Free printable Catholic Solemnity of Mary Mother of God coloring pages

On Jan. 1, the Catholic church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, along with New Year's Day. The Solemnity of Mary, also called the Feast of Mary Mother of God, is a Holy Day of Obligation. Catholic parents, if you are teaching children the liturgical calendar, here are free printable Virgin Mary coloring pages, Catholic activities and saints coloring pages to help. Family Holiday has a plethora to share. Make these printables into a Catholic coloring book about the Blessed Mother. There are images from the Joyful and Glorious Mysteries of the rosary which Catholic Christians believe was given by Mary Mother of God to help people get close to her son Jesus.   Free printable Catholic Solemnity of Mary Mother of God coloring pages | Examiner.com

Free printable Catholic Advent Magnificat O Antiphons, Christian Christmas coloring pages and prayers

 Advent, a penitential season in Catholic and Orthodox Christian churches, begins four weeks before Christmas. During Advent, the faithful Catholic pray, give alms, fast and perform acts of sacrifice. It's a lesser Lent. Starting Dec. 17, in Advent, says Benet Vision, the Catholic church counts down the last week till the Octave of Christmas, praying the Magnificat or O Antiphons (names for Jesus) litany. The Magnificat was the Blessed Virgin Mary's prayer to God. Free printable Catholic Advent Magnificat O Antiphons, Christmas coloring pages | Examiner.com

Catholic liturgical Advent calendar, kids' Bible Christmas countdown activities

 Advent, Lent is a four-week penitential season in the Catholic Christian Church. Advent, meaning "coming" is a time of preparation before the birth of Jesus at Christmas. In imitation of Christ, Catholic Advent practices spiritual and corporal works of mercy, including fasting, sacrifice, prayer and almsgiving. It's hard to remember that Advent as a penitential season in the commercialism of the Christmas season. So here are Catholic liturgical Advent calendar crafts to keep the focus. Christmas countdown activities on this Advent calendar involve virtues of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This calendar extends from the first Sunday of Advent (usually the end of Nov. to early Dec.) through to Epiphany (also called Three Kings Day and Twelfth Night) and the Octave of Christmas. The liturgical Advent calendar is made to be reusable, year after year. Catholic liturgical Advent calendar, kids' Bible Christmas countdown activities | Examiner.com

Free printable children's Advent calendars and Christmas countdown crafts | Examiner.com

 Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. During Advent we focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for the Feast of Christmas. Many people use an Advent calendar to countdown to Christmas. Here are free printable advent calendars for children. Advent calendars feature little windows that are numbered. Children open one window each day before Christmas. Some advent calendars have a Bible verse that follows the Christmas story of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem.Free printable children's Advent calendars and Christmas countdown crafts

Dunkin' Donuts tops Starbucks in Christmas holiday cups: Good Christians (do not) rejoice

Christmas 2015 might go down as the schmaltzy and most superficial ever, thanks to the Starbucks "War on Christmas" Red Holiday Cup Controversy. The Christian Science Monitor reported Nov. 11, that Starbucks put out plain red holiday cups, devoid of Christmas ornamentation (reindeer, snowflakes, etc). Some Christians said it was a full frontal attack on Christmas (even though real Christian Christmas symbols are a Baby Jesus, nativity, angels). Donald Trump called for a boycott of Starbucks (good Christian that he is!) Now Dunkin' Donuts tops Starbucks offering Christmas holiday cups with holly on them. Really good Christians, rejoice! (bad Scroogy Starbucks, don't you know that putting coffee in plain red cups means you hate God? Looks like somebody will be getting coal this year!) It is time for Catholic Christians to take a reality check if they support this nonsense. Christmas is about loving one another and Our Lord, not arguing over the pattern on a paper cup. .Dunkin' Donuts tops Starbucks in Christmas holiday cups: Good Christians rejoice | Examiner.com

Free printable Day of the Dead activities, Dia de Los Muertos coloring pages

Dia de los Muertos is the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration. The Latino holiday is near Halloween, but is celebrated on November 1 and 2. Dia de los Muertos is similar to Halloween in that participants dress in skeleton and death-themed costumes. But the resemblance ends there. Day of the Dead is a Catholic ethno-religious festival that celebrates life after death in heaven. Here are free printable Dia de los Muertos coloring pages and skull themed patterns and crafts.   Free printable Day of the Dead or Dia de Los Muertos coloring pages | Examiner.com

Free printable Day of the Dead or Dia de Los Muertos coloring pages | Examiner.com

 Dia de los Muertos is the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration. The Latino holiday is near Halloween, but is celebrated on November 1 and 2. Dia de los Muertos is similar to Halloween in that participants dress in skeleton and death-themed costumes. But the resemblance ends there. Day of the Dead is a Catholic ethno-religious festival that celebrates life after death in heaven. Here are free printable Dia de los Muertos coloring pages and skull themed patterns and crafts.Free printable Day of the Dead or Dia de Los Muertos coloring pages | Examiner.com

Free printable St. Francis of Assisi activities, animal coloring page printables

 On October 4 the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Among other things under his patronage, St. Francis is the patron saint of animals. On his feast day, some Catholic churches and schools observe a charming little rite known as the blessing of pets. Folks bring their beloved pets to mass to be prayed over. It's an event that young and old enjoy. In the spirit of the good saint, here are free printable animals coloring pages and free printable St. Francis activities for children to celebrate! If you know of a Catholic church that blesses pets, why not bring your kids and animals--you'll all enjoy it!Free printable animal coloring pages for St. Francis of Assisi blessing of pets | Examiner.com

Free printable Sukkot activities, Jewish Festival of Booths sukkah lesson plans - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Sukkot is the Jewish harvest holiday. It starts in the Hebrew month of Tishrei, four days after Yom Kippur. In the western calendar it begins early fall and lasts for seven days. In 2015, Sukkot begins at sundown on September 27 ends October 4. It's also known as the Festival of Booths or Tabernacles. Based on a Biblical injunction, during Sukkot, Jews build outdoor huts called "sukkahs. They live, eat, pray and perform ceremonies using the "four species"--etrog (citron or lemon), lulav (palm fronds), willow twig (aravot) and myrtle twigs (hadassim). Here are free printable Sukkot lesson plans, Jewish activities to teach children about Hebrew holidays.Free printable Sukkot activities, Jewish Festival of Booths sukkah lesson plans 

Allegedly raped 11-year-old girl gave birth to daughter in Paraguay

An allegedly raped 11-year-old girl gave birth to a daughter in Paraguay, reported the Associated Press August 13. The pre-teen had been denied an abortion. Parguayan law prevents abortion except when the mother's life is at stake. When she was found to be pregnant, at five months, she was in good health. The young girl bore her child Thursday and shone a brighter spotlight on child rape in the South American nation.   Allegedly raped 11-year-old girl gave birth to daughter in Paraguay - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

Planned Parenthood filmed contracting fetal tissue sales from abortion harvest

Another video surfaced showing Planned Parenthood execs contracting fetal tissue sales. Last week, a leaked film showed Planned Parenthood doctor Deborah Nucatola discussing illegal trafficking of baby parts using illegal partial birth abortion techniques. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott launched an investigation into Planned Parenthood reported My San Antonio July 21. Now a second video shows senior Planned Parenthood executive Mary Gatter contracting fetal tissue sales, switching abortion methods to maximize intact tissue and substituting fetal tissues donations with purchased harvested fetal organs and limbs. Planned Parenthood filmed contracting fetal tissue sales from abortion harvest

Free printable Catholic saints coloring pages for Catholic summer homeschool lessons

Most people know that October 31 is Halloween, or All Hallows Eve. Fewer know that there's only a Halloween because of the days that follow. November 1 marks the Catholic holy day of obligation, All Saints' Day and November 2 is All Souls' Day (celebrated as Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead in Mexico). Halloween was a pagan blowout that anticipated the solemnity of the proceeding holy day. Use these free printable Catholic saints coloring pages, crafts and lesson plans to learn more about All Saint's Day and Halloween. Catholic homeschooling families, use for summer lessons or all year long.Free printable Catholic saints coloring pages for All Saints' Day - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Plant a memory garden: create prayer gardens, pet memorial, family memory garden

For decades, my husband and I have decorated our loved ones' graves. We'd take the kids to the cemeteries and plant flowers. We always felt a special connection, keeping their memory alive. Then we decided to make a memory garden for loved ones in our backyard, so we could keep them closer. Here's an easy, inexpensive memory garden that can be made in any size yard, even on a patio or deck.Plant a memory garden: create prayer gardens, pet memorial, family memory garden

Free VBS printables, Bible coloring pages, Christian crafts, Catholic activities

A very popular summer activity is VBS, or Vacation Bible School. Almost every local church sponsers a week-long Vacation Bible School. And don't let the term 'school' intimidate. Most VBS programs are fun-filled, hands-on and activity based. Here are free printable Vacation Bible School crafts, lesson plans, games and Bible activities. These general Bible crafts are suitable for Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Old Testament activities would work for Jewish families.Free Vacation Bible School printables, Bible coloring pages, Christian crafts

Catholic Stations of the Cross prayer garden: Stepping stone path prayer garden

Praying the Stations of the Cross is an essential Catholic spiritual exercise during Lent. Churches display the 12 to 15 stations representing Jesus's via dolorosa (way of sorrows) to Golgotha. Each station is a grotto, depicting Biblical passages of Christ's journey to Calvary. Stations may be mosaics, bas-relief, paintings, plaster dioramas, carvings or sculptures. Some are outdoor statuary. Here's a Stations of the Cross prayer garden tutorial for your home. Design an outdoor grotto of cement stepping stones each representing a different station.Catholic Stations of the Cross prayer garden: Stepping stone path prayer garden

Free printable Mothers Day greeting cards, color your own cards for mom

Mothers Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, on May 10 in 2015. Looking for crafts to make with children for Mother's Day? Here are free printable Mother's Day cards that kids can color themselves and give to mom. Children free proud when they can make things for mom. Use for party decorations, placemats and school projects, too. Free printable Mother's Day cards, coloring pages, crafts, printables for mom

Catholic Holy Week activities for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Triduum

The Easter Triduum, including Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil (or Holy Saturday) represents the most sacred days in the Catholic liturgical calendar. I was a homeschool mom in the early 1990s, before the Internet. I made all our curriculum. During Lent, we counted down to Easter with Lenten crafts, lesson plans and activities.Catholic Holy Week activities for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Triduum

Saint Patrick printables, free printable Catholic St. Patrick's Day activitites

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17. Many people think the holiday is about green beer, shamrocks and leprechauns. But that 's just commercial hype. The real Saint Patrick was a Catholic Roman Britain taken as a slave by Irish raiders. Patrick later returned as a missionary to convert Druidic Ireland. Here are St. Patrick's Day lesson plans, crafts and activities to explore the saint behind the legend and the religious beyond the secular.Saint Patrick printables, free printable Catholic St. Patrick's Day crafts

Free Catholic Lenten printables, Bible, Stations of the Cross and rosary coloring pages

The Catholic church enters the Lenten season of preparation before Easter. For Catholic and Orthodox Christians, Easter is about more than just bunnies and candy. Easter celebrates the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Christians ready themselves for Jesus's coming with prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The date of Ash Wednesday changes each year as Easter is a "movable feast." In 2015, Ash Wednesday is Feb. 18.Here are free printable Stations of the Cross, rosary, saints and Easter Bible story coloring pages.  Free Catholic Lent printables, Lenten Stations of the Cross coloring pages 

Free Catholic Bible printables, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week coloring pages

Catholics celebrate several special religious days, referred to as holy days of obligation. These days center around a Bible event in the life of Jesus or His Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary. Holy Days are All Saints Day (Nov. 1), Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), Christmas (preceded by the holy season of Advent), Solemnity of Mary (Jan 1), Ash Wednesday (movable feast which kicks of the holy season of Lent and leads up to Easter), Ascension Thursday (movable feast) and the Assumption of Mary (August 15). Here are free printable Catholic coloring pages featuring Bible stories. prayer, sacraments, mass, Gospel, saints, Lent, Advent, holidays and holy days, life of Jesus, Catholic saints' feast days, rosary and stations of the cross.  Free Catholic Bible printables, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week coloring pages 

Free printable Catholic St. Valentine lesson plans, Valentine's Day worksheets

The story of St. Valentine has nothing to do with flowers and candy or Valentine's Day as we celebrate it on Feb. 14. Except one (we'll get to that). It has nothing in common with romance as we know it. But Valentine's story is spiritually romantic. Valentine was a Roman Christian priest. In those days, this was not popular. In fact, it was downright illegal. Catholic families, here are to help you observe a Catholic Christian Valentine's Day! Blessings! Click here for Free printable Catholic St. Valentine lesson plans, Valentine's Day worksheets 

Pope Francis speaks up for breastfeeding, exhorts moms to nurse at holy day mass

Pope Francis keeps showing us the softer, gentler side of the Holy See. We see a compassionate man beneath the papal pomp, a passionate prelate who champions the poor, voiceless and humble. He spoke up for babies at Sunday's Feast of the Baptism of Jesus holy day mass. The Pope told mothers to breastfeed children when they cried, said NBC news, Jan. 11. The pontiff baptized some 30 infants on the holy day. He alluded to comforting children, when some little ones got fussy at Sunday's mass. The crying wasn't cued. Little ones often fuss in church. Pope Francis had planned ahead of time to speak on caring for them. But he did weave his homily around the timely crying by turning it into an object lesson. Breastfeeding in church, like every other time a mother nurses her baby, is both spiritual and corporal works of mercy. It is the most pro-life act, next to having the child, that a mom can do. Read on Pope Francis speaks up for breastfeeding, exhorts moms to nurse at holy day mass