June Saints and Feast Days

Month of June

10 June Activities for Catholic Families @ Real Life at Home

June Saints and Feast Days Word Search @ Real Life at Home

June 1st – St. Justin, Martyr

Early Greek martyr and apologist.  He defended the Christian faith to the Roman leaders in the 2^nd century, and was subsequently scourged.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Activities:

Apologist Poster @ Today with the Saints

Food:

Greek Salad @ Catholic Culture

For Parents:

Read some of St. Justin’s writings @ Early Christian Writings

June 3rd – Most Sacred Heart of Jesus & June 4^th – Immaculate Heart of Mary

Coloring Pages:

Sacred Heart of Jesus @ Paper Dali

Immaculate Heart of Mary @ Catholic Playground

Sacred and Immaculate Heart @ St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Sacred Heart of Jesus (multiple) @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Activities:

Sacred and Immaculate Heart Rosaries @ Catholic Icing

Sacred and Immaculate Heart Tie Dye Shirts @ Catholic Icing

Sacred and Immaculate Heart Crafts, Info, Coloring and More @ Catholic Inspired

Food:

Sacred and Immaculate Heart Fruit @ Catholic Playground

Sacred and Immaculate Heart Fruit Pizza @ Family at the Foot of the Cross

Sacred and Immaculate Heart Snack Platters @ Family at the Foot of the Cross

June 5th: St. Boniface

Apostle to the Germans.  He cut down a tree the pagans were worshiping and one grew miraculously in its place – the first Christmas tree!  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Food:

German meal ideas @ Living Life Simply

Sour Beef @ Catholic Culture

July 11^th: St. Barnabas

Paul’s traveling companion.  He initially helped the apostles believe that Saul had truly converted.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

Barnabas Preaching @ Bible Wise

Barnabas Welcomes Saul @ Bible Wise

Activities:

Paul and Barnabas Simple Maze Worksheet @ Bible Wise (harder version)

Paul and Barnabas Code @ Bible Wise

July 13th: St. Anthony of Padua

Franciscan preacher.  He is the patron saint of lost things.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Anthony of Padua @ Catholic Playground

Activities:

Make Basil Pots @ Catholic Cuisine

St. Anthony Outdoor Scavenger Hunt @ Shower of Roses

St. Anthony Treasure Hunt @ Catholic Inspired

St. Anthony Lost and Found Game @ Catholic Inspired

Food:

Lost Bread @ Catholic Cuisine

Multitude of Fish Trail Mix @ Catholic Cuisine

June 15^th: St. Germaine Cousin

French peasant girl who was abused by her stepmother.  Read more about her at Catholic Culture.

Activities:

Flower Craft @ Today with the Saints

June 21^st: Aloysius Gonzaga

 Young and devout Jesuit.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Activities:

Activity Sheet @ Catholic Kids Bulletin

Food:

Minestrone @ Catholic Cuisine

June 22nd: Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More

British men who were martyred for standing up to King Henry VIII against his divorce and  break from the Catholic Church.  Read more about them at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Thomas More @ Catholic Playground

St. John Fisher @ Catholic Playground

Activities:

Food:

Steak and Kidney Pie @ My Catholic Kitchen

June 24th: Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Catholic tradition holds that the cousin of Jesus was baptized in the womb and filled with the Holy Spirit at the moment of his mother Elizabeth meeting Mary at the Visitation.  Read more about this feast at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. John the Baptist @ Catholic Playground

John the Baptist Stained Glass @ St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Food:

Grasshopper Parfaits @ Catholic Cuisine

Cricket, Almond, and Wild Honey Clusters @ Catholic All Year

June 26^th: St. Josemaria Escriva

Activities:

Learn and recite his prayer @ Today with the Saints

Food:

Flan @ Catholic Cuisine

June 29^th: Sts. Peter and Paul

Coloring Pages:

Sts. Peter and Paul @ Catholic Playground

Peter and Paul @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Activities:

St. Paul Blindman’s Bluff & St. Peter’s Fishers of Men Games @ Shower of Roses

St. Paul’s Shipwreck Craft @

Food:

Fried Fish @ Catholic Cuisine

Pretzel Shapes @ Today with the Saints

March Saints and Feast Days

10 March Activities for Catholic Families@ Real Life at Home

March 1^st – St. David of Wales

St. David is the Patron of Wales, having founded many ascetic monasteries there during his lifetime.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. David @ Activity Village

Food:

Daffodil Cake and Leek Recipes @ Catholic Cuisine

Welsh Rarebit @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is

March 3^rd – St. Katharine Drexel

St. Katharine was an American socialite who gave up her wealthy lifestyle in order to become a nun and champion for the educational rights of Native American and African American children.  Read more about her at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

K is for St. Katharine Drexel @ Saints to Color

St. Katharine Drexel @ Drawn 2B Creative

St. Katharine Drexel @ Real Life at Home

Food:

Buffalo Baked Ziti @ Catholic Cuisine

Three Sisters Stew @ Catholic Cuisine

Indian Fry Bread @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is

School:

St. Katharine Drexel Printable Packet @ Real Life at Home

March 4^th – St. Casimir of Poland

St. Casimir was a prince of Poland with a love for the poor and a devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Casimir of Poland @ Catholic Playground

Food:

Polish Sugar Cookies @ Catholic Cuisine

March 7^th – Sts. Perpetua and Felicity

Early roman martyrs executed together for being Christian catechumens.  Read more about them at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity @ Catholic Playground

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity @ Drawn 2B Creative

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity @ Catholic Inspired

Food:

Skewered Beef Roman Style @ Catholic Culture

March 8^th – St. John of God

Portuguese man with a sudden and intense conversion at the age of 40.  He is the patron of hospitals and the sick, and the order that his followers founded have a special charism to helping the sick.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. John of God @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is

St. John of God @ Paper Dali

Food:

Pomegranate Snack Ideas @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is

March 9^th – St. Frances of Rome

Wealthy widow who entered the religious life upon her husband’s death.  She was gifted with the ability to see and converse with her guardian angel.  Read more about her at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Frances of Rome @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is

St. Dominic Savio

St. Dominic Savio was a student of St. John Bosco who died at the age of 15.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

D is for St. Dominic Savio @ Saints to Color

March 17^th – St. Patrick

St. Patrick is the beloved patron saint of Ireland and converter of pagans.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Patrick @ Catholic Playground

P is for St. Patrick @ Saints to Color

St. Patrick @ Paper Dali

Holy Trinity Shamrock @ Real Life at Home

Activities:

St. Patrick Perler Bead Patter @ Catholic Playground

Trinity Shamrock Craft @ Catholic Icing

St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Rosary @ Catholic Icing

St. Patrick’s Playdate @ Real Life at Home

St. Patrick Shamrock @ Catholic Inspired

St. Patrick Mobile @ Catholic Inspired

St. Patrick’s Day Cards @ Catholic Inspired

School:

St. Patrick Worksheet @ Catholic Playground

St. Patrick Resource Packet @ Mamas Learning Corner

Trinity Worksheet @ Teaching Heart

Food:

Irish Stew @ Catholic Playground

Shamrock & Snake Rolls @ Catholic Playground

St. Patrick’s Day Pound Cake @ Catholic Playground

St. Patrick Pancakes @ Catholic Playground

Misc.

Shamrock Hair @ Catholic Playground

March 19^th – St. Joseph, Husband of Mary

Husband to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and foster father of Jesus.  Today is one of two feast days for St. Joseph, and we specifically honor his faithfulness to his family today.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Joseph (2) @ Catholic Playground

St. Joseph @ Waltzing Matilda

J is for St. Joseph @ Saints to Color

St. Joseph @ Drawn 2B Creative

Activities:

St. Joseph Novena Lillies @ Catholic Icing

St. Joseph Altar for Beginners @ Catholic Icing

Printable 3D St. Joseph’s Altar @ Virtual St. Joseph Altar

9 Ways to Celebrate St. Joseph’s Day @ Eyes on Heaven

St. Joseph Memory Match @ Shower of Roses

Food:

St. Joseph’s Sawdust Pasta @ Serious Eats

Prayer:

Thirty Days Prayer to St. Joseph @ Catholic Playground

March 20^th – 26^th – Holy Week

Updated Holy Week Printable and Link List @ Homeschool is Where the Heart Is

Holy Week Printables and Links @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is

March 27^th – Easter

Easter Resource Megalist @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is

 Thanks for reading!

Our Lenten Plans 2016

This year we are trying to keep our Lenten plans as simple as possible.  I tend to suffer from do-it-all-itis when it comes to liturgical living, often to the detriment of my poor family!

Lenten Board

Years ago, I made and Advent board to help us more easily incorporate various traditions in our day to day family life.  I decided to do the same thing this year.  I simply purchased a trifold display board from the dollar store and used some printables to make it.

Left
1. A list of pray, fast, give ideas and a chart of all the people to pray for each day.
2. Laminated pray, fast, give cards to write what we are doing each day.
3. Our daily countdown from Catholic Icing, laminated so that we can cross off days with a dry erase marker as we go.

Middle
Our Cross of Mercy.  Each time the kids perform a work of mercy, we will tape a seed to the tree.  On Easter morning, the seeds will have transformed to beautiful flowers.

Right
Jesus Tree.  During Advent, we use a Jesse Tree to read all of the Old Testament leading up to Jesus' birth.  Our Jesus Tree is the same idea, except that we read all of the New Testament leading up to Jesus' resurrection.  We use the plan from Shower of Roses.

Daily Reflections

We use Lent for Children and Welcome Risen Jesus each day.  We read the short reflection, and if I am really motivated, I will use the daily rhyme in Lent for Children as copywork.

Lent Activity Folder

I have printed out a ton of coloring pages, worksheets, copywork, etc. and placed them in a folder for each kid.  As we travel through lent, they can continue to learn and reflect on lent through the activities in the book.

Family Practices

Pray
We are returning to our practice of praying a decade of the rosary every night and stations of the cross on Fridays.

Fast
As a family, we are also reducing our TV consumption (other than the occasional religious movie), eating out (other than for the two birthdays we have during Lent), and putting a freeze on any frivolous spending.

Give
We will be trying to eat out of our pantry and freezer as much as possible, and donating the extra money saved at the end of Lent.  The kids will also choose a few non-perishable items every time we go shopping.  By the end of Lent we should have a nice big box to donate to our local food pantry.  The kids are also doing this cute almsgiving activity thanks to my dear friend who prepared them for us!

Personal

Pray
I joined 2 lenten bible studies, and have made a commitment to start each morning with prayer.

Fast
I am trying my hardest to leave my phone charging most of the day and limit my social media.  My goodness, we are one day in and it is already hard!  I'm also doing 40 bags in 40 days again to clear my house of all the junk that keeps me from a simpler, more intentionally lived day-to-day life.

Give
I am focusing on the Works of Mercy this year, both in and out of my family.  Bearing Wrongs Patiently looks like the one I'll struggle with the most with these kiddos of mine!

What do you do during lent?  Thanks for reading!

Catholic Valentine Roundup

Along with St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day is one of those Catholic feast days that has been completely overwhelmed by the secular world.  If you'd like to infuse a bit more of your faith into the Valentine cards your child hands out, I've got you covered!  Also, don't forget to take a look at my February saint post for links on celebrating this feast day as a family.

Catholic Icing has an adorable pack free for subscribers that includes both print-and-go (all your child has to do is sign) and coloring page style (the child colors the whole card).  There is also a toilet paper roll candy holder that can be given as a valentine or as a special treat for your child.

Waltzing Matilda shared a fun idea for a valentine with a prayer card attached.  This might be a nice treat to give to your kids if giving them something is one of your family traditions.

There is a cute St. Valentine matchbox candy holder at Paper Dali.

Catholic Inspired has an inspiring fold up printable valentine that reminds us what true love is.

A cute set of printable bible verse valentines can be found at Real Life at Home.

Shower of Roses has a set of printable tags to attach to a box of conversation hearts.

I LOVE these sweet Mary valentine cards from Shower of Roses.  In fact, I may put together a set to give my Little Flowers at our meeting on the day after Valentine's Day.

Another cute from Shower of Roses. (Can you tell I love her stuff?!?!)

I love any project involving the adorable Happy Saints images.  This great idea comes from Equipping Catholic Families.

Happy Home Fairy is not a Catholic blogger, but has some great christian valentines including this relatively healthy one.

I love the idea of giving Spiritual Bouquets for Valentine's Day.  Basically a spiritual bouquet is a promise to pray for someone attached to a physical bouquet.  Catholic Icing has a nice roundup of examples.

How about this cute smore valentine from Abbie Grace Designs?

There are a ton of versions of this John 3:16 valentine, but here is a great free printable version at Sweet Blessings.

Catholic All Year has a great set of printable valentines with saint quotes that you could print at quarter size.

There are 5 various printable scripture valentines at Not Consumed, including some boy friendly ones that tend to be a little hard to find!

That's it for now!  I'm sure there are a ton more out there, but I'll have to find them next year.  Thanks for reading!

Ultimate Family Lent Link List

Special Days in Lent

Mardi Gras

Family Mardi Gras @ Our Sunday Visitor

Mardi Gras Masks @ Catholic All Year

King Cake Game @ DLTK Kids

Mardi Gras Pancake Bowl @ Family at the Foot of the Cross

Mardi Gras Cupcakes @ Catholic Culture

Mardi Gras Beignets @ Catholic Culture

Pre-Ash Wednesday Dust Cake @ Catholic Culture

Pre-Lenten Treats from Around the World @ Mental Floss

Mardi Gras Pancakes @ Catholic Icing

Red Beans and Rice for Mardi Gras @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday Coloring Page @ Paper Dali

Ash Wednesday Coloring Page @ Herald Entertainment

Ash Wednesday Ash Craft @ Catholic Inspired

Ash Wednesday Beans @ Catholic Cuisine

Ash Wednesday Lesson Plan @ The Catholic Toolbox (preK, 1^st and up)

Ashes Art @ Of Green Tables

Ash Wednesday Booklet @ Teachers Pay Teachers

Ash Wednesday Activities @ Eyes on Heaven

Holy Week & Triduum

Triduum Coloring Page @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Resurrection Eggs @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Holy Week Printables and Activities @ Catholic All Year

Triduum Craft @ Catholic Inspired

Triduum Gardens @ Catholic Inspired

Holy Week Notebooking Pages @ Catholic Icing

Holy Week Sequencing Cards @ Tired, Needs Sleep

Holy Week Calendar @ The Domestic Notebook

Holy Week Banner @ The Diary of a Sower

Holy Week Mobile @ Drawn 2B Creative

Holy Week Minibook & Planning Calendar @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is

Holy Week Meditations @ Kids and Glitter

Triduum Bracelet @ Loyola Press

Holy Week Activities @ Eyes on Heaven (Part 1 and Part 2)

Holy Week Day by Day with Jesus @ Eyes on Heaven

Holy Week Wood Countdown @ Joyful Mama's Place

Palm Sunday

10 Things to do with Palms @ Catholic Icing

How to Fold a Palm Cross @ Catholic Icing

Palm Sunday Craft @ Catholic Icing

Holy Thursday

Passover Coloring Page @ Catholic Playground

Unleavened Bread @ Catholic Icing

Holy Thursday Meal @ Catholic Cuisine

Holy Thursday Bible Study @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Seven Churches Visitation @ Building Cathedrals

Agony in the Garden Craft @ Catholic Inspired

Holy Thursday Tea @ Shower of Roses

Holy Thursday Learning Pack @ Eyes on Heaven

Last Supper Craft @ Catholic Icing

Good Friday

By His Stripes Craft @ Lord, Make Me a Saint

Good Friday Watercolor Craft @ Catholic Inspired

Calvary Paperplate Craft @ Catholic Inspired

Toothpick Crosses @ Catholic Inspired

Crown of Thorns Bread @ Catholic Icing

Calvary Sandwiches @ Catholic Icing

Symbolic Lunch for Good Friday @ Catholic Icing

Hot Crossed Buns @ Catholic Cuisine

Good Friday Traditions @ Catholic Icing

Good Friday Learning Pack @ Eyes on Heaven

Good Friday Nature Walk @ The Unlikely Homeschool

Holy Saturday

Easter Story Cookies @ Catholic Icing

Paschal Candle @ Family in Feast and Feria

Lent starts next week!  Are you ready?  Make sure to check out my Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday posts to help you kick off Lent properly.

Preparation

Decoration and Preparing the Home

Decorating for Lent @ Kitchen Stewardship

Lenten Sacrifice Tree @ Catholic Inspired

Lenten Candles @ Catholic Icing

Pray, Fast, Give Alms Wreath @ Campfires and Cleats

Lent Basket or Prayer Table @ Peanut Butter and Grace

Learning Activities and Printables

Lenten Crossword Puzzle @ Drawn 2B Creative

Jesus in the Desert Coloring Page @ Drawn 2B Creative

Lent Coloring Page @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Lent Word Cloud @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Lent Notes Foldable @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

On the Road to Easter Word Search @ Real Life at Home

Lentopoly @ The Catholic Toolbox

Lent Coloring Page @ Ministry to Children

Pray, Fast, Give Craft @ Catholic Icing

Lent Journal and Activity Book @ Life of a Homeschool Mom

Lent Lapbook @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is

Lent Art Appreciation @ Eyes on Heaven

Lent Coloring Pages @ Eyes on Heaven

Mid Lent Reflections @ Eyes on Heaven

Planner

Planning for Lent @ Real Life at Home

Lenten Prayer @ Herald Entertainment

Lenten Plan Worksheet @ With a Faithful Heart

Pray, Fast, Almsgiving Tags @ Team Whitaker (and blank)

Lenten Planning Pages @ Catholic Icing

Lent Planning Printables @ Peanut Butter and Grace

Countdowns, Calendars, Trackers, and Planners:

Lenten Calendar @ Catholic Icing

Lent Calendar @ Pondered in My Heart

Lent Calendar @ Holy Family Classical Academy

Lenten Calendar for Children @ The Kids’ Bulletin

40 Days of Lent Cross @ Catholic Playground

Lent Caterpillar Countdown @ These Forty Days

Lamb Countdown Calendar @ Wee Little Miracles

Lenten Countdown Spiral @ Wee Little Miracles

Pretzel Calendar @ A Living Garden

Family Lent Chart @ Catholic Culture

Lenten Calendar @ Shower of Roses

My Lenten Chart @ Eyes on Heaven

Lenten Activity Ideas

40 Lenten Ideas for Catholic Families @ Real Life at Home

Outside the Box @ Catholic All Year

Lent Countdown Chain @ Drawn 2B Creative

40 Days of Mercy Lent Calendar @ USCCB

10 Lent and Holy Week Activities @ Real Life at Home

Lenten Ideas for Kids and Teens @ Peanut Butter and Grace

Pray

Pray:

A Chain of People Prayer List @ Catholic Inspired

Prayer Box and Cards @ Drawn 2B Creative (Box, Cards 1, Cards 2)

Prayer Dice @ Drawn 2B Creative

Family Prayer Jar @ Wee Little Miracles

Prayer Jar Petition Strips @ Catholic Mom

Listen to a Lenten Song List @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Watch a series of Lenten Videos @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Lent for Children – A Thought a Day @ Family in Feast and Feria

Jesus Tree @ Shower of Roses (full list w/ coloring pages here)

Printable Jesus Tree Ornaments @ St. Brigid’s Academy

Stepping Stones Through Jesus’ Life @ Equipping Catholic Families

Litany of Humility @ Catholic Company

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross Coloring Booklet @ Catholic Playground

Stations of the Cross Coloring Pages @ Drawn 2B Creative

Stations of the Cross Coloring Pages @ St. John the Baptist Coloring Pages

Stations of the Cross Coloring Pages @ Family in Feast and Feria

Stations of the Cross Lift the Flap Notebook Page @ Catholic Inspired

Stations of the Cross Minibook of Prayers @ Drawn 2B Creative

Stations of the Cross for Children @ Family in Feast and Feria

Stations of the Cross Prayer Gems @ Diary of a Sower

Stations of the Cross Eggs @ Catholic Icing

Stations of the Cross Eggs @ Catholic Sistas

Stations of the Cross Box @ A Knotted Life

Stations of the Cross Art Project @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Stations of the Cross Art Appreciation @ 4 Real Forums

Stations of the Cross Walk @ St. Anthony Messenger

Engaging Children in Stations of the Cross @ Catholic Mom

Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary

Sorrowful Mysteries Coloring Page @ Catholic Inspired

Sorrowful Mysteries Mini Booklet @ Drawn 2B Creative

Fast/Sacrifice

Sacrifice Dice @ Drawn 2B Creative

Bury the Alleluia @ Three Sided Wheel

Sacrifice Box @ Catholic Icing

Give Up/Take Up Notebooking Page @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

40 Bags in 40 Days @ Three Sided Wheel (and a great reflection on this practice @ Catholic Icing)

Almsgiving

Almsgiving Box @ Drawn 2B Creative

Sacrifice Jar @ Three Sided Wheel and Farmish Momma

Pantry Almsgiving @ Three Sided Wheel

Coin Cross @ Catholic Icing

CRS Rice Bowl @ CRS

The Giving Jar @ Peanut Butter and Grace

Works of Mercy Cross @ Pondered in my Heart

Stations of the Cross Works of Charity @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Crown of Thorns @ Catholic United for the Faith (& transformation to Easter Basket @ Catholic Icing)

Lenten Prayer Chain @ Catholic Inspired

Lenten Prayer Postcards @ A Spritz of Sis

Pantry Meal Challenge @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon)

Almsgiving Worksheet @ Drawn 2B Creative

Almsgiving Notebooking Page @ Drawn 2B Creative

Almsgiving Cross Puzzle@ Drawn 2B Creative

40 Days of Prayer @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon)

Inspiration 

Pope Francis’ Lenten Message @ Vatican

Do Sundays Count?  @ Team Whitaker

Lent: You’re Doing It Wrong @ Team Whitaker

I Don’t Like Lent @ Pondered in My Heart

Follow Andrea's board Catholic Kids: Lent on Pinterest.
Thanks for reading!

Presentation of Our Lord Snack

I put together a fun snack today in honor of the Presentation of Our Lord. I was inspired by this lovely tea.

Warm Milk 

The white symbolizes Mary and Joseph's purity.

Pretzel

Simeon's arms folded in prayer.

Cheese Dove 

The doves Joseph brought in offering at the temple.

Olive

Black represents Anna as a widow.

Candle

Represents Jesus being "a light of revelation to the Gentiles".

Strawberry Heart With Toothpick

Mary's heart pierced with sorrow.

Thanks for reading!