Free Printable Advent O Antiphons Activities, Prayers

Starting December 17, the Catholic church prays the O Antiphons (names for Jesus) to countdown advent to Christmas. Each day a different title for Jesus is the focus. These ancient messianic titles are referenced in the Old Testament of the Bible. They can be found in the hymn "O Come Emmanuel." The titles are Emmanuel God with Us, Wisdom, Dayspring, Lord and Ruler, King of Kings, Root of Jesse, Key of David. These seven titles are listed in Latin and English. Advent tradition of praying the O Antiphons (names for Jesus) began in medieval times. Orthodox and some protestant churches pray them too. Here are printable prayer guides and coloring sheets to help children learn and pray the O Antiphons.   Advent O Antiphons Activities, Prayers, Printables

Printable Feast of the Immaculate Conception Activities for Children

 Dec. 8 marks the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in the Catholic liturgical calendar. In 2013, the holy day will be observed on Dec. 9 in many parishes. Catholics believe that the Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved from original sin so that she could birth the Messiah, Jesus and honor her on this day. Here are activities for parents and children to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Advent, a Christmas preparatory season during which the feast falls. Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Advent Activities for Parents and Children

Free Printable Advent Games, Crafts, Bible Worksheets

 Advent 2013 began Sunday, December I. From now till Christmas, we will prepare our hearts for the coming (Advent) of Jesus. Here are free printable Advent coloring, puzzles, crafts, calendars, wreaths and activities to celebrate the season. I have been exploring and testing links for free printable Advent activities to keep children busy productive and happy as they prepare for Christmas. Picture is a retablo from St. John the Evangel, Lafayette, La. Free Printable Advent Games, Crafts and Activities

Free Printable Christian Thanksgiving Activities

 I recently came across a comprehensive Thanksgiving website. It has lots of free printable Thanksgiving lesson plans with a Christian theme. Crafts, activities, recipes, games and resources from Teacherhelp.org and specifically Audrey's Thanksgiving Page. It's overflowing with printables for a Thanksgiving history unit in your classroom or homeschool. If you are planning a Thanksgiving party or church social, you'll want to bookmark this site. If you teach preschool or Sunday School or work in day care, Audrey can help you organize all your Thanksgiving activities. Free Printable Thanksgiving Activities and Lesson Plans

Free Thanksgiving Greeting Cards, Crafts

Do you like to send holiday cards but find them too expensive? Well, did you know you can print cards at home and it costs nothing? Here are free printable Thanksgiving cards to make and send. All you have to provide is a printer, paper and ink. Or go to the library and print for 10 to 15 cents. Quite a savings. Great holiday activity for Catholic families and homeschoolers. Don't forget senior friends and neighbors. Free Thanksgiving Cards, Crafts and Games to Print

Crafts for Kids, Dress as Saints, Bible Characters with Homemade Costumes

Ho-hum, All Saints Day is over. No more dress-up fun. No more crafts till Advent. If you need a crafts fix fast, I'm your go-to gal. My ideas cheap, easy and parent-friendly. Your recycle bin is your best ally. Today's boredom first-aid: homemade hats. With Halloween approaching, why not start those costumes? Use for school projects, too. Rainy Day Recycle Bin Crafts for Kids--Homemade Hats

Candy Alternative Treats for All Saints Eve, Day of the Dead Parties

I know, call me an old bat, but I hate Halloween--the ghoulishness, haunted houses, the money wasted. We observed All Saints Day with our kids. They could enjoy making costumes (Bible and saints), dressing up and going to parties. SFX in Grand Rapids, Mich., had a rockin' All Saints Eve mass, costume parade and party. But I'm not even really into the candy. I like to pass out sugarfree alternatives. I wrote one list and here are 10 more trick-or-treat handouts. Add to the list holy cards, crucifixes, saints medals, books, Catholic coloring books, printable coloring pages.  10 Candy Alternative Treats for Halloween

Free Printable Catholic Games, Crafts for All Saints Day

With All Saints Day on November 1 and All Souls Day on November 2, the Catholic church moves into the countdown toward Advent and the church new year. Catholic school teachers, religious education instructors, homeschoolers and parents, you'll want these these free printable games and activities. use these for lessons, party games, holy day activities and family fun. Free Printable Catholic Games, Coloring, Activities

We Learned About Solidarity with the Poor from Operation Rice Bowl Recipe Fail

One of my favorite concepts in the Catholic church is social justice. When I converted in 1993, I was intrigued by the term "live in solidarity with the poor." I think I heard it at a third order Franciscan event. I've always tried to live American transcendentalism-simple, generous, neighborly. I call myself a Catholic transcendentalist.

Social justice teachings were a big part of our homeschooling. We followed church liturgical calendar for lessons. During Lent, we fast, give alms and sacrifice. Our church does Catholic Relief Services Operation Rice Bowl, collecting money for those in need. Through the rice bowl calendar we learn about cultures our money helps. It's not a do-gooder, we-them thing. They ain't heavy--they're brothers and sisters.

Here's how a recipe fail from the CRS rice bowl calendar taught us first-hand what hunger means. And so rice bowl is a lent activity? The concept works for advent, especially given it's a penitential season. Why not check out the CRS rice bowl website for lessons? I included the link. Read more What We Learned About Hunger From My Third-World Recipe Fail

Free Saints Coloring Pages, Animals Crafts for Feast of St. Francis

October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis achieved many things in his life--restoring San Damiano church and founding the Franciscan religious order. He was instrumental in returning the Church to Benedictine vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and humility. He wrote "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" and the Prayer of St. Francis (Make me a channel of your peace) from which 12-step programs take the Serenity Prayer.

But Francis is probably best known as the patron saint of animals. Many people participate in the Blessing of the Pets on his feast day. I remember when our oldest was 5, at St. Mary's in Spring Lake (before I converted or had decided to home school). I missed bringing our cat Oliver for the pet blessing and Molly was heart-broken (sure some horrible fate would befall him). So Sister told me to bring him in for his own blessing. I brought one reluctant kitty and two busy little boys to school where Ollie was duly pet and blessed. Good memories. For free printable activities and crafts, click here Free Printable Saints, Animals Crafts for Feast of St. Francis

Relationship Glue Recipe: Use Catholic Reconciliation Sacrament

We've been married 26 years, only to each other. We've made every mistake in the book (and invented some) in communication. To help others possibly avoid relationship pitfalls, I'm writing a series of Relationship glue recipes and today's is: treat problems like the sacrament of reconciliation in the Catholic church.

I converted to Catholicism in 1993. My husband is a convert too. We love many things about the church, but the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) is a favorite. Here's how we use sacramental principles in our relationship. Confession involves four acts:   Relationship Glue Recipe: Use Catholic Reconciliation Sacrament

Reasons Catholics Should Do Yoga

I started yoga 13 years ago, dropped out for 12 years and finally started going back last year. But I haven't been very faithful, honestly. I don't know why I always find a thousand excuses not to go. Mostly, it's just laziness. Contrary to popular Christian urban legend, yoga is very spiritual. It brings me closer to God by helping me to free my mind of negativity, guilt, anger, tension, even addictions. As I focus on breathing and stretching, I'm made aware of the blessings of health. It brings my mind, heart and body into unity with the divine. Here are a bunch more reasons to go.    I am Going Back to Yoga and Here's Why 

Teach Kids Christmas Gratitude, Not Greed

Picture Christmas morning--shiny-eyed children happily opening presents. Sadly, reality is often more selfish, greedy ingrates crying over gifts. This isn't just in "non-Christian" homes. It applies to Catholics, protestants, Christians. And we're the ones who invented the holiday! We know the Real Meaning of Christmas. Yet we get just as caught up in the frenzy. Experts blame indulgent parents for creating this selfish generation of kids, said the Daily Mail in 2011. Boy did they nail that one. So here are parenting tips to curb Christmas gimmes and teach an attitude of gratitude. And these tips save money so there'll be enough to share with those who really need things Teach Kids Christmas Gratitude, Not Greed--And Save Money!

Free American History Activities, Games for Catholic School

I'm a teacher, homeschooler veteran and history re-
enactor. I teach a 1700s-era dame school (here's a model one at Thursley in Surrey, England) at our local history museum "Feast of the Strawberry Moon" encampment. Here are hands-on history crafts and free printables. Use for camping or 4th of July activities. I'm including this on my Catholic Activities blog because education many parts of the U.S. was done by religieuse--Jesuits, Franciscans. Here are lessons to teach Catholic kids about how their faith was promulgated and schools begun. Free History Activities, Games, Printables, Crafts- Colonial America

Fasting to save money--Catholic Social Justice in Action

My friend Kasima at Bubblews wrote a post that hit me right in the heart. She is fasting every other day to save money. I think there's a deeper spiritual level to fasting that she has latched onto. Consider this--3/4 of the world's kids go to bed hungry. Many eat only every other day. While we in the developed world consume too much. We shop, buy, spend, eat and drink too much. We spend too much time on the internet. We gamble and ingest dangerous things. We lavish money on our own personal entertainment while others struggle to have beans and a little rice.

We are hurting ourselves. We are developing lifestyle diseases because of it: obesity, hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, alcoholism, addictions. And those are just the physical issues--the emotional, social repercussions are many. We go deep in debt feeding our greed. Our relationships crumble. We're miserable. And we are hurting others by selfishly hoarding and not sharing. There is no reason why everyone can't have enough, all 7 billion even, if we would all just lighten our load.

Christians, Catholics, protestants--we all do this, even though Our Lord and Our Lady tell us not to. This is not gospel teaching. Jesus spoke exhorted us to social justice, not capitalistic greed. Solidarity with the poor, ha! More like envying and sucking up to the rich.

I'm not going on a political tirade, but it's time we wake up and learn a lesson from people like Kasima, who are living simply so themselves and others can simply live. Fasting isn't just for lent. Or advent or Fridays. It's about living minimal every day. I fasted twice a week when I heard Our Lady of Medjugorie's call. I lost 35 pounds and I wasn't even thinking about weight loss.

Now I am dieting to lose weight and have cut down portions. I show you these two pictures of me, before and now, not to brag, but to demonstrate that I am happier eating less and living light. I eat simpler food that aren't rich or expensive. I'm healthier but I feel better emotionally and spiritually. I've lost some of the weight of  attachment to possessions. I can focus on higher-minded things without the craving and coveting getting in the way. It's a battle. I don't have it licked, but God is helping. He sends me kindred spirits like Kasima. I'm fasting to save money - News - Bubblews

Click either link to read her story
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Parents Consider Kids' Facebook Social Implications

I've got some concerns about social networking and kids. Simply, that we parents are letting kids spend too much time on Facebook, texting, etc. What I'm saying applies to all parents who care about kids. Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu Buddhist, atheist, Wiccan--ideology matters not. If you have kids, you need to think about Facebook, Twitter and the implications of digital interaction.

Facebook and social networking are bubbles. They occupy a lot of time and airspace for a significant number of people, including children. It crosses all boundaries. Parents will do unethical things that they wouldn't normally do, probably to keep their kids plugged in.

I heard a Catholic doctor, homeschooler and dad of six on a parenting talk show, advocate Facebook. He admitted to allowing his 10 and 12 get Facebook accounts. Given the age restriction, he had to have lied to them. This obsession with social technology knows know bounds. I'm not an alarmist reactionary. I'm a realist who foresees danger from the digitial drug. A spectrum of users interact instantly and globally. We don't yet know what all the impacts will be. From my own experiences, I see that digital interaction impairs face-to-face communication. Here's how.   Facebook, Social Media Impairs Real-Life Communication

Spanish Mass Blesses Catholics Even if You Do Not Speak the Language

We've started attending Spanish mass, even though we're English speakers. Instead of a language barrier, we're feeling a special connection despite our spoken differences. My husband works 6-7 nights a week. Having only one day off a week and being a third shifter makes going to mass complicated. If we want to spend any time together, it has to be Saturday night. When he worked Friday night, he needs to sleep Saturday. So we often end up staying up late, even till early morning, visiting. So we like evening mass.

Our church, St. Patrick's recently merged with St. Anthony's, a small mission parish in Grand Haven township. This is predominantly a Hispanic church with migrant workers and local Spanish-speakers. They've always had a Spanish mass and carried the tradition to our larger congregation. There is a 6 pm Sunday mass in Spanish during the summer.   Spanish Mass Blesses Catholics Even if You Do Not Speak the Language 

Homemade, Recycle Bin Shoe Box Bible Dioramas

It's 8 pm and darling daughter is wailing. She forgot to make her school diorama project due TOMORROW! Been there done that. But being an eleventh hour girl myself, I bailed her out. The whole family helped. We made an awesome woodland Native American diorama with stuff around the house. From that experience grew this guide to making homemade shoe box dioramas for any content area. All you need is a recycle bin, craft scraps, household junk and a little ingenuity. And I was thinking--this project would be great for homeschool, Vacation Bible School, religious education. Catholic kids might use it to make dioramas, or retablos of saints or Bible stories.  Here's one we saw in Lousiana at St. John the Evangel in Lafayette. Homemade, Recycle Bin Shoe Box Dioramas, Miniatures, Props

Free Printable Bible Craft Activities for Vacation Bible School, CCD

 I've written articles about free printable Bible, Sunday School and VBS coloring pages. In this article I've linked to several websites with free printable craft activities. Perhaps you want something more than just coloring pages for your Sunday School, Religious Education, CCD, VBS, Christian School or homeschool? Free printable paper crafts can be very interactive. Children get to cut, assemble, paste, color and fold. All these activities are hands-on and lots of fun. Here is a list of links that will take you directly to the websites. Browse the selection to find the free printable crafts that will suit your lessons. You can find all sorts of Christian and Bible themes: Old Testament, New Testament, holy days, angels, virtues, scripture verses and much more. These sites have free printable board games, puzzles, paper dolls and craft activities galore! Read more at Free Printable Bible Craft Activities

Free Printable Body and Blood of Jesus, Corpus Christi Sunday Coloring

The Catholic Church celebrates a month of special Eastertide feasts in May and June, beginning with Pentecost, Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi or Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus, Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. Here are free printable Catholic coloring pages to explore these special holy days. Written for advent, this article lists website with printables for feast days, generally. Catholic school teachers, religious education instructors, homeschoolers and parents will enjoy these free printable games and activities. use these for lessons, party games, holy day activities and family fun.  Free Printable Catholic Games, Coloring, Activities 

Frugal Father's Day fun for Catholic families, Homeschoolers

Advertisers would have us believe that in order to show a loved one a good time a lot of money must be spent. Holidays that revolve around family members, like Mother's Day and Father's Day, are especially prone to guilt-based giving. This idea of commercialized family celebrations goes against the purpose of the holiday and against church teaching. Most parents don't want their children to overspend. Here are ways Catholic families (or anyone!) can create a festive, meaningful Father's Day party without spending an arm and a leg. Honor Jesus, St. Joseph and dad with these cheap fun family activities. Frugal Father's Day fun for families

On Father's Day, Let's Not Forget Priests

Priests get a bad rap these days. In secular communities (and sadly some religious ones) people think "priest" is synonymous with "pedaphilie." They make jokes about it, which is demented. It's like saying every pediatrician hurts toddlers because Dr. Earl Bradley did. Or every televangelist sleeps with prostitutes because Jimmy Swaggart did. Or every politician sends lewd texts because Anthony Weiner did. Or every mom and dad hurt children because some do.

For every one child molester, there are thousands of pastors who would cut their arms off before harming anyone. For every sick priest, there are thousands of healthy religious leaders who sacrifice daily for their congregations. This Father's Day, let's take a few moments to honor the men who does so much good in their parish, their communities and their world. Let's hear it for the priests.

I've been blessed to count many priests in my circle of friends. Some of the most nurturing, healing moments in my life were when I received the sacraments of Holy Communion, Confirmation and Reconciliation from them. They have baptized my children, prayed for them, loved them like their own. They have absolved me of sins I carried for decades. This Father's Day, say your vocations prayers, honor your husbands and dads, but remember the man who is praying everyone through--your parish priest. Thank you Fr. Bill Langlois (aka Father Leroy).On Father's Day, Let's Not Forget Priests
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Mother's Day Activities for Moms Who Have Lost Children

Mother's Day is a favorite holiday for me. I have four lovely kids and my mother, step mother and mother-in-law. Mother's Day can be bittersweet for kids who have lost moms. And what about the mother who has lost a child? Mother's Day may just be bitter. Here are ways to acknowledge Mother's Day (or just survive) if you or someone you love has lost a child.

I'm a mom to six, four living children and two baby daughters in heaven. We lost both children in nearly third trimester losses. Both could have survived if they had made it a few more weeks. Our physicians made mistakes in both cases that could have prevented their deaths. We not only had our grief to cope with, but anger also.  Read on
Mother's Day Activities for Moms Who Have Lost Children 

Free Catholic Eastertide to Ascension Thursday Activities

The Easter Triduum -- Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil -- is the three most sacred days of the Catholic liturgical calendar. As homeschoolers, we spent Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter, doing Lent activities. Here are free printable Catholic resources to take you through Eastertide to Ascension Thursday. Pope John Paul II spoke of the family as the primary educators of children. He encouraged families to set up altars in their home. Whether you homeschool your children or not, parents have a special vocation to teach the faith. These lessons, devotions and crafts help children and families explore that faith more deeply.  Free Catholic Easter Resources and Activities

Celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Isidro, Juan Diego, on Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican/Latino holiday that commemorates the Battle of Puebla. Catholic Christians
 join hands from all points around the globe to share in this holiday. As an ESL teacher, I met a wonderful lady from Juarez who told about the Feast of San Isidro (Isidore) the Farmer. It's celebrated on May 15. Processions wended through villages, she said, following the Isidore's icon. There was music and food, prayers and joy. Manuela was one of the key reasons I converted to Catholicism in 1993. She is the godmother for two of my children.

Why not celebrate Cinco de Mayor by honoring Mexico's most famous saints. Along with St. Isidro, the Blessed Mother, Patroness of the Americas, Our Lady of Guadalupe and her friend Bl. Juan Diego are honored. Dec. 12 marks the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Catholic Church. It dates to 1531 when Catholics believe the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to an Aztec peasant at a hill called Tepeyac in Mexico City. Here are activities to help parents teach children about this holiday and its part in Mexican heritage.  Our Lady of Guadalupe Activities for Parents and Children

Single and Celibate: Choosing Agape over Romantic Love

I wrote this article about ways to survive Valentine's Day single. Then I realized it applies, year-round, especially for single, celibate Catholics and even priests, nuns and religious. Whether you're single by choice, from lack of love opportunities, or you were in a relationship or marriage that crumbled, these tips are for you. This article will help those who identify as gay who choose abstinence  You need emotional support to stick to those celibacy vows just as heterosexuals do. This article can help. How do you celebrate (or just survive) a day devoted to romantic love when you're not in a romance? Here are tips. Oh, and pray to saints known for their chastity: St. Philomena and St. Maria Goretti and the little saint enshrined at Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Indiana. I can't remember her name, but she was martyred for her piety.Celebrate (or Just Survive) Valentine's Day when You're Single

Catholic Families: Attachment Parenting School Age Kids, Tweens

When people speak of attachment parenting, they're usually referring to infants or preschool kids. But the commitment to this type of parenting carries over to older kids too. Speaking as a mom who's in her 25th year attachment parenting, here's how it worked for us with school-age kids and tweens (preteen kids under 13).  Attachment Parenting School Age Kids and Tweens

Free Printable Divine Mercy Sunday, Chaplet of Divine Mercy Activities

Easter is about the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And the first Sunday following Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday, when a Polish nun St. Faustina Kowalska was given the image of Divine Mercy by Our Lord. She drew the icon as Jesus instructed her to. And we honor her obedience and Jesus's gift of Himself on this day. Here are free printable stations of the cross, rosary, saints and Easter bible story coloring pages. Use these for Divine Mercy Sunday. Here's a link to Saint Faustina for Kids website with more activities.  This article has printable activities, prayers and devotions around the rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and "Way of the Cross" or Stations of the Cross.  Free Printable Lent and Catholic Easter Coloring Pages

Cheap, Homemade, Safe Easter Egg Dyeing, Recycled Decorations

Waited till the last minute to buy Easter egg dyeing kits for the kids? Now you have to pull a rabbit out of a hat (pun intended) and come up with your own egg decorations. Take it from this mom of four--been there, done that. Never fear--super DIY mom is here! Here are homemade Easter egg decorations using recycled and on-hand materials. And best of all--they're cheaper and safer than store-bought egg coloring kits!  Cheap, Homemade, Safe Easter Egg Dyeing, Recycled Decorations

Free Printable Palm Sunday Crafts, Coloring, Activities

Palm Sunday, in the Christian faith, celebrates the Biblical triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem one week before His crucifixion. It begins Holy Week and the countdown to Easter. Palm Sunday is a floating holiday; linked as it is to Lent and Easter which fall at a different time each year. Here are crafts, coloring and activities for parents to use with children. Use as lessons in homeschool, Christian school, Sunday school or Catholic religious education. These printables provide inexpensive, hands-on ways to explore and celebrate the Palm Sunday.  Free Printable Palm Sunday Crafts, Coloring, Activities

Diet-Friendly, Vegetarian Rice Recipes

 As a Catholic mom, I fast during lent and on Fridays by serving and eating meatless meals. I'm also dieting and have had success eating vegetarian. Rice is a great non-meat food source, but gets a bad rap for being high in starch and calories. Here are rice recipes that give you the most nutritional bang with the lowest caloric intake. I've written these recipes to meet other religious dietary restricitions. Recipes of Asia gives a guide. Islamic halal, non-kitniyot Jewish kosher. Kitniyot foods, like rice, are sometimes restricted by Jews, particularly Ashkenazi, during Pesach or passover. To observe kitniyot, quinoa could be substituted for rice. AISH says this is okay. These recipes follow eastern Ahimsa practices (except for the recipe with tuna). They can be made vegan by using soy for dairy or fish or by omitting. For all recipes, use brown or white jasmine rice (white has fewer calories). Diet-Friendly, Vegetarian Rice Recipes

Papal Conclave Lessons, Printables, Activities for Kids

An historic event starts March 12, 2013. The Catholic College of Cardinals begins it papal conclave at the Sistine Chapel to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI. Benedict resigned due to ill health last month, says Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano. On March 13, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis, the first American pontif. The the Catholic Church, in fact many around the world rejoices in the cardinals' election. Parents, educators and homeschool families, if you're looking for activities to explain papal selection process to kids, here are free printable lessons to help. Papal Conclave Lessons, Printables, Activities for Kids

Metro Detroit's Most Traditional, Authentic Irish Pubs

For many, St. Patrick's Day means drinking green beer, eating corned beef, and sporting emerald-colored shamrocks and leprechauns. If you're looking for that pedestrian St. Paddy's experience in and around Detroit, pubs and parties abound. For the authentic Irish, however, look to these places. And Saint Patrick's Day is a feast day but also a Sunday. If you're enjoying the festivities don't forget mass, first. Most Holy Trinity or St. Patrick's in Corktown are great places to visit. With a maiden name of Kinney, I know of what I speak. Oh, and don't miss the St. Patrick's Day parade on Sunday, March 10, at 2 p.m. It happens in Corktown, Detroit's oldest neighborhood. The parade route goes up Michigan from Sixth to 14th in Southwest. Metro Detroit's Most Traditional, Authentic Irish Pubs

Free Printable Catholic Easter Coloring Pages

Easter for Catholics isn't just about candy and bunnies. It's about the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here are free printable stations of the cross, rosary, saints and Easter bible story coloring pages.
The Catholic and Orthodox churches, and some protestant Christian churches, observe the season of Lent for forty days before Easter. Lent "follows" Jesus's during forty days of fasting in the desert when He was tempted by Satan. in preparation for His sacrifice on the cross. During Lent, we pray, fast and do acts of mercy, almsgiving and penance to imitate Jesus. We follow the "Way of the Cross" or Stations of the Cross and pray the rosary.  Free Printable Lent and Catholic Easter Coloring Pages

Free Printable Jewish Purim Activities

Purim is a Jewish festival with importance for Christians. It comes from the Bible book of Esther.  Thecelebration of Purim begins at sundown on February 24, 2013. Each year Jewish observances fall on different days, because they follow the Hebrew calendar, not western Gregorian calendar. Purim celebrates the bravery and wisdom of a Jewish girl, Esther who became queen to Ahasuerus, King of Persia. King Ahasuerus's first wife Queen Vashti was very beautiful. One night the King demanded that Vashti parade naked in front of all his guests. She refused and was excecuted.

King Ahasuerus, seeking a new queen, noted the lovely Esther, niece to his advisor Mordechai. Mordechai was a leader of the Jewish people exiled in Persia. Haman, evil prime minister to Ahasuerus, decreed that everyone should bow to the King, hoping to get rid of Esther and Mordechai who were Jewish and would bow to no one but Yahweh. When Mordechai was sentenced to the gallows, Esther went forth to the king, braving his wrath to plead for her people. Ahasuerus's heart was softened and Haman was put to death instead.  For activities to celebrate Purim, read on. Free Printable Purim Activities

Farewell to the Flesh Meatless Lenten Recipes

I started dieting 18 months ago. I wanted to lose weight and develop healthier eating. Initially I ate a vegan-vegetarian diet. Since then, I've tweaked my protein intake to include healthier meats and protein sources. Using these food switches, I 've cut out roughly 1,000 calories a day. Use these meat and fish food swaps for lent when we say "farewell to the flesh!"  Protein, Meat Food Swaps to Cut Calories

Valentine Crafts for Catholics, Orthodox, Byzantine: Mosaics

Coming back to school in January after holiday can be pretty dreary especially when the weather is wet and cold and the days are shorter. It's difficult to keep educational momentum, whether in public, Catholic or home school. Start the New year off with an engaging, interactive unit: mosaics. Perfect for Valentine's Day, too! Robert Sabuda's book "Saint Valentine" shown left, uses mosaics in the lovely illustrations. Teach mosaics to all ages and across the curriculum. Mosaics are an art form in which murals are made using tiny tiles or pieces of paper cut in geometric shapes to create a picture. Mosaics are Persian in origin and are often seen in Turkey, Iran and Iraq. Byzantine and Orthodox traditions use mosaics. Here are lesson plans.  Social Studies, Math, Art and Valentine's Day Unit: Mosaics

Help Kids Choose What to Give Up for Lent

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday--on February 11 in 2013. In the Catholic church, Ash Wednesday kicks off this most holy, penitential season. Some folks, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, think its about giving up meat or sweets. It's about giving up bad habits to be sure, but there's more. 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 healthy Lenten fasting. Teaching Kids Why We Fast and What to Give up for Lent

Teaching Kids About Lenten 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.  Teaching Children About Lent and Fasting

Detroit Gun Opponents to Protest Proposed Walmart

Every Catholic who calls themselves prolife should advocate gun control. You can't claim to respect life if you believe that it's okay to kill. Surely there are other ways to kill besides guns. But those other methods were all designed to have beneficial uses. They become weapons when they are misused. Guns were designed for one thing--killing. Oh I know, there's the old "target practice" excuse. But the only reason for practicing your aim is if you mean to hit a live target at some point. We've all heard the excuse "people kill, not guns"--that's a moot point. A gun doesn't just become a weapon in a person's hands. Guns fire accidentally. People are killed in "friendly fire." A gun is a weapon and only a weapon. Plain and simple.

What about our right to defend ourselves? Well, Our Savior had a few words about that--"turn the other cheek" and "love thy neighbor." Nothing Jesus did advocated violence. My father-in-law was licensed to carry a concealed weapon because he dealt with large sums of money. As a child,  my husband questioned why he didn't tote his gun proudly and publically if he could. My father-in-law said no. A gun would make him and those around him targets. Should police carry guns? Yes. Unfortunately, we're such a dangerous people that those charged with our protection have to arm themselves to stay safe. What about those, like dad, who handle large sums of money? Again, sadly they have to. Our love of money makes us do crazy thing to get it. But the average person should not carry a gun. Otherwise, self-defense too easily becomes offense. The defender becomes the shooter.

Gun control has been a hotly contested issue in Michigan for some time now. Gov. Rick Snyder rejected a measure to loosen concealed weapons limitations. He also approved bills to streamline purchases and licensing for certain kinds of handguns. A related issue in a Detroit suburb has gun opponents concerned. Rainbow PUSH Detroit is holding a "Guns Out & Jobs In" vigil in Southfield, Michigan, to raise awareness about the Walmart location that planned for the area.  Detroit Gun Opponents to Protest Proposed Walmart

Transcendentalism: Living Simply so Others May Simply Live

Transcendentalism is aptly defined as a culture, religion and philosophy. Like Judaism, transcendentalism is a way of life. Transcendentalism has elements of communal living, like the discalced Carmelites and Third Order Franciscans, also. Mother Theresa said, 'live simply that others may simply live'. Transcendentalism can be called a religion of simplicity, common sense and compassion. Transcendentalism teaches that God is love and as He is love so we must love others and ourselves.  It's what genuine "austerity" is all about. It's living in solidarity with the poor and practicing gospel poverty. Catholic.Christian and Transcendental

Free Printable 2013 Liturgical Calendars for Catholics

The Catholic church new year begins in Advent. When I homeschooled our four kids, we followed the Catholic liturgical calendar closely. I planned lessons around it. Here are free printable 2013 liturgical calendars to follow the church year. You can print lesson plans, activities, coloring pages, crafts, devotionals, prayers, cut and paste and games to explore the church calendar too. Use these calendar printables to teach church seasons, colors, mass readings, feast days, fast days and liturgical activities. Read more