A ‘quarantined’ Easter for families has brought hidden joys

By Sarah McDonald, NOLA Catholic Parenting

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we would find ourselves here: Ordered to “stay-at-home” through April, missing out on the celebration of the sacred Triduum and Easter in our church parishes and unable to celebrate the great high feast with extended friends and family.

This may go down in history as one of the most difficult Easters ever celebrated.

For us, these last weeks of Lent became filled with prayer, and not only as I implored my five children to wash their hands for the entire 20 seconds by praying an “Our Father.”

We began watching daily Mass as a family, with some days working out better than others, and praying the rosary as we walked through the neighborhood, keeping our social distance from the neighbors.

It is my prayer as a mom, that if my children take one thing from this quarantine experience, it is that our lives are truly in God’s hands, and we must trust in him always.

After all, we are a people of hope, right?

So, where can we find hope in the Resurrection and share that hope with our children whose entire lives were changed in a short 24 hours? Here’s a half-dozen golden Easter eggs of hope to fill your baskets this year:

For a safe and secure home for my family to live during this crazy time.

For a kitchen full of food to feed my family.

For my five children who can become playmates or sparring partners, depending on the moment.

For Zoom and FaceTime calls with my extended family.

For amazing priests who have gone out of their way and stretched their comfort zones to minister to their parishioners even when we can’t be together.

For my children’s amazing teachers who have not just continued to provide learning opportunities but called to check on them and our family.

One day, when the danger has passed, we will emerge from the “tombs of quarantine” to resurrect our lives. Let us pray that, like Jesus coming out of the desert, we emerge to be true and faithful children of our Lord seeking his will for us always.

Sarah McDonald is a wife and mother living with her family of seven in Metairie. Professionally, she works as director of communications for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. She and her family are avid sports fans who love to cook and spend time with family and friends.