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Purpose: To offer a Lenten and Easter activity for our young families that educates and encourages their children, ages 0 to 12, to fully engage with the Resurrection story and celebrate the risen Christ, ultimately allowing the families who participate to become more committed disciples of Christ.
Activity Description: St. Michael's has a longstanding tradition of hosting an Easter Egg hunt and family luncheon on the morning of Holy Saturday. This year, we are going to change things up a bit.
Each weekend, beginning March 8th/9th and continuing through April 12th/13th, the parish will distribute "Resurrection Eggs" after all weekend Masses to all children, ages 0 to 12. For the first weekend, March 8th/9th, children will also be provided an egg carton & marker set to decorate with.
Inside each egg will be a small picture card of an item that illustrates a part of the Resurrection Story. The picture card will accompany a description card and corresponding bible verse that the parent/grandparent or guardian can use to explain the item's significance and tell the Easter story. Children should decorate the carton and cards with the provided markers.
Two more eggs and the corresponding teaching information will be distributed at all weekend Masses for each of the five weeks thereafter. Children will be encouraged to bring their egg cartons and previously collected eggs to Mass each weekend to add to their collection and to share the Resurrection story with others in the parish.
Children who have collected ALL 12 eggs will be invited to attend the celebration party on the morning of Saturday, April 19th.***
The "Rise" Celebration Party
Saturday, April 19th - Parish Hall and Park
11:30 am - A reading of the children’s version of the crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord by our VIP narrator.
11:45 am - Complimentary lunch in the Parish Hall. During lunch, door prizes and other goodies will be given away.
12:45 pm - An Easter Egg hunt in the park for the following age groups:
Ages - 0 to 3
Ages - 4 to 8
Ages - 9 to 12
***Before we share the answers to frequently asked questions, please remember the purpose of this event:
Purpose: To provide a Lenten and Easter activity for young families that educates and encourages their children, ages 0 to 12, to fully engage with the Resurrection story and celebrate the risen Christ. Ultimately allowing participating families the opportunity to become more committed disciples of Christ.
If an age-appropriate child wishes to participate in the "Rise" celebration but cannot collect all 12 Resurrection eggs for any reason, give Sr. Rose a call at the parish office for more information.
Questions and Answers:
What happens if a family is out of town, sick, etc., and unable to attend one of the weekend Masses, thereby preventing a child from collecting all 12 eggs?
Additional opportunities to collect the eggs will be provided. Specifically, children may attend and collect eggs after any Friday evening Stations of the Cross or after any parish-sponsored Adoration period or Rosary prayer during Lent.
What can Grandparents (others) do if they have grandchildren visiting for Easter and wish for them to participate in the Resurrection egg story and the "Rise" Celebration?
Grandparents, Guardians, Adult Brothers/Sisters, Aunts, Uncles, and anyone else with an age-appropriate child (0 to 12 years) visiting from out of town for Easter may come by the office on Friday, April 11th, between 10 AM and 3:00 PM to request a packed Resurrection egg carton kit (all 12 eggs). Upon receipt of the eggs, they will be asked to pledge to spend sixty (60) minutes of their time with the child(ren) before the "Rise" Celebration, sharing the Resurrection story and explaining what each egg represents.
Can a child who does not collect all 12 Resurrection eggs or a visiting child whose grandparent/guardian does not come to the office to pick up a complete set of eggs for them on April 11th participate in the celebration party and Easter Egg hunt?
Children who choose not to participate in collecting all 12 eggs or whose grandparent/guardian does not visit the parish office on April 11th are welcome to join the celebration with their family for lunch but will not be able to participate in the Easter Egg hunt.
Is the lunch at the "Rise" Celebration party open to immediate family members?
Yes, if you have an age-appropriate (0 to 12 years old) child who has collected all 12 eggs, they are welcome to bring immediate family members, including grandparents, to the luncheon. Remember that only children between 0 and 12 who have collected all 12 eggs and bring their completed egg cartons to the celebration will be allowed to participate in the Easter Egg hunt.
Is there a limit to the number of children who can participate?
Yes, we have Resurrection Egg kits for 150 children ages 0 to 12.
My child forgot their egg carton this weekend. Can we still get the eggs?
Absolutely!
I have a few more questions: who do I contact and how?
Please contact Sr. Rose, Sr. Josephine or Walt in the parish office. (904) 261-3472