry. Let the dough rest for five minutes. Pat each ball into a small circle shape, about 1/2 thick. Score the dough and place loaf onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 20-22 minutes. Do not bake longer than 25 minutes.

Here is the link to the “official” recipe we use at CTR: http://ctredeemer.org/other/worship/bread_baking_recipe_1.pdf

Children who participate in our faith formation programs will be excited to show you what they know. Setting the al-tar table is the very first lesson we introduce to the children in our atrium as part of our Catechesis of the Good Shep-herd (CGS) programming at CTR. Here is a link to many meaningful resources and ways to pray with your children at

home. https://www.cgsusa.org/homepage/covid-19-response/

A bible A cross One or two candles A lighter or matches A clean table cloth (for the altar cloth) A pretty bowl or plate (for the paten) A wine glass (for the chalice) A low table (for the altar) A cloth napkin (for the purification) For this special Easter Mass you also will need: An evergreen branch Bowl of water

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First Reading: Acts 10:34-43 Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Gospel Reading: John 20:1-9

Next, we look up in the bible the readings for the day. The readings for Easter Sunday are:

The readings can be found on the USCCB website at this link: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041220.cfm You could just print them out from the website, but it is a MUCH better exercise to help your children look up the readings in an actual bible and mark them with a post-it note or bookmark. So many children have never explored or even opened a bible so they are naturally curious and sometimes even fascinated (if we parents can spin it properly) to just browse through the index of all the different books and genres in our beautiful library of sacred scripture texts. It’s quite a teachable moment…

An opening hymn (usually an upbeat, gathering song) A psalm (this may also be read aloud. Today we listen to Psalm 95) A song for after communion (usually a more meditative tune. Silence is always

wonderful at this time too!) A closing tune (Chose one that is celebratory! The Mass continues!)

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Many songs from our Gather hymnals can be found on the internet, with which we can sing along: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWA5zG52eak&list=PLoPil3PcYf-8wXh-PhyyoG0cuPa8488RQ&index=5

Music is the best way to truly engage the whole family! Encourage your children to pull out their instruments from band class at school—or even make one such as this little homemade maraca. Instructions: Pour rice into an empty plastic egg and close the egg. Tape around the seam of the egg. Place the egg between the heads of two plastic spoons, and wrap tape around it to hold the spoons in place. Tape the handles of the two spoons to hold them Together (can also be made with a small water bottle).

You are also HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to WATCH THE VIDEO of our extraordinary Easter Vigil First reading, Genesis 1:1-2, via our website http://www.ctredeemer.org/home/holy-week-

Next, we choose a few songs to sing during our Mass at home:

Next we decide who will fill the roles of leader (also called the presider), lector(s) and communion ministers.

Our daughters usually fight over who is going to serve as the leader of our communal prayer, so we draw roles from a hat now. If my young-est is chosen as the appointed leader for the day, she takes the role very seriously – and has a desire to dress the part – so she dons my long white bathrobe and a stole that I bought on a service trip to Guatemala long before my kids were born, thinking someday maybe one of my children might become a priest. Dressing up is optional of course, but figuring out how to look like Fr. Joe is something the younger children really enjoy. It’s also a great opportunity to talk about what liturgical season we are currently in: Purple (Before the feast) White (During the feast) Green (After the feast) Red (Feast of the Holy Spirit). Here’s a catchy little CGS tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzOBOBRaRn0

Introductory Rite Greeting: LEADER: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ALL: And with your spirit.

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Then we begin our prayer. There are four main parts:

For the official “rite” of distributing Holy Communion outside of Mass, please visit this link:

http://www.acatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/Communion-Service-Daily.pdf. It is not customary to say the words of institution/consecration (found in the bible in the Gospels of Mark 14:22-26 & Luke 22:14-23 and also St. Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians 11:23-25) during a lay led communion service, however, as parents we are the primary catechists of our children and personally I think it is helpful to take every opportunity to engage and expose my children to our shared sacred ancient prayer. Its quite profound to have them lead the prayer and repeat the familiar words they hear each week at Mass, especially for those preparing for First Eucharist.

Introductory Rite Celebration of the Word of God Holy Communion Concluding Rites

Blessing of the Water and the Sprinkling Rite LEADER: Blessed are you, Lord God, who in Christ, the living water of salvation, blessed and transformed us. Grant that when we are sprinkled with this water, we will be refreshed and enlivened by the Holy Spirit and continue to walk in the new life we received at Baptism. We ask this though Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Then the leader takes the evergreen branch, dips it into the bowl of water, and sprinkles everyone with the blessed water.

Singing of the Gloria (or listen to it during the sprinkling rite) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzuVF1rwamA Celebration of the Word of God WATCH THE VIDEO of our extraordinary Easter Vigil First reading, Genesis 1:1-2, via our website http://www.ctredeemer.org/home/holy-week- First Reading: Acts 10:34-43, ended with “The Word of God” ALL: Thanks be to God Psalm: # 118 (read aloud or sing along with music at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSr63SJig2k ) Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, ended with “The Word of God” ALL: Thanks be to God Now we sing our ALLELLUIA for the first time since Lent started! Shake your maracas and sing it loud with or without the music at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjf6bYQRbtU ) Gospel Reading: John 20:1-9 ended with “The Gospel of the Lord” ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ Homily: After a few moments of silence to let the readings sink in, go around in a circle for a shared discussion style homily and answer the question “What do these readings mean to me? What words stuck out to me in particular?” Be sure everyone who wishes to gets to share. General Intercessions: PRESIDER: Let us now offer to God our Prayers and our needs. Our response is “Lord, hear our prayer” ALL: At this time everyone offers what they would like to pray for in their own words. For example “Lord, we pray for all those who are sick and those who care for them. We pray especially for the safety of our health care workers. We pray to you Lord… ALL: Lord hear our prayer After everyone is done praying for family and friends, our government and public health officials, our church leaders, our world at large, pets and other intentions…

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PRESIDER: Lord, we bring to you all these intentions and those that we hold silent in our hearts. We pray to you Lord. ALL: Lord, hear our prayer. PRESIDER: God of Love, you have heard our prayers and our needs. We ask that you grant them through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for-ever and ever. Amen.

Optional Eucharistic Prayer or the words of institution/consecration found in the bible Gospels of Mark 14:22-26 & Luke 22:14-23 and also St. Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians 11:23-25

PRESIDER: Every good gift comes from above. In return, we have brought a portion of our living; We have brought gifts of bread and wine and placed them on the altar. Now we place our own lives on the altar: Our joys and hopes, our grief and anguish and pray that the sacrifice we offer together may be acceptable to God, the Father almighty. Lord, You are Holy indeed. You are the fountain of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts, by send-ing down your Spirit upon them, that they may become for us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the cup and, once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying: TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR THE MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME. ALL: Sing or say The Mystery of Faith: When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again. PRESIDER: Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of Christ’s Death and Resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the bread of life and the cup of salvation. We give you thanks that you have held us worthy to stand in your presence and minister to you. We pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, to-gether with Francis, our Pope, Allen, the Bishop of Detroit, all the clergy, and all who love and serve your people. Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face.

Have mercy on us all, make us worthy to share eternal life with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, with her husband Joseph, with the Apostles, and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, In union with them may we praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ.

THROUGH CHRIST, AND WITH CHRIST, AND IN CHRIST, O GOD, ALMIGHTY FATHER, IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ALL GLORY AND HONOUR IS YOURS, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN!

Communion:

The Lord’s Prayer: PRESIDER: Let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught us… ALL: Our Father, who art in heaven…

Sign of Peace: All participate in the sign of peace saying “Peace be with you.”

PRESIDER: Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to this supper.

ALL: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

The Eucharistic Minister says “The Body of Christ” we respond “Amen” and eat. The minister of the cup says “The Blood of Christ” we respond “Amen” and drink.

Silent prayer of thanks to God and/or sing our Communion Song: I am the Bread of Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CRMbh8ViUI

Concluding Rite

PRESIDER: Let us pray

Lord, Jesus May this food strengthen us in love and help us to serve you in each other We ask this through Christ our Lord.

ALL: Amen. May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us unto everlasting life. All: Amen.

PRESIDER: The Mass continues. Go in peace, being God’s compassionate presence in the world. ALL: Thanks be to God.

Closing Song

Lastly, everyone helps clean up and we all continue to love one another as God loves us in the week ahead!

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FUN EASTER “SELFIE” SCAVENGER HUNT

See how many of these items you can take a photo of yourself with. Whoever checks off the most in your family wins!

Selfie with a live plant or flower

Selfie while dancing

Selfie with the bible open to one of the passages about the resurrection (hint: check at the end of one of our Gospels)

Selfie with each person in your family

Selfie with a map

Selfie with something that smells good

Selfie with a cross

Selfie with something you like to eat

Selfie with a rosary

Selfie of helping to clean up after Mass

Selfie with a tree

Selfie with something fluffy

Selfie with something pink

Selfie with a family photo

Selfie making a letter with your body/bodies

Selfie with a non-American coin

Selfie with a children’s book with a bear in it

Selfie with a picture of grandparents

Selfie with a yellow colored pencil

Selfie with a board game

Selfie with a salad dressing

Selfie with a random item from basement

Selfie with the oldest thing in the house you can find

Selfie with something that smells bad

Selfie doing a difficult yoga pose

Selfie with a baby picture

HAPPY EASTER!!!