November's Question
STAFF PICKS
Click on a saint's picture to see why each saint is a staff member's favorite.
Jackie's favorite: St. Anthony of Padua
People who know me will tell you that I would have trouble finding my way out of a paper bag. I have a terrible sense of direction. When my boys were younger and we were driving somewhere in the car, one of them would often say, "Mom, are you lost again?” St. Anthony is often known as the patron saint of lost things. Whenever I lose my keys, my glasses, my way on a map or my way in life, I ask St. Anthony to intercede on my behalf to help me find what I need. He leads me to what was lost, and he always helps me find my way back to God.
Fr. Bob's favorite: St. John Vianney
St. John Vianney is my favorite because he is the Patron of Parish Priests – as I am, he had a gift for ministering in the confessional and his love of the Eucharist.
Jen's favorite: St. Rita of Cascia
Saint Rita is my favorite because she had many challenges throughout her life and she always faced them with true courage and never lost her faith in God. She reminds me everyday that no matter what happens in my own life, nothing is impossible to God.
Mary's favorite: Padre Pio
One of my favorite saints is Saint Padre Pio. Although he had a tough life and bore the wounds of Jesus which is referred to as a stigmata, he still trusted in God. He suffered much illness in his life starting at a very young age, but he kept his faith.
Jeanne's favorite: Saint Mother Teresa
She is a recently canonized saint which is why she has become a new favorite of mine-- My favorite quote by her is ine reason "do small things with great love!" It's how she lived and it is a great reminder on my own journey of holiness -- we don't need to single handedly save the world- we just need to honor God every day by doing small things with great love! Her story includes periods of feeling far from God and struggling to know God's presence yet she made such a difference in the world-- her example inspires me each day .
I even ordered a tiny saint clip on of her and put it on my key ring as a reminder to do small things with great love!
Matt's favorite: Saint Therese of Lisieux
St. Therese was the patron Saint of my home parish, Little Flower, growing up back in Ohio. From an early age, I learned about her and the simple way she tried to do everything, no matter how big or small with love. We don’t have to do amazing things to become saints, we simply have to do the little things in life with great love to become the person that God wants us to be, which is what being a saint is all about!
Saint Therese has become a model for how I try to live my life and she has a habit of “appearing” places when I need help, showing me that things will be ok. One such time was shortly after I moved to Massachusetts and I was thinking that moving out here was a mistake and was contemplating going back to Ohio. I went out for a walk along a path in Wareham and was sitting by the water, thinking and praying about life. I turn around and there is an old weathered St. Therese statue , seemingly in the middle of nowhere, looking over me. That statue gave me peace and convinced me to stay in MA for a while longer. Shortly after that moment, I met my future wife and as they say, the rest is history. If it wasn’t for that statue of St. Therese, I don’t know if I would have stayed in MA or be here today!
BUILDING MORE BRIDGES
Click a category for this month's activities.
Learn about two Saints who worked for peace and justice!
Fr. Bob reads a book about St. Joan of Arc and Deacon Don reads a book about St. Martin de Porres. Don't forget to make the recipes dedicated to St. Joan and St. Martin in your Bridge Cookbook! Yumm!
St. Martin de Porres
St. Martin de Porres lived many years ago in Lima, Peru in 1597. His father was a Spaniard and his mother was an Indian from Panama. His family was very poor.
St. Joan of Arc
St. Joan was a sight to see. This small girl dressed in soldier’s armor rode off on her horse to free Orleans from England. Carrying her staff was a sign that God would protect her and France.
After your learn and color about ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI, try these activities!
Look in your Bridge Bag for your color and learn book about St.Francis
Blessing of the animals
Gather up all the stuffed animals. Then, recite the Prayer of St. Francis for Animals and Pets:
Good St. Francis, you loved all of God’s creatures.
To you they were your brothers and sisters.
Help us to follow your example
of treating every living thing with kindness.
St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals,
watch over my pet
and keep my companion safe and healthy.
Amen.
Build a Church
It is said that when St. Francis first heard his call to religious life, he was told, “Rebuild my church.” He took this command literally, thinking he was to rebuild the church of San Damiano in Assisi. Thus, he began to do so, stone by stone. In honor of his obedience and hard work, gather as many rocks as you can find and then construct your own mini-churches. Get creative. Use twigs as a cross to decorate it. If you can’t go outside, use blocks or legos.
St. Francis and the Wolf
St. Francis and the Wolf Tag: After watching the video, play a game of tag. One child is the Wolf. One is St. Francis. The rest are the villagers of Gubbio. On “go”, the Wolf tries to tag the villagers. If he does, they must freeze or lay down. Meanwhile Francis tries to catch the Wolf. If he does, he says, “In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, let there be peace between you and the people.” That round of tag ends.
Saints Books for Kids
When you're first starting out building your Catholic children's library, it can feel very overwhelming, and quite frankly... expensive!!! My official recommendation is not to freak out- just start your home liturgical library with a good children's bible and a Saint story treasury.
From catholicicing.com
Learn about two Saints who worked for peace and justice!
Fr. Bob reads a book about St. Joan of Arc and Deacon Don reads a book about St. Martin de Porres. Don't forget to make the recipes dedicated to St. Joan and St. Martin in your Bridge Cookbook! Yumm!
St. Martin de Porres
St. Martin de Porres lived many years ago in Lima, Peru in 1597. His father was a Spaniard and his mother was an Indian from Panama. His family was very poor.
St. Joan of Arc
St. Joan was a sight to see. This small girl dressed in soldier’s armor rode off on her horse to free Orleans from England. Carrying her staff was a sign that God would protect her and France.
God wants us to be the best person that we can be. God wants us to be saints, and we can all be saints. Being a saint does not mean that we have to be perfect, that we are not without flaws. Instead, what makes us saintly is our desire to be with God and to become the person that God wants us to be.
- What surprised you about the results of this quiz?
- In what ways are you similar to this saint? In what ways are you different?
- The saints used their interests and talents to serve God. How can you use your interests and talents to serve God and others?
Do You Love to Color?
Here are some cool "color-and-cut" saints! Download them and have fun.
Scavenger Hunt
Go on an outdoor scavenger hunt for symbols of St. Francis of Assisi. Send a picture of your completed scavenger hunt to holyfamilyduxburymedia@gmail.com
Be a Jesus Ninja
Saints are like Ninjas for Jesus! Wanna be a Jesus Ninja? This activity is on Google Classroom. Click the button below and you can use the class code hqpq27g
Do Catholics Worship Saints?
Zoom Youth Night on Saints
Time: Nov 1, 2020 06:45 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82270379606
Meeting ID: 822 7037 9606
What are Patron Saints
Few practices of the Catholic Church are so misunderstood today as devotion to patron saints. From the earliest days of the Church, groups of the faithful (families, parishes, regions, countries) have chosen a particularly holy person who has passed on to intercede for them with God.
From Learn Religions
Look up Patron Saints
Search for who is the patron saint of things that are important to you i.e. school, sports, music, travel, peace, etc - and then read about those saints!
From Catholic Online
Lives of Saints
Blog Articles about Saints
- Biggest and Best List of Confirmation Saints (for Guys and Girls)
- When the Saints Seem too Cool for You
- Find YOUR Saint
- 4 Saints you Need to be Friends with ASAP
From LifeTeen
Faith in Action
- Do at least 1 thing a week, in the model of St. Therese - doing something little in extraordinary ways
- In your prayer space you created pray the Prayer of Saint Francis each week - Ask the Lord to help make you an instrument of Peace
- Ask your Saints to intercede for you
Book Suggestions
- The Story of a Soul - Saint Therese of Lisieux
- Maximilian Kolbe: A Saint in Auschwitz by: Jean-Francois Vivier
- Ablaze: Stories of Daring Teen Saints by: Colleen Swaim
"Who Says You Can't Be A Saint " The Bosco Boys (Official Music Video)
There's a Saint for That
How To Make Sacrifice Beads Like St. Therese
Little Saint Adventures App
A faith-filled app that both Catholic kids and parents will love! Download the App for Free.
Linked by Love
Let’s Make Links for Kids For Global Peace. Write your Family Last Name on the link, too. When you turn in your link your family will be entered into the November Faith Formation Raffle. (We will mail all the links to Kids for Global Peace.)
You can learn more at kidsforpeaceglobal.org/linkedbylove
Origami Doves
Make an origami dove using these directions. Then put your dove in a special place where it will remind you to follow the examples of Jesus and the Saints.
Send a pic of your doves to holyfamilyduxburymedia@gmail.com
Do Catholics Worship Saints?
What is Stopping You from Becoming a Saint?
What is a patron saint?
My Life with the Saints
Fr. James Martin, wrote a book called My life with the Saints. He has several youtube videos in a series called Who Cares about the Saints? Each video is a brief way to learn about a saint and Fr. Martin is an excellent speaker.
Highly recommend Fr Martin’s book as well but the videos are a great way to preview or just get a little of the book!