Happy Easter!  I love that the Easter season continues for 50 days!  It gives me time to do all the fun Easter stuff that I haven't gotten time to do yet.

This week we are preparing for the second Sunday of Easter, which also happens to be Divine Mercy Sunday.  The gospel reading tells of Jesus appearing to the disciples after His resurrection.  One disciple is missing, and would not believe the others that they had really seen Jesus.  I think you know who I'm talking about...

When Jesus reveals himself again to the disciples, Thomas is present, and sees that Jesus really is alive.  Jesus says, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." (John 20:29)

I would like to think that I am not a doubting Thomas.  I have been blessed to have an unwavering faith in God's existence for as long as I can remember.  When I wonder if I need proof of God's existence, I would be quick to answer "no".  But I realize that I do have proof of God's existence.  My beautiful children, the beauty and complex perfection of nature, my selfless husband, the lives of the saints, the good that can come out of a terrible loss...  

Do I only see the proof because I have faith?  Or do I have faith because I see the proof?  I'm not really sure.  But I do know that the more I grow in my faith through conscientious actions, the more proof I see around me.  The scriptures, 2000 years of church teaching, thousands of saints that show us the way...Thomas didn't have these things.  We are blessed to have them.  May we always stay strong in our faith!

Michaela Evanow

Here's this week's Catholic Family Meeting slideshow:

Catholic Family Meeting {Prep for Palm/Passion Sunday - Cycle B}

This Sunday is known as Palm or Passion Sunday, and it marks the beginning of Holy Week.  It is really important to prepare our families for this mass for several reasons:

1. There will be two gospels read, one at the beginning of mass with Jesus entering Jerusalem (with people waving palms) and the other during the Liturgy of the Word.
2. The gospel reading of Jesus' passion and crucifixion will be read and it will be long.  If children can follow along, it will be easier for them...well, for everyone!
3. As it is still Lent and the focus is on Jesus' passion and death, it is a solemn occasion.
4. Your children will be given a palm, which without any guidance, could will become a toy, a way to harass their sister, or an origami lesson.

I will hopefully remember to talk with my girls about what to do with the palms, which of course can be folded later...

There are also lots of great ways to prepare our kids for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter linked in the slideshow for this week.  I know my family is really anticipating them after all these weeks of Lent. :)

Catholic Family Meeting {Prep for 5th Sunday of Lent - Cycle B}

I cannot believe it is already the 5th Sunday of Lent!  I'm in a need of a little refocusing on my Lenten goals and putting God first, even when (or especially when) things get hectic.  

This week's readings explained very well by Loyola Press' website here, and all three readings are preparing us for Jesus' passion.  The gospel reading will definitely need some explanation for children (and of course, I needed it too!), as Jesus tells His disciples:

Does God really call us to hate our life?  

To children, this will be quite confusing.  What Jesus wants is for us to be detached from the things of this world.  He wants us to have an eternal perspective, and to put our love of God first.  

The awesome thing about this is that as you detach yourself from worldly things and cares, you come to love life even more.  

What a wonderful lesson to teach our children, especially if yours are like mine and have every creature comfort and live a very privileged life.  And I need to relearn this lesson everyday to keep myself from living the way of the world, attached to possessions, comforts, and even people.