We recognize many saints throughout the month of February, the most well-known being St. Valentine. This year, Lent begins on February 22. Despite being the shortest month of the year, February is full of opportunities for Family Faith Activities! Please visit this FEBRUARY SIGN UP GENIUS to sign up so we will know which two Family Faith Activities your family chose. In the comment section, type your child(ren)'s name and grade. And remember, we love to see and share pictures of your family participating in an activity! Please email them to: [email protected] Thank you!

CHILDREN'S ROSARY - The 1st Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in East Berlin. Take a photo by the statue of Our Blessed Mother where the children gather at her feet!

CANDLEMAS/PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD (OR THE FEAST OF THE PURIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY) - Thursday, Feb. 2. In Jewish tradition at the time, a baby boy was to be presented at the temple 40 days after he was born to be dedicated to God, so Candlemas is 40 days after Christmas morning. For more information on this important day, which once marked the end of the Christmas season(!), and for some fun craft ideas, yummy recipes, videos, and prayers, click HERE! Remember to send  us your pics!

FEAST OF SAINT BLASE THROAT BLESSING - Friday, Feb. 3. St. Blaise was a physician who was martyred and is now venerated as the patron saint of ailments of the throat. Participating in the blessing of throats at the end of the Saturday Vigil Mass at 4 p.m., or at the end of one of the Sunday morning Masses (Feb. 4 & 5) counts as a faith activity.

FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPHINE BAKHITA ACTIVITIES - Wednesday, Feb. 8. For highlights of this inspirational saint's life and some really fun crafts and activities, videos, and books, click HERE! 

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES RICE KRISPIE TREAT GROTTO - Saturday, Feb. 11. Make a yummy Rice Krispie Treat Grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes! Find easy instructions HERE. 

SAINT BERNADETTE VIDEOS - (to whom Our Lady of Lourdes appeared) To watch a wonderful animated video on Saint Bernadette, click HERE! To watch the amazing film The Song of Bernadette (one of our family's favorites!) in its entirety for free(!), click HERE!

SAINT VALENTINE DRAWING - Tuesday, Feb. 14. Learn to draw St. Valentine with Lacy, the Catholic Icing lady! Click HERE to watch a short how-to video, and don't forget to send us photos of your beautiful artwork! 

THE MOST DELICIOUS SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY COOKIES - Tuesday, Feb. 14. Bake THE MOST DELICIOUS ST. VALENTINE'S DAY COOKIES with your family! Click HERE for the recipe, and send us your mouth-watering pics!

THE CHAIR OF SAINT PETER CRAFTS - Wednesday, Feb. 22. For fun craft ideas to celebrate the doctrine that "Christ the Lord...made Peter and his successors His vicars, to exercise forever in the Church the power which he exercised himself during his mortal life", click HERE!

DOLLAR TREE LENT DISPLAY - To make an affordable, beautiful, and meaningful Lenten home altar, click HERE! And please send us your photos - we would really love to see them!

40 SIMPLE LENTEN TRADITIONS FOR FAMILIES (WITH LITTLE TO NO PREP WORK!) - "Observing Lent in your family doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. There are so many simple things that families can do to make Lent meaningful for the whole family. I especially love starting traditions that last year after year!" Lacy of Catholic Icing has compiled a plethora of Lenten activities for families. Click HERE for her full list of Lenten activities for children, and HERE for her list of 40 simple Lenten traditions for families! Remember to send us your photos!

POSITIVE POST-ITS - As a family, talk about things that you struggle with. Many of us are feeling the "weight of the world" these days. Then look up Scripture passages to encourage you to overcome these challenges. Write these Bible verses on a Post-It sticky note, an index card, or paper of your choice, and place them around your house so you and your family can be reminded and encouraged daily. You may want to decorate your verse with positive drawings or other artwork as well. Small or large, these encouragements can have a big impact. Remember to send us your photos - we would love to see where in your home you placed your God-given, uplifting notes. 

EASTER BAG DONATIONS - The Underground New England needs our help to provide Easter Bags (not baskets) to the children of victims and survivors of sexual trafficking and exploitation in Connecticut (which happens as close as the Berlin Turnpike). Some suggested contents that can all be found at the Dollar Store are: Easter themed gift bags, colorful grass, plastic eggs with jelly beans, chocolate Easter bunnies, Peeps, notebooks and coloring books, pens, crayons, colored pencils, stuffed bunnies, spring themed socks, nail polish, and puzzles.

The Underground New England is a grass-roots, faith-based initiative whose vision is to transform and heal the culture of sexual exploitation and trafficking and to empower our state to effect positive change.