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“Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12:24 Last Sunday, the Level I students listened to Jesus’ words about the grain of wheat and wondered together about the mystery of life, death, and new life. They observed seeds at different stages of growth, explored real wheat and bread, and reflected on how Jesus’ Death and Resurrection bring new life to us. The children then planted their own seeds as a hands-on response, practicing care and patience as they await new growth. Building on the same theme of Easter joy and new life, the Level II students went deeper in their reflection on Jesus’ words about the grain of wheat and the mystery of the Paschal Mystery. They carefully examined seeds in soil, observing various stages of change as the seed is hidden, breaks open, and begins to die so that new life can grow. They connected this transformation to wheat, bread, and the presence of the risen Jesus in Holy Communion. The students also planted seeds that will be transferred to our outdoor garden in mid-May, giving them a concrete way to care for new life as it grows. As an extension, they continued their discussion of lifecycles and were delighted to discover that last week’s chrysalises had transformed into butterflies—prompting deeper reflection on how God’s work is often hidden before new life is revealed. The Level III students extended this work even further by engaging more deeply with the meaning of Jesus’ words about the grain of wheat and the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. They closely examined seeds in soil at different stages, reflecting on how the grain must change and “die” in order to bear fruit, and connected this to the full journey from wheat to bread and to the Eucharist. After planting seeds for our vegetable garden, the students moved into the kitchen to prepare koliva—a wheat berry–based dish rooted in Orthodox traditions, made of boiled wheat mixed with sugar and spices, and symbolizing the eternal cycle and hope of new life. They reflected on the symbolism of each ingredient and then shared the koliva with the younger students, offering a simple explanation of how the grain of wheat points to Jesus’ self-gift and the promise of new life.
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Last Sunday, the Level I students continued their Eastertide reflection on the joy of the Resurrection by revisiting the empty tomb and wondering together about the new life Jesus brings. They also observed the live caterpillars, explored the butterfly life cycle, and made gentle connections between transformation in creation and the hope of Easter. The children helped arrange flowers for the church, talked about how flowers and butterflies are connected, and expressed their learning through butterfly-themed art and observation The Level II students built on last week’s lesson on the Empty Tomb by reflecting on how the risen Jesus was made known in the breaking of the bread. Together, they explored the connections between the Last Supper, the Resurrection, the Road to Emmaus, and our celebration of Holy Communion. Gathering around the model altar, the students carefully handled and named the sacred articles used in the Eucharist, deepening their familiarity with the items they see in church each Sunday. They also enjoyed Articles of the Mass Bingo which offered a fun and engaging way to reinforce what they were learning. The Level III students explored the history of bread from creation and the Hebrew Scriptures through the Last Supper, the Resurrection, and the Eucharist, helping them see more deeply how Jesus is made known in the breaking of the bread. A special highlight of the class was the hands-on kitchen work: the students examined wheat stalks and wheat berries, took turns grinding the wheat berries, sifted the flour, and experienced the process by which grain is transformed into bread. They also enjoyed eating warm bread together, which made the lesson especially tangible and memorable. Last week, the Level I students reflected on the joy of Eastertide, noticing the white cloth, the Alleluia card, and the liturgical calendar as reminders that Easter is a whole season of celebration. They listened to the Gospel story of the empty tomb from Matthew 28. Together, they wondered about what the women experienced, what the angel said, and why the Resurrection is such joyful news. The Level II class also heard the Gospel account of the empty tomb, watching the story unfold with materials and candlelight as they reflected together on the women’s experience and the joy of the Resurrection. They then explored the meaning of the Paschal Candle as a symbol of the risen Christ, both in the classroom and in the church near the baptismal font, helping them see the connection between Easter, light, and baptism as signs of Jesus’ victory over death and the new life we share in him. The lesson also included a brief discussion of butterfly symbolism as a sign of transformation and new life, followed by a craft activity in which the students decorated wooden butterflies in joyful Easter colors. The Level III students explored the heart of the Easter season through the lens of the Paschal Mystery. We began in the refectory by making Resurrection Rolls — marshmallows wrapped in dough and baked until hollow inside, a fun, hands-on way to think about the wonder of the empty tomb. While the rolls baked, we read Matthew 28:1–7 together, pausing to sit with the angel's words — "He is not here; he has risen" — and spent time in open-ended wondering conversation about what the women must have felt and why this is called Good News. We then explored the rich symbolism of the Paschal Candle — the cross, the Alpha and Omega, the five wounds, the flame, and the current year — and reinforced what we learned by adding wax symbols to our model candle, connecting each symbol to its meaning through their own hands. We talked about the role of the Paschal Candle at the Easter Vigil — how the whole church gathers in darkness, a new fire is lit, and the light spreads from candle to candle as the Good News spreads. Students then lit their own small candles from the model Paschal Candle, experiencing firsthand the same gesture of light and hope from the Vigil service. Lastly, we delivered the freshly baked Resurrection Rolls to the younger classes, sharing both a warm snack and the meaning behind it — that just as the tomb was empty, so are the rolls, a sweet reminder that Jesus is risen, indeed! Despite chilly temperatures and cloudy skies, the Swan Garden was full of fun on Easter morning as children from Calvary and the surrounding Shadyside neighborhood gathered for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Thank you to the volunteers whose behind-the-scenes work made it all possible. Hope and Joy--what a wonderful way to celebrate the Risen Christ! Check out this article to learn more about this favorite Easter tradition: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/easter/history-of-the-easter-egg-hunt/ On Holy Thursday, Calvary’s 20s, 30s, and 40s group gathered in the Refectory for an Agape Meal that made the beginning of the Paschal Triduum especially meaningful. Rooted in the tradition of the early Church, the simple shared meal, accompanied by prayers and readings, offered a warm time of fellowship and reflection on Christ’s command to love one another. A special children’s table helped our youngest participants feel included and able to participate as well. It was an enriching evening that helped prepare those gathered to enter more deeply into the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection. |
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