So, last year, inspired by Tracy at A Slice of Smith Life and Jessica at Catholic Cuisine, my family spent time learning and chatting about the feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle before having fun with an edible chair design challenge!
If you are looking for a tasty and engaging way to share about the feast of the Chair of St. Peter and its significance with kids, I recommend trying a similar challenge!
Preparing (Physically) for Our Chair of St. Peter Design Challenge
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- extenders: GF graham crackers, and GF granola bars, plus dye-free mini-marshmallows
- connectors: raw almond butter, roasted almond butter, natural peanut butter, hummus, dairy-free "cream cheese" and dye-free gummy candies
- controllers: again, the gluten-free pop tarts, GF graham crackers, and GF granola bars, plus cashews
- decorative items: raisins, blueberries, raspberries, and pineapple chunks and dairy-free whipped cream, raisins and cashews.
Then, I set forth these simple rules:
Within five minutes, use the food items provided to create a self-standing, 4-legged chair with arms and a back. For bonus points, also create "iron rings" set into the legs and/or add something ornate to your chair.
Of course, my children were eager to create - and eat! - as soon as they saw the array of goodies on the table, but, first, their was learning and conversation to be had.
Preparing (Spiritually) for Our Chair of St. Peter Design Challenge
Once we were seated at the table, we talked about what feast day it was, why we celebrate the Chair of St. Peter, and what its significance is.
Then, we read about the feast day in our copy of In His Likeness and - connected to a portion of the reading - discussed how human failings have ramifications, but God's plan for salvation prevails. We also prayed for our current pope and that "nothing divide our unity in faith and love".
We also talked some more about the feast day and took a look at what the original Chair of St. Peter looked like.
Ready... Set... Go! Create Your Edible Chairs!
The children worked with great focus.
When the timer went off, each of us had a chair.
Most looked similar, with the same basic parts made out of similar materials.
Or no legs at all!
A Story to Close the Challenge
In reality, however, everyone won, because we all learned about or deepened our understanding of the feast... and we all enjoyed eating the fruits (and treats) of our labor!
Some of my children also watched a Youtube video with me that provides an excellent talk on St. Peter as "the rock:
It was a fruitful, fun, faith through food celebration! We hope to repeat the design challenge this year (using more plant-based food along with treats for the kids) and hope that, by sharing about our experience here, you might be inspired to celebrate the feast day of the Chair of St. Peter in your domestic church.
A Prayer for the Pope
Before closing, may I ask that you join me in prayer, using a prayer from Catholic Culture:
Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to Your shepherd, the Pope, a spirit of courage and right judgement, a spirit of knowledge and love.By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care may he, as successor to the apostle Peter and vicar of Christ, build Your church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world.We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
For more ideas for celebrating the Chair of St. Peter feast day, see the 10 ideas I previously shared:
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St. Peter, pray for us.
