The Family Zone
Lectionary-Based Playlist /Issue 50/March 14, 2021
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God"
The church also celebrates not one but TWO beloved feast days this week: we've mingled in some opportunities for your family to celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick on March 17 and the Feast of St. Joseph on March 19! This Sunday, known as Laetare Sunday, is when we take a little breather in the midst of Lent..it's a good week to take enjoy that breather with a celebration of our SAINTS!
Journeying with St. Joseph
St. Joseph’s Day (March 19) is marked in many communities by the St. Joseph Table. In the United States, this is usually a table filled with breads of all sorts. It is a community table, where anyone who wants can take some bread. Traditionally it served three purposes: to venerate St. Joseph, to remind us of the Mass (bread on the table reminds us of the Eucharist on the altar), and to serve the poor.
Learn more here: https://yearofstjoseph.org/devotions/st-joseph-table/
Family Friendly St. Joseph's Altar at home: https://www.catholicicing.com/st-josephs-altar-ideas/
On March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph, we will be launching our new webpage devoted to St. Joseph. We hope you will visit it that day and throughout the coming year! You will find the link in the banner on March 19: http://oec.dor.org
READ!
SUNDAY READINGS:
Click on the link below for the readings that you heard at this Sunday's Mass. This gives you a chance to revisit the message and even spend some time with the practice of Lectio Divina!
Family Stories:
Do you love to read to your kids? These stories will help you apply this week's theme to other areas of life and connect the lines between our beliefs and daily life!
"Staircase for The Sisters - A Story of Prayer and Saint Joseph" by Pamela Love
- "Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland" by Tomie dePaola
- "Articles at Mass" by Ellen Tomaszewski
Parent Articles on the topic:
- "Four Ways to Respond to the Gift of Grace" from Loyola Press
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/prayer/personal-prayer-life/experiencing-prayerful-moments/four-ways-to-respond-to-the-gift-of-grace/ - "Celebrate St. Patrick's Day the Catholic Way"
http://www.catholicdigest.com/family/celebrate-st-patricks-day-the-catholic-way/
- "Translating God's Love" by Faith Noah https://lifeteen.com/blog/translating-gods-love/
"Living the Virtues in Everyday Life"
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/family/catholic-teens/making-moral-choices/living-the-virtues-in-everyday-life/
Write!
Below you will find "at-home" assignments if your child learns best through writing and completing worksheets:
FOR SMALL CHILDREN:
Use index cards to make some sight word flashcards for the child who is learning to read! MASS, CHURCH, PRIEST, ALTAR, PRAY, etc. are great words to begin to learn!
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES:
Use this quiz from Holy Heroes to see what your child is paying attention to during the Mass..do they know the answers? https://holyheroes.net/MassPrep/2021/2021-03-14-Mass-Quiz.pdf
FOR ADOLESCENTS: Make two copies of the handout below. Write your answers on one and invite your teen to write his or her answers on the other. Compare notes and talk about what you do and don't understand about the Mass.
ALL AGES: Make a family list of all the things you like about your parish and our Church!
LISTEN!
PRAY!
The Breastplate of St. Patrick is a beautiful prayer to help us remember to keep CLOSE to Christ and this St. Joseph Prayer for Children can become a daily habit for your family!
WATCH!
Play!
Children learn through play; here are some ways for you to keep learning about the faith theme of the week in a "hands-on" way! This week's PLAY options add some fun to celebrating St. Patrick's Day as well as reconnecting to Mass! Be sure to share the story of St. Patrick as part of a fun celebration in your "domestic church."
FOR SMALL CHILDREN:
- Create a green themed sensory bin for St. Patrick's Day! Dye some rice or dried beans green and add other green objects! You can also hide gold coins in the bin and search for them!
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES:
- Play Parts of the Mass bingo: https://joyfulcatholicfamilies.com/come-celebrate-bingo/
FOR ADOLESCENTS:
- Have a St. Patrick's Day "minute to win it" night ! Here are some game ideas: https://feelslikehomeblog.com/2018/03/st-patricks-day-minute-win-games-kids-families/ End the party by praying the Breastplate of St Patrick together, before bed!
ALL AGES:
- Play the ABC game- Go around the dinner table, working through the alphabet with a word that starts with each letter. Focus on words that show God's presence in our lives or where we see God on a daily basis, OR name things you might see at Mass!
Create!
Great projects for you to create something together for quality time!
FOR SMALL CHILDREN:
- St. Patrick used a 3-leaved Shamrock to teach people about the Trinity! Create your own Coffee Filter Shamrock and hang it in a sunny spot! http://www.housingaforest.com/coffee-filter-shamrock/
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES:
- St. Patrick used a 3-leaved Shamrock to teach people about the Trinity! Create this Lucky Shamrock tissue paper craft!
https://typicallysimple.com/lucky-shamrock-tissue-paper-craft/
FOR ADOLESCENTS:
- Create some Shamrock Soap!
https://themomentsathome.com/easy-shamrock-soap-recipe/
ALL AGES:
- Sometimes we need a reminder that God is with us! Create a colorful God's Eye and hang it in a spot where you will see it and be reminded of God's love
https://tinkerlab.com/how-to-make-a-gods-eye-craft/
- Catholic Cuisine has MANY recipes to celebrate this week's feast days with traditional foods: https://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2012/02/recipes-for-march-month-dedicated-to-st.html
Wonder with St. Joseph
I remember that time Jesus wandered off when we visited Jerusalem. We were so terrified, and I’ll admit, I was angry with him. How could he scare his mother like that? And then when we found him, he was surprised we didn’t know where he was. Looking back, it makes sense he went to the temple to be close to his father. We should all work to be closer to God.
Parents – Isn’t it wonderful to pray with your children? Sharing the joy of being close to God and then seeing them grow closer to God… the feeling just can’t be beat! What do you think God might be wanting to say to you, His child, but also a parent?
Young People – What a time you live in, with television, telephones, and social media – you can talk to anyone anytime. But God has been doing that since he created humanity. He is always just a prayer away. How amazing! What do you think God is feeling as we all gather together for Mass?
FAITH WORD OF THE WEEK!
SANCTIFYING GRACE: The scripture at the top of the page says "by grace you have been saved.." Sanctifying Grace is the supernatural gift of God by which our sins are forgiven and we are made holy. It restores our friendship with God; we are saved despite our human failings.
CHANGES ARE COMING EASTER SUNDAY
Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
Debtor in PossessionEmail: oec@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Location: Diocese of Rochester, Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-328-3210