This is the final Sunday of the Easter season, before we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost next Sunday! We hope that you have been able to find joy in this Easter season amidst the troubling atmosphere of this pandemic. Joy does not always need to be exuberant. In can be the simple feeling of contentedness that comes from seeing sunshine through the window of your home office, listening to your baby laugh, or catching up with a friend on zoom. We have certainly learned to reconnect with the simple joys of life. As we move toward Pentecost, we want to share in this edition and the next, ways for you to reconnect with the Holy Spirit. It is that Spirit that moves us to pray in gratitude for a cool breeze across our face, or the colors of our spring garden and it is the same Spirit that gives us courage to face uncertain times. In this edition, we'll focus ahead to Pentecost, to prepare you to celebrate the Feast, and we will offer some ideas for building your domestic church by improving your prayer time with the Holy Spirit, Jesus and God, our Creator!

NOTE TO PARENTS: Stay with us through the summer months as we shift to Summer with the Saints, fun family challenges, at home VBS ideas and more!! The Family Zone Summer Edition begins June 14!

"Because the words you gave to me, I have given to them"

This Sunday's gospel can be found at: http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/052420-day.cfm

This is a perfect weekend for us to focus on prayer because in this Sunday's gospel, Jesus, himself is praying to His Father. He does three things:

1. He prays for his mission

2. He prays for the disciples that were following him at the time

3. He prays for his future disciples...that's US!

On this Sunday, chat with your family about prayer and the protection of God.

• Jesus prays that God will protect us. How has your faith in God's protection gotten you through the last few months or other difficult times in your life?
• Prayer is a way of building our relationship with God. Our quarantine has proved to us how important it is to communicate with family and friends in order to maintain relationships with those we can't see. The same is true with God. We pray to maintain a relationship with God. How can you commit to doing that as a family and individually?
• What kinds of ways do you like to pray when you are happy? How do you like to pray when you are sad?

One of our diocesan priests, Fr. Justin Miller, a parochial vicar at St. Mary's in Auburn, NY, is making a series of videos called "Holy HORSEplay" These videos are a fun way for us to learn a little bit about the vocation of the Priesthood. In this episode, geared toward high school students, Father Miller shares the vocation story of Fr. Nathan Wayne who is from our diocese as well. Learn more about the Sacrament of Holy Orders by clicking on the pdf below!

What are your obstacles to prayer? Do you not feel worthy of that intimate communication with Christ? Do you feel you don't have enough time? Do you worry that you are doing it wrong?

Prayer is simply talking to God and there is no right or wrong way to do that! There are many prayer styles and you may find that one is more comfortable than another for you.

Throughout the summer, this column will focus on MANY different prayers and types of prayers that you can try with your family!

Let's start with the basics. You might want to have a special spot designated as your family's prayer space. Add a candle, a Bible, and maybe a journal you can add to. You may want to include a cross, rosary, or a statue of Mary if you have those as well. This light-hearted video discusses the different types of prayer. It's a good Catholic 101 about the different ways in which we pray. We have also included a starter video for our younger children to learn some of our traditional prayers. This video is a very calming two minute guided prayer of the "Glory Be" and could be used at the end of the day. The Glory Be is a good starter for memorized prayer as it is shorter and the language is a bit simpler.

How can you and your spouse create a habit of prayer?

How do you help your family pray together and make God a focus in your life?

What are some easy strategies for today's families?

The catechism defines prayer as the "living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit." (CCC2565)

Now is a wonderful time to help your family enter into that living relationship with a God who loves you deeply. It helps us to make sense of life in difficult times and it helps each of you to be guided toward leading a moral life as a disciple of Christ; seeing the world through new eyes. This podcast offers families real tips on how to engage your family in prayer for your own parental wellness as well as the spiritual health of your family. Click on the arrow in the left corner to listen!

Are you struggling with teaching your children at home? We hear from so many parents that the daily struggle of trying to get lessons taught and learned, while possibly working from home and competing with warming weather are truly reaching a pinnacle of frustration. Here is an article that might help you consider your at home teaching strategies, especially if your child has diverse learning needs. The additional PDF comes from search institute and offers many strategies for supporting your child through these uncharted waters. If you are struggling with helping your child cope, we invite you to join our free online discussion with national expert Roy Petitfils on June 3 at 5:00 PM. You will have the opportunity to have your questions answered by Roy and gain new skills for parenting during this pandemic. See the AD below! You must register to attend but our live presentation will be shared on Facebook at a later time for those who cannot be present.

Bake your favorite cake or cupcakes! Then decorate for Pentecost. Pentecost is our celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit and is considered the birthday of the Church! It is coming up next Sunday! The color RED is associated with Pentecost to symbolize the love of the Holy Spirit. Some other symbols of this day are FIRE, WIND and a DOVE. After baking your cake or cupcakes, decorate with one of the symbols above! Use icing, fruit, candies and more!

Photo from: https://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2011/06/flamming-cupcakes-for-pentecost.html

It’s the Church’s birthday!! What better way to celebrate than with a DANCE PARTY!! Put on your favorite music and dance it out!

We celebrate Pentecost as the birthday of our Church and as a celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit! Jesus ascended to heaven on Ascension Thursday, and now he has sent down the Holy Spirit to his Apostles. One of the symbols of Pentecost is WIND. This week, create a wind themed craft:

- Make your own Kite (https://buggyandbuddy.com/make-kite/)

- Make your own Windsock (https://www.happinessishomemade.net/kids-craft-recycled-tin-can-windsocks/)

- Make your own Wind Chime (http://onetimethrough.com/spring-garden-washer-windchimes/)

- Bubble painting (https://typicallysimple.com/bubble-painting/)

Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester

Debtor in Possession

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!