Saint franciS of aSSiSiDissatisfied

What are you dissatisfied with at this time in your life?Francis was born around 1181 in Assisi, Italy. His father was a wealthy cloth merchant who also owned farmland in Assisi. Francis grew up in luxury and was spoiled, but everyone loved him. Around 14 years of age, he left school and became rebellious, partying and breaking the city curfew. He was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps, but was much more enthralled with the prospect of being a knight and becoming a war hero. Francis went to battle in 1202, but his group came under heavy attack. Most of the men of Assisi were killed, but Francis was held for ransom. His dad paid the ransom and he was released after being held for about a year. Turning his focus toward God, he spent his early 20’s praying, looking for answers, and helping lepers. He completely turned away from his past life of luxury and preached religion in the villages, in ways everyday people could understand. Francis even preached to the animals, considering them as part of his brotherhood.He died October 3, 1226, at the age of 44, in Assisi. He is the patron saint of ecologists, animals and merchants.

Rediscover the Saints Book

This call to holiness motivates us to use the book Redis-cover the Saints as a way to celebrate these holy lives and to build a “culture of holiness” in our world, starting at home. In this section we will provide short bios, drink recipes and activities, so we may intentionally celebrate the Saints, invoke their intercession, and follow their example. On your part, we ask you to read the chapters of the book, to pray and invoke their intercession, and to do the activities as we present them to you each week.

After we finish the book, we will pray the Litany of Saints to ask for their intercession. And remember: “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

"…therefore in the Church, everyone, whether belonging to the hierarchy

or being cared for by it, is called to holiness, according to the saying of the Apostle: 'For this is the will of God, your sanctification.' However, this holiness of the Church is unceasingly manifested, and must be manifested, in the fruits of grace which the Spirit produces in the faithful; it is expressed in many ways in individuals who, in their walk of life, tend toward the perfection of charity, thus causing the edification of others; in a very special way this (holiness) appears in the practice of the counsels, customarily called 'evangelical.' " (Lumen Gentium 39)

Celebrating the Saints in the domestic church

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red Berry Blossomingredients• 11/2ozraspberryvodka• 1/2ozlimejuice• 1/2ozstrawberryliqueur• 2ozgingerale

How to Make itGentlymuddleraspberriesinyourshaker,thenpouroverraspberryvodka,strawberryliqueurandlimejuice.Shakewell.Addicetoaglassandstrainmixovertheice.Topwithgingerale.Garnishwithalimewheelandmoreraspberries.

for the kids: Put chopped raspberries in a glass of Sprite. Garnish with a lime wheel and more raspberries.

8Saint

tHoMaS More(coming on Pentecost)

SAInT ThOMAS MOre ChurCh 11822 hOLMeS rOAd KAnSAS CITy, MISSOurI, 64131 (816) 942-2492 www.STMKC.COM

continued

JoHnfriendship

Do you allow people to really get to know you?John the Baptist, a second cousin to Jesus, was born soon before him and was the son of Zachariah and Elizabeth. When the pregnant Mary had gone to visit Elizabeth, John had leapt in her womb. It was John who wandered in the wilderness, eating locusts and wild honey. He preached repentance to his followers and baptized them when they confessed their sins. John also baptized Jesus. John was beheaded sometime between 33 and 36 AD and his feast day is celebrated on June 24. He is the patron saint of baptism, conversions, and tailors.

The other John in this chapter was one of the twelve apostles and was referred to as the beloved disciple, the one “whom Jesus loved.” In depictions of the Last Supper, he is seen resting against Jesus. This John was born in the year 6 and died in his old age after 98 AD. John and his brother James, called the “sons of thunder,” were Jesus’ cousins. John not only wrote the Gospel of John, but also wrote several letters

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activityMake your own prayer card at home!1.TeachyourchildaboutwhoSaintFrancisofAssisiwas.Alittleresearchandfamilydiscoverywillaidyourchildinbeingcreativelaterinthecraft.

2.PrintapictureofSaintFrancisofAssisioffline.Ideallythepictureshouldbeinblackandwhitesoyourchildcouldcolorintheicon.

3.Haveyourchildwriteaprayeronthebackoftheirprayercard,askingfortheirintercession.TheircreativityshouldbebasedoffofwhattheyknowaboutSaintFrancis,e.g.,patronsaintofanimals.

4.Optional:Usepackingtapetolaminatethecard,protectingitfromunexpectedaccidents.

Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us.

Come pray the Stations of the Resurrection around the school track.

and the book of Revelation. His feast day is celebrated on December 27. John is the patron saint of love, loyalty, friendships, and authors.

irish coffeeingredients• 11/2ozIrishwhiskey• 2tspbrownsugar• brewedcoffee,hot• Garnish:whippedcream

How to Make itFill an Irish coffee mug with hot water, let sit for 2 minutes, then discard the water or Put a spoon in the mug and pour in the hot coffee - the spoon somehow magically keeps the glass from breaking due to the hot liq-uid. Add the whiskey and sugar to the glass, fill with the coffee, and stir. Top with an inch of unsweetened lightly whipped cream.

for the kids: IrishChocolate-Inamug,addhotmilkandpowderedchocolateandstir.

activityThisisanexcellentopportunitytoteachyourchildaboutthesacramentofBaptism!

1.ReadMatthew3:13-17

2.Collectababydoll,oliveoil,water,atowel,andacandle

3.WalkthroughaBaptismwithyourchild,teachingthemhowBaptismworks!IfyouarefeelingunsureabouthowtheSacramentlooks,simplydoalittleresearch.Thewebsitevatican.vahasplentyofinformationaboutBaptism.

4.)Inviteyourchildtobaptizethebabydoll.Makesureyouteachthemaboutthesacramentthroughouttheactivity.

Saint John, pray for us.

SAInT ThOMAS MOre ChurCh 11822 hOLMeS rOAd KAnSAS CITy, MISSOurI, 64131 (816) 942-2492 www.STMKC.COM

Celebrating the Saints in the domestic church

MartHa our Longing for Belonging

are you part of a vibrant community?Martha (of Bethany), born sometime in the 1st century, had two siblings who are also in the Bible: Mary of Bethany and Lazarus, who Martha witnessed rise from the dead. The practical Martha is probably most remembered as the one who was busy doing things when Jesus came to visit while her sister Mary chose the “better part,” sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to him. However, Martha also knew that whatever Jesus asked of his father (raising Lazarus), his father would do. She also stated, “I believe that you are the Christ, the son of God, the one who was to come into this world.”Martha’s feast day is celebrated on July 29 and she is the patron saint of butlers, maids, servers, homemakers, and dieticians.

Margaritaingredients:• 2oztequila• 1ozfreshlimejuice• 1/2ozorangeliqueur• 1/2ozagavesyrup

How to make it:Addalltheingredientsintoashakerwithice,andshakeuntilchilled.Strainintothepreparedrocksglassoverfreshice.Garnishwithalimewheelandkoshersalt.

for the kids: Leaveoutthetequilaandgarnishwithlimeandsugar!

activity SaintMarthalovedtocookandworkinthekitchen.

1.Lookupasimplefamilyrecipetofollowtogetherasafamily.

2.Followingtherecipe,gatherthesuppliesneededforasuccessfulexperience.

10 3.Involveyourchildrenintheprocessasmuchaspossible.

4.Shareinthespoilsofyourwork.ReflectingonMarthaandherloveofcookingandgiftforhospitality.

Saint Martha, Pray for us!

Send photos of your domestic church to information@stmkc.com

SAInT ThOMAS MOre ChurCh 11822 hOLMeS rOAd KAnSAS CITy, MISSOurI, 64131 (816) 942-2492 www.STMKC.COM