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The following are good resources to use with your students during Lent:

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

• For younger students, coloring pages of the Stations of the Cross can be found at: https://www.thecatholickid.com/stations-of-the-cross-coloring-pages/
• For older students, include the Stations of the Cross as a part of daily prayer during lent. Short (less than 10 minutes) video versions that can be projected to your whiteboard  can be found at:
  • https://be/mVM0Mn0AgHw
  • https://be/y0Ug4sPrVCc
  • https://be/bvaqHHXtCqE

LENTEN ACTIVITIES
The following web sites have good resources for observing Lent with children:

• Catholic Icing – –https://www.catholicicing.com/lenten-activities-for-children/
  • What To Give Up For Lent: The Ultimate List Of Ideas
  • Unplugging For Lent- 50 Ideas For Giving Up Screens And Technology
  • Lenten Sacrifice Ideas and Activities for younger Students
  • Lenten Activities That Last 40 Days (And Encourage Sacrifice!)
  • Make a Crown of Thorns for Lent- Teach Kids About Sacrifice
  • Holy Week In Handprints- A Craft For Every Day Of Holy Week
  • Stations Of The Cross Crafts
  • Lenten Prayer Pretzel
• Loyola Press: https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/lent/activities-and-resources/lenten-activities-for-children/
  • Grades 1–2 Lenten Activities
    • Links of Love
    • Lenten Promise Posters
    • Ideas to Share: Ash Wednesday
    • How We Depend on God
    • Coaching Children to Pray

• • Grades 3–4 Lenten Activities
    • Pray the Rosary
    • Pray the Stations of the Cross
    • Ideas to Share: Stations of the Cross
    • Celebrate Reconciliation
    • Coaching Children to Pray
  • Grades 5–6 Lenten Activities
    • Illustrating Jesus’ Journey
    • Lenten To-Do List
    • Ideas to Share: Ash Wednesday
    • The Number 40
    • Coaching Children to Pray
  • Grades 7–8 Lenten Activities
    • Take 10 Minutes
    • Commitment Buddies
    • Family Effort
    • Coaching Young People to Pray
• Lenten Activity Calendar for Families {Free Printable!}

https://fairfieldcounty.momcollective.com/lent-activity-calendar-for-families-free-printable/

• Lenten Countdown Worksheet https://catholicsprouts.com/lenten-countdown-worksheet/

Catholic schools benefit all year long from the religious guidance, prayers and support parishes provide. Many parishes join in the National Catholic Schools Week celebration by devoting a Mass to Catholic education. Schools start the week by inviting parishioners and community members to parish-centered events and school virtual open houses that feature their outstanding academic programs, religious education and service opportunities.

TIP: Even if you are not a parish school, reach out to local parishes early in the year to see if you can be part of a Mass during CSW. This is a great way to reinforce the shared commitment of faith and academics forming the whole child. A sample letter is available in the Tools and Templates section of the NCEA.

• Ask parish priests (in-person Masses or live-stream) to announce Celebrate Catholic Schools Week –  January 31 – February 6 – at each Mass.
• In the bulletin, online or printed, invite parishes to pray for Catholic schools, yours especially.
• Invite parishioners to visit, but only when it’s safe to do so.
• Tag your parish on social media with a Canva-inspired post and use #CSW21.
• Download Catholic Schools Snaps from NCEA and post them on your website and social media, in addition to including them in a bulletin or school e-newsletter. https://www.ncea.org/csw/Planning%20Tools/Catholic_School_Snaps/CSW/Planning_Tools/Catholic_School_Snaps.aspx?hkey=efddbbb5-ce5f-4ae8-8af3-f0a0a7cd58ce
• Share a parish’s Mass that is utilizing livestreaming or Facebook Live.

In light of the current situation, please review carefully the overview of possible acceptable activities for celebrating Catholic Schools Week.  If your school has any planned activities to celebrate Catholic Schools Week that you would like to share with us (e.g. livestreamed Mass, Zoom activities, etc.}, please send the information to Catherine Jennings (cjennings@archphila.org) who will coordinate and share these with the OCE staff and the Communications Office so we can support you in whatever way we can.   Also, if you have any pictures or other things that you would like to share for the website or social media, send these to Catherine and she will share them with Bonnie, as well.

Celebrate the following daily themes in your arch/diocese during Catholic Schools Week 2021 (adapted from NCEA for Archdiocesan schools)

Please tag NCEA and AOPS on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, plus use the hashtag #CSW21 and #equippingsaints, so we can share your information! Take advantage of all of the devices you and your colleagues have on hand to continue to get out the word on why Catholic schools are great places of academic excellence and faith-filled mission.

Credit:  Sister Edward Quinn

We thank everyone for their contributions to our 2020 Christmas Advent video.

We wish for everyone and their families a festive and spiritual Christmas and a prosperous New Year.  Please be safe and healthy.  ~ Office of Catholic Elementary Education ~