Carry the Cross Cross Catholic Outreach s Lenten Activity Guide for Families As your school or parish embarks on its 40-day journey to raise money to help orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya, we hope you ll find the following activity guide helpful. There are fundraising ideas, prayers for orphans around the world, Bible verses to memorize and Scripture readings to meditate on. This activity guide is meant to be a starting point. We encourage parents to work through these activities with their children throughout the Lenten observance. Getting Started This activity guide was created to enrich the Lenten observance for Catholic families. It was designed be used alongside the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops Liturgical Calendar. The Read and Reflect sections are based on Sunday Mass readings throughout the 40 days of Lent that culminate in the celebration of Easter. Some of the activities such as the Verse to Memorize and the Orphan Fact and Prayer can be done as a family. Throughout the week, families, schools and churches can join together in fundraising activities. We encourage you to be creative in your use of this guide, using your own ideas to enrich your experience. When you do, please email Cross Catholic Outreach and tell us about your Lenten observance!
WEEK 1 Read and Reflect Scripture Reading: Isaiah 58:1-9 In this reading, we learn of Jesus temptation while he was fasting in the desert for 40 days. As we enter this prolonged season of fasting and praying on behalf of vulnerable children, it is comforting to remember that even he himself faced temptation, and overcame it through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit s presence. Reflection: As a family, fast from lunch one day this week and give the money you would have spent on food to the fund to help the orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya. For family members unable to fast for a long period of time, abstain from eating a snack they normally eat during the day, perhaps candy, baked goods or chips. But he answered, It is written, One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. ~ Matthew 4:4 Fundraising Activity: Collection Boxes Since much of the campaign will involve fundraising, have the children begin by making collection boxes, which they will keep at home to collect the money they raise during the week. Take a small cardboard box (such as an empty tissue box) or an empty container (such as a milk carton) and decorate it with beads, colored paper and photos of children from old magazines. While they are making the collection boxes, share some meaningful information with them about the orphans and vulnerable children helped through the campaign. This way, the children will be familiar with the project they are raising money for during the rest of the Lenten countdown. Orphan Fact and Prayer More than 800 million people across the globe are hungry, including many orphaned and vulnerable children. (FAO, 2014) Father, in your wisdom you have made us dependent on one another, and so we pray for the starving millions in our world. Help us find ways to share our resources so no one hungers at the table of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
WEEK 2 Read and Reflect Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8b-10 In this reading, St. Paul encourages us to share in the suffering of others for the sake of the Gospel. Reflection: When we share in the suffering of others and care for the poor, we show the world the hope that Jesus brings. Pray for suffering orphans and vulnerable children around the world, and what you can do to bring them relief. Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. ~ 2 Timothy 1:8-9a Fundraising Activity: Count Your Blessings For a whole week, the children and their parents will be collecting spare change while reflecting on everything they have to be thankful for and the things that many orphans and vulnerable children go without. Each day of this week, your family will have a reminder of something to be thankful for, while being encouraged to put a certain number of coins in their collection box for the orphans. Sunday: Count the crosses you see today and put a dime in for each cross. I am thankful that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that I have salvation through him! Monday: Put a quarter in your box for each meal you eat today. I am thankful for the food I have each day! Tuesday: Put a coin in your box for every year you ve attended school. I am thankful for my education! Wednesday: Count the shoes in your house and put a penny in your box for each shoe. I am thankful I have shoes for my feet and clothes on my back! Thursday: If you have heat, air conditioning or running water, put two coins in your box. I am thankful for the safe home I live in! Friday: Put a dime in your box for each member of your family. I am thankful for my loving family. Saturday: Count the dolls, action figures or stuffed animals in your house and put a penny in your box for each one. I am thankful I have toys to play with! Orphan Fact and Prayer Around the world, there are 59 million children of primary school age not getting an education. (UNICEF, 2015) Father, our Creator and Heavenly Father, we pray for all the orphans and abandoned children in this world. Father, watch over these children and bless them with your great mercy and love. Comfort them when they are lonely, feed them when they are hungry, help them be educated, Father. Heal them when they are sick or with fever, protect them and give them a safe place to lay their heads at night, and give these children comfort and peace. In the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Fundraising Activity: Cookies to Help Kids Have the children bake cookies and decorate them with icing. Hold a bake sale, and sell them for $1 each. Orphan Fact and Prayer Nearly 18 million children under the age of 18 are AIDS orphans. (UNICEF, 2013) Heavenly Father, we pray for all the AIDS orphans around the world. May you be with them and comfort them. Give them favor in the eyes of relatives and neighbors, so they will be accepted and cared for. If they are sick, ease their pain and bring caregivers into their lives who will help them and give them the medical care they need. Most of all, Lord, let them know they are not alone but that you are with them each day. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. WEEK 3 Read and Reflect Scripture Reading: John 4:5-42 In this reading, Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman at the well. She was unaccepted by the culture, but Jesus reached out to her in love. Jesus also shared with the woman that he is the Living Water of eternal life, the only one who can provide salvation for her weary soul. Reflection: In many places, orphans and vulnerable children are marginalized and forgotten by society, but Jesus offers them the same love and eternal hope that he s given you. Put a coin in your collection box as you remember these children. Jesus said to her, Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life. ~ John 4:13-14
WEEK 4 Read and Reflect Scripture Reading: John 9:1-41 In John 9, Jesus heals the man born blind to demonstrate the glory of God. Reflection: This week, get up a little bit earlier than usual and spend five minutes praying for God to reveal ways you can glorify him in your daily activities. Remember to also pray for the orphans and vulnerable children helped through this campaign too! For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light. ~ Ephesians 5:8 Fundraising Activity: Unity Bracelets Make unity bracelets by braiding colorful pieces of string (see explanation at right). These woven bracelets represent our connection to the poor. They remind us that we are all God s creation and that we are all linked by the Bible s command to love your neighbor. Hold a craft sale to sell these bracelets, and have the children explain their meaning. Orphan Fact and Prayer At least 1 million children have been orphaned by genocide and war. (USAID) Father, we lift up the hundreds of thousands of children around the world who have been orphaned by war, in places such as Afghanistan and Sudan. Put a hedge of protection around these precious children so that no harm will come to them. Comfort them as they grieve for their parents and help them to not be afraid of what is going on around them. Give them peace knowing that you are in control of their desperate situations, and bring peace to their lands. We ask all this in your holy name, Lord. Amen. Unity Bracelets Supplies: You ll need several yards of yarn, embroidery thread or colorful cord; scissors; and masking tape. Directions: Cut three long pieces of different colored yarn/thread/cord and tie them together with a knot at the top. Next, tape the yarn/thread/cord you have just tied to the table. Braid the strands together and then tie a knot at the end. Remove the tape and cut any extra yarn/ thread/cord hanging beyond the knot. How to Make It
Read and Reflect Scripture Reading: John 11:33-45 The story of Lazarus being raised from the dead is an excellent example of God s healing power. No circumstance is too dire for God to use for his plan and glory. Reflection: In the Bible, Jesus healed many of his followers diseases and raised the dead. In the same way Jesus healed bodies, he also healed hearts and he still heals today. WEEK 5 WEEK 5 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. ~ John 11:25-26 Fundraising Activity: Old Becomes New For a whole week, family members collect plastic bottles and aluminum cans from neighbors and family. At the end of the week, take all the recyclable material to your local collection agency for money. This activity not only teaches children to be good stewards of their environment, but it also symbolizes the transformation of old things into new an important Lenten theme. Orphan Fact and Prayer An estimated 132 million children have lost one or both parents. (UNICEF, 2015) God, we come to you right now asking for protection for the millions of vulnerable children struggling to survive in the streets. Put a hedge of protection around them and keep them safe from exploitation and violence. Give them hope for the future and comfort in knowing that you will never leave or forsake them. We ask this in Jesus precious name. Amen.
Read and Reflect Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:32-56 WEEK 6 WEEK 6 This passage details Jesus sacrifice on the cross, opening the way to eternal life for the world. We are to follow his example by making sacrifices for others. Reflection: This week, practice sacrifice for others around you. Sacrifice a few hours to help at the local food bank, or eat at home instead of at a restaurant giving the money your family saves to the collection box. Then Jesus told his disciples, If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ~ Matthew 16:24 Fundraising Activity: Giving Your Time In the Lenten spirit of giving, families can create giving my time tickets. On each ticket, have the children pledge their time to do a chore or specific task for others. Then ask family members, church members and neighbors to buy these tickets to redeem at a later time. A few examples: This ticket is good for one week of emptying the trash. This ticket is good for one car wash. This ticket is good for five big hugs. This ticket is good for one lawn mowing. This ticket is good for two hours of dog walking. This ticket is good for one dog washing. Orphan Fact and Prayer 17,000 children die each day, mostly from preventable or treatable illnesses. (UNICEF, 2013) Lord, we come before you to ask that you protect the precious orphans around the world who are dealing with the recent loss of their parents. Give them strength to face a new day, peace to overcome their fears, and your love so they know they are never alone. Bring caring adults into their lives to take care of them, and help them to grow up strong and in your love. We ask this in the name of our Heavenly Father. Amen.
Our Mission We are a Catholic ministry that serves the poorest of the poor internationally by channeling aid through dioceses, parishes and Catholic missionaries, cost-effectively helping the poor break the cycle of poverty while advancing Catholic evangelization. How We Serve Rather than create new institutions to distribute aid, we support existing ministries and churches already serving the poor. In addition to being the most cost-effective way of helping the poor, empowering these ministries allows us to support the Church s spiritual mission and its important position of leadership in poor communities. Good Stewardship We consider every gift we receive as a precious resource from God. We direct every donation to its intended project, provide honest and accurate reports to our donors, and keep overhead costs to an industry low. We handle funds with utmost integrity and hold our ministry partners in the field to the same high standards by asking them to document costs and the impact of their outreach. These detailed accountability measures have earned us ongoing accreditation by the following organizations: For detailed info about the impact of Cross Catholic Outreach s global mission for the poor, go to CrossCatholic.org/Impact. 2700 N. Military Trail Suite 240 PO Box 273908 Boca Raton, Florida 33427-3908 800-914-2420 ext. 158 CrossCatholic.org/Lent Facebook.com/CrossCatholic Twitter.com/CrossCatholic blog CrossCatholicBlog.com Copyright Cross Catholic Outreach. Cost-effectively written and designed in-house, and mailing facilitated by volunteers. [cmc1611]