During the Easter Season, which lasts for 50 days after Easter, the Sprinkling Rite is often used in place of the Act of Penitence at Holy Mass. The Rite reminds us of our cleansing in Baptism and recalls our commitment to live as people reborn in the Spirit through the Resurrection! The tool used for the Sprinkling Rite is called the Aspergillum. It can come in the form of a metal handle with a sprinkling ball on the end, or can also come in the form of a brush that looks like a small straw broom.

Have a family faith conversation

On Easter Sunday, and on the following Sundays, the Gospels will share stories of the disciples who struggled with understanding that Jesus had been Resurrected; they couldn't believe their eyes and had doubts! How do you think you would react if you were present at the empty tomb or met Jesus in the days following his death on the cross? How do you think you would feel? This was surely the most amazing thing that ever happened to them. What is the most amazing thing that ever happened to you?

Painting attributed to Abraham Janssens I, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Divine Mercy Sunday began in the year 2000, when Pope St. John Paul II gave the second Sunday of Easter that title and announced it at the canonization of St. Faustina. In the 1930s, St. Faustina, a Polish sister, received revelations about God's mercy. She lived in a time of war and violence, as do we, and the message that she received was that God's mercy was endless to those who seek it with a clean heart. On Divine Mercy Sunday, we attend Mass, we go to confession (as close to that day as possible if it is not offered that day) and we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet you will find in the PRAY section below.

Teach your child the gift of praying for others with this family prayer box craft from Loyola Press.

Serving others does not always have to be a material donation or gift of time. Engaging your son or daughter in believing in the value of prayer for themselves and others is an essential lesson and a beautiful way to care for one's neighbor as well!

This is a quick and easy family pleaser!

First, shred either a green or purple cabbage, and mix it with one sliced onion and about a TBSP of oil and salt and pepper to taste. Spread the cabbage mixture on a cookie sheet. Cut your favorite kielbasa (2 links) into 3 in. sections and add to the pan as well. Next, add a bag of frozen pierogis to the sheet pan. Roast at 400 degrees for about 30 min., flipping once.

You can double the recipe easily by just adding one more of each item! Serve with whole grain mustard and sour cream!

Make your own family Easter candle to celebrate the Easter season! Light the candle at meal time to be reminded of Christ's amazing love for you, as you say grace and share the joys or sorrows of your day with one another! You might even want to share how you experienced Christ's light in your life each day or acted as Christ's light for someone else!

Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester

Editor: Leslie Barkin leslie.barkin@dor.org

Email: oec@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Location: Diocese of Rochester, Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-328-3210

See them all here!