Children: ACTIVITIES, LINKS AND THOUGHTS FOR LENT

Parents:  LINKS FOR DAILY LENTEN INSPIRATION
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Warmest Greetings,
Dear Parents of Young Children!


Children sure do love family traditions!
My (now young adult) children still feel that our traditions are important.  I quickly learned that one year, as I sort of deviated from one, and they quickly reminded me: 
"We have to do this, Mom - It’s tradition!"

Our Catholic Faith traditions offer us great, uplifting teaching moments that stay with our kids throughout their lifetimes, and each Liturgical season brings its own rich, beautiful practices.

Children ask "Why?" about almost everything it seems.  They're so interested to understand "Why" and "How" we follow our Catholic devotionals and practices.  Thankfully we have reliable Catholic on-line resources, publishers of Children's books etc. at our fingertips to help us teach our traditions to children.
And remember to ask the grandparents!  They are a wealth of faith knowledge and tradition!

*The GOOD NEWS IS:  It’s never too late to begin!  We can establish rich faith traditions right now in our homes that will create lovely meaningful memories for many years to come.


  

SHROVE TUESDAY:
Share your 'family pancake' photo with us? ​

This Tuesday, (Feb. 16, 2021) is "Shrove Tuesday" among Catholic traditions. 
We often call it "Pancake Tuesday" "Fat Tuesday" or "Mardi Gras" en francais!  
St. Simon and St. Jude parish has a tradition of putting on a parish "Pancakes and Sausages Dinner" event each year.  Although this is not possible this year, COVID-19 does not have to stop that from happening right in our homes!  Children love to participate by helping create pancakes with all the trimmings and toppings.  
Why not have a little family fun and share a photo of your family's own pancake creations for our Facebook page?  You never know...there may just be a little prize for the most creative! 

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The Season of LENT officially begins this - ASH WEDNESDAY - February 17th, 2021 with yet new opportunities to live out meaningful and inspiring faith traditions with our children.  There are on-line services, including a prayer service with our own Father Antony right here on our website. 

LENT is a truly beautiful time to help children become their best as they draw into closer friendship with Jesus.  The Lenten journey can help us rediscover Jesus' amazing love for each of us. 


Taking special family time throughout Lent, for prayer, for being thankful for what we have, to make little sacrifices, to be kind to and help others, helps us ALL grow in faith and character.  It especially helps us better understand Jesus' great victory over death and how He opened the doors to heaven for all of us too!    

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   LENT: A time of Prayer, Fasting, Works of Love...  
           Kids:  Create an "Acts of Kindness" Jar?  Or an "Attitude of Gratitude" book?
Mom and Dad:  Share a photo of your Lenten Family/ or Child's project for our Web?
Kids can easily create and decorate an "Acts of Kindness" treasure box or mason jar.  Each time your child does a kind deed, or makes a sacrifice, have them write it down on a little strip of paper,  place it in the jar, and see how quickly it fills with goodness day by day!  Or - how about making an "attitude of gratitude" journal, where every evening, your child writes down something they were thankful to God for, that day.  
It is said that a thankful person is a happy person.  Years down the road, that little journal may lift your child's spirits as they remember their own beautiful reflections. 

 

Dear Parents,

Knowing Jesus is their utmost, faithful friend who loves them, no matter what, will help children 
stay strong in their life's journey.   


We continue to pray for you.
We remain your friends and partners on the journey.


May God bless and keep you and your loved ones safe.

Sincerely in Jesus,

Mrs. Dianne Poisson,  Youth Ministry Leader/Facilitator
Mrs. Marguerite Hewer,  Pastoral Minister, Coordinator of Youth Ministry,
St. Simon and St. Jude Parish,
Belle River, ON.

LINKS FOR CHILDREN:  (See links for Parents below)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDvf527E8Dg&t=144s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mAYIFMK8Kw
https://www.catholicicing.com/lenten-activities-for-children/
https://www.holyheroes.com/Lenten-Adventure-s/37.htm
https://teachingcatholickids.com/your-catholic-family-guide-to-lent/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0qv7c4PsrA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98uwVb5clrg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szvyf1ciXs0&t=21s
LINKS FOR PARENTS:

https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/daily-reflections.html

DAILY IINSPIRATIONS

https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/lent/best-lent-ever.html 
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