Simply walk around the church with your child before or after Mass and allow them to ask questions, touch things that they can touch, and explain what each part of the church is for. Examples include: holy water fonts (have them bless themselves), candles to light for prayer intentions (see what prayer intentions they have), Father's chair (allow them to sit in it--if they are a boy, ask them if they have ever thought about being a priest), the altar and tabernacle (relate it to your dinner table at home and how this one is special), lectern (where stories are read), choir area (sharing the gifts God has given us), etc. 

Print out the story books "Creation", "Adam & Eve", "Jesus is Born", and "Jesus is Risen" from https://www.prekinders.com/bible-story-print-fold-books/. This gives the children a breif summary of the Bible (God's Storybook) in an easy to understand way...and also a way they can color! 

Then, throughout Advent, use the following Jesse Tree activities. If you need a print out packet, let Melanie know by emailing m.vobr@dbqarch.org. 

Jesse Tree Activity

Read/watch a story of Jesus' birth and share with your child(ren) that Jesus' birthday is the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Discuss with them how it feels to receive a gift, and how it feels even better when we give gifts to others. God wants us to use the gifts and talents we have to share His love with others. Print out the present coloring sheet below and have your child(ren) place their gifts and talents they want to share on the gifts by drawing or writing them. 

Gift Printout

Take a few minutes to cut out some hearts and hide them around your house to connect your home to God's love at Mass. Here are some ideas:

Kitchen table = Altar (family table but the altar is different)
Refridgerator = Eucharist (sustains us to get through the day/week)
Front door = Doors to go into Mass
Holy Water Fonts = Holy Water Fonts
Crucifix = Crucifix
Shower/bathtub = Holy Water Fonts/Baptismal Font (where we were washed clean--Holy Water Fonts help us remember our baptism)
Bible/a storybook=The Bible or Lectionary we hear from at Mass
Alexa/Radio=Choir/Cantor

I'm sure you can think of many more to make this a fun scavenger hunt around your house! 

Take a few minutes to talk with your child(ren) about Mary, the Mother of God and how she's our Mother too! Tell them that she wants to pray for them. Show them a rosary. Practice the Sign of the Cross and ask them to pray with you for a little bit. Say the Hail Mary prayer, and then on each of the 10 Hail Mary prayer beads, ask the child 1 thing they want to pray for on each bead. At the end of the 10 prayer requests, say the Our Father together and end with the Sign of the Cross again.

If you want to give them their own rosary, we have some at the Parish Office you can choose from for free! Just come in during Office Hours, or call ahead to have us leave a few choices on the porch which is unlocked at all times 563-547-3565.