“Growing” Easter Joy at Seton!
Easter represents the Triumph of light and love over darkness and death. For 50 days after Easter, we are called to share in the joy of the risen Lord! Here are some resources for you to pray, sing, laugh, take action, and share if you wish. Happy Easter everyone – SHARE JOY!
Holy Week for Kids - Video Series
Gather the kiddos (and adults!) in your life for the last video in our series focusing on Easter Sunday! Easter is far too special to celebrate just one day a year, so Barb and Johannah Lee from our Child Ministry Team will present three simple ways to keep the celebration going for all 50 days of the Easter Season.
Easter is here! Join Barb and Johannah Lee from our Child Ministry Team as they delve into Easter.
HAPPY EASTER from the Children’s Ministry team! In this video, Skylar, Willow, and Silas teach you how to make Resurrection Rolls, which are delicious Easter treats that tell the story of Jesus’ burial and resurrection.
God’s Garden of Life
Plant three rows of peas…
- Peace of mind – Romans 14:5
- Peace of heart – Acts 15:9
- Peace of Soul – 1 Peter 1:22
Plant four rows of squash…
- Squash gossip – Lev 19:16
- Squash selfishness – Luke 18:11-14
- Squash grumbling – John 6:43, James 5:9
- Squash indifference – Mark 14: 32-41
Plant five rows of lettuce...
- Let us be kind – 1 Peter 2:1-3
- Let us be faithful – Daniel 3:16-18
- Let us be obedient – 1 John 3:22
- Let us love one another – John 3:16
- Let us offer support – Mal 3:6-12
No garden can be without turnips...
- Turn up to serve – Acts 3:1
- Turn up for meetings – Heb 10:25
- Turn up to help one another – Rom 12:13
And finally, we must have some Thyme...
- Time for God – Psalm 3:1-8
- Time for prayer – Psalm 54:4
- Time for each other – John 15:12-14
- Time for Scripture – Ezra 7-10
Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. Follow these instructions and there will be much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow.
~Anonymous
“Growing Joy”
Have you ever heard of a “Mary” Garden? Having a Mary garden is a very simple way to honor the Blessed Mother. It’s easy to do with children, and it can enhance our own devotion to Mary as well.
It’s not difficult to do and pretty self-explanatory. The most important parts of the Mary garden are the flowers. What legends and stories do they tell us about Our Beautiful Mother? How are flowers themselves symbols for us of her love and her life? What steps should we take as we start a Mary garden?
Some of the plants used in a Marian Garden include:
- Roses – the “queen of flowers” has long been associated with Mary.
- Rosemary – it’s in the name!
- Marigold – marigold means Mary’s gold. Early Christians offered Mary these instead of coins.
- Sweet Alyssum – with a wonderful fragrance, this cross-shaped flower remind us of our Lord’s cross.
- Lily of the Valley – also known as Our Lady’s Tears, this flower has fragrance and tolerates shade.
- Impatiens – also called Mother’s Love because of their constant blooms. Also good for some shade.
- Bleeding Hearts – for Mary’s heart which was pierced. Tolerates shade.
- Hyacinth – for its color, fragrance, and star-shaped flower.
Click here to discover simple steps in preparing a Mary Garden.
Growing in a Joyful Noise! Staff Favorites!!!
The Feast Meant for Everyone – Sarah Hart & Tom Booth, featuring PJ Anderson
Matt Maher - All The People Said Amen
Here's My Heart - Casting Crowns mix
Brandon Heath - "See Me Through It"
Still Rolling Stones (Lyric Video) - Lauren Daigle
Danny Gokey - Love God Love People
Matthew West - Hello, My Name Is
for KING & COUNTRY - burn the ships
for KING & COUNTRY - For God Is With Us
Phil Wickham ~ Christ Is Risen
Humble and Kind Tim McGraw with Lyrics
Eli Young Band - Saltwater Gospel
A Catholic Way to Earth Day!
On April 22, the world celebrates Earth Day. Join us in giving thanks to God's awe-inspiring creation and all those who work to protect it. May we live in harmony with the earth and all of its incredible creatures.
On April 22, 2022, more than 1 billion people in 192 countries are expected to join together to protect our common home. People will work together to clean up their communities, talk to local leaders about their environmental concerns and spend time with their families outdoors. This Earth Day, celebrate our environment and the people who make it a better place. Here are 10 ways you can help.
- Learn more about climate change. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis reminds us that we have a responsibility to care for the Earth—our common home.
- Advocate for our Earth and its people. Ask Congress to protect people most harmed by climate change. Lift your voice today to make a difference! The Clerk of the House maintains addresses and phone numbers of all House members and Committees, or you may call (202) 224-3121 for the U.S. House switchboard operator.
- Plant a tree in your community. God calls us to be stewards of the Earth. What you do in your community can have a big impact on the world. Trees clean the air and provide oxygen. They help us prevent soil erosion and can conserve energy. They are also super beautiful.
- Support farmers and their families. Help hundreds of thousands of people feed their families, work toward self-sufficiency and steward the Earth’s resources for future generations.
- Pray. Pope Francis advocates greater stewardship of global resources as one way to help our most vulnerable sisters and brothers. Please pray for all who suffer the most from environmental disasters.
- Attend a farmers’ market. Did you know that by supporting local farmers’ markets, you are also supporting your neighbors and… Farmers selling at markets minimize the amount of waste and pollution they create. Many use certified organic practices, reducing the amount of synthetic pesticides and chemicals that pollute our soil and water.
- Support ethical/fair trade. When you support ethical/fair trade, you are supporting artisans around the world with fair wages and better access to markets. Shop “Plowshare Gifts” in Waukesha!
Prayers for the Easter Season
The Encounters with the Risen Jesus - written by Sharon Krause
During the Easter season, instead of praying the Stations of the Cross, it might be inspiring to pray what I would call: “The Encounters with the Risen Jesus.” I found seven such encounters in the gospels with which to pray. A verse from the Letter to the Philippians (4:4) could serve as a refrain to begin the prayer and between the sections:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice,” and add, “Christ, our Lord, is risen! Alleluia!”
1. (John 20:14-17) Mary Magdalene meets someone she thinks is the gardener. Jesus calls her by name. She calls him “Rabbouni” which means Teacher. Jesus tells her not to hold on to him, but to go and tell the apostles about their meeting. She follows his directions.
Lord, you know my name, and you love me personally. Help me to know your loving will for me and to spread your good news to those I encounter. (Refrain)
2. (Luke 24:13-35) Cleopas and a companion meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus. They sadly and disappointedly tell Jesus what has just happened in Jerusalem—that Jesus has been put to death and his body is not in the tomb. They don’t know what to think. Then Jesus opens the meaning of the ancient Scriptures to them, and when Jesus breaks bread with them, they know it is he.
Precious Bread of Life, open my eyes and understanding of your word. Thank you for the Holy Eucharist which feeds my searching soul. (Refrain)
3. (John 20:19-23) Jesus brings a greeting of peace to 10 of the remaining apostles and says he is sending them on a mission. He breathes on them and gives them authority to forgive or retain sins. They rejoice at seeing him.
Jesus, thank you for the ministry of priesthood and for deacons. The sacrament of reconciliation is so comforting when I meet you there. Thank you for that too! (Refrain)
4. (John 20:26-29) Jesus visits the apostles again, and this time Thomas, the Twin, is there. Now Thomas sees for himself that Jesus is risen. Thomas declares, “My Lord and my God!”
Lord, forgive any doubt in my heart. I invite you now into my daily life and proclaim you as my Lord and my God. (Refrain)
5. (John 21:1-14) This passage tells of the encounter between Jesus and seven of his disciples who are unsuccessfully fishing at the Sea of Tiberias. Jesus tells the men to cast their nets over the right side of the boat, and Simon Peter recognizes the Lord after 153 fish are hauled into the boat. Jesus cooks breakfast for the men.
Risen Lord, you know my every need and capability. You will help me to live up to my potential and to be fruitful for your kingdom. (Refrain)
6. (John 21:15-19) At this same meeting at the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus speaks specifically to Simon Peter, asking three times if Peter loves him. Jesus is specially commissioning Peter to follow Him—-even to death—- and wants to be sure of his loyalty.
Lord, I love you. Just in case I don’t say it enough, I love you. You are the way, the truth, and the Life. (Refrain)
7. (Matthew 28:16-20) The last encounter of Jesus that we celebrate is at the mountain in Galilee. Jesus commissions his apostles to make disciples of all nations and to teach them obedience to what he has commanded. He promises to be with them always.
Jesus, we know you ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the father. We also know you will never abandon us as we endeavor to make more disciples for you. (Refrain)
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be.
Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Manchester, CT. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.