Though we cannot be together for Holy Week, there are many opportunities to gather in community (virtually), and also to celebrate as a family in your homes. Check out some ideas we've put together below:
Create a HOME ALTAR or PRAYER SPACE and send a photo to be added to the Community Photo Wall on our Parish Webpage (coming soon).
Prayer spaces are a wonderful place to gather around for the Holy Week liturgy live-streams and for family prayer time all year long, but especially during this most holy of weeks. Any religious articles, prayer cards, printed pictures, hand drawn photos, saint items, crucifixes, etc. Make it your own and share a pic with us! Email photos to jment@shgparish.org
PREPARING FOR HOLY WEEK
Online Bible Studies
Join us for an intensive, Holy Week Bible Study: No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion. To register, email: jdanielson@shgparish.org. We will watch videos and hold discussions using the Zoom platform. The study will take place daily from Monday through Saturday of Holy Week at 11AM and 7PM.
Make Your Own Holy Week Devotional
If you prefer to create your own devotional plan, below are some suggested passages for each day:
- Palm Sunday: Read and pray through Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11)
- Monday: Begin reading the account of Jesus’ final week in John. Today, read and pray through Jesus’ anointing at Bethany, when Mary pours perfume on his head (John 12:1-11)
- Tuesday: Read and pray through Jesus’ prediction of his death (John 12:20-36)
- Wednesday: Read and pray through Jesus’ prediction of his betrayal (John 13:21-30)
- Thursday: Read and pray through the Last Supper (John 13:1-17, 31-35) and Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-45)
- Friday: Read and pray through Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion (John 18:28-19:37)
- Saturday: Read and pray through the burial of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-66)
- Sunday: Read and pray through the resurrection of Jesus (John 20:1-18)
Make Traditional Holy Week Food
Have some fun family time in the kitchen trying new recipes while making food to remind you of Holy Week events.
“Procession” with Palms
We invite families to go out on the front lawn as you live stream us on your device. We will begin Mass outside of church and as we process in, we invite you to process into your home waving some kind of branch as you watch.
Place your branch on the door of your house or on the window to celebrate Palm Sunday. It could be any green branch you can get. We may be physically isolated, but not separated. We are united as the Body of Christ. We are the Church.
Holy (Maundy) Thursday Foot Washing at Home
Consider doing a foot washing service at home this year with your family.
- Take time to wash each other’s feet, explaining to your children that it’s a way to serve each other.
- Read John 13:1-17, 31-35 together and then wash each other’s feet.
- Discuss what it means to serve others, share ideas about how to better live this out in your daily lives.
- Talk about how you can continue to serve others, especially in this time of social distancing and quarantine.
Keep a Prayer Vigil at Home on Thursday
After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. This was his most passionate and desperate night of prayer, yet the disciples he took with him kept falling asleep.
Commit to an hour of silent prayer on Thursday night.
Sit outside on your porch or balcony and pray ‘in the garden’ with Jesus. Or, light a candle and create a sacred spot in your home to pray.
Venerate the Cross
Get a cross or crucifix, or if you don’t have one, make a cross and to venerate it when we venerate it in church.
Observe the 3 hours on Good Friday when Jesus was on the Cross
Jesus hung on the cross for three hours before he died. Historically, this is observed from noon to 3PM on Good Friday with a time of silence.
Turn off electronics, sit in the silence, pray. Observe these three hours, remembering the sacrifice Jesus made for you.
Jesus hung on the cross for three hours before he died. Historically, this is observed from noon to 3PM on Good Friday with a time of silence.
Turn off electronics, sit in the silence, pray. Observe these three hours, remembering the sacrifice Jesus made for you.
Keep Saturday Solemn
Holy Saturday marks the day Jesus spent in the tomb, so keep this day solemn and observant. It’s a day to sit at the tomb of Jesus and wait expectantly for his return, mourning his death and reflecting on his great sacrifice.
Turn off electronics, limit activities, and imagine a day without Jesus. Experience the deep grief of the disciples who thought Jesus was gone forever and didn’t yet understand the prophecy.
Consider setting aside even an hour or two of silence and reflection. Maybe go for a walk or sit outside. Ponder what life would be like without Jesus in the world.
Fill Your Neighborhood with the Good News
Find creative ways to be salt and light in your neighborhood.
I’ve been seeing pictures of notes written in chalk on sidewalks. As you get outside for fresh air, take along a piece of chalk and leave notes of hope, encouragement, Bible verses, and the good news of Jesus for others to see.
Make food for a neighbor. Leave it on their front porch with a Happy Easter note.
Make a sign for your front yard or window proclaiming the good news of Easter.
Online Bible Studies
Join us for an 8-week Easter Season Bible Study: Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John. To register, email: jdanielson@shgparish.org. We will watch videos and hold discussions using the Zoom platform. The study will take place weekly on Wednesday afternoon and evening, a session will be offered at 11AM and 7PM.
Small Group Sessions
Several small group options will be available beginning the week after Easter for parishioners to meet up virtually to pray, chat, and discover our faith in a laid back, less formal atmosphere. Email Jamie to inquire or register: jdanielson@shgparish.org.
