The Sacraments

Eucharistic Generosity
by Jeanne Heiberg

Who doesn’t like food? We need food and we enjoy the taste of food—all kinds. Jesus knew this when he fed 5,000 men and their families stranded in the hills of Judea. Rather than send the people away to find food on their own, he increased five loaves and two fish so that there was enough to feed everyone.

This event is so significant that all four Evangelists include it in their Gospels (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:31-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:5-15). My favorite account is the one we find in John’s Gospel because it is of a child, like your students, who provides the loaves and fish with his eucharistic generosity.

Family Learning Days
by Jeanne Heiberg

Invite families to participate in a day of learning and quilt making as the children prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This format can be followed for First Eucharist and Confirmation as well.

by Jeanne Heiberg

Quilt-making is a great American art form that carries a message of faith, unity, and community. Here are some books for children and adults that illustrate how separate pieces of cloth arranged into a beautiful quilt bring unity to the quilt makers. You can use these stories to share with children, for adult reading groups and for family learning days. They work well used with teaching about and discussing the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Community Quilt Craft
by Jeanne Heiberg

Baptism brings us into unity with God and one another; Reconciliation returns us to unity with God and one another; and Eucharist nourishes us to continue to grow in unity with God and one another. Making quilts is a wonderful way to symbolize the unity with God and one other that these Sacraments celebrate. Watch for posts later this week that use this activity for Family Learning Days, explore quilts in stories and offer a Unity Prayer service.

Answering the Tough Questions
by Kate Ristow