Spiritual Bouquet

To invite the children to reflect on the attributes and activities of their priest

The children will gain a greater understanding of the role of the priest.

• Wide-mouth jar
• Green pipe cleaners or straws (one for each child)
• Glue (if you are using straws)
• Colored tissue paper, cut into 3" by 5" squares (about four to six per child)
• Green construction paper, cut into 1" by 3" leaves (one per child)
• Clear tape
• Markers

• Explain to the children that the role of the priest includes many different jobs and talents.
• With the children, brainstorm about the different characteristics and job requirements of a priest.
• Tell the children to each write a different job or trait of the priest on a paper leaf. Set these aside.
• Instruct the children to take the tissue paper and lay the sheets on top of each other. Twist the tissues together, pulling from the center, to form a flower-like shape.
• Attach the flower to the pipe cleaner or straw. If using a straw, you may want to put a drop of glue in the top before inserting the tissue paper.
• Tape the leaf about two-thirds of the way down from the flower on the pipe cleaner or straw.
• Take all the flowers, with the "attribute leaves" attached, and place them in the jar.
• Explain to the children that all the different parts come together to make something beautiful and holy when you dedicate yourself to God.

Art/Space Smart

Thick pipe cleaners work best. If you can't find pipe cleaners, you can use straws; the bendable kind are preferred.

You may want to walk the children over to the priest and give the vase to him as a thank-you for taking care of the parish.