What makes a lesson so memorable that a child will carry it in their heart for a lifetime? Corinne Cathcart has accompanied hundreds of children to the Lord's table as they celebrate their first Eucharist, from her days as a teenage catechist in Cincinnati to her current role as Elementary Faith Formation Coordinator at Blessed Sacrament. Drawing on Jesus' own teaching style—engaging storytelling, real-world examples, and big surprises—Corinne shares unforgettable object lessons from sacramental prep retreats, including the raw egg versus hard-boiled egg demonstration that shows how sacraments change us on the inside even when we look the same on the outside. The absolute best lesson? When second graders experience the Last Supper with Jesus at their retreat, complete with stone wall backdrop, dimmed lights, volunteers dressed as apostles, and Jesus himself kneeling to wash feet and break bread, saying, "This is my body given up for you." Connecting this powerful moment to today's Gospel of the road to Emmaus, Corinne reflects on that stunning, surprising, unforgettable moment at the dinner table when Cleopas and his friend recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread. As children prepare to receive their first Eucharist, may they—and all of us—never forget to recognize Jesus every time the bread is broken.

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Corinne was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, but has been a member of the Blessed Sacrament community for 14 years. She earned a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University, where she met her husband of over 25 years, and a Master's in Education from the University of Cincinnati. She was a second grade Catholic school teacher in Cincinnati before moving here when her husband started working for Dow Chemical. She loves working with the littles of the Blessed Sacrament family as the Children's Faith Formation Coordinator. When she's not at work, you'll find her with her nose in a book or learning something new!

What does it take for faith to move from something taught by our parents to something we truly own? Jean Thiele shares her powerful conversion story, rooted in 1 Peter 1:8-9—a verse she didn't understand at first but heard proclaimed three times in one weekend until she finally "got it." At age 37, Jean experienced an indescribable joy when God spoke to her through Scripture for the first time, transforming her understanding of Eucharist and the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection. She connects her mountaintop experience with the ongoing challenge of doubt, finding kinship with Doubting Thomas and discovering that the trials in her life—skepticism, anxiety, and uncertainty—have become the very areas God has transformed into her strengths. Drawing on the first reading's account of the early community enlivened by the Holy Spirit after Pentecost, Jean reflects on how she sees that same Spirit at work today in Christ Renews His Parish and in communities of believers breaking open the Word together. Because without Jesus dying on the cross, we would not know the Holy Spirit as we do now. So as we enter the Easter season, Jean invites us to shake off our worries and dance to "Shake" by MercyMe—just as she does before every Christ Renews meeting.

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Jean Thiele was born and raised in Iron Mountain Michigan and attended St. Mary and St. Joseph grade school. In 1978, she graduated from Iron Mountain High School. She attended Michigan State University and graduated in 1982 with a bachelor in Nursing and in 1992 with a Masters in Geriatric Nursing. She later received a certificate to become a Lay Minister in the Saginaw Diocese and after 4 years became a Spiritual Director from the Dominican Center in Farmington Hills Michigan. She is a grief facilitator, centering prayer practitioner, and retreat leader. She loves biking with her husband, Scott, golf, and traveling with family and friends. Faith to Jean is service from a trinitarian spirituality, having the freedom to make a choice to co-create with our Loving God.

What if the miracle of Easter doesn't happen when Jesus rises, but when we actually believe it? Ansley Dauenhauer takes us from childhood memories of giving up chocolate for Lent (and the delicious relief of Easter morning indulgence) to the profound reality of that first Easter—which was nothing like the joyful awakening we experience today. The disciples woke up heavy with grief, wondering if they'd been used, questioning whether Jesus was actually who he said he was. Even as Mary went to tend his body, love drove her forward despite despair. Ansley explores the moment when the miracle truly occurs—not when Jesus is risen, but when the disciples believe. Using spiritual imagination, she wonders if Jesus himself sat up in the tomb in wonder, perhaps even in disbelief, before joyfully shedding his burial cloths and rushing out shouting, "I am risen!" This beautiful meditation on Jesus' full humanity—his questions, his suffering, and his triumphant joy—makes the resurrection feel more relatable and real. Because Jesus lived his questions all the way to the answers, we can trust that God is victorious and death itself is conquered. So enjoy that chocolate Easter bunny without one iota of guilt—Jesus fully understands, and his joy mirrors your own.

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Ansley Dauenhauer is a life-long educator and writer. Her roles in schools, museums, and parish settings have afforded her opportunities to connect with students of all ages through the curricula she has developed on topics that range from Latin programs for elementary school students to leading and writing programs for summer science camps to coordinating the elementary Faith Formation program at Blessed Sacrament to demystifying writing advanced research papers for high school students. Ansley often captures her experiences in essay form, some of which have been published in both local and national presses. She loves to wrestle with complex topics (like Scripture!) through words. Recently, her twin passions of teaching and writing led her to offer Guided Memoir Writing classes and freelance editing services at her venture, The Lofty Quill.