Teaching Children About Lent and Fasting

In the Catholic church, Ash Wednesday kicks off the penitential season of Lent. During Lent, we fast, pray and give alms to the needy, to prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday. Whether you're Catholic or not, there's a lot to be learned from these disciplines, especially for children. Here are tips to teach children about Lenten fasting. This Q-and-A guide will also help non-Catholic children understand what their Catholic classmates are doing and why. I've listed ways to raise awareness, develoop empathy and encourage generosity. Some of these missionary outreach activities involve kids missions work and may count as student volunteer service credit hours for school. Read more at Teaching Children About Lent and Fasting 

How We Eat Local, Healthy, Sustainable with Mediterranean Lenten Diet

As a Catholic, I give up eating meat for Lent and follow the Mediterranean Diet for the rest of the year. I'm not a vegan because I eat fish, but I do nix most dairy (except yogurt) and eggs. I call it the Lenten diet and like the Mediterranean Diet, it centers on eating fresh produce in season, alternative protein sources, fish and sustainable, locally-produced foods. Read more at How We Eat Local, Healthy, Sustainable with Mediterranean Lenten Diet

'Drive-Thru' Ash Wednesday at Ohio Methodist Church Inappropriate

As the Catholic church exits Mardi Gras feasting and enters the penitential season of Lent, other denominations are imitating the Ash Wednesday Lenten kick-off observances. An Ohio United Methodist Church offered the imposition of the ashes via drive-thru, says the Associated Press. A drop-and-dash holy day (well, not holy day, maybe, but an essential Lenten rite)? How kitschy: If they're going to ape us Catholics, they should at least have the courtesy to do it right. Read more here 'Drive-Thru' Ash Wednesday at Ohio Methodist Church Is Tacky

Thank you, and Blessed Lent

I put many links to my Catholic articles on this blog and that's what brings the majority of searchers. People looking for Catholic kids crafts, printable Lent coloring pages, etc. I just wanted to say thank you. Not just for reading my blogs and articles (though that is how I earn our living): what I'm so thankful for, what blesses my socks off, is that of all my niche blogs (and I have about 30 successful ones) the best-performing ones are about our Catholic faith.

On Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, I had a record number of hits, three to four times the normal amount on Lent-related searches. That delights me. More than the Disney coloring pages, free printable cartoon activities, even Christmas and Halloween crafts, my Catholic articles do the best. On every feast day, I can count on searches for "advent activities for kids," "printable Lenten devotional lessons," "printable rosary prayers" and the like.

I write about news, much of it discouraging, for my bread and butter. Most of the subjects are negative, sad are ugly. I write about children dying, parents hurting, people's despair and misery. The Catholic, homeschooling, faith, mommying articles are my treat and retreat. When I write about "how to have a pet funeral" or "fun crafts to make for senior citizens" that's my therapy; that's what helps me purge the soul grime. When I see that beyond all the entertainment, commercialism and worldliness, people are looking to connect with God through my paltry writings, I'm so grateful. Thank you. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.

Marilisa (that's me with two of my other blessings, Molly and Emma, in Louisiana).

Fat Tuesday Feasting Makes Ash Wednesday Fasting Harder

I'm a Catholic: well not cradle Catholic-- I'm a convert. One thing I love about being Catholic is that we sure know how to celebrate life. Take Fat Tuesday (aka Mardi Gras): it's a huge Catholic lollapalooza before the solemnity of Ash Wednesday and Lent. All good Catholics, it seems gear up for the penitential season by overdoing it in the party season. I have my doubts about the wisdom of this. Read more here Fat Tuesday Feasting Makes Ash Wednesday Fasting Harder 

Free Printable Catholic Saints and All Saints Day Coloring Pages

Looking for free printable saints coloring pages, specifically St Valentine? Here's an article I wrote with links to several websites with saints coloring pages including Valentine. There are some historical connections, lesson plans, crafts and religious devotions. Perfect for lent, daily mass readings and feast days. Read more at Free Printable Catholic Saints and All Saints Day Coloring Pages