November opened with All Saints Day, a celebration of the holy men and women who lived their lives in faith, courage, and love of God. When we discuss this with our children, its important to remind them that Catholics do not pray to the saints for things—we ask them to pray for us, just as we ask friends to remember us in prayer. The saints remind us that holiness is found in ordinary people who live with extraordinary love. Take some time to name some saints that your family knows – their school or parish may be named after a saint!
This month, students in our Catholic schools will also learn about Treaty Recognition Week, reflecting on promises, respect, and living in friendship with others. As parents, you can extend these lessons at home by connecting them to our faith—seeing how living respectfully, caring for creation, and keeping our word all reflect the Gospel message of love and stewardship.
A beautiful example of this connection is St. Kateri Tekakwitha, known as the Lily of the Mohawks. Born in 1656 near Auriesville, New York, she was the daughter of an Algonquin mother and a Mohawk chief. After surviving a smallpox epidemic that left her with scars and partial blindness, Kateri was baptized at age 20 and dedicated her life to Christ through prayer, charity, and simplicity. Facing persecution for her faith, she fled north to Canada, finding refuge in Kahnawake, near Montreal, where she lived a life of devotion and service.
In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI canonized St. Kateri, making her the first Indigenous woman of North America to be declared a saint. Her life bridges faith and culture, showing that holiness blooms when we live with gratitude, peace, and respect for all God’s creation.
Family Faith Ideas:
- Learn together: Read a short story or watch a video about St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
- Connect school and home: Ask your child what they learned during Treaty Week. Discuss how St. Kateri’s life reflected respect, forgiveness, and care for others.
- Create together: Explore this beautiful St. Kateri Art Study with painting and reflection ideas for families.
- Reflect through music: Listen to “Lily of the Mohawks” by Charles King while drawing or praying as a family.
- Plan a faith outing: Visit the Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ontario, where many of St. Kateri’s relics are housed, or make a virtual pilgrimage to the St. Kateri Shrine in Kahnawake, Quebec or the Church of St Kateri in Baysville, Ontario.
