I missed a day of blogging again but for a good reason. Yesterday was just plain busy. I had work and then Faith Formation in the evening. I had today off, which was lovely. I managed to get some errands done,and I put the screens in the windows. It’s been quite warm for a few weeks and the house has been quite stuffy, but I’ve help back from putting the screens in, mostly because I’ve been busy but also because it just seemed too early. Plus the screens are new ones to go with the new windows, and I had to get them out of their boxes and haul out the ladder… it was a bit of a job! But they are in now and the windows are open and the fresh air is coming in.
Faith Formation went well last night. We had a decent turnout, only one of our regulars missed. I’d hoped to see some of our not-so-regulars there but no luck. I really need to find a way to reach out to them and encourage them to come. Anyway, we talked about Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday and the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem touching on the cleansing of the Temple, and finishing with the Last Supper and the garden of Gethsemane. Then we actually showed a few scenes from “Jesus Christ, Superstar”. I think the kids liked it, we hoped it would bring the Gospel stories alive for the kids. Next week we will do avery modified Passover Seder/Last Supper.
I did this once before with another class about 3 years ago. I’d worked long and hard, researched extensively, made all the food, brought nice candlesticks & table linens, the whole nine yards. It was interesting and fun but I definitely got a bit carried away and it was a little too much. I love this kind of stuff so it is easy for me to overdo it. Years ago I went to a Seder presentation by Jews for Jesus at a friend’s church. It was a Bible church, and I found it curious that many of the people at the church weren’t particularly aware that the Last Supper was a Seder. I had always been aware of it, since in the Catholic Liturgy the readings for Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper includes the story of the first Passover from the Book of Exodus. The Seder and accompanying explanation from the representative for Js for J was very interesting, and I was so fascinated to realize how directly the Eucharistic Liturgy draws from it. This spurred a curiosity that has had me delving deeper into Catholicism, something I have enjoyed very much. Hopefully I can come up with something by next week that will educate the kids without overwhelming them!
I was able to get to church early enough to participate in Stations of the Cross and Benediction, along with about 10 other people. The Stations are a lovely devotional activity for Lent. It makes me really think about my behavior, and I was forced to admit that I’d not been really doing well in some areas. We’ll do reconciliation for our class during Holy Week and I know I’m in need of it.