Pentecost 2021 

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Another beautiful year ends cut short by Covid, but we were able to accomplish most of the presentations, if not all the parables.  I felt it was a successful year and the children were well formed for their sacraments.

I explained to the children what happened on Pentecost and how frightened the Apostles were at that time. Before each Bible Story I always give the background of the story and the setting to bring them meditatively into that moment in time.  I then read from the Bible Scripture Booklets the story of Pentecost and then do the same for The Ascension of Our Lord.  After that we are ready for our Pentecost candle ceremony.

As I light each of the seven candles representing each gift from the Paschal Candle, I read the specific gift and its meaning.  We discuss what this means to them.  Each candle has its gift's name on the candle tray, so each candle represents that gift. 

 

 Then I ask each child which gift they would most like to receive.  Each child then chooses their gift and then their own personal candle is lit from the tray of candles.  They always take this work very seriously and give it deep thought.  Sometimes I am amazed by their humility in expressing their greatest weaknesses at this time in expressing why they need that particular gift.  I feel very blessed in these moments of their personal revelations.

 In the last two years, since this is our last class, I wanted to do a project with the children.  We created a mobile with red yarn with the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit hanging from it so they can hang it in their room.  I found this picture online. The two nights before class I'm cutting out the Holy Spirit in five pieces: body, two wings, tail and head.  Then I make the 7 holes and one for the head to hang it.  I put all materials in a zip lock bag for each child.  I cut the 8 strings of red yarn for the bag also.  I bring in a glue gun to put it together for them and they have to tie the strings in the holes and attach the gift names on the other end.  They draw the eyes, beak and legs/feet with colored pencils.  They enjoy doing it and we can work together on this our last day.  They happily go back to the atrium materials when finished.  I always serve Strawberry Lemonade on the last day in paper cups.  They enjoy this.  Also, cupcakes are given out on the last day when dismissed.