Holy Week- No Easter Parties at Catholic School??

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emeraldcoast

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Our children attend a Catholic School that is Pre-K4 thru 8th grade. I was amazed to hear that ONLY the Pre-K4 would be having an Easter Party/ Easter Egg Hunt. I had the opportunity to attend Stations of the Cross this past Friday with the students and was surprised and dismayed that they just had children holding signs which read “I” or “X” Roman Numerals with children reading the stations from the Lector. I also found out that Thursday lunch will be silent, to allow students to “reflect.”

Is this normal in Catholic schools? Honestly, it really seems that the focus of the Holy Week observances is on Jesus’ death instead of the wonder and joy of a risen Lord. Has anyone ever seen or know of more upbeat Holy Week activites that celibrate God’s grace? It seems like we are heavy on the guilt this week - too much sadness going on.

Christ has Risen!
 
emeraldcoast said:
Our children attend a Catholic School that is Pre-K4 thru 8th grade. I was amazed to hear that ONLY the Pre-K4 would be having an Easter Party/ Easter Egg Hunt. I had the opportunity to attend Stations of the Cross this past Friday with the students and was surprised and dismayed that they just had children holding signs which read “I” or “X” Roman Numerals with children reading the stations from the Lector. I also found out that Thursday lunch will be silent, to allow students to “reflect.”

Is this normal in Catholic schools? Honestly, it really seems that the focus of the Holy Week observances is on Jesus’ death instead of the wonder and joy of a risen Lord. Has anyone ever seen or know of more upbeat Holy Week activites that celibrate God’s grace? It seems like we are heavy on the guilt this week - too much sadness going on.

Christ has Risen!
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Of course we know and live in the time of a risen Christ.
We spend one week specifically dedicated to meditating on the suffering Jesus went through for us out of gratitude and reverence. The Easter Season is officially celebrated in the church for several weeks, just like Christmas. One week to contemplate what Jesus did for us and why we don’t deserve God’s mercy is the least we could do, IMHO.
 
emeraldcoast said:
Our children attend a Catholic School that is Pre-K4 thru 8th grade. I was amazed to hear that ONLY the Pre-K4 would be having an Easter Party/ Easter Egg Hunt. I had the opportunity to attend Stations of the Cross this past Friday with the students and was surprised and dismayed that they just had children holding signs which read “I” or “X” Roman Numerals with children reading the stations from the Lector. I also found out that Thursday lunch will be silent, to allow students to “reflect.”

Is this normal in Catholic schools? Honestly, it really seems that the focus of the Holy Week observances is on Jesus’ death instead of the wonder and joy of a risen Lord. Has anyone ever seen or know of more upbeat Holy Week activites that celibrate God’s grace? It seems like we are heavy on the guilt this week - too much sadness going on.

Christ has Risen!
Click to expand...
The whole purpose of Holy Week is to reflect on the sacrifice of Our Lord and to properly prepare for the joy of his Resurrection. It is a somber week, and rightly so. There is no “upbeat” in Holy Week.

I am surprised that there is even a party for Pre-K 4. That’s slightly distressing.

And what did you expect the kids to be doing at Stations? Dancing?
 
Our Catholic school has a Marti Gras parade to say good bye to ALLELUIA for the season… they have the younger grades hold the letters and parade them through the lunchroom and into the “box” where they stay until they get back from Easter break… when they come into school after Easter, the first thing they see are the letters ALLELUIA with a big “He is Risen” banner. But from Ash Wednesday until Holy Thursday there is a definite barren look to the hallways and alot of reflection on the passion. I find it extremely appropriate. On Good Friday there is no school but the 6th grade has to be at stations of the cross for choir duty and the 7th and 8th grades do the live stations… they read, act(behind a screen in silhouette) and sing… very solemn but always brings tears to the eyes… beautiful.
 
emeraldcoast said:
Our children attend a Catholic School that is Pre-K4 thru 8th grade. I was amazed to hear that ONLY the Pre-K4 would be having an Easter Party/ Easter Egg Hunt. I had the opportunity to attend Stations of the Cross this past Friday with the students and was surprised and dismayed that they just had children holding signs which read “I” or “X” Roman Numerals with children reading the stations from the Lector. I also found out that Thursday lunch will be silent, to allow students to “reflect.”

Is this normal in Catholic schools? Honestly, it really seems that the focus of the Holy Week observances is on Jesus’ death instead of the wonder and joy of a risen Lord. Has anyone ever seen or know of more upbeat Holy Week activites that celibrate God’s grace? It seems like we are heavy on the guilt this week - too much sadness going on.

Christ has Risen!
Click to expand...
congratulations on choosing a Catholic school who correctly teaches the children to observe the liturgical seasons of the Church and does not anticipate the feasts and celebratory seasons. Lent is the time for penance, prayer and fasting, Holy Week is the time for reflection on the Lord’s Passion and on the gift of the Eucharist and priesthood, Eastertide is the season to celebrate the Resurrection. They will hopefully plan their parties for when they return to school after the Easter break. They have 50 days of celebration, why cram it into a week before it even happens?
 
puzzleannie said:
congratulations on choosing a Catholic school who correctly teaches the children to observe the liturgical seasons of the Church and does not anticipate the feasts and celebratory seasons. Lent is the time for penance, prayer and fasting, Holy Week is the time for reflection on the Lord’s Passion and on the gift of the Eucharist and priesthood, Eastertide is the season to celebrate the Resurrection. They will hopefully plan their parties for when they return to school after the Easter break. They have 50 days of celebration, why cram it into a week before it even happens?
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I didn’t even think of that!
I hope the OP gets it, too.
 
Our children attend a CatholicSchool
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that is Pre-K4 thru 8th grade. I was amazed to hear that ONLY the Pre-K4 would be having an Easter Party/ Easter Egg Hunt.

I’m surprised that the school wouldn’t move it to another day, like Monday. We didn’t get those parties in school; they were usually secular and sponsored by our local (city) Parks & Recreation department.
I also found out that Thursday lunch will be silent, to allow students to “reflect.”
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Is this normal in Catholic schools?

Well, when I was in Catholic school, we ate lunch silently every day “to reflect.” Then recess, then the rosary, then back to lessons. These kids are getting off easy! 😉
emeraldcoast said:
…it really seems that the focus of the Holy Week observances is on Jesus’ death instead of the wonder and joy of a risen Lord.
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Yep, that’s just what it is, until midnight on Saturday.
emeraldcoast said:
Has anyone ever seen or know of more upbeat Holy Week activites that celibrate God’s grace? It seems like we are heavy on the guilt this week - too much sadness going on.
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Well, let me see if I can understand your post correctly. You’re asking about the things we can celebrate during Holy Week, correct?

Wow. Let me get started on this one. There are good / happy / comforting things we can learn on from the Stations of the Cross (no, I am not joking):
  • **Jesus is condemned to death **- People are fallible in their discernment and judgement, people are cruel, and following Christ is not easy. But through His Passion, He has merited Heaven for us. We are to be most thankful for Christ and His love for us. No one else could or would be Jesus and do what He did for us. Rejoice.
  • Jesus receives the cross - Though Christ asked “this cup to pass,” He accepted God’s will (as we all should do). And if we are in His Church, we are subject to its authority. We may even be a part of the Beatific Vision one day. Rejoice.
  • Jesus falls the first time - as we fall from grace, Jesus carries us. Rejoice.
  • Jesus meets His Mother - the fulfillment of Simeon’s prophecy, a demonstration of God keeping His word to His people. Rejoice.
  • Simon of Cyrene carries the cross - Simon represents us all in that we join ourselves in Redemptive Suffering when we offer up our pains to join with Jesus’ suffering. Redemptive suffering offers graces not only for ourselves, but for others, and the whole Body of Christ. In this manner, we are united. Rejoice.
  • Veronica wipes Jesus’ face with her veil - The smallest kindnesses are noted by God, and sets an example to others. Our small kindnesses reflect God’s Holy Spirit in us. Rejoice.
  • Jesus falls the second time - Christ persevered for our redemption, we must persevere in following Him. And every day we wake up and offer our day to Him, we renew that promise to follow Him. Rejoice.
  • **Jesus meets the daughters of **Jerusalem - we need to come out and support the people who are right, though their opinions may be unpopular. We must be convicted by the Spirit that we can have full trust in the Magesterium of the Church. Rejoice.
  • Jesus falls the third time - We will always fall (sin) because of our human weaknesses, but Jesus will always forgive us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Rejoice.
  • Jesus is stripped of His garments – at our final judgment, our souls will be naked to the Lord. However, unlike what the humans did to Jesus, we know that God will be both just and merciful. Rejoice.
  • Crucifixion: - Jesus gave us the example of forgiving others - from those who crucified Him to the thief on the cross next to Him. Even in dying physically, Christ is all-powerful over our souls. Rejoice.
  • Jesus dies on the cross - He opened the gates of Heaven for us. You can think of the rending of the curtain in the Temple before the Holy of Holies at the moment of Christ’s death, tearing back the veil as the New Covenant has been fulfilled. Rejoice.
  • Jesus’ body is removed from the cross - His human body left behind, traditions were still observed that showed reverence for God’s law. However, we are free from the rule of the Sanhedrin, and free from the petty rules of Jesus’ time. Rejoice.
  • Jesus is laid in the tomb - Jesus’ body was honored, but His spiritual body was getting ready for the forty days he instructed the apostles and before His ascension to the Father. We became reconciled to God through Christ’s perfect sacrifice through His passion. Rejoice.
    (con’t)
 
(con’t)
emeraldcoast said:
Christ has Risen!
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Yes, but the celebration isn’t until Sunday.

I think this thread is analogous to why Catholics prefer crucifixes (focusing on the Passion and death of Christ) while some Protestants on this board – not that I’m implying you’re Protestant in any way – prefer to wear an empty cross to show that Christ has risen.
 
Miserissima said:
(con’t)

Yes, but the celebration isn’t until Sunday.

I think this thread is analogous to why Catholics prefer crucifixes (focusing on the Passion and death of Christ) while some Protestants on this board – not that I’m implying you’re Protestant in any way – prefer to wear an empty cross to show that Christ has risen.
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This response really hit home for me! Thank you!

Acting out or holding children’s drawlings during the Stations of the Cross really would be a great visual aide for the children.

Thank you for all responses and I will take them to heart and reflect upon them in prayer.

God Bless!
 
Why is this in the non catholic forum?
Isn’t this a catholic issue?
 
emeraldcoast said:
Our children attend a Catholic School that is Pre-K4 thru 8th grade. I was amazed to hear that ONLY the Pre-K4 would be having an Easter Party/ Easter Egg Hunt. I had the opportunity to attend Stations of the Cross this past Friday with the students and was surprised and dismayed that they just had children holding signs which read “I” or “X” Roman Numerals with children reading the stations from the Lector. I also found out that Thursday lunch will be silent, to allow students to “reflect.”

Is this normal in Catholic schools? Honestly, it really seems that the focus of the Holy Week observances is on Jesus’ death instead of the wonder and joy of a risen Lord. Has anyone ever seen or know of more upbeat Holy Week activites that celibrate God’s grace? It seems like we are heavy on the guilt this week - too much sadness going on.

Christ has Risen!
Click to expand...
Yep, that’s why you are paying the bucks to send your child to a Catholic school – to get true instruction on the faith without watering it down because it is “too sad”. Holy Week, the sacrifice of our Lord, is indeed almost too sad, and too magnificent, for sinners to bear. Even children can understand that.
 
All of the responses here have been excellent.

This is one area of thought where Eastern Christians and Western Christians of the Apostolic Tradition would be in complete harmony.

Michael
 
Hesychios said:
All of the responses here have been excellent.

This is one area of thought where Eastern Christians and Western Christians of the Apostolic Tradition would be in complete harmony.

Michael
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  1. Michael - Man, I remember my father telling me about his faither ending up in the hospital because of his severe personal pennance of fasting throughout the Great Lent. I’ve got to say that Eastern Christians seem much more solemnly dedicated (and rightly so!) to the Easter Season.
  2. Everyone, in all humility, I thought over my Stations of the Cross and I am waiting for someone to “ping” me for trying to make the Stations all “warm and fuzzy.” I would like to say that I certainly wasn’t trying to detract from imagining the Suffering of Our Lord in any way.
  3. As a personal observation, I noticed that it’s a question that divides Catholics and non-Catholics – which is more important: The Passion/suffering (displayed on the crucifix) or the Resurrection (an empty cross)?
I think it’s not a question of either/or, as both are equally important, just that the first half is solemn and the second half is joyful. It’s a timeline that doesn’t have a gap in the middle just because Jesus’ body was in a tomb for 3 days.
 
ZuzuBailey said:
Why is this in the non catholic forum?
Isn’t this a catholic issue?
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I am not Catholic, so this is coming from a non-Catholic perspective. Honestly, I wasn’t sure where to put my question.

God Bless!
 
emeraldcoast said:
Our children attend a Catholic School that is Pre-K4 thru 8th grade. I was amazed to hear that ONLY the Pre-K4 would be having an Easter Party/ Easter Egg Hunt. I had the opportunity to attend Stations of the Cross this past Friday with the students and was surprised and dismayed that they just had children holding signs which read “I” or “X” Roman Numerals with children reading the stations from the Lector. I also found out that Thursday lunch will be silent, to allow students to “reflect.”

Is this normal in Catholic schools? Honestly, it really seems that the focus of the Holy Week observances is on Jesus’ death instead of the wonder and joy of a risen Lord. Has anyone ever seen or know of more upbeat Holy Week activites that celibrate God’s grace? It seems like we are heavy on the guilt this week - too much sadness going on.

Christ has Risen!
Click to expand...
Hello emeraldcoast, you are right this week is to focus in Christ Passion, this is to teach our children what Jesus went trough for our sins, on Easter Sunday we celebrate Christ resurrection and we sing and praise God Alleluia, Alleluia Christ has risen.
I have taught my sons that Easter is not about a rabbit who laid chocolate eggs or hunting for them is all about Christ, I think we all have to teach our children the true celebration of this Holy Week I’m from El Salvador Central America and we don’t celebrate the easter bunny I only heard this in the USA, God Bless.
 
lurdes said:
Hello emeraldcoast, you are right this week is to focus in Christ Passion, this is to teach our children what Jesus went trough for our sins, on Easter Sunday we celebrate Christ resurrection and we sing and praise God Alleluia, Alleluia Christ has risen.
I have taught my sons that Easter is not about a rabbit who laid chocolate eggs or hunting for them is all about Christ, I think we all have to teach our children the true celebration of this Holy Week I’m from El Salvador Central America and we don’t celebrate the easter bunny I only heard this in the USA, God Bless.
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Hi Lurdes,

Does Santa Claus come to your house at Christmas?

God Bless!
 
My kids attend a Catholic school and have never had Easter parties. They do a big Mardi Gras party. During Lent they attend Mass daily and Stations on Fridays.
 
How much reflection do you all expect from children on their short comings? Is this what “Catholic Guilt” is all about?

Peace!
 
emeraldcoast said:
How much reflection do you all expect from children on their short comings? Is this what “Catholic Guilt” is all about?

Peace!
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Its not guilt, if you don’t plant the seed when they’re young they will not want to heard you when they’re teenagers or adults you have to teach them the faith, I have seen kids that don’t even know who Jesus is and their parents a so call christians.
 
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