As we continue to journey through this Lenten season why not celebrate Holy Week with your family with the following activities:

Holy Week Kit for Families
The free download from Catholic Family Crate includes coloring and activity pages, scripture, song ideas, Catholic traditions and more. This simple resource helps families end the Lenten season and celebrate the joy of Easter in a meaningful, memorable way. To download, go to https://holyweek.catholicfamilycrate.com

Holy Thursday
– Watch The Prince of Egypt – It covers the 10 plagues and the Passover!
– Plan a Last Supper Dinner – serve lamb if you are able, or make a cake for dessert in the shape of a lamb.
– Read Psalms 113-116 (or parts of them) while you wash one another’s feet.
Good Friday
– Wear black on Good Friday or for all of the Triduum to mourn Jesus’ death.
– Cut down on media – strive to turn off TVs , radio,and music and instead, attend liturgies and pray together.
– Start the day off with the tradition of Hot Cross Buns – the spruceeats/hotcrossbuns.com
– Keep the vigil of Noon-3pm (the hours Jesus hung on the cross) with solemn silence and prayer.
Holy Saturday
– Take down Lenten decorations and start decorating and preparing food for Easter.
– Color Easter eggs and create Easter symbols in the home.

For more ideas on how to bring this Lenten/Easter season into your home go to www.catholicallyear.com.

Dear Parish Family,
As difficult as it may seem to believe, we are coming into the last two weeks of this Lent. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and we are into Holy Week. We have looked at the traditional practices of prayer, fasting and alms giving. This week I would like to encourage everyone (myself included) to take the time to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, go to Confession. This experience of the Sacramental forgiveness of sin is an excellent way to bring Lent to a conclusion and prepare spiritually for Easter: the Resurrection of Christ. Confession is available every Tuesday from 5:30 – 6 PM, Saturday from 3:30 – 4:00 PM. Additionally, St. Francis, St. Mary’s, St. Joseph’s and St. Michael-St. Peter’s Churches will come together on Monday, April 4 at 7:00 PM at St. Mary’s in Skaneateles will celebrate a Lenten Penance service with multiple priests available for Confession. Monday, April 11 we hold the ‘Light is on For You’ with confession available in Church from 4 – 7:00 PM. If none of these times work for you, you can call the Rectory and make an appointment with me for Confession.
God Bless,
Fr. Dan