July 26: Saint Joachim and Saint Anne

History

Traditionally, Jesus’ grandparents – the parents of Mary – are called Joachim and Anne. One legend says that Joachim and Anne were childless for many years before Mary was born. They dedicated Mary to God and raised her to love and serve the Lord. We know this because when the angel appeared to Mary to tell her that she had been chosen to become the mother of Christ, Mary was ready and willing to do anything God asked of her.

Activity

Grandparents are really important in families. Usually, they’re the ones who taught your parents how to be parents, just like Joachim and Anne taught Mary how to be a good, godly mother for Jesus. Today, tell Joachim and Anne “Thank you,” for teaching Mary to be faithful to God, and then write notes to your own grandparents, thanking them for what they have done for you and your parents. (If your grandparents have died, you can still thank them, just by talking to them.

Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Saint Joachim at Catholic Encyclopedia

Saint Anne at Catholic Encyclopedia 

Catholic Culture

July 25: Saint James the Greater

History

James and his brother John were fisherman before Jesus walked into their lives. Not only would James become one of the twelve Apostles, he was one of Jesus’ closest friends, along with his brother and Simon Peter. Usually, James is called “James the Greater” because there was another apostle named James who was younger. But Jesus gave James and John the nickname, “Sons of Thunder.” James saw Jesus transfigured in glory, witnessed miracles and was called to stand by Jesus during His agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane the knight before He died. After Jesus returned to heaven, James helped the Church grow until he was murdered for being a Christian. 

Activity

What kind of men would get the nickname “Sons of Thunder”? Loud or quiet? Today, you can make a thunder tube. (Instructions adapted from Rachel Bales’ blog) 

Materials:

Empty potato chip can, packing tube or oatmeal container, etc.

Metal coil (about 18” long )

Glue gun

Decorative paper to cover the cylinder (or plain paper, stickers, crayons, etc.)

Tape

Scissors

Awl

Instructions:

1. An adult should use the awl (or scissors) to poke a small hole in the bottom of your can/tube/container.

2. Work a little of your metal coil into the hole. An adult can secure the coil into place using the glue gun. Let cool.

3. Cut the decorative paper to size and secure to the container with tape.

4. To make thunder, hold the canister with the spring hanging down and wiggle it gently. 

  

Saint James the Greater, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

July 24: Saint Christina

History

Saint Christina’s father was rich and powerful, but he didn’t believe in Jesus. He had some golden idols that he worshiped instead. When Christina became a Christian, she learned that idols were bad, so she broke them into pieces and gave the gold to the poor. Her father was really angry with her. He had her beaten with metal rods and thrown in a dungeon until she gave up her faith. Christina wouldn’t do it. Her father and the governor who took over after him tried to kill Christina through fire, drowning, poisonous snakes and more, but God kept protecting her. Finally, she was killed with arrows.

Activity

Here’s a tasty treat to celebrate Saint Christina’s faith.

Saint Christina’s Arrows*

Wafer cookies

Pretzel rods

Chocolate chips

Vegetable oil

Hershey Kisses

Step 1

1. With a serrated knife, saw the ends of the rectangular cookies diagonally, so that you have parallelograms that will serve as the fletching (feathers) on the arrows. 

Step 2

2. Divide the wafer in half by slicing through the filling so you have two identical, thin pieces. (Younger kids can do this with a butter knife.) 

Step 3

3. Melt the chocolate chips with one teaspoon of vegetable oil. Stir until smooth. Coat one (or more) pretzel per person in chocolate – set on waxed paper to dry. (If it's hot in your kitchen, you may want to put them in the fridge or freezer to speed this step up.  WOH Moms or Moms of Many tip: Buy pretzels already dipped to skip this step. Or try tube-shaped cookies like these (if you don't mind the extra sugar). Move on to step 4 before you start another pretzel!

Step 4

4. While the chocolate is still wet, press the edge of one of the wafer cookies pieces on each side so that they stick out. If you took the Step 3 shortcut, melt a few kisses or chocolate chips and dip one edge of the wafer cookies into that to "glue" them onto the pretzel or tube cookie. 

Step 5

5. Unwrap one Hershey kiss per pretzel. When all the pretzels are done and dry, reheat the melted chocolate chips (if necessary), and dip the uncoated end of the pretzel into the chocolate to coat. Press a kiss onto the end to serve as the arrowhead. Return to the waxed paper and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve. 

Enjoy!

*We developed this recipe because our youngest daughter is named Christine. 

Saint Christina, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

History from Saint Christine Parish, Marshfield, MA

Catholic Online

Our youngest as St. Christina

July 23: St. Bridget of Sweden

History

When Saint Bridget, or Birgitta as she was called, was very young, she had a very clear vision of Jesus that she remembered all her life. She got married and had eight children. After her husband died, she understood that God was calling her to organize a new religious order for women. Bridget started to do what God asked her to do, but then she felt that she was called to Rome where she saw visions regarding the Church. She died as an old woman who never saw any of her work for Christ finished, but full of faith in Him. This is why she is called the Patroness of Failures. However, she did write 15 wonderful prayers, which many people still pray today.

Activity

Today, write your own prayer to God. Remember to start with a sentence telling Him how much you love Him. Then, state a request. Finish by thanking Him and saying, “Amen.”

Saint Bridget of Sweden, pray for us!

More reading for parents: 

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online

July 22: St. Mary Magdalene

History

Before she met Jesus, Mary Magdalene was a very troubled woman. But even though she was a terrible sinner, Jesus loved her and healed her. Mary went to a dinner Jesus was invited to, washed His feet, and dried them with her hair. Then she anointed His feet with perfume. Jesus told Mary that her faith had saved her. Mary became of Jesus’ most humble and faithful followers. She stood by Him when He was Crucified, with His mother. And she was one of the first to see Jesus after He rose from the dead.

Activity

Mary Magdalene’s story is one of the most beautiful stories of Jesus’ mercy in the Bible. Choose a one of these pictures to color and hang it in your room as a reminder that Jesus loves us no matter what sins we commit.

Simple coloring page

More detailed coloring page

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Online