january family activities
Happy New Year! Let's pray for a year full of blessings and peace.
This month there are 6 different options for families to choose from. Each family is asked to submit TWO activities, either 2 Family Activities or 1 Family Activity and 1 age-appropriate activity.
This month there are 6 different options for families to choose from. Each family is asked to submit TWO activities, either 2 Family Activities or 1 Family Activity and 1 age-appropriate activity.
Option 1: Listen to the Ave Maria radio show - St. Hildegard of Bingen
The 30 minute recording "St. Hildegard - Benedictine Abbess, Mystic and Poet" was originally produced as part of the "Ave Maria Hour", a series on the Catholic faith created by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. The series was produced by professional voice actors and ran from 1935 to 1969, with millions of listeners. Episodes are being rebroadcast today through new technology. https://www.atonementfriars.org/ave-maria-hour/ These 30 minute performances will take you back- or maybe introduce you to - the grand era of radio shows.
Homework: After listening to the radio show, submit the form below.
The 30 minute recording "St. Hildegard - Benedictine Abbess, Mystic and Poet" was originally produced as part of the "Ave Maria Hour", a series on the Catholic faith created by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. The series was produced by professional voice actors and ran from 1935 to 1969, with millions of listeners. Episodes are being rebroadcast today through new technology. https://www.atonementfriars.org/ave-maria-hour/ These 30 minute performances will take you back- or maybe introduce you to - the grand era of radio shows.
Homework: After listening to the radio show, submit the form below.
Option 2 - Watch on FORMED
Families with younger children can learn more about St. Frances Xavier, whose feast day we celebrate in December. St. Frances is especially remembered for his missionary work in south Asia.
Families with older children are invited to learn about Canadian saint, St. Andre of Montreal. St. Andre had a special devotion to St. Joseph, and was known for his long hours of prayer for the sick. St. Andre was a brother of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, the same order that founded St. Edward's University here in Austin. You can see a life-sized statue of St. Andre on the St. Edward's campus, just a few feet from another large statue of St. Joseph. We remember St. Andre on January 6. You will need to log into your FORMED.org account to watch these movies.
Families with older children are invited to learn about Canadian saint, St. Andre of Montreal. St. Andre had a special devotion to St. Joseph, and was known for his long hours of prayer for the sick. St. Andre was a brother of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, the same order that founded St. Edward's University here in Austin. You can see a life-sized statue of St. Andre on the St. Edward's campus, just a few feet from another large statue of St. Joseph. We remember St. Andre on January 6. You will need to log into your FORMED.org account to watch these movies.
For grades PreK - 6
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For grades 7 and up
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St. Andre and St. Joseph in the Remembrance Garden at St. Edward's University
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Option 3: Epiphany Blessing of your Home
One of the Catholic traditions that we are invited to do each year is the Epiphany Blessing. This custom is also known as "chalking the door" and is a way of inviting God to bless our homes, all who live within it, and all who will enter it during the year. The Epiphany Blessing asks God to help our homes be places of welcome and hospitality, just as Mary and Jesus welcomed the 3 Wise Men into the humble stable. We pray that all who enter through our door may find the light of Christ within.
The custom of marking our doors is very old, and comes from the Old Testament. We remember in Exodus the Israelites marked their doors with the blood of a lamb so that the Lord would pass over their homes. In this service, we mark our doors with chalk as a visible sign that we have invited God's presence and blessing into our homes.
In Deuteronomy 6:9, God tells the people of Israel: These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. Your shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house.... You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Chalking the door follows God's command to intentionally mark our homes to recall God's presence.
How to Do it:
You will need a piece of chalk, a small bit of incense and a sturdy chair or step ladder.
1. Gather the family together.
2. Light the incense in a fire-safe dish. One member of the family uses the step ladder or chair and piece of chalk to write the year and the initials of the 3 kings above the doorway, like this: 20+C+M+B+22
3. All say together: May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ among us. May we seek and serve Christ in everyone we meet. Amen.
4. Following the blessing, a procession may be done through each of the rooms in the house with the incense. Simply walk through your house together carrying the incense and say "We ask God's blessing on all that will take place in this (kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc.) this year."
5. End your Epiphany Blessing by praying the Glory Be together.
Homework: To submit this blessing as one of your family projects, send a photo of the blessing over your door and a photo of your family processing with the incense to [email protected].
One of the Catholic traditions that we are invited to do each year is the Epiphany Blessing. This custom is also known as "chalking the door" and is a way of inviting God to bless our homes, all who live within it, and all who will enter it during the year. The Epiphany Blessing asks God to help our homes be places of welcome and hospitality, just as Mary and Jesus welcomed the 3 Wise Men into the humble stable. We pray that all who enter through our door may find the light of Christ within.
The custom of marking our doors is very old, and comes from the Old Testament. We remember in Exodus the Israelites marked their doors with the blood of a lamb so that the Lord would pass over their homes. In this service, we mark our doors with chalk as a visible sign that we have invited God's presence and blessing into our homes.
In Deuteronomy 6:9, God tells the people of Israel: These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. Your shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house.... You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Chalking the door follows God's command to intentionally mark our homes to recall God's presence.
How to Do it:
You will need a piece of chalk, a small bit of incense and a sturdy chair or step ladder.
1. Gather the family together.
2. Light the incense in a fire-safe dish. One member of the family uses the step ladder or chair and piece of chalk to write the year and the initials of the 3 kings above the doorway, like this: 20+C+M+B+22
3. All say together: May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ among us. May we seek and serve Christ in everyone we meet. Amen.
4. Following the blessing, a procession may be done through each of the rooms in the house with the incense. Simply walk through your house together carrying the incense and say "We ask God's blessing on all that will take place in this (kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc.) this year."
5. End your Epiphany Blessing by praying the Glory Be together.
Homework: To submit this blessing as one of your family projects, send a photo of the blessing over your door and a photo of your family processing with the incense to [email protected].
Option 4: Faith, Family and Food - Cooking with the Liturgical Year
Celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany together as a family by making these tasty and easy recipes.
The arrival of the 3 Kings is especially celebrated in Puerto Rico, so we have chosen recipes from that island to highlight this month.
Celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany together as a family by making these tasty and easy recipes.
The arrival of the 3 Kings is especially celebrated in Puerto Rico, so we have chosen recipes from that island to highlight this month.
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Madonna of the Basket (by Rubens)
Option 5: Honor Mary, the Mother of God, in your Home Prayer Space
On January 1, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. This day celebrates the motherhood of Mary, and reminds us that Jesus gave her to the entire world, as the mother of all, from the cross. Invite Mary into your home and ask for her guidance and intercession for the entire year. Mary is known by many titles, so an easy way to travel with Mary throughout the year is by remembering her on the days that commemorate her special titles. For example, in February we recall her apparition at Lourdes, as Our Lady of Lourdes. In May, we remember her appearance in Fatima as Our Lady of Fatima. In December, we celebrate both the Immaculate Conception and the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Using the documents below as a starting point for the most common titles of Mary, print out or purchase a few nice portraits of Mary under those titles. Purchase or upcycle an old picture frame and use it throughout the year to display her likeness. Begin in January by learning about Our Lady of Abundance, celebrated on January 5th. Print out the Litany of Mary and use it to pray together.
Homework: Send in a picture of a way that your family honored Mary in your Prayer Space. Draw or print out a picture of Our Lady of Abundance and talk about what your family has in abundance, on the one hand, and what you are lacking, on the other. Use the Litany of Mary to pray together during the year.
On January 1, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. This day celebrates the motherhood of Mary, and reminds us that Jesus gave her to the entire world, as the mother of all, from the cross. Invite Mary into your home and ask for her guidance and intercession for the entire year. Mary is known by many titles, so an easy way to travel with Mary throughout the year is by remembering her on the days that commemorate her special titles. For example, in February we recall her apparition at Lourdes, as Our Lady of Lourdes. In May, we remember her appearance in Fatima as Our Lady of Fatima. In December, we celebrate both the Immaculate Conception and the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Using the documents below as a starting point for the most common titles of Mary, print out or purchase a few nice portraits of Mary under those titles. Purchase or upcycle an old picture frame and use it throughout the year to display her likeness. Begin in January by learning about Our Lady of Abundance, celebrated on January 5th. Print out the Litany of Mary and use it to pray together.
Homework: Send in a picture of a way that your family honored Mary in your Prayer Space. Draw or print out a picture of Our Lady of Abundance and talk about what your family has in abundance, on the one hand, and what you are lacking, on the other. Use the Litany of Mary to pray together during the year.
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Option 6: Make a Backpack for a Child in Crisis - extended
Carrying Hope is a non-profit organization founded by foster parents to create and collect Hope Packs filled with comforting and essential items, which are given to children who are entering the foster care system in Central Texas. Each year, more than 17,000 children enter the foster care system and almost 65% of these children are 10 and under. To make a backpack, go to www.carryinghope.com and click on "Make a Hope Pack." Pick the age/gender of a child you want to help and fill your backpack!
Homework: You can drop off your backpack at the front office and we will deliver it for you. Families in Session A and B can also bring them to the February sessions. Please be sure to LABEL each backpack with your family's name so that we know who dropped them off!
Carrying Hope is a non-profit organization founded by foster parents to create and collect Hope Packs filled with comforting and essential items, which are given to children who are entering the foster care system in Central Texas. Each year, more than 17,000 children enter the foster care system and almost 65% of these children are 10 and under. To make a backpack, go to www.carryinghope.com and click on "Make a Hope Pack." Pick the age/gender of a child you want to help and fill your backpack!
Homework: You can drop off your backpack at the front office and we will deliver it for you. Families in Session A and B can also bring them to the February sessions. Please be sure to LABEL each backpack with your family's name so that we know who dropped them off!
STUDENTS IN FIRST RECONCILIATION/FIRST COMMUNION
Students who will be making their First Reconciliation and First Communion this year can choose to complete the option below as one of their two monthly activities. Children can submit the questions below for homework. Parents are encouraged to watch the video "How to Prepare your Child for First Reconciliation."
Watch on FORMED:
Go to "Formed.org >Programs > The Sacraments > Forgiven> For Children - How to Make a Great Confession" for the children's video.
Go to "Formed.org > Programs > The Sacraments > Forgiven> For Parents - Preparing your Child for First Reconciliation" to watch the parent video.
Watch on FORMED:
Go to "Formed.org >Programs > The Sacraments > Forgiven> For Children - How to Make a Great Confession" for the children's video.
Go to "Formed.org > Programs > The Sacraments > Forgiven> For Parents - Preparing your Child for First Reconciliation" to watch the parent video.
For Children- How to Make a Great Confession
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For Parents - How to Prepare your Child for First Reconciliation
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