Family Faith News
Holy Family Parish
Sunday, October 31, 2021
REMEMBERING ALL SAINTS' DAY AND ALL SOULS' DAY
All Souls Day on November 2 is a day we remember members of our faith who have died, especially those believed to be suffering in purgatory and not yet in heaven. Traditionally at Holy Family Parish, parishioners decorate the church in black, the color most often associated with death. Candles are commonly lit in memory of loved ones and the church is decorated with skulls, candles, and other items reminded of death. It is during this day that we think for our departed brothers and sisters, and pray that they will be with our Heavenly Father.
As you explain the important meaning of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day to your children, use the video as a resource.
Mass Readings for Sunday, October 31: Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
In this weekend's Gospel, Mark shares a story of a scribe who really seeks to know the truth. Like the Pharisees, he asks Jesus a question, but with a very different intention. The others had asked their questions in order to try to catch Jesus, but this man’s question is one which genuinely seeks the truth. And Jesus, recognizing this, praises him saying, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
Jesus says that the two most important commandments are about love, not about rules. The first commandment is to love God with all we have! We need to be embracing in all we do. We are called to give him total love in a spirit of adoration. Jesus also references a second commandment: love your neighbor. Especially if their sufferings need to impinge on us. Our love should not only be for those who please us, but also for those that we don’t like and may be hostile to us.
The most important thing in life is to have a loving heart, which is very demanding. However, the Good News is that through our love for God and each other, we will celebrate in our lives and with Jesus in the Kingdom of God!
Activities for Family
Catholic Halloween Crafts
Kids love Halloween! This week, create these fun Halloween crafts that combine our faith and love in God and Jesus, with the spirit of Halloween! Children can choose one of the crafts below to create...
Activity #1: Candy Corn Trinity Craft
- Read and explain the poem
- Have your child create this picture on paper and decorate
- Pick up a bag of Candy Corn and enjoy eating them with your family!
Activity #2: Pumpkin Shine with the Light of Jesus Craft
In this activity, children can draw, use paper plates, or pumpkins to create this "Shine with the Light of Jesus" picture. Create a cross for eyes, or even a shape of fish for the nose or mouth (since Jesus fed so many). Decorate your pumpkin!
Project IMT
Answers to last week's questions:
1. There are 435 Congressmen in the
US House of Representatives
2. US Senators represent all the people of a state
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
- Nelson Mandela
Share Your Work!
Snap a Picture & Share Your Crafts With Us!
Fatimah's Rosary Made from Beans
Gabriela's Rosary
Jamie's Open Your Eyes Craft
Marco's Hand Drawn Rosary
Marco's Open Your Eyes Project
Uplift Video of the Week!
Let's Go Fly a Kite!
It may have taken a few tries, but 3-year-old James Parisi was determined to get his spaceship-themed kite to fly. James has a rare congenital muscular dystrophy since he was five months old, but according to his parents, he's willing to try almost any activity other children enjoy. He loves the book, "Go Fly A Kite, Charlie Brown", and was able to use his wheelchair to fly his own kite for the first time.
Initially, James struggled to get the kite off the ground, but he kept trying in the hope that it would eventually rise. Then, as the kite took off, James' identical twin sisters, Caroline and Lucy, aged two, chased the space shuttle through the field as their older brother drove his wheelchair forwards, amazed at what was happening!
Holy Family Parish
- Register online: holyfamilyparishnewbrunswicknj.flocknote.com
OR
- Text holyfamilyforall to 84576 (or 202-765-3441 in Spanish)
Email: catherinek@holyfamilyforall.org
Website: holyfamilyforall.org
Location: 56 Throop Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Phone: (732) 545-1681
Facebook: facebook.com/holyfamilyparish
Twitter: @holyfamily4all