may 2022
Family Activities
Although the Easter season goes all the way until June 5 this year, let's spend some time during May to prepare for the descent of the Holy Spirit, on Pentecost. May is also the month when we traditionally honor Mary, thank her for her help and ask for her continued intercession. So this month, let's invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts and homes, honor Mary and look forward to summer!
Although the Easter season goes all the way until June 5 this year, let's spend some time during May to prepare for the descent of the Holy Spirit, on Pentecost. May is also the month when we traditionally honor Mary, thank her for her help and ask for her continued intercession. So this month, let's invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts and homes, honor Mary and look forward to summer!
Option 1: Read Scripture and make a Holy Spirit windsock
You will need markers, red construction paper, scissors, a stapler and orange and red streamers or ribbon. 1. First, open your Bible and read together Acts 2:1-11. 2. Download and print out the file below, "Come Holy Spirit," from www.looktohimandberadiant.com. 3. Color it in. 4. Cut it out. 5. Glue it onto a piece of red construction paper. 6. Cut varying lengths of orange and red streamers and tape them onto the bottom of one edge of the paper. 7. Wrap the construction paper into a cylinder and staple the ends together. 8. Hang your windsock up and pray "Come, Holy Spirit!" 9. Send a photo to [email protected] 
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Option 2: Learn about the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Read Isaiah 11: 2-3 and these paragraphs from the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) and the YouCat(YC):
"The moral life of Christians is sustained by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are permanent dispositions that allow us to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit." (CCC 1830)
"The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. With these the Holy Spirit "endows" Christians, in other words, he grants them particular powers that go beyond their natural aptitudes and gives them the opportunity to become God's special instruments in the world." (YC 310)
1. Print out the files "Gifts of the Holy Spirit definitions" and "Gifts of the Holy Spirit mini-book" below.
2. Fold the mini-book paper into a small book. (Fold in half long ways, down the dotted line. Then fold in half short ways and fold it again. This will make an accordion type booklet.)
3. Consider the definitions of the gifts one by one. Read the definitions and discuss how each gift helps us every day.
4. Draw a picture representing the gift in the mini-book.
5. Send a photo to [email protected]
Read Isaiah 11: 2-3 and these paragraphs from the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) and the YouCat(YC):
"The moral life of Christians is sustained by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are permanent dispositions that allow us to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit." (CCC 1830)
"The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. With these the Holy Spirit "endows" Christians, in other words, he grants them particular powers that go beyond their natural aptitudes and gives them the opportunity to become God's special instruments in the world." (YC 310)
1. Print out the files "Gifts of the Holy Spirit definitions" and "Gifts of the Holy Spirit mini-book" below.
2. Fold the mini-book paper into a small book. (Fold in half long ways, down the dotted line. Then fold in half short ways and fold it again. This will make an accordion type booklet.)
3. Consider the definitions of the gifts one by one. Read the definitions and discuss how each gift helps us every day.
4. Draw a picture representing the gift in the mini-book.
5. Send a photo to [email protected]
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Option 3: Learn about the 12 Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Read Galatians 5:22-23 and these paragraphs from the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) and the YouCat (YC):
"By the power of the Holy Spirit, God's children can bear much fruit. He who has grafted us onto the true vine will make us bear "the fruit of the spirit...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." " The fruits of the spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. (CCC 736 and 1832)
"In the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the world can see what becomes of people who let themselves be adopted, led and completely formed by God. The fruits of the Holy Spirit show that God really plays a role in the life of Christians." (YC 311)
1. Print out the file "The 12 Fruits of the Holy Spirit definitions" and "Fruits of the Holy Spirit mini-book" below. (Print double-sided, if you have that option).
2. Fold the mini-book. (Place the 2 pages together, blank side to blank side, unless you printed it double-sided. Fold short ways. This will be a flip book.)
3. Consider the definitions of the fruits one by one. Read the definitions and discuss how each fruit reveals "eternal glory" and shows how people are formed by God.
4. Draw a different fruit for each Fruit of the Spirit in the mini-book.
5. Send a photo to [email protected]
Read Galatians 5:22-23 and these paragraphs from the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) and the YouCat (YC):
"By the power of the Holy Spirit, God's children can bear much fruit. He who has grafted us onto the true vine will make us bear "the fruit of the spirit...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." " The fruits of the spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. (CCC 736 and 1832)
"In the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the world can see what becomes of people who let themselves be adopted, led and completely formed by God. The fruits of the Holy Spirit show that God really plays a role in the life of Christians." (YC 311)
1. Print out the file "The 12 Fruits of the Holy Spirit definitions" and "Fruits of the Holy Spirit mini-book" below. (Print double-sided, if you have that option).
2. Fold the mini-book. (Place the 2 pages together, blank side to blank side, unless you printed it double-sided. Fold short ways. This will be a flip book.)
3. Consider the definitions of the fruits one by one. Read the definitions and discuss how each fruit reveals "eternal glory" and shows how people are formed by God.
4. Draw a different fruit for each Fruit of the Spirit in the mini-book.
5. Send a photo to [email protected]
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Option 4: Faith, Family and Food - Cooking with the Liturgical Calendar
Make a fun and easy picnic meal to celebrate Pentecost!
Make a fun and easy picnic meal to celebrate Pentecost!
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| pentecost_recipes.pdf |
Option 5: Watch on Formed.org
During the month of May, we recall and celebrate one of the most famous Marian apparitions, known as Our Lady of Fatima. During this apparition, Mary appeared to 3 young shepherd children in the hills of Portugal. Younger children can watch the animated movie "The Day the Sun Danced" and older students are invited to view "Fatima: Message of Hope."
To find the movies log into your Formed.org account. Then go to :
"The Day the Sun Danced:" Movies > Kids > The Saints and Heroes Collection > The Day the Sun Danced
"Fatima: Message of Hope:" Movies > Life and Witness of Mary > Fatima: Message of Hope
Homework: Submit the questions below.
Grades K - 6
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Grades 7 and up
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Option 6: Listen to "A Reporter at Fatima", from the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement.
The final apparition at Fatima was so well attended that more than 70,000 people witnessed the "great sign." Some of those who were there included journalists from secular newspapers, who reported on the occurrence the next day. The 30 minute radio show below is an example of how it might have been reported.
Homework: After listening to the radio show, submit the questions below.
The final apparition at Fatima was so well attended that more than 70,000 people witnessed the "great sign." Some of those who were there included journalists from secular newspapers, who reported on the occurrence the next day. The 30 minute radio show below is an example of how it might have been reported.
Homework: After listening to the radio show, submit the questions below.
Option 7: Honor Mary, Mother of the Church
In 2018, Pope Francis created a new, special feast day in honor of Our Lady. He decreed that the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church be inserted into the liturgical calendar on the Monday after Pentecost, to be celebrated every year. In 2021, this feast day will fall on Monday, May 24. Below is a simple project you can make and place in your home, to honor Mary.
First, download and print out the image of Mary holding the people of the church in her arms. Color it in. Next, download, print and choose one of the images of a church with quote to color. Finally, cut out the church and glue the outside tab onto Mary's arm, folding it over so that it opens to show the people inside. (These images are also from www.lhbr.com)
In 2018, Pope Francis created a new, special feast day in honor of Our Lady. He decreed that the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church be inserted into the liturgical calendar on the Monday after Pentecost, to be celebrated every year. In 2021, this feast day will fall on Monday, May 24. Below is a simple project you can make and place in your home, to honor Mary.
First, download and print out the image of Mary holding the people of the church in her arms. Color it in. Next, download, print and choose one of the images of a church with quote to color. Finally, cut out the church and glue the outside tab onto Mary's arm, folding it over so that it opens to show the people inside. (These images are also from www.lhbr.com)
Homework: Send a picture to [email protected]
Step 1
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Step 2
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Step 3 - outside view
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Step 3 - inside view
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 the Mary Garden at St. Catherine's
Option 8: Make a Mary Garden
A Mary Garden is a small flower pot or larger, in-ground flower garden dedicated to Mary. It has a statue or picture of Mary in it, and is a reminder of her loving presence and faithfulness. To make a Mary Garden, choose a nice pot or place in the garden and fill it with your favorite flowers. Place a picture or a statue of Mary in it. Gather together around it to pray the rosary at least once during May. Homework: Send a photo of your garden to [email protected] |
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