God our Father, you reward all who believe in you. May your servant, John Paul our Pope, vicar of Peter and Shepherd of your Church, who faithfully administered the mysteries of your forgiveness and love on earth, rejoice with you for ever in heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen!
At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. — Philippians 2:10
The month of January is dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
The Jesus Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Here are a few links for you and your family to enjoy:
American flag timeline from 1776 to 2010 with images and brief historical notes.
Try this patriotic windsock. For a smaller variation, we have used toilet paper rolls and ribbons or crepe paper instead of the stiffer construction paper. Another variation is to add a pointed top to your windsock to turn it into a patriotic rocket.
I’m joining in Lacy’s Liturgical Lent Link-Up being held at Catholic Icing. Last year’s Lent link-up was great fun, so here we go again. Lacy’s going to have separate link-ups for Holy Week and Easter, so this one is all about Lent!
To makes thing a bit simpler for the link-up, I’m using this “links of the month” post in which I’ve collected all of Homeschool Goodies‘ best Lenten projects and ideas into one place. Enjoy!
I’m getting lots of mileage out of this post! Sharing also with Angie’s Helpful Homeschool Hints.
Helpful Homeschool Hints is a place to share great homeschooling tips, ideas, projects, or even just how to stay sane when things get busy. So, hop over to Many Little Blessings, host of this weekly link up, to join in the fun and see all the other great posts for this week!
Helpful Homeschool Hints is a place to share great homeschooling tips, ideas, projects, or even just how to stay sane when things get busy. So, hop over to Many Little Blessings, host of this weekly link up, to join in the fun and see all the other great posts for this week!
Links of the month is back! Don’t ask me where it’s back from, but here it is. Everyone is back to school and academics are top of mind where they should be, but don’t forget the crafts! There’s always a need for a quick craft project to keep little, and big, hands busy. Here are a few of my recent favorites, most of which won’t need any prep work and can be done with things hanging around your house.
• Break out the scissors ’cause Fantastic Toys Blog has just what you need — Gnome paper toys. The free set includes: Gnome bowling; a Gnome paper doll with three outfits; and a Gnome hanging mobile. Love ‘em!
• While you’ve still got those scissors out, head over to Paper Dali, my all-time favorite place for fun paper crafts. At Paper Dali you’ll find an ever-growing collection of saints, blesseds, and historical figures to cut and color. Plan ahead for Feast Days and get your paper dolls, and coloring pages ready. My 5th grader will be using Vee’s Egyptian, Greek, and Roman historical figures this year in history class.
• Another great rainy day, keep ‘em busy project is the Craft Projects’ puppet theatre. This fun craft includes directions and printables for a curtained stage and three puppet characters. Let your children’s imagination run wild and then let the show begin!
• Need some color in your homeschool life? Catholic Icing’s priest peg dolls are a great back-to-school project and a hands-on way to teach the colors of the liturgical seasons. Have your kids each make their own peg priest and then make the various colored vestments. Change the vestments to the appropriate color as we roll through the new Church year.
October is filled liturgical celebrations. It is also filled with special days for our family. October 1 is our oldest daughter’s birthday, and October 18 is our wedding anniversay. Her Baptism was on our 1 year anniversary.
The following links will help you celebrate October with your family:
We started school yesterday and for us, the first few weeks back are always neat and quiet. When you happen upon your quiet time, check out the following fun printables and other resources to supplement your students’ coursework this year.
Creator of all things,
true source of light and wisdom,
origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of your light penetrate
the darkness of my understanding.
Take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of sin and ignorance.
Give me a keen understanding,
a retentive memory, and
the ability to grasp things
correctly and fundamentally.
Grant me the talent
of being exact in my explanations
and the ability to express myself
with thoroughness and charm.
Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in the completion.
Whether you are a homeschool parent or not, the education of your children is your responsibility. Although geared toward homeschoolers, my Links of the Month: August — Educating your kids has a little something for everyone.
Be sure to check out all the great Catholic blog posts at this week’s Sunday Snippets–A Catholic Carnival. This is a weekly opportunity to share our best posts with the wider Catholic blogging community. Join in the fun! Visit the host blog for details.
Whether you are a homeschool parent or not, the education of your children is your responsibility.
Parents are the first and most important educators of their own children, and they also possess a fundamental competence in this area: They are educators because they are parents.
– Pope John Paul II
Letter to Families. 1994 Year of the Family
So, with the grace given to us through the sacrament of Holy Matrimony we should be ready for anything. But sometimes, a little outside assistance, encouragement and support sure comes in handy.
With a new school year right around the corner, here are a few not-so-ordinary bits of inspiration that I hope will be helpful to veteran, new, and undecided homeschoolers.
Pope Benedict XVI has declared June 19, 2009-2010 as a Year of the Priest. This special year will open on the 2009 feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Links for the Year of the Priest will be updated throughout the year with resources to assist you and your family in celebrating this special year.
The June 19 Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is followed by the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on June 20. In The Sacred Heart and the Eucharist, by Father Richard Neilson, we see that as May leads to and introduces June, so Mary brings us to the love of her Son, the love symbolized by His Sacred Heart.
This post will be updated throughout the Year of the Priest. More resources will be added as I find them.
Pope Benedict XVI has declared June 19, 2009-2010 as Year of the Priest on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean Marie Vianney, the Curé of Ars.
This special year will open with vespers at the Vatican on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 19, 2009. This is a day for the sanctification of priests. The year will close at a World Meeting of Priests in St. Peter’s Square on June 19, 2010.
Cure of Ars Prayer Group will kick off the Year of the Priest with 40 days of praying and fasting, from June 19 – August 4.
………………… added June 8, 2009
A Catholic Mom in Hawaii has started a list of priests she will be praying for specifically during the Year of the Priest. If you are a priest and would like to be added to the list, contact Esther.
Priests in Crisis blog, by my twitter pal Suzanne, is a gateway to emergency resources for faithful Catholic priests in personal crisis.
Pray for Priests is a project to promote Eucharistic Adoration and Spiritual Maternity to support the priests of the world.
Biblia Clerus offers Sacred Scripture, its interpretation in light of Sacred Tradition and the teachings of the Magisterium, with appropriate theological commentary and exegesis.
A Prayer for Priests by John Joseph Cardinal Carberry, Archbishop of St. Louis, USA
O Jesus, our great High Priest, hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priests.
Give them a deep faith, a bright and firm hope, and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of their priestly life.
In their loneliness, comfort them.
In their sorrows, strengthen them.
In their frustrations, point out to them that it is through suffering that the soul is purified and show them that they are needed by the Church;
they are needed by souls;
they are needed for the work of redemption.
O lovely Mother Mary, Mother of Priests, take to your heart your sons who are close to you because of their priestly ordination and because of the power which they have recieved to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs them so much.
Be their comfort;
be their joy;
be their strength;
and especially help them to live and defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy.
………………… added June 9, 2009
Our Sunday Visitor wants to help you celebrate this jubilee year:
In commemoration of the upcoming Year of the Priesthood, The Word Among Us Press is planning to publish a book of stories written by priests active in all types of ministries in the church.
World Day of Prayer for Priests is produced by a group of committed Catholic Communication /Advertising laypeople to serve as a gateway to a deeper understanding of the priesthood of Christ as exercised by our priests, a priesthood in which, by virtue of our baptism, we all share. The site features prayers for priests, a children’s section, and even e-cards to send to your favorite priests.
Priest. More resources will be added as I find them.
………………… added June 21, 2009
Vatican YouTube — Pope Benedict inaugurated the year of the Priesthood on Friday by urging priests to let themselves be fully conquered by Christ in order to be ministers at the service of the gospel.
………………… added June 25, 2009
If you are a facebook user, run a search and become a fan of Year of the Priest: We are praying for our priests.
The Priest Is a Slave of Christ — address given by Pope Benedict XVI on June 24, 2009 during the general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
The Vatican has posted a Year for Priests page containing all the homilies and addresses given by Benedict XVI, and Papal and Church documents relating to the priesthood.
ZENIT has launched a new column dedicated to the priesthood titled “God’s Men.” The first column begins with a look at the exemplary life and writings of St. John Mary Vianney, the patron of parish priests: “Curé d’Ars: Model Priest.”
………………… added July 7, 2009
The Year of the Priest and Our Future “In Vestments” – An important reminder from Cassandra Poppe on the huge role parents play in helping their children discern whether they are being called to the religious life/priesthood.
Illumniated Ink is holding A Year for Priests coloring contest. All entries must be postmarked by Saturday, May 15, 2010 to be eligible.
Spiritual Mothers of Priests was created in response to Pope Benedict’s institution of the Year of the Priest and aims to spread knowledge of the vocation of a spiritual mother and to encourage women to consider embracing it.
………………… added November 29, 2009 Pray4aPriest encourages us to to focus on the power of prayer, and pray for A priest, whomever he might be. They also offer a free prayer kit which consisits of a two-tone wristband, a Good Shepherd prayer card, and a Promise of Prayer card/envelope.
………………… added January 6, 2010
Rosary for the Bishop is a project that aims to support Catholic Bishops through prayer of the Rosary.
Do you have a story about how a priest has helped you grow in your faith? Challenged you in some way? Strengthened your faith? St. Anthony Messenger magazine will publish an article based on your submitted stories.
………………… added January 20, 2010
Magnificat Year for Priests Companion includes prayers, devotions, meditations, and essays celebrating the priesthood; a special Novena in honor of the Priesthood; meditation by Saint John Vianney, Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II, Catherine de Hueck Doherty, Fr. Walter Ciszek, S.J., Sister Briege McKenna, O.S.C., Alec Guinness, and many others; and 11 beautifully reproduced pages of sacred art masterpieces.
Letter on End of Priestly Year: Here is the letter sent to all priests by Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, in anticipation of the closing of the priestly year.
EWTN will broadcast Pope Benedict XVI celebrating Holy Mass concluding the Year for Priests on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Live from St. Peter’s Square. Check the June schedule for other Year for Priests programming.
Catholic TV will also provide coverage from the Vatican with Pope Benedict.
Please remember, I will update this post as new resources become available. If you come across something that will help families to celebrate this Year of the Priest, please mention it in the combox.
In the hierarchy of holiness it is precisely the ‘woman’, Mary of Nazareth, who is the ‘figure’ of the Church. She ‘precedes’ everyone on the path to holiness; in her person ‘the Church has already reached that perfection whereby she exists without spot or wrinkle’.
The religious education department of St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Front Royal, Virginia has some great free coloring pages that you will love. The mysteries of the rosary coloring pages are beautiful. You will also find St. Therese, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Fatima, the Blessed Trinity, Pope Benedict XVI, St. Patrick, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Moses, and still more to come!
Hold a May Crowning! It can be as simple as crowning your outdoor or indoor statue of Mary and then saying a family rosary. Until just recently, our backyard Mary was still wearing her crown from last May. First crown survive the winter and the dogs.
These links will take you from Palm Sunday to Divine Mercy Sunday.
On Palm Sunday, put busy hands to work and weave a palm cross. While you are there, check out some other Palm Sunday traditions this site has to offer.
A Lenten tradition for us is the chocolate covered Crown of Thorns. For Easter, add it to the top of a cake or fill it with bright Easter eggs or flowers.
Our Lord’s Mercy grants forgiveness of all sins and punishment on Divine Mercy Sunday. Begin your novena on Good Friday, ending on the Feast of Divine Mercy.
For many homeschoolers, the month of February is cabin fever at its worst. I know we are longing for warmer temps and the great outdoors. But, with a bit of extra effort, you can revive your students and yourself and actually make it to spring.
February 14 is St. Valentine’s Day. A favorite in our house has always been creating valentines with doilies. All you need are doilies in all shapes and sizes, glitter, glue, and some creative kids!
For a Sacred Heart or Immaculate Heart craft, visit the EWTN craft corner.
Mardi Gras:
February 24 is Mardi Gras. For some “G” rated links appropriate for the whole family visit my Mardi Gras page.
The penitential season of Lent begins on February 25. EWTN provides some of the best resources online for a Holy Lenten experience, including Stations of the Cross and details on fasting and abstaining
The Virtual St. Joseph Altar opens February 19. If you don’t know about St. Joseph Altars, make a visit. The Virtual Altar is open for the month prior to the Feast of St. Joseph.
Academics:
Do you have a student that needs a crash course in note taking? Catholic Homeschool Support has a post on Note Taking which includes an Intro to Study Skills Mini-course.
Moms will want to check out the upcoming webinars being offered by Homeschool Connections.
When you get a break in the weather, take advantage of it and head to your zoo. Lots of animals are more active and more interesting in the colder weather.
While The Nutcracker has always been a favorite in our family, last year we were exposed to it in an entirely new way. The Joffrey Ballet came to St. Louis last year and to fill many of the childrens’ roles, the Joffrey auditioned young area dancers. Daughter #4 was cast as a polichinelle (seen here with her friend the Ginger Boy) and a mouse. It was very exciting! Rehearsals were intense, but before we knew it, it was show time. Three performances in the Fabulous Fox Theatre with the Joffrey Ballet! Wow!
Also last year, daughter #3 choreographed a mini Nutcracker performance at our weekly homeschool co-op with 11 little girls. Needless to say, we now have quite a collection of Nutcrackers.
Here are some links to help you and your family enjoy The Nutcracker:
PBS presents the Nutcracker from the Royal Ballet. The highlight of this site is the set of printable character cutouts which can be colored and assembled ito stage your own mini Nutcracker. Look for the “Multimedia Presentation link in the second paragraph.
This year daughter #4′s best friend was cast as a party girl and a snow angel in St. Louis Ballet’s Nutcracker. On their site you’ll find a handy Nutcracker study guide for students.
Welcome to ThankEvann's Homeschool Goodies! Although this site does contain links to secular sites, it is my goal to provide homeschool information that is faithful to our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI and his successors, to all bishops in union with him, and to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
• Break out the scissors ’cause Fantastic Toys Blog has just what you need — 
• While you’ve still got those scissors out, head over to 
• Another great rainy day, keep ‘em busy project is the 
• Need some color in your homeschool life? 
