family Activities
There are 6 Family Activities to choose from during the month of March. Each activity invites you to participate more fully in the season of Lent, by reflecting on the lives of the saints and practicing the 3 Lenten pillars of Prayer, Almsgiving and Fasting. There is no additional Adult Homework this month, so that parents/guardians can focus on the Family Projects, however, we do encourage parents/guardians to listen to the March podcast or attend The Quest or "God's Unrelenting Love" retreat.
*Please note that St. Catherine's Lent Reconciliation Service will be on Tuesday, March 8, beginning at 7:30pm.
*Please note that St. Catherine's Lent Reconciliation Service will be on Tuesday, March 8, beginning at 7:30pm.
Option 1: The Rice Bowl - A Catholic Lenten Program Join thousands of Catholics across America in giving alms through Catholic Relief Service's annual Rice Bowl collection. Rice Bowls are available in the narthex of the church and also in the homework box, outside the Parish Center. Place the Rice Bowl in a prominent location in your home and make a commitment to donate a certain amount to the poor this Lent. Use the Lent calendar inside to try typical recipes from areas served by CRS around the world, and learn more about the challenges faced by others, as well as ways CRS is helping. Read stories of hope on the CRS website: www.crsricebowl.org/families
Homework: To submit the Rice Bowl as one of your Family Projects, send a photo of the Rice Bowl in your Prayer Space to stcatherinehomework@gmail.com and submit the questions below.
Homework: To submit the Rice Bowl as one of your Family Projects, send a photo of the Rice Bowl in your Prayer Space to stcatherinehomework@gmail.com and submit the questions below.
Option 2: Listen to a story about St. Patrick and learn more about this great missionary saint.
This 30 minute recording tells the story of St. Patrick, from his kidnapping to his missionary work, with lots of details and adventures along the way.
Homework: Submit the questions below.
This 30 minute recording tells the story of St. Patrick, from his kidnapping to his missionary work, with lots of details and adventures along the way.
Homework: Submit the questions below.
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Option 3: Honor and invite St. Joseph into your home by making a St. Joseph's Altar
On March 19, we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which commemorates Joseph's vocation as foster father of Jesus and husband of Mary. Scripture does not record a single word of St. Joseph, except to describe him as "a just man." This single phrase reveals how faithfully St. Joseph served and protected the Holy Family.
Just as St. Joseph took care of Mary and Jesus, he also came to the aid of Sicilians in the Middle Ages, during a time of severe drought and famine. In gratitude for his intercession, the Sicilian people set up altars of thanksgiving, not just in gratitude to St. Joseph, but to imitate the saint in feeding and caring for the hungry. Learn more about this beautiful Catholic tradition and create a fish supper honoring St. Joseph.
There will be a St. Joseph's Altar set up at St. Catherine's this year. Click here for more info.
Homework: To submit this meal for one of the monthly activities, send a photo of your family enjoying the meal to stcatherinehomework@gmail.com
On March 19, we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which commemorates Joseph's vocation as foster father of Jesus and husband of Mary. Scripture does not record a single word of St. Joseph, except to describe him as "a just man." This single phrase reveals how faithfully St. Joseph served and protected the Holy Family.
Just as St. Joseph took care of Mary and Jesus, he also came to the aid of Sicilians in the Middle Ages, during a time of severe drought and famine. In gratitude for his intercession, the Sicilian people set up altars of thanksgiving, not just in gratitude to St. Joseph, but to imitate the saint in feeding and caring for the hungry. Learn more about this beautiful Catholic tradition and create a fish supper honoring St. Joseph.
There will be a St. Joseph's Altar set up at St. Catherine's this year. Click here for more info.
Homework: To submit this meal for one of the monthly activities, send a photo of your family enjoying the meal to stcatherinehomework@gmail.com
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Option 4: Watch on FORMED
Join Brother Francis in reflecting on and praying at each of the Stations of the Cross. Students in 7th grade and up can watch Episode 5 of the series The Search. This episode asks us one question "Who is Jesus?" Who do YOU say that Jesus is? Ponder that question as we journey towards Easter.
To find the Stations of the Cross video go to Formed.org > Movies > Kids > Brother Francis
To watch "Who Is Jesus?" go to Formed.org > Programs > Faith Formation > The Search > Who Is Jesus
Homework: Answer the questions below.
Join Brother Francis in reflecting on and praying at each of the Stations of the Cross. Students in 7th grade and up can watch Episode 5 of the series The Search. This episode asks us one question "Who is Jesus?" Who do YOU say that Jesus is? Ponder that question as we journey towards Easter.
To find the Stations of the Cross video go to Formed.org > Movies > Kids > Brother Francis
To watch "Who Is Jesus?" go to Formed.org > Programs > Faith Formation > The Search > Who Is Jesus
Homework: Answer the questions below.
Appropriate for the whole family
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for 7th graders and up
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Option 5: Pray the Stations of the Cross
Join together as a family and travel with Jesus through his passion and resurrection by praying the Stations of the Cross.
1. outside Children's Stations of the Cross at St. Catherine's - use your smartphone to scan the QR code at the First Station to access the pdf. Walk and pray the stations together.
2. CRS Rice Bowl Stations of the Cross - pray with our global family online at https://www.crsricebowl.org/stations-of-the-cross
3. Busted Halo's Virtual Stations of the Cross, for 6th graders and up - https://bustedhalo.com/video/virtual-stations-of-the-cross
4. traditional Stations of the Cross, written by St. Alphonsus Ligouri - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEIvGC1WsbM
3. parish Stations of the Cross - every Friday night at 7:00pm in the church, followed by Mass
Homework: To submit the Stations of the Cross for a Family Activity, answer the questions below.
Option 6: Attend a night of Sacred Music
Sunday, March 27, beginning at 7:00pm in the church
The Masterworks Singers present "The Face of Eternal Light", an evening of beautiful sacred music, including the world premiere of O Vos Angeli, text by Saint Hildegard von Bingen and music by Z. Randall Stroope. The concert does not require tickets, but there will be a freewill offering. Note: this event is better suited for older children
For more information, click here: Sacred Concert
CHILDREN IN FIRST RECONCILIATION/FIRST COMMUNION
Children who will make their First Communion this year can join Fr. Riley in taking a close-up look at what happens on the altar, and reflect on the Eucharistic miracle that takes place at each Mass. To find this video log into your Formed account, go to Programs > The Sacraments > Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist > Presence for Children - The Mystery of the Eucharist
Homework: After watching the short video, children can submit the questions below.
Homework: After watching the short video, children can submit the questions below.
Fr. Riley explains what is happening on the altar
