Seasonal & Weekly Resources

In November, we celebrate a secular feast called Thanksgiving. Did you know that as Catholics, we actually celebrate Thanksgiving every time we go to Mass?

At Mass, our entire Catholic family gathers around the table (altar) and shares in a very special meal. Before that meal, we share stories of things that happened in our past (the Liturgy of the Word). Then, we share gifts (offertory) and our special meal is prepared. Through 'transubstantiation' (the changing of one substance to another), bread and wine are literally changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. It is in this meal where we find our 'Thanksgiving.' 

The word 'eucharist' means 'giving thanks' or 'thanksgiving!' (Click here to watch a short, 2-minute video about the meaning of 'eucharist.') When we share this meal at Mass, we are thankful and we take that thankfulness out into the world to share it with everyone we meet. And, did you know that living life with a thankful spirit actually makes us happier?!

Watch the 7-minute video below from SoulPancake that talks about the relationship between gratitude and happiness and make a commitment to try to spread thankfulness into the world.

Below, you will find a coloring page that you and your family can use this Thanksgiving. There are many ways you can use it: color in a leaf each time you say something for which you are grateful, write the names of people you want to pray for in each leaf, write things you are thankful for in each leaf, meditate on being thankful while coloring the page, or anything special you can think of!

Also below, you will find "The 5-Finger Prayer." This way to pray was given to us by Pope Francis! It's a lovely way to remember to pray for the special people in our lives by just remembering who each of our five fingers stands for. This is a great way to spread thanksgiving by praying for the people who touch our lives.

On November 28th, we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent and the first Sunday of our new liturgical year! Here's a really short video about the liturgical year and the colors we use to celebrate seasons:

Advent begins, this year, on November 28th. Watch the short, 2-minute video below to learn a little more about this season of preparation in our church.

Many families will use an advent wreath to mark the different, special Sundays in Advent. Other families follow the tradition of the Jesse Tree. And many individuals use special advent calendars to count the days down to Jesus' birth. Here is a link to some fabulous advent resources from Loyola Press: 

Loyola Press Advent Activities

The advent wreath is a fabulous way to mark the Sundays as we prepare for Jesus' birth. Watch the 2-minute video below to learn what each candle stands for. 

If you don't have an advent wreath at home, print out the coloring sheet you'll find below and color in each candle as you pass the Sundays in Advent.

Every year, we Catholics are called to attend Mass regularly on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. Every year there are special days we are asked to attend Mass - even if it's not on a Sunday. Here's a list:

We celebrate the Feast of St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr, on November 22nd. Watch this short, 3-minute video to learn more about this musical saint.

St. Cecilia is the patron saint of music and musicians.

St. Andrew Dung-Lac is a saint from Vietnam. His feast day is celebrated on November 24th. Learn more him by watching the 2-minute video below.

St. Andrew Dung-Lac is the patron saint of Vietnam.