We are learning about the Easter Story, and have focused on a very important symbol in our faith; the cross. Jesus suffered and died on the cross for each one of us. The cross is a powerful symbol that reminds us how much God loves us.
We made beautiful matchstick crosses as a reminder of God's love. The matches we worked with were already lit, cooled and very safe to touch.
We patiently helped one another count out matches, glue, and check and re-check the intricate pattern. This took lots of patience and collaboration!
We even figured out how to carefully count matches using tallies!
This past week, we read the story Cookie's Week, all about a cat who causes mischief all over his house!
We jumped at the opportunity to write our own versions of this story! In our own stories about Cookie, we imagined this sneaky kitty spent a week at St. Nicholas. What kinds of mischief did this little trickster get into?
After a walk around the building, we brainstormed places he could make a little trouble.
Then, using sentences frames, we wrote and illustrated our own stories!
These stories will take several days of diligent writing and creative, careful illustrating.
We're having so much fun imagining the mischief Cookie would cause at our school! Watch for these stories to be shared with you next week!
This past week was Shrove Tuesday, a day of feasting and fun! On this day, we traditionally use up the rich foods in their fridge that are often not encouraged to be eaten during Lent, such as milk, eggs and butter. Add a little flour, and you have pancakes!
Father Chad from OLPH Parish even popped in for a little visit to help us understand Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent:
This was our prayer table earlier this week, before Lent began, during Ordinary Time:
This is our prayer table, now that it is Lent:
Why the change? Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Lent is a time when we look at ourselves and try and see what can change and improve so that we can be more like Jesus. We take more time to pray, to ask forgiveness of our sins, and to share with others. For forty days we prepare for the new life of Easter.
Our Lenten wreath is brown and bare, symbolizing the desert where Jesus prayed for 40 days and also the crown of thorns.Can your child explain the symbols pictured on our wreath (purple ribbon, burlap cloth with a cross)? As we journey through Lent, we will add more symbols to help us better understand this liturgical season.
We participated in Ash Wednesday mass with Father Jim at OLPH Church. We all received ashes on our foreheads to remind us of Jesus' sacrifice for us.
Lent is a time of change; a change of mind and heart. May the 40 days of Lent help us prepare for the joy of Easter.
