The last few weeks of school are winding down for many. Weddings, graduations, Confirmations, First Communions, summer camps and vacations are foremost in everyone's minds. What a glorious time summer can be. Take some time to celebrate a saint, relax with your child, maybe sneak in a family dinner, or an evening stroll. Your children are watching you every day - what you do, matters! Live the Domestic Church - share your faith at home.
Highlights in this issue of E-News:
- Vacation Bible School - it's gonna be Stellar!
- Ascension Sunday
- Pentecost!
- Adopt a Summer Saint
- Feast and Holy Days of Summer
- Your Catholic Home - Family Movie Night
- Summer Stuff
STELLAR - Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible school planning, preparing, volunteering and praying are in full swing. While our K-5 will be enjoying a traditional VBS galactic time, our middle schoolers will combine the fun of VBS with community outreach and fellowship.
Don't forget the price goes up after June 15 and volunteer opportunities abound. You don't want to miss this! Sign up to participate or volunteer below.
July 10th-14th, 2023
9:00-12:00pm
Ascension Sunday is celebrated this weekend! Traditionally the Ascension of Our Lord was held 40 days after Easter, falling on a Thursday. However in most dioceses in the United States, the observance of the Solemnity of the Ascension is moved to the following Sunday, superseding the 7th Sunday of Easter
Pentecost
And before you know it, Pentecost will be upon us. Pentecost falls fifty days (seven weeks) after Easter, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit onto the assembled friends and followers of Jesus, and beginning a whole new chapter in salvation history. At Christmas, the Son of God became incarnate in Jesus through the cooperative work of Mary and the Holy Spirit; now, at Pentecost, the Son of God takes on a new body: the Church. Once again, the Holy Spirit is the agent; but this time, instead of working through a single individual (Mary), it is through all the faithful that Christ becomes “incarnate” in the world. That’s why Pentecost is one of the most important days in the Church calendar. See the video below to help explain Pentecost to your kids.
Teach your kids a prayer to the Holy Spirit
Here is a simple prayer to the Holy Spirit to try out with your kids this week:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fly a kite, make a windsock, play with balloons
Little kids will enjoy making a tradition of flying kites or making Spirit-themed windsocks on Pentecost. Better yet, make your own kite, and incorporate Pentecost imagery.
Another super-easy craft is to get bags of red and white balloons; blow them up and play a balloon-catch game or string them together to make a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
And there's more...check out the rest of the OSV article here: Pentecost
Video about Pentecost
Beautiful videos for this Pentecost Novena and more can be found on Formed.org. Easter is a season, let us celebrate with joy and thanksgiving!
Feasts and Holy Days of Summer
June 4 - Trinity Sunday
The Feast of the Holy Trinity focuses on God as community. God is the Lover (Father), the Beloved (Son), and the Love which flows between them (Holy Spirit). The love of the Trinity makes God completely one.
June 11 - Corpus Christi
This day is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The readings for Corpus Christi focus on the Eucharist.
Aug 6 - The Transfiguration of the Lord
This day commemorates the day Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, traditionally thought to be Mount Tabor. This is recounted in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Peter, James, and John witnessed the event. This event is a foreshadowing of heaven, when we will see God face to face in all of His glory.
Aug 15 - Assumption of Mary
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holy day celebrating Mary’s passing and being assumed into heaven.
ADOPT A SUMMER SAINT
There are so many saints whose intercession could be utilized over the summer. Why not pick one or all and learn about their amazing holy lives?
Obvious, but maybe not. Our first pick is St Christopher - Patron Saint of Travelers. How obvious (and helpful) is that?
None of this ranking is about how holy they are. Just ones that seem to be helpful this summer, so how about St Anthony? Lost your luggage? Thanks, Saint Anthony. Lost your way? Thanks, Saint Anthony! Well you get the picture.
Do you like to try new foods or get seasick? St. Eramas (Elmo) is the one - the patron saint against seasickness and stomach ailments.
Ahoy there, mate! Going on a cruise or spending your days at the pool? St. Adjutor is the patron saint of swimmers and boaters.
This picture is by Ludovico Mazzanti and is a picture of St Joseph of Cupertino. Can you guess what he is the patron saint of? Yep, flight! Ready for take off!
Driving a lot? How about St. Francis of Rome? She's the patron saint of cars and drivers. Legend has it that a light would appear and lead her way.
St. Barbara is the patron saint of fireworks. Keep her close on July 4, at the ball field or at the amusement parks.
And let's not forget St. John Gaulbert, the patron saint of forests, parks and park rangers. Take his prayers along on your next hike. If you're a camper, he's a keeper!
Adopted from: https://epicpew.com/saints-take-summer-vacation/
YOUR CATHOLIC HOME:
MOVIE NIGHT CONSIDERATIONS
Movies and snacks are a great way to connect with family and friends. The Richmond Diocese sent out this helpful guide!
As with all movies and shows, please check them out to be sure they fit into your family values.
Some family movie recommendations from Netflix, DVD's and TV from CommonSenseMedia:
- Spirit Rangers: 3+
- Enola Holmes: 12+
- A Boy Called Christmas: 8+
- The Water Man: 10+
- The Magic School Bus Rides again: the Frizz Connection: 6+
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: 12+
- Amazing Grace: 14+
SUMMER STUFF
Helpful Summer Info
When you're traveling, don't forget to visit beautiful parishes in the area. Not sure what's around or when Mass is, try Masstimes.org. Ask the kids to find Mary and Joseph. If the church is named after a saint, can they find an image of that saint? Have older kids look up that saint. What were their favorite things about this parish? What was different than Saint Mike's?
Registration for the 23-24 Elementary Faith Formation and Sacrament Prep should begin in July. Check the bulletin and Flocknote as we get closer to that time.
Keep your eye on the Saint Mike's Flocknote and bulletin for summer drop-in fun for families!
Praying for a peaceful and family -connecting summer for you all.
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time."