• Easter week services
• Fun for kids
• DIY decorating
• Gifts & dining
4 Easter surprises to delight your children
Do you have young children? If you want to see their eyes light up this Easter weekend, prepare one or more of these delightful surprises:
1. Breakfast in bed. Turn a simple breakfast into a magical moment. Cook eggs and pancakes with fruit or waffles drizzled with chocolate. Serve hot chocolate with marshmallows or freshly squeezed orange juice to delight your little ones’ taste buds. Let them enjoy their meal in bed while listening to lively music.
2. Easter egg hunt. Fill plastic eggs with candies, small toys and chocolate, then hide them around your home or yard. For added fun, have your kids wear bunny ears and give them a pretty wicker basket to collect their treasures.
3. Puppet show. Create an Easter-themed puppet show. Invent a funny story featuring clumsy or mischievous farm animals. You can make your own puppets using materials you have at home— socks, for example—or buy some at a local store. Laughter and applause guaranteed.
4. A visit from the Easter bunny. Give your little ones an unforgettable experience by asking a relative to dress up as the Easter Bunny. This special visitor can hide chocolate eggs in the yard while you “spy” on them with your children. Perhaps your Easter visitor could read a short story before giving your kids little presents, like bunny plushies.
With a little imagination and preparation, you can make Easter even more special for your children. Take this opportunity to create lasting memories and have fun!
Celebrate Easter at a restaurant? A fabulous idea!
This year, say goodbye to the stress of hosting family at home for Easter and treat yourself to a delicious, hassle-free meal prepared by professionals. Dining in a festive restaurant setting allows you to enjoy the occasion with your loved ones to the fullest.
IT MAKES SENSE!
At a restaurant, each guest can choose
their favorite meal or opt for the special Easter menu, featuring traditional dishes and modern variations, including vegetarian options. You could savor an asparagus risotto or a delightful spring vegetable puff pastry. Mouth-watering, right?
After you’ve eaten your fill, look for a fun activity your family can enjoy together.
Perhaps you can ride in a horse-drawn carriage, stroll around a mini-farm or visit a playground.
The best part? You don’t have to worry about pre-meal prep or postmeal cleaning.
Browse the websites of restaurants offering Easter menus to find the perfect place to treat yourself and your loved ones.
Important reminder: reservations are filling up fast for these gourmet destinations, so be sure to book your table today!
Reflect and Rejoice
Reflect and Rejoice
Palm Sunday Mass - April 13th Saturday: 5:30 p.m.
Holy Week
Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 a.m., and 12:00 p.m.
Holy Thursday - April 17th Mass and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament: 7:00 p.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Until Midnight Good Friday - April 18th
The Lord’s Passion: 3:00 p.m. Stations with Veneration of the Cross: 7:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday - April 19th Blessing of the Food: 12:00 p.m.
The Easter Vigil Mass: 8:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday Mass - April 20th 7:30, 9:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m. Children’s Mass
Daily Mass, Egg Hunt, Confession info and more found at smlparish.org
Reflect and Rejoice
A creative family project for Easter: a great way to bond!
The Easter long weekend is the perfect time for the whole family to come together, celebrate, and enjoy each other’s company. If you’re looking for ways to keep kids, uncles, cousins, grandparents and everyone else busy between Easter egg hunts and brunch, consider a collective creative project. It’s a fun and original way to strengthen family ties while having a great time. Here are a few suggestions to inspire you:
• Create a canvas mosaic. Give each person a small canvas (6" x 6", for example), along with brushes and paint. The task? Paint something that evokes Easter. Once all the artwork is dry, attach the canvases to a large backing, such as a cork bulletin board, to create a stunning mosaic.
• Shoot an action movie. Use a camera or smartphone to film a funny story full of twists and turns on the theme of Easter. Every family member can contribute, whether by playing a role, finding costumes and props or helping with lighting.
• Make a miniature village. Create houses, trees and barns using recycled materials like old shoeboxes. Paint them and liven up the decor with figurines of people and animals. Everyone, young and old, can contribute their ideas to make the village more interesting. Why not add a public swimming pool or a sandbox?
Happy Easter, and happy creating!
Macaroni and cheese bites
Golden, chewy and crispy, these cheesy bites are sure to please little ones and grown-ups alike!
INGREDIENTS
Servings: 4
• 2 cups uncooked macaroni
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup flour, divided
• 1 cup half & half
• 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese
• 1/4 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup store-bought marinara sauce
• A few fresh basil leaves
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot, cook the macaroni in salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In the same pot, melt the butter. Add a 1/4 cup of flour and whisk to combine. Cook for about 3 minutes, until the roux is golden brown.
3. Add the half & half a little at a time, whisking constantly. Add the cheeses gradually, allowing them to melt between each addition. Add the spices. Season with salt and pepper to taste and remove from the heat.
4. Combine the cooked macaroni and the cheese sauce. Pour the mixture into a large shallow dish. Place in the refrigerator and let stand for at least one hour.
5. Put the remaining flour, 2 eggs (lightly whisked) and breadcrumbs into 3 separate bowls. Set aside.
6. Using your hands, shape the cooled macaroni and cheese into balls. Coat each ball, first with flour, then the beaten egg, and then the breadcrumbs. Set aside on a plate.
7. Heat the vegetable oil to 350 F in a large pot. Fry the balls in small batches for about 5 minutes, until golden brown. Set aside on a clean cloth or paper towel. Repeat until all balls are fried.
8. Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately with marinara sauce.
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Where are the blue eggs hiding?
By Sarah Beauregard and Johannie Dufour Translated by Jasmine Heesaker
To celebrate Easter, Mrs. Hyacinth decided to organize an Easter egg hunt in the park near the nursery school. Early in the morning, she filled colorful plastic eggs with surprises like small toys, stickers, temporary tattoos and, of course, chocolates. Then, she hid them in all sorts of places like under trees, in play structures and on picnic tables.
The boys and girls were so excited! Holding a small bag, Mrs. Hyacinth explained the instructions.
“Get into teams of two and pick your colour. If you draw a pink button, you must find the pink eggs. If you draw a green button…”
“We have to find the green eggs!” a boy proudly chimed in.
“Exactly!” replied the teacher, smiling.
The pairs took turns, each picking a button. Then, Mrs. Hyacinth gave the starting signal.
“You have 15 minutes to fill your baskets! Happy hunting!”
The children happily searched for the eggs, filling their wicker baskets with pink, yellow, purple, green, white and orange eggs. All but the blue team—they felt sad. Even though Emma and Jacob looked everywhere, they couldn’t find any eggs in their color.
“Hmm, that’s strange,” thought Mrs. Hyacinth. “I remember hiding several blue eggs.”
“Hey, kids!” she said. “Would you like to help Emma and Jacob? We’re looking for the blue eggs!”
The entire class eagerly searched for a few more minutes. Suddenly, Emma ran up to her teacher and tugged on her sleeve.
“Mrs. Hyacinth! I’ve found the eggs, but I can’t pick them up!” she said with starry eyes and a huge smile.
“Ah yes, where?” asked Mrs. Hyacinth, intrigued.
“Come and see!” exclaimed Emma.
The little girl led her to the back of the park and pointed to a hole under a tree. It was a burrow. The teacher bent down and discovered a rabbit and her adorable
Gooey brownies
Easter means chocolate! What could be more delicious than brownies to round out a meal in good company?
INGREDIENTS
Servings: 16
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/4 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup flour
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Line an 8” x 8” square baking pan with parchment paper, lightly oiled.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from the heat and add the sugar, cocoa, vanilla and salt. Mix well and let cool for about 10 minutes.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Fold in the flour.
4. Pour the mixture into the dish and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Cool and cut into 16 pieces.
babies playing with the blue eggs.
“Oh, blue must be their favourite colour!” whispered Mrs. Hyacinth, deeply moved. “But we mustn’t disturb them!”
All the children then had a chance to watch the cute baby rabbits from a distance before returning to their classroom. At the end of the activity, each
of the teams generously gave one of their eggs to Jacob and Emma, who jumped for joy!
THE END
