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Stations of the Cross: Traditional & in Shadow


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Theme: History, meaning, what, why and how of the Stations of the Cross devotion.


For little ones group, included Lent theme and stations learning activity.


Our parish WACY youth (Wyoming Area Catholic Youth) demonstrated a couple "Shadow" Stations of the Cross as a learning activity for our youth 7th grade + up, who are invited to participate at SsJA's St. Joseph’s site presentation April 8th.


We all walked over to the church for a traditional Way of the Cross for Children led by Father George Devanapalle, also as a learning experience for this Lenten devotion.


Take Home Faith Formation March 9, 2022

Lesson on What Why and How Stations of the Cross

Extra packets are located in the back of the churches. Files are also attached below.

Typically practiced on Fridays during Lent, the Stations of the Cross is a way for us to meditate and pray on the events of Jesus’ last day leading to the Resurrection. Please also find attached the CRS Rice Bowls at the back of the churches (Catholic Relief Services) to help people in poverty both locally around the world. We’ll collect this shortly after Easter. Find more info at crsricebowl.org. Inside the bowl is a Lenten Calendar with meatless meal recipes to try Fridays.

Homework for 5th through 10th is a word search reviewing the stations. See below. All your kids’ names can go on one sheet as a group review.

Friday, April 8th our youth grades 7th and up are asked to participate in Shadow Stations of the Cross at our St. Joseph’s site in Varysburg. This version is narrated while youth pose behind a screen, in a darkened church, with light on them projecting a shadow of the station. Then, with the light off, while the youth change position to the next station, the choir sings relevant songs.


Background on the Stations of the Cross


The origin of the Stations of the Cross stretches back to the Crusades when, as a result of the conquering of the Holy Land, Christians began making pilgrimages to the sacred sites where Jesus lived, suffered, died, and rose from the dead. Today, the Stations are depicted in many ways, including paintings, sculpture, and stained glass.

The meditations for this prayer practice vary as the tragic walk from condemnation to the cross unfolds. As pilgrims on a journey of faith, we use the Stations of the Cross to reflect on the ways we suffer humiliation, rejection, suffering, and death. This makes the Stations more than a historic re-creation of Jesus’ walk to Golgotha. The prayers draw us into considering how Jesus accompanies those who suffer in today’s world. The injustice of being arrested and falsely accused, the pain of enduring mockery, torture, and being forced to carry the means of one’s own death, the grace of small acts of compassion in the midst of an agonizing climb, and the surrender of heart and soul to God’s infinite mercy all draw us into a story that is as contemporary as it is ancient.

The Stations of the Cross are one of many spiritual practices that we can reflect on as we make our way through Lent. Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we can seek ways to find and extend mercy to those who shoulder heavy loads. We can fast from destructive, cynical, or critical thoughts and behaviors, and embrace ones laced with gratitude, humility, and compassion. And we can pray for understanding and generous hearts so that we emerge from Lent, living as disciples of Jesus Christ.


Our March/ April family activity is attending either a regular stations of the cross see the bulletins -http://ssjoachimanne.org/ or one of the shadow stations presentations.

Shadow Stations for Lent 2022

March 25th , Perry, St. Isadore Parish, St. Joseph's Church, 8 Park St., 7:30pm

April 1st, Buffalo, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 115 O'Connell St., 7:30 pm

April 8th, Varysburg, Ss Joachim & Anne, St. Joseph's site Rt 98, 8:00 pm


Consider coming to one or all 3 nights of the parish retreat starting Sunday March 13th 3:30 pm, with a pot luck.







 
 
 

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