Pentecost Activities for Children

Pentecost is this coming Sunday, May 27, 2012. Pentecost marks the end of the Easter season.

The Story of Pentecost

Pentecost commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles. After Jesus rose on Easter, he appeared to the apostles over the next 40 days, teaching them the significance of what had happened to Him. They listened, but didn’t really understand, so Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, who would enlighten them and give them everything they would need to carry the Good News to people all over the world.

Then Jesus ascended into heaven, and the apostles were more confused than ever!

They gathered in an upper room with the mother of Jesus to pray. Ten days later they heard a loud noise, and the Holy Spirit descended upon them in tongues of fire. When that happened, they received spiritual gifts that transformed their lives and gave them the power to touch the lives of other people.

They ran into the streets and began to tell people about Jesus. Each person in the crowd understood the apostles in his or her own language. Thousands became believers that day.

Today we celebrate Pentecost as the birthday of the Church.

Source: http://www.osv.com/OSV4MeNav/ChurchSeasons/PentecostTheHolySpirit/tabid/8386/Default.aspx

Prayer

Father of light, from whom every good gift comes, send Your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind, and by the flame of Your wisdom open the horizons of our minds. Loosen our tongues to sing Your praise in words beyond the power of speech, for without Your Spirit man could never raise his voice in words of peace or announce the truth that Jesus is Lord, who lives with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

One of the most important lessons a mother/ parent can teach their children is how to listen to the Holy Spirit. A great way to encourage your children to listen is to engage in a conversation after mass. Ask your children what message they heard in the readings, in the music, in the homily that seemed to speak to their souls. Then help them to recognize that that is how the Holy Spirit works in their lives.

Here are some additional activities that you can share with your children:

http://www.sermons4kids.com/pentecost_jumble.htm

Read this story and have your child color the coloring page that accompanies it http://littlelambsministry.freeservers.com/storyholyspiritcomes.htm

Crafts:

http://catholicblogger1.blogspot.com/2009/04/lesson-plan-pentecost.html

http://busywithblessings.blogspot.com/2009/05/ways-to-celebrate-pentecost.html

http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/2007/05/cupcakes_and_a_.html

Food:

Since Pentecost is also known as “Whitsunday,” and one tradition is to serve white foods. Last year we had powdered sugar doughnuts and white hot chocolate with breakfast and an afternoon snack of milk and Macaroons. Shower of Roses

For dessert, A Cake for Pentecost, complete with the mighty wind to blow out the candles. This is such a hit each year, and I plan on making it again!