Faith Activities

John the Baptist (June 24th) John the Baptist was a special person chosen by God to prepare the way for Jesus. He was Jesus’ cousin and helped people get ready to meet Jesus by teaching them to be kind, say sorry for their mistakes, and live good lives. John baptized people in the Jordan River, including Jesus himself! That moment showed everyone that Jesus was truly the Son of God. Catholics remember John the Baptist because: 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Activities

Our Lady of Fátima is a Catholic title for the Virgin Mary, based on a series of apparitions reported by three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal, in 1917. These apparitions led to the construction of the Sanctuary of Fátima, a major pilgrimage site for Catholics worldwide.  Key aspects of the Fátima apparitions: The Children:Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, who were tending sheep near the village of Fátima, reported seeing the Virgin Mary.  Apparitions:The children claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary appear on the 13th day of each month from May to October 1917, with the final apparition on October 13th being accompanied by what was called the “Miracle of the Sun”.  Messages and Secrets:The Virgin Mary, known as Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Fátima, entrusted the children with three secrets, two of which were later revealed. The third secret, initially sealed until 1960, was officially released by Pope John Paul II in 2000. 

1. Family Prayers: 2. Fasting: 3. Almsgiving: Additional Ideas: These activities can help families grow in faith and unity during the Lenten season, making it a meaningful and enriching time for everyone. 🕊️💜

Catherine of Siena is known for her writings on mysticism and spiritual guidance, as well as her efforts to promote Church unity in the fourteenth century. We celebrate the feast of St. Catherine of Siena on April 29, the anniversary of her death. St. Catherine of Siena was a very special person who lived a long time ago in Italy. She was born on March 25, 1347, and became famous for her kindness, wisdom, and strong faith. Catherine was known for helping the poor and sick people in her town. She often gave them food, took care of them, and made them feel better. She also worked hard to bring peace between people who were fighting. She even wrote letters to important leaders, asking them to stop wars and be kind to each other. Catherine had special experiences called “visions,” where she felt very close to God. These visions helped her understand how to help others and live a good life. St. Catherine of Siena is important because she showed that one person can make a big difference in the world by being kind, brave, and caring. She is also a saint, which means she is recognized by the Catholic Church as someone who lived a very holy life. Fun Fact: Catherine was one of 25 children in her family! Even though she had a big family, she always found time to help others and pray.

The Patron Saint of Ireland Saint Patrick was a Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. He is known as the patron saint of Ireland and is celebrated every year on March 17th, which is called Saint Patrick’s Day. When he was 16 years old, he was captured by pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave. He worked as a shepherd and spent a lot of time praying.  After six years, Patrick escaped and returned to his family in Britain. He had a dream where he felt called by God to go back to Ireland and spread Christianity. So, he studied to become a priest and later returned to Ireland as a missionary. Saint Patrick traveled all over Ireland, teaching people about Christianity. He used the shamrock, a three-leafed plant, to explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). This is why the shamrock is a symbol of Saint Patrick’s Day. Miracles and Legends There are many legends about Saint Patrick. One famous story says he drove all the snakes out of Ireland. Another legend tells how he used his walking stick to grow into a tree. Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th, the day he is believed to have died. People wear green, attend parades, and enjoy Irish music and food. It’s a day to celebrate Irish culture and heritage. Fun Facts The color originally associated with Saint Patrick was blue, not green. Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated not just in Ireland, but all around the world! Here are some fun and family-friendly activities you can do with your kids on St. Patrick’s Day: Leprechaun Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt where kids search for hidden “leprechaun treasures” like chocolate coins or small toys. You can make it more exciting by giving them clues to follow Crafts and Coloring: Spend some time making St. Patrick’s Day crafts. You can create shamrock decorations, leprechaun hats, or rainbow art. Coloring pages with St. Patrick’s Day themes are also a great way to keep kids entertained Baking Together: Bake some festive treats like green cupcakes, shamrock-shaped cookies, or rainbow-colored snacks. Let the kids help with decorating the goodies St. Patrick’s Day Bingo: Play a game of bingo with St. Patrick’s Day-themed cards. It’s a fun way to keep everyone engaged and entertained Story Time: Read books about St. Patrick and Irish folklore. This can be a great way to teach kids about the history and traditions of the holiday Leprechaun Trap: Build a leprechaun trap with your kids. Use household items to create a trap and see if you can “catch” a leprechaun. It’s a fun and creative activity that sparks imagination DIY Shamrock Shake: Make a homemade version of the famous Shamrock Shake. Blend vanilla ice cream, milk, and a few drops of green food coloring. Add some whipped cream on top for a delicious treat Parade at Home: If you can’t attend a local parade, create your own at home. Dress up in green, play some Irish music, and march around the house or yard St. Patrick’s Day Charades: Play a game of charades with words and phrases related to St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a fun way to get everyone moving and laughing Lego Challenge: Challenge your kids to build St. Patrick’s Day-themed creations with Lego bricks, like a leprechaun, a pot of gold, or a rainbow These activities are sure to make your St. Patrick’s Day celebration fun and memorable for the whole family! 🍀  

  In October 2024, the CCCB in Preparation for the Jubilee 2025 hosted the second part of a four session webinar series titled, “A Great Symphony of Prayer, Mary, the Saints and Scripture”, enabling the faithful a meaningful way to participate in the Year of Prayer which was announced by Pope Francis on 21 January 2024. The Jubilee Office in Rome prepared a series of booklets on prayer, the themes of which were taken up during the webinar series. The webinar series was presented by Dr. Josephine Lombardi of St. Augustine Seminary please take a look at these wonderful webinars: Learn More