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