Change-of-Heart Tree

The young people will make a Change-of-Heart Tree to show their progress in keeping their Lenten resolutions.

The young people will be able to recognize the season of Lent as a time to turn away from sin and to be reconciled with God.

• Piece of three-foot by two-foot white fabric or paper
• Brown paper or felt for tree
• Purple paper for hearts
• Green paper for leaves
• Scissors
• Glue
• Container for leaves

• Have the young people make a Change-of-Heart Tree to show their progress in keeping their Lenten resolutions.
• Assign a group of young people to design the trunk and bare branches of a tree using the brown paper or felt. Have them glue the trunk to the white fabric or paper.
• Direct the other young people to cut out seven purple hearts (one for each week of Lent) and glue them to the branches.
• Have each young person cut out seven leaves from green paper.
• Post the tree and collect the green leaves in a container.
• Tell the young people that once a week, anyone who feels that he or she has kept his or her Lenten resolution may glue a green leaf around the purple heart designated for that week of Lent. Say: Although we should keep our resolutions every day, we will only put up one leaf per week. By the Easter Triduum, which begins on Holy Thursday evening, the Change-of-Heart Tree will be complete, symbolizing renewed life in Christ.

Art/Space Smart, Nature Smart, People Smart

Be sure to talk to the young people about the different types of resolutions we can make during Lent, especially in the areas of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.