Our new Blended Learning model seeks to share and reinforce our rich Catholic heritage by providing a number of traditions and prayers to learn together as a family. Each family will chose and participate in two faith activities each month.We will offer a variety of options to support families on their individual faith journeys. The Family Faith Tote bags that you were given this year, made possible by a grant from the Hartford Bishops' Foundation, contain items that relate to each monthly theme.
Here are some January Family Faith Activities to start the New Year. A few more will be added soon. Please remember to let us know what two options you chose by signing up via the link provided for the activity. Thank you!
CHALK YOUR DOOR! - Have you ever wondered why Catholics have the symbols 20 + C + M + B + YEAR written in chalk on or above their doors? This is a blessing of the home connected to the Feast of the Epiphany! For more information on this wonderful tradition and to sign up for this activity please use this Chalk Your Door Sign Up.
THREE KINGS BREAD BAKING FUN! - Three King's Cake (or bread) is to be made and served on the Epiphany (January 6th). This date commemorates the visit the Three Wise Men made to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. For the recipe and more information on this yummy tradition (that ends with a party on Candlemas!) please sign up for this Three Kings Bread Baking Fun activity!
EPIPHANY FAMILY FAITH ACTIVITIES - CRAFT FUN! - Want to get crafty for the Epiphany?! Sign up on this Epiphany Family Faith Activities - Craft Fun Sign Up to let us know that your family will be participating in one or more fun craft projects. You may be seeing, hearing, or tasting your artistic creation!
CUTE CHRISTMAS/EPIPHANY VIDEOS FOR YOUR FAMILY! - Sign up on this Cute Christmas/Epiphany Videos for Your Family Sign Up to let us know that your family enjoyed watching one or more of these family-friendly videos together!
Here are the December Family Faith Activities. Remember to let us know what two options you did by signing up via the link for the activity. A few more to be added soon.
ADVENT CALENDAR - Hang the Advent calendar provided in the Family Faith tote bag in an easily accessible place in your home and open one window/day starting Dec. 1. Use this Advent Calendar Sign Up.
ANGEL TREE - Take an angel from the tree in St. Paul or Sacred Heart Church, purchase your gift and return it to the tree by Sunday, December 13th.
Sponsored by our Social Action Ministry, here's more information on the annual Angel Tree Collection! NEW this year is our online Angel Tree. Click here for details. Use this Angel Tree Sign Up.
ADVENT WREATH - Advent begins on Sun., Nov. 29. Families who have Advent wreaths in their homes will light a candle on each of the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas as a way of preparing for the birth of our Lord. This is usually done at a family gathering like a meal or bedtime routine. If you don't own a wreath, you can make your own. HERE are a few DIY ideas. Use this Advent Wreath Sign Up.
LIGHTING OF THE PARISH GREEN - Join us as we light up the Christmas Tree on our Parish Green on Dec. 5th after the 4pm Mass. This year's event will include music and a live Greccio performance! Luminaries will light up the pathways along the Parish Green as well. Deadline to order Luminaries is December 1st! More details and a luminary order form HERE on our Parish website. Attend the lighting ceremony, order a luminary or both. Let us know you participated in some way with this Parish Green Lighting Sign Up.
CHRISTMAS WAFERS (Oplatek) - Those of Polish and Slavic ancestry are likely familiar with the sharing of the oplatek, (pronounced o-pwa-tek) at Christmas and in particular at the evening meal (wigilia) on Christmas Eve. This thin unleavened wafer is shared and broken among all members of the family along with greetings for a blessed Christmas and New Year, but also incorporates a request for forgiveness from each other for any hurts that might exist. The oplatek are available on the table in between the two wings of the church at St. Paul's as well as in the Parish Center. A free will donation can be made. Use this OPLATEK Sign Up to let us know you picked some up and participated in this tradition.