Family with Teen(s)
Pray
Prayer tools
During Lent, we are called to pray, fast, and give alms (give to the poor). Read this blog about tools for prayer to get some fresh ideas for your Lenten prayer this year.
Learn
St. Patrick wasn't even irish
As St. Patrick's Day (March 17) approaches, here is a little reflection on what we know about his life.
What if I told you that the beloved patron saint of Ireland wasn’t actually Irish? Although he ended up spending a good amount of time in Ireland, St. Patrick was most likely born in Scotland. However, at the time, it was part of the Roman Empire and, thus, Patrick was actually a Roman citizen. Patrick’s relationship and association with Ireland first began after being kidnapped by raiders and sold into slavery there. During his time in enslavement, Patrick had to learn to rely upon God and his faith grew by leaps and bounds. Eventually, Patrick escaped his slave master, returned home, and became a priest; a remarkably good priest, in fact. His reputation as a holy man spread so far that even Pope Celestine I heard of him. Pope Celestine I was so impressed by him that he entrusted Patrick to evangelize the people of Ireland. As you might imagine, Patrick was immensely successful in this and the rest is history!
Trenton Mattingly, Life Teen Blogger
What if I told you that the beloved patron saint of Ireland wasn’t actually Irish? Although he ended up spending a good amount of time in Ireland, St. Patrick was most likely born in Scotland. However, at the time, it was part of the Roman Empire and, thus, Patrick was actually a Roman citizen. Patrick’s relationship and association with Ireland first began after being kidnapped by raiders and sold into slavery there. During his time in enslavement, Patrick had to learn to rely upon God and his faith grew by leaps and bounds. Eventually, Patrick escaped his slave master, returned home, and became a priest; a remarkably good priest, in fact. His reputation as a holy man spread so far that even Pope Celestine I heard of him. Pope Celestine I was so impressed by him that he entrusted Patrick to evangelize the people of Ireland. As you might imagine, Patrick was immensely successful in this and the rest is history!
Trenton Mattingly, Life Teen Blogger
Do
Lenten Almsgiving with CRS Rice bowl
We have heard and have been reminded that the three pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. CRS Rice Bowl is a program from Catholic Relief Services that helps us to focus our alsmgiving on helping those who are hungry and in need around the world. A percentage of the funds collected each year stays right here in our diocese to help local programs that feed the hungry.
It can be hard to remember to put money in your rice bowl! Here are some ideas to help you focus your giving:
It can be hard to remember to put money in your rice bowl! Here are some ideas to help you focus your giving:
- How many meals did you have today? Put 10 cents for each meal in your rice bowl.
- Did you have snacks today? How many? Add a quarter to the rice bowl for each snack today.
- How many cans of food are in the cupboards of your house? Put a penny for each can into your rice bowl.
- Drink from you refillable water bottle after sports practice instead of having a sports drink, and put the cost of the drink in your rice bowl.
- Add ten cents for each box of cereal in your house.
- Skip dessert and put the cost of it in your rice bowl.
- Often, people who are hungry also do not have access to safe drinking water. Add 25 cents for each faucet in your house.
- How many pieces of fruit can you count in your kitchen? Add ten cents for each piece.
- Eating out? Skip ordering a drink and put that money in your rice bowl.
confirmation connection
Discuss the Beatitudes
Each of us follow a moral code. As Christians, we follow the teachings and examples of Jesus. The Ten Commandments represent the law of God; the Beatitudes the love of God.
Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, with the Beatitudes. We are blessed who are poor in spirit; who mourn; who are meek; who hunger and thirst for righteousness; who show mercy; who are clean of heart; who are peacemakers; who are persecuted. Chapters 5-7 continue the Sermon on the Mount and give a good moral foundation which we are called to follow today. It also give us the Lord’s Prayer.
As a family, read Matthew 5, 6, 7. Each choose a few verses and ask:
What would our society be if everyone…?
What would our society be if nobody…?
For example, Mt. 5:43-45 says, “You have heard that is was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love you enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.”
If everyone followed this saying, there would be no enemies. Everyone would get along.
If nobody followed this saying, no one would get along and hatred would rule instead of love.
Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, with the Beatitudes. We are blessed who are poor in spirit; who mourn; who are meek; who hunger and thirst for righteousness; who show mercy; who are clean of heart; who are peacemakers; who are persecuted. Chapters 5-7 continue the Sermon on the Mount and give a good moral foundation which we are called to follow today. It also give us the Lord’s Prayer.
As a family, read Matthew 5, 6, 7. Each choose a few verses and ask:
What would our society be if everyone…?
What would our society be if nobody…?
For example, Mt. 5:43-45 says, “You have heard that is was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love you enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.”
If everyone followed this saying, there would be no enemies. Everyone would get along.
If nobody followed this saying, no one would get along and hatred would rule instead of love.
