Weekly Feast Day Activities

.
I've lost count of weeks for my weekly liturgical activities. Sorry I missed last week -- I've been balancing many plates lately and I'm not sure how well I'm doing with them. Time will tell, I suppose.

This Sunday's Gospel prepares us for both the Ascension and Pentecost, when Jesus tells us he will soon be gone, and promises the Holy Spirit. I have a few activities, but for the most part, related activities have more to do with the Ascension or Pentecost.

Since the Ascension is this Thursday, I will include some activities to help celebrate. My diocese will recognize the Feast Day on Sunday, but check with your diocese to find out the specific dates (here is what I found online: Ascension Thursday falls on May 1, 2008, and it will be celebrated on that day in the ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and the state of Nebraska. In all other dioceses of the United States, the celebration of the Feast of the Ascension is transferred to the following Sunday, May 4, 2008.).

This week is also jam packed with wonderful saints to learn about. If you don't have a "saint for everyday book" in your home library, I highly recommend this one (two volumes).

Sunday, April 27

● Coloring page for this Sunday's Gospel found here.

● A crossword puzzle, here. And a word search here.

● To download a lesson with cartoons and puzzles, click here.

● You could talk to your children this week about the Commandments, especially if they are not very familiar with them, but, personally I wouldn't get too tied up in the "Ten Commandments." Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." I think we need to focus on Jesus' words, not necessarily the words on the tablets (although that is certainly a good foundation). I think the focus should remain on doing what Jesus asks us to do. Children can learn that by listening to and obeying their parents, they are also following Jesus' commandments (assuming you are also following Jesus' commandments).

There are many crafts and activities available on the Holy Spirit, but I would be inclined to save those for Pentecost.

Ascension Thursday -- May 1 (moved to Sunday, May 4, in many dioceses, but feel free to celebrate on both days)

● A complete lesson to download here (not Catholic bible verses, but good activities)

● For preschool and kinder crafters, go here (not Catholic, but looked o.k. to me -- again, bible verses are not Catholic, though).

● A coloring page for older children, here, here and here.

● For online coloring, go here and scroll down to the Ascension.

● Have the children try their hand at drawing their own masterpiece or copying one.

● Make an "ascending Jesus" picture, download here.

● For an online memory game, go here and click on the Glorious Mysteries.

● For an online jigsaw puzzle, go here and click on the Ascension.

St. Zita -- April 27

St. Zita is the patron saint of domestic workers. Since I consider myself to be one of those, I'll take her. She is known as the little cook, so prepare a loaf of lovely bread today to remember her. St. Zita is also the finder of lost keys -- so, don't forget her name.

St. Catherine of Siena -- April 29

St. Catherine of Siena is the patron of Italy, as well as against fire, illness, miscarriage, and temptation. She is the patron of firefighters, nurses and people ridiculed for their piety. During her lifetime, Catherine experienced the stigmata, but it was only visible to her until her death, when it became visible to all -- what a cross she bore. You'll find her story written beautifully here. You can serve an Italian meal for dinner to remember St. Catherine of Siena.

St. Joseph the Worker -- May 1

Who doesn't love St. Joseph the Worker? He has too many patronages to list here, but, of course, he is most known as the patron of workers and the happy death. He has two feast days on the liturgical calendar, the other one being March 19. His feast on May 1 is to honor him for his hard work.

● Here you will find a coloring page for young children (click on saints by feast days, and then on May 1). You can also insert this image to the left into a Word document and enlarge it.

● Here you will find a lovely activity -- creating a scrapbook for Jesus of friends and family. A more condensed version of this would be to make a one page collage of pictures of the Holy Family -- you can print many from the Internet, or even just cut up some catalogs you have lying around.

● Today would be a good day to talk about household chores and refresh any system that you've been using.

● I posted several craft ideas here on St. Joseph's other feast day (scroll down). Be sure to plan a St. Joseph's Feast for dinner.

.