Spring Cleaning and Easter Newness
Did you know that there are still 35 days left in the Easter Season? How is your Church of the Home continuing to celebrate Easter?
One way is through spring cleaning.
Spring cleaning and Easter go hand in hand. During this season, we can all benefit from a fresh approach. The long winter months often find us cooped up indoors, longing for more sunshine and warm weather.
Spring is a resurrection of many things: The world around us comes to life, and it’s difficult not to feel a burst of energy. The brilliance of the season of Easter can inspire us to do some “spring cleaning” in four areas of our Churches of the Home, as published by teachingcatholickids.com.
House and Home
Pick a closet or cupboard and empty it. Make piles and go through everything in it: the old coats, the boxes hidden in the back corner, and the little surprises you forgot about stashing in there. Put the things you haven’t worn or used in a year or more in a box and make a point of giving them to someone else (perhaps a ministry that gives away gently used items or a local thrift store).
Put a vase on the counter or table and take turns keeping it filled with fresh flowers. Don’t be fooled, either: Sometimes “weeds” can be arranged and look as lovely as an expensive bouquet, especially in the spring! Having this bit of life in the house can make a big difference.
For Family: Make a prayer corner or prayer table in your home. It can be as simple as a TV tray covered in a pretty pillowcase, with a candle on top. Use this space daily, even if only for a few minutes, and encourage others in your home to use it as well. Keep it clean and attractive.
Spiritual
Remember your loved ones, both living and dead, with a spiritual bouquet of prayers. Make a list of those remembered and pray for them at Eucharistic Adoration.
Set a timer on your phone each day, and when it goes off, stop what you’re doing and pray. Perhaps you have a special intention or a pressing need: Take it to God during this planned interruption of your day.
For God: Pray a novena together as a family. Keep the prayers simple, perhaps just a Hail Mary on your first novena. Make a countdown so you know which day of the novena you’re on, and decide together what intention you’ll be praying for.
Mental
Get outside together and play a game of tag or hide and seek. Hint: Finding and hiding plastic eggs is fun during the entirety of the Easter season, and it’s an easy way to get outside and keep the whole family engaged. Take turns hiding and finding.
It can be mentally soothing to use your hands to accomplish something. Throughout the entire Easter season, dye eggs and fill little baskets for homebound neighbors, friends or family members. Plan a time to deliver your baskets and be sure you can visit for a short while, too.
For Peace: Have dinner by candlelight, enjoying the different perspective it gives you of the people at your table. Share the best parts and worst parts of your day as you eat. If you have young children who can’t be trusted with open flames, consider getting battery-operated candles.
Physical
Take a walk outside without your phone. Look around you and take note of the different things growing and the many things happening. Walk long enough for your thoughts to quiet down, your mind to still and your body to get into a groove with the rhythm of your walking.
Make a list of five things you’d like to find in your house. Make it like a scavenger hunt and see who can find the items the quickest. The more active you are, the better.
For You: Instead of a piece of candy, grab a piece of fruit. When you’re aching for a crunch, turn to carrots or raw peppers.
Join us for Mass this weekend in person at 4:00 PM on Saturday, 8:30 or 10:30 AM on Sunday, on www.gbres.org/live, our YouTube channel, and our Facebook page.
READINGS FOR THIS WEEKEND’S MASSES
VIRTUALLY SUNDAY REFLECTION
A miracle occurs every time people gather, especially over food. Even after the Resurrection, Jesus revealed Himself through the breaking of bread and eating fish with the disciples. Christ continues to be present with us anywhere and everywhere, including when we share and connect over food and drink. Join Fr. Tim as he reflects on this weekend's scripture readings.
Families
This Weekend's Bulletin
(click to read)
Recent Losses in Our Parish Family
Parish Lyceum
The Parish Lyceum will feature a variety of topics, guidelines, and relevant information to nurture the PIESS of our lives – physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and social.
Revealed Podcast Episode 34 - Organization Spotlight:
St. Vincent de Paul with Bill Gosse
Executive Director Bill Gosse joins Katie and Tony to discuss the work of St. Vincent de Paul.
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Ruby and Res
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