Showing posts with label liturgical living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label liturgical living. Show all posts

Monday, September 2, 2024

Monthly Devotion Signs

A follower recently reached out with a question regarding the headers I use for my monthly roundup posts. She's been using them as a bulletin board header to feature the monthly devotion, which I thought was a brilliant idea- and I'm sorry that I had offered them sooner in an easier to print format!

So here are two sets of monthly devotion signs, one in full color and one on a white background to save printer ink. :)

Click here for the monthly devotion signs on a colored background:

Click here for the monthly devotion signs on a white background:

You may also like these simple, text only signs: (available in both cursive and manuscript)

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Eucharistic Procession Paper Model Set (in Spanish too!)

 

Well, I think I have a new favorite resource here on the blog- this Eucharistic Procession set was the sweet gift of inspiration and was so much fun to make! It was a rare project where the final result matches the image in my head. (fellow creators- you can relate to how rare this is!)

Just in time for Corpus Christi Sunday, you can make your own "paper doll" version of a Eucharistic Procession. I've got a few different variations from the more complicated 3-D version in the photo to a simple coloring page, but I do hope that they are a tool to inspire Eucharistic Devotion in your home and classroom.


What is a Eucharistic Procession?
A Eucharistic procession is like a holy parade that brings Jesus, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, into the world that he loves. The Blessed Sacrament is placed in a monstrance and carried out of the church by a priest. A Eucharistic procession sometimes begins at one church and ends at another. It can be a short walk around the neighborhood of a church or can stretch for miles and miles from start to finish. Along the way, Jesus is accompanied by priests, deacons, altar servers, and people of all ages. Together they can pray the Rosary, sing hymns, or walk in silent prayer. Processions are often planned for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, but can take place just about any time of the year.

The altar servers might carry a canopy, processional cross, candles, a thurible, or bells. One type of processional canopy, a baldachhino, is held over the monstrance by four servers holding a pole for each corner. This creates a sacred space that is set aside for the Eucharist during the movement of the procession. The processional cross is a large crucifix attached to a long handle that can be lifted high for all to see. The candles remind us of Jesus, the Light of the World, truly present in the Holy Eucharist. The thurible is filled with burning incense, which releases sweet smelling smoke that rises to the sky, symbolizing our prayers rising to Heaven. The bells incorporate another of our five senses, announcing that Jesus is really present here with us. A Eucharistic procession is a wonderful opportunity to worship our Lord and pray together as a community as we witness our faith publicly to the world.


Make your own Eucharistic Procession Model
You can use this printable set to make your own model of a Eucharistic procession with a priest, servers, and lay people. The priest can carry the Monstrance and the servers can carry the processional canopy, candles, cross, and thurible. Use the tips on each page to put the model pieces together, and then set up the whole Eucharistic procession on a table or floor. Sing a Eucharistic hymn or say a prayer, praising the Lord for the gift of the Eucharist Then check with churches in your area and attend a real Eucharistic procession with your family!



Click here to download the whole Eucharistic Procession set, including an explanation of processions, making it easy to share with students or other families:


If you'd like to create the Eucharistic Procession, but don't need the supporting pieces to made the figures stand on their own, this paper saver version reduces the whole set down to three pages, and would be great for making a poster or other two-dimensional set:

And click here for just a coloring page of a Eucharistic Procession:

Saturday, November 26, 2022

December Radiant Roundup


Welcome to December! Amidst the decorating and shopping and baking, here are some resources to help you and your kids keep your hearts focused on the reason for the Season. As I pulled posts from the archives and created a few new things for this year, this round up grew larger and larger- but don't let that overwhelm you. Choose 2 or 3 things that suit your home of classroom and will help you pray as we look forward to the celebration of the birth of Christ. From books to crafts to meals to Saints and more, there are plenty of tools gathered here to pick from!

Books for Catholic Kids- Advent, Christmas, & Feast Days for December
Check out this list for a huge list of books great for Advent & Christmas, as well as St. Francis Xavier, St. Nicholas, the Immaculate Conception, St. Juan Diego & Our Lady of Guadalupe, Fulton Sheen, St. Lucy, and the Holy Family.
What Advent Looks Like* Coloring Page
Advent Traditions for Anyone and Everyone* (Info cards that are easy to display and share- one for the Advent Wreath, Jesse Tree, O Antiphons, Christmas Tree, Nativity Scene, St. Andrew, The Immaculate Conception, St. Lucy, St. Nicholas, Ven. Fulton Sheen, St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe)
Decorating for Advent (simple ideas for decorating your home for the Season)
Advent Today (Youth Group Activity)
St. Nicholas' Many Gifts Bingo Game-Here's a fresh update of an old post! This game is set up so that each child makes their own bingo board. Blank boards and a list of words related to the life of St. Nicholas are provided, making this game perfect to play either after reading a story of St. Nicholas' life or to tell a fact about him as each word is called. Use gold chocolate coins or punch out yellow circles as Bingo markers.
St. Ambrose: December 7th
St. Ambrose coloring pages* (all ages)
Sweeter than Honey Psalm coloring pages* (all ages)
Included in the Advent Feast Days Booklet*

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen: December 9th
Ven. Fulton Sheen Activities* (all ages)
So, SO many activities under that tab!

Our Lady of Loreto: December 10th
Our Lady of Loreto Digital Scavenger Hunt (6th & up)

Juan Diego: December 9th
Our Lady of Guadalupe: December 12th
Our Lady of Guadalupe Block Print* 

St. John of the Cross: December 14th

St. John: December 27th 


The Holy Family: December 30th
The Presentation: February 2nd
Joseph, Lover of Poverty Print (Two Turtledoves)* (Scroll to the bottom)

“For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." ~Matthew 1:18-24

Sunday, October 30, 2022

November Radiant Roundup


November, the Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
It's the month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, a time that the Church Militant here on earth focuses our prayers on the Church Suffering. We also strive to orient our own gazes to Heaven, knowing that this life is only temporary. The days of Hallowtide- Halloween, All Saints, and All Souls- give us a perfect opportunity to teach kids about eternity and the hope that we have in Jesus. Here some activities for Hallowtide, as well as upcoming Saints' Feast Days and looking ahead to Advent on the last Sunday of the month.

All Saints: November 1st
12+ Ideas for Celebrating Halloween, All Saints, and All Souls Day*
Saint Scavenger Hunt*
Digital Saint Scavenger Hunt
All Saints Day Art Project
Beatitudes and Modern Saints Card Game*
All Saints Day Info Coloring Page*
Happy All Saints Day Coloring Page*
All Saints Day Litany Prayer Cards*
Saintly Friends Bingo Game (and book recs for Saint Pairs)* (all ages)
Saints Q&A Activity Book (5th-8th)*
Saint Trading Card Classroom Reward System (K-8th)
12+ Ideas for Celebrating All Saints Day* (K-8th)
Saint Pennants* (all ages)
Saint Pennants in more sizes*


New Resources: Saint Jeopardy Games
Each slide show has over 35 Saint trivia questions, set up in Jeopardy (answer, then question style). You can used these as is and play with your students, have a kid click through individually to test their knowledge, or make a copy and customize with Saints of your choice. (Note, these were originally based on the Confirmation Saints from my last couple of classes of students, so they truly are random. And there will be a few repeats between the two games. ;) )
Click here for Set One:

Click here for Set Two:



All Souls: November 2nd
All Saints and All Souls Day Letters*
All Souls Day Prayer Cards (Eternal Rest Prayer)*
Memento Mori Printables*
All About Relics Activity Book (5th-8th)*
12+ Ideas for Celebrating Halloween, All Saints, and All Souls Day*

New Resource: Memento Mori Visio Divina & Reflections
This slide show is intended for junior high and high schoolers to start a conversation on living each day with Heaven in mind, as well as praying for the dead. It included a recommended video, a set of art to use with Visio Divina, and a collection of Saint and Scripture quotes to use for discussion or journaling.
And here's a printable guide to the steps for Visio Divina the kids can use to help with discussion or a written reflection of the included art.

Black Catholic History Month
Black Saint Litany* (2nd and up)

New Resource:
Black American Catholics Research Page* (4th & up)
Photos to print here and awesome coloring pages from artist Fabiola Garza here.
My students used all of these tools, some books, and online research to create posters about these six holy men and women.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini: November 13th
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Activity Books


Feast of Christ the King: November 20th
Christ the King Music Playlist

Thanksgiving: November 24th
Psalm 9:2 Coloring Page*
Psalm 9:2-I will give thanks bulletin board*

Feast of the Miraculous Medal: November 27th
St. Catherine Laboure: November 28th

Miraculous Medal Embroidery Pattern* and links to free resources

St. Andrew: November 30th

Advent: 1st Sunday of Advent- November 27th
What Advent Looks Like* Coloring Page
Advent, Christmas, Epiphany Ideas 2019
Advent Family Calendar (structure & activity ideas, includes an editable version)*
Weekly Advent Reflection Slides (Editable for Google Classroom)
Advent & Christmas Videos
Advent Music Playlist
Sacred Art Visio Divina for Advent (Digital Resources)
New Advent Resources
Printable Advent Wreath Candles*
Printable Advent Wreath Candles (Spanish)*
Printable Advent Wreath Candles (Dutch)*
Advent Traditions for Anyone and Everyone *
Advent Family Traditions*
Decorating for Advent
Advent Today
Favorite Advent Videos
Advent Trivia Jeopardy
Advent Prayer Ring*
Advent Prayer Cards for Each Sunday (Year C)*
Advent Weekly Reflections

New Liturgical Year Resources
The Liturgical Year Coloring Book*
Liturgical Year Calendar
Liturgical Year Printable & Colorable Calendar
Decorating for the Liturgical Year
Liturgical Year Board Game
Monthly Devotion Signs*
Ideas for Living the Liturgical Year in the Classroom*


Books
Books for November Feast Days

And Books for Advent & Christmas

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Our Lady of Guadalupe {Free Block Print!}

 Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe! (and Gaudete Sunday!)

“Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need
anything more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you.”
—Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego, December 12, 1531


Our Lady of Guadalupe one of my favorite Marian apparitions, and one of my favorite images that I created in my block carving Names of Mary series last year.


Today on Instagram, Stephanie Weinert shared a beautiful reflection on her sweet son Beckett and OLG's connection to care for the unborn. In honor of Beckett and to encourage prayers for Our Lady's intercession, I'd like to share a free print of my OLG carving with you. I hope that you display it in your home and when you see it are reminded of the dignity and worth of each individual person made in the image and likeness of God.


Click here to download the pdf so you can print your own 5x7" image:

Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe:

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose, make intercession for the holy Church, protect the sovereign Pontiff , help all those who invoke you in their necessities, and since you are the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from your most holy Son the grace of keeping our faith, of sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life of burning charity, and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for Us!


And if you are interested in more info on Our Lady of Guadalupe, the apparition has a whole chapter in my book Through the Year with Mary! Complete with a kid friendly explanation, full color artwork with discussion prompts, reflection questions, a prayer, and a connection to Jesus, the goal of the book is to help you have good conversations with your kids! 

Click here to find in from my publisher the St. Paul Center or here to find it on Amazon!

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Preorder Bonuses for "Through the Year with Jesus"!


***UPDATE 2/7/21- Since the book is now available, I'm "closing" the preorder bonuses and have contacted the winner of the free workshop. However, you can access the free printables as tools to use alongside the book here!

Ok, you all are blowing me away with support for my new book! Thank you so much for all of your kind messages and encouragement. In case you missed it, Through the Year with Jesus: Gospel Readings and Reflections for Children will be out soon and is available to order at the St. Paul Center and on Amazon. You can read more details about the content and see a few endorsements here. If you've  already ordered and want to skip ahead, you can fill out the Preorder Bonus Form here. ;)

If you know much about new books, you know that preorders really matter, especially for a new author. And this year where normal speaking gigs and conferences and workshops are still unlikely, your early support is such a powerful way to help see this book shared. As a thank you, I've been creating a set of special preorder bonuses for you to use alongside the book or just throughout the Liturgical Year in your home or classroom. They are pretty open ended and I am already thinking of ways I'd like to use them myself! The printables are all available as pdfs in a Google Drive folder, so they are easy to access, download and print however you like. A preview of those resources can be seen below.

And as a special bonus, I'll also be randomly picking one person who preorders to win a free virtual talk or workshop with me! We've all gotten more used to doing things virtually, so why not take advantage of that and let me speak to your teachers, catechists, Bible study, or moms' group. We'll work together to choose a good time and the right topic for your group.  (***Update- for entries to be considered for the free workshop giveaway, they must be entered by 2/6/21!)


The rest of the preorder bonuses are available for everyone!
Some of the items included in the Preorder Bonus Printables Folder include:
-Liturgical Season Planning Pages
-Journaling pages to support praying with Scripture (for both older and younger kids)
-Liturgical Year Journal "cover" in three color choices
-Liturgical Year Journal tabs
-Jesus & the Children Coloring Page
-Jesus & the Children Watercolor
-Lectio Divina prayer guides (small cards and full page)
-Liturgical Wheel watercolor


I love how these Liturgical Season Planning Pages turned out.  I think they could help you anchor each Season with a printable to set up ways you plan to pray, serve, sacrifice, and celebrate, as well as lists of prayer intentions and inspirational quotes. Perfect to hang on the fridge or with your calendar or to add to a journal, and could be completed individually by kids or together as a family.


This Liturgical Wheel Watercolor printable is something great to hang up or add to a journal:


These journal printables are super flexible and could help you and/or your kids set up a journal following the Liturgical Year themes. Pretty "endpaper" cover options, tabs for the seasons, and journaling pages for both older and younger kids are included. I also added a Google Slides version for those of you that might want to use it digitally with a classroom:


This coloring page is from my sketch that was used as inspiration for the book cover:

And here's a little watercolor version too:


If you have preordered, you can fill out the form hereAccess to the printables will be shared in the Confirmation message, so don't miss that link! If someone preordered for you as a gift, you are welcome to still fill this out, or if you ordered multiple copies to give to others, you can share the printables with them. I appreciate your honesty as this seems to be the simplest way to manage getting you the bonuses asap and still allow me to attend to real life. ;) Again, thank you for your support and excitement for the book! I can't wait to see it at work in your homes and classrooms! (***Update- for entries to be considered for the free workshop giveaway, they must be entered by 2/6/21!)