A Fabulous Idea Is Worth Sharing... (Family-Friendly Feature Films & the Beatitudes)

When the kids and I made a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette for Mass, Reconciliation and a visit to the Doors of Mercy there, I learned that the shrine would be hosting Mercy in the Family movie and discussion nights once a month.

What a fun idea! I thought, and put the first movie night on our family calendar. 

Unfortunately, about an hour before the kids and I were to leave to go to LaSalette, I took a fall that left me in too much pain to drive.  So, we had to skip the movie. 

My children were disappointed that they'd miss participating in the first Mercy in the Family film night with friends, but they also understood that they had a perfect opportunity to exercise virtues.  Mama was hurt.  They could offer up their disappointment, nurse Mom a bit, and make the most of the night together at home.

That is exactly what we did. 

(Note:  Some of the links that follow are affiliate ones.  Should you click through them and make any purchase, we may receive compensation as per our full disclosure.)

We also ordered Willy Wonka from our local library website.  Our hold on the film came in within a day, so we were able to watch and discuss the film tonight as a family. 

After enjoying the movie, with some pointers sent from the priest at the shrine, we discussed:

• what we liked about the film
• which characters we connected with and which we did not
• how Charlie's family was quite poor, but also quite filled with love
• how Charlie was not demanding like the other children
• how Charlie and Grandpa Joe lived in hope
• what virtues and vices Charlie, the other children, and Willy Wonka had
• which qualities we have that might bring us closer to one day inheriting the "Kingdom of God" and which ones we still need to work on
• why we think God wants us to inherit His Kingdom

Our discussion proved a fruitful one that I never would have thought of having after watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory if it were not for the folks at LaSalette Shrine. We've been blessed by their ideas, and, I pray, you are likewise blessed by me sharing their ideas forward. 

If you're in the area, please consider supporting LaSalette Shrine's Mercy on the Family film series by stopping by to join in.  You can find up-to-date information about dates and times by joining their Facebook page. 

If you're not in the area, perhaps you can glean basic ideas from the poster I shared a photo of at the beginning of this post.  As you may note, it lists each film the shrine plans to show along with the beatitude that they will be connecting to the film through discussion

 I would love to hear how you connect faith ideas to feature films and pray that this idea brings your family fun and faith discussion.

How the Holy Name of Jesus Became a Cross-Curricula Mini-Unit (with FREE PRINTABLE PLAN)

This year, I aim to be better about observing each of the monthly dedications of the Church.  So, even as we enjoyed Advent and Christmas last month, I began thinking about what we might do for January's dedication: The Holy Name of Jesus.

(Note:  Some of the links that follow are affiliate ones as per our full disclosure.  Should you click through such links and make any purchase, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you.)
As I thought about how to approach observing the dedication to the Holy Name of Jesus this month, I recalled a favorite little book we own called Little Acts of Grace (which you can get a used copy of at Amazon for only a penny!)

When my children and I re-read Little Acts of Grace years ago, we enjoyed a simple little game of Giving a Nod to Jesus.  Now, we have no need to play the game, though, since it has served its purpose, and my children consistently bow upon hearing Jesus' name.

 Thus, I began searching for other ideas.  In doing so,  I stumbled upon the 24 Names of Jesus holiday unit study at EasyFunSchool last month, which I bookmarked, thinking we might use in an adapted form throughout this month.  Upon further consideration, though, I realized that our family is not up for such a long, concentrated study about the different names of Jesus right now.  So, I opted for a day-long, cross-curricular Holy Name of Jesus mini-unit instead.  That way, I could draw my children's attention to the month's dedication, introduce/reinforce one of the names of Jesus, focus us on a small snippet of the Word, extend our study into other areas, and still keep up with other lessons, clubs, and activities we are committed to.

Planning the Unit
 
I based the Holy Name of Jesus mini-unit on our S.K.I.L.L. T.I.M.E + categories, which are as follows:

• Spell and Learn Words
• Keep Reading to Yourself (or Another)
• Illustrate and Write
• Listen to Reading
• Learn and Play with Language Arts

 

• Think, Read, and Write about Math
• Investigate and Problem Solve Using Math and Science
• Master Math Together
• Exercise Math Skills on My Own

• + Enjoy Other Topics and Studies

I also planned it so we could enjoy it all together.  This meant including a wide variety of short activities that would appeal to (and have some learning value for!) my five-, eight-, and nine- -year-olds. 
 

What I came up with had us:

• creating a page for our Faith Binders,
• playing a simple ball-toss word game,
• chatting about Greek letters,
• reading the Bible,
• exploring circles,

and more as we used and built upon ideas from:

• Catholic Culture,
• EasyFunSchool,
• DLTK-Bible,
• Wikipedia,
• Wikihow,
• Godtube,
• Youtube (more than once),
• For the Love of Teaching Math,
• NSA.gov,
• and Khan Academy,

We also used the fun book Sir Cumference and the First Round Table.

 
Get a FREE PRINTABLE PLAN!

I am thankful, of course, to those listed above who shared helpful ideas online that found their way into our Holy Name of Jesus Mini-Unit.  In turn, I am passing that plan forward for you.  You can find it here.


Please Share Your Ideas

I'd love to hear about your favorite activities, prayers, and resources for the Holy Name of Jesus.  I'd also be interested in how you approach integrating learning about the liturgical year with other learning.  Plus, I'd be delighted if you'd take time to share your go-to ideas and resources for February's dedication to the Holy Family, as well as for Lent.  Please take the time to comment here or on our Facebook page with them.  Thanks!

How do you introduce, explain, and observe each of the monthly dedications of the church with the children in your life?

Go on a Doors of Mercy Pilgrimage

As most Catholics know by now, we are in the midst of a Jubilee of Mercy.  As a part of that, Doors of Mercy have opened all around the world, including at many locations in the United States. 

In response to the blessing of so many Doors of Mercy being opened, a friend of mine created a Year of Mercy Pilgrimage Group through which she is inviting friends to join her family for a once-a-month pilgrimage to Doors of Mercy in our area. 

The group's kick-off pilgrimage was planned for an evening in the final week of December at LaSalette Shrine.  Unfortunately, icy road conditions prevented my children and I from joining in on the inaugural event.  However, luckily, another family that also could not make it out on the icy night, was able to join mine for our own pilgrimage to LaSalette last Sunday.

So What Are Doors of Mercy All About? 

 
I am still learning about Doors of Mercy alongside my children.  So, on the way to the shrine last Sunday, I read our family printouts about the Significance of the Holy Door and, then, chatted about how Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee of Mercy and local bishops have been given the opportunity to designate local Doors of Mercy. We then read about the True Meaning and Significance of the Jubilee of Mercy and discussed how we could receive graces by visiting the Door of Mercy at LaSalette Shrine.

How Do We Use the Doors or Mercy

According to the January Bulletin from the National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette, we:

1. Make a pilgrimage to one of the Holy Doors of Mercy.
2. Go to Confession to receive God's forgiveness.
3. Recevie Holy Communion.
4. Make a Profession of Faith.
5. Pray for the Intentions of the Pope (one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be).
6. Make a commitment to turn from sin.
7. Complete one of the Works of Mercy

With this simple list as a guide, my children and I were blessed to partake in Reconciliation before waiting for the lights to come on for the last night of the Festival of Lights...
 

Then, meeting our friends for Mass, prayer by the Door of Mercy, and a walk through the Door of Mercy, before viewing a huge collection of creches from all over the world...
 

After that, we enjoyed time together praying our way up some pilgrimage stairs...

Finding small snow piles to take play breaks on...

And enjoying the lights...

It was such a joy to celebrate faith and enjoy fun together with friends on our first Year of Mercy pilgrimage.  Even better was when, later that night, my oldest commented to me about how happy he was to be "totally clean" due to our experience. 

More to Come!

A friend has already picked locations for group pilgrimages later this month and next, so we are looking forward to more blessings. 

In the meantime, we continue to seek ways we can complete Works of Mercy, and learn more about indulgences, Doors of Mercy, and the Jubilee of Mercy.  As a part of that learning, I watched Fr. Mike Schmitz' fabulous Ascension Presents video on indulgences and plan to view it once more with my children.




I pray our endeavors bring deeper understanding and grace into our lives.  I also pray that by sharing about them you, too, may be inspired to embrace this Jubilee year.

We'd LOVE to hear about YOUR favorite book titles, audio titles, printables, links, resources, and experiences related to the Jubilee of Mercy and Doors of Mercy, especially ones aimed at families and children.  Please share them in a comment here or on our Training Happy Hearts Facebook page.

Looking Back at 2016: Our Most Popular Posts

The other day, someone asked me what our most popular posts written in 2015 were.  As a person who does not spend much time looking at nor analyzing blog stats, I had no idea, so I did a bit of research to find out.  And, here's what I discovered:  faith posts are popular!  Among our Top Twenty posts written in 2015 were 10 reviews and giveaways.  The rest were all faith-related posts.  Today, I thought I would share a list of those posts since the new calendar year is a perfect time to gather ideas for celebrating faith

As you scroll through this list of Top 10 Faith Posts from 2015, perhaps you'll find an idea you missed before that might enrich your own family's faith journey in the coming year.  Or, maybe you'll rediscover something that you noted before and would like to revisit.  Whatever you find, I pray that inspiration here helps you and yours to continue to make live and grow in faith in 2016.  Happy New Year! 

~10~

3 All Saints Day Game Challenges {with FREE PRINTABLE!}

 

All Saints Day game challenges are NOT just for All Saints Day.  You might like to use these saint-related challenges (and the other nine we shared about through links within the post) as you learn about the saints throughout the year.

~9~

Celebrate St. Brigid with Simple Stories and Notebooking

 

Studying about the saints is a key focus for us in learning about faith and virtues, and, since food, fun, and quality picture books speak to my children, the "language" we use for exploring the saints typically includes a bit of each.  Our celebration of St. Brigid was a prime example of how we approach some saint day studies.  Whether your looking to celebrate St. Brigid, of just to get some general ideas for approaching saint day observances in hands-on ways with your kids, this post might be worth a peek.

~8~

A Simple, Fun Faith Craft for Kids: Prayer Rocks

 

Sometimes simple is best!  So seems to be the case with the prayer rocks post that came in as our eighth most popular faith-post of 2015.  Both the idea and its presentation are quick and easy.  You can glance over the post and begin making prayer rocks in no time at all.  Enjoy.

~7~

Want a Perfect Picture Book Study for Martin Luther King, Jr. and Valentine's Day?

 

For years,  I have thought about creating a blog or e-book based on ideas I have for centering sensory activities and academic study around picture books, particularly faith-based ones.  However, since home and homeschool require my focus right now, time for writing must be kept in balance and, thus, such a project must wait.  That said, sometimes I cannot help but to put together some of my picture book-inspired ideas to share forward.  Such was the case with a favorite February read.

~6~

Get Your Free Epiphany-Themed Printable Phonics Game!

 

As the somewhat fuzzy picture for Number Seven on this countdown proves, I am hardly tech-savvy or a blog pro.  I do know, however, that most who are say every post should have a strong pinnable image.  Thus, when I saw what came in as our Number Six most popular faith post and discovered that the post did not even have a decent pinnable image, I was tempted to take the time to add one.  My two guiding words for 2016 stopped me from doing so though.  For there is only so much time to share forward today and the post obviously includes enough to make it worthwhile to some as it is.  Perhaps you and yours will enjoy the free printable Epiphany-themed phonics game there over the next couple days.

~5~

What a Weekend for Celebrating Faith!

 

We started this blog as a place to chronicle our journey as a home educating family and, at one time, included regular "what's been happening" type posts. In more recent years, we have gotten away from such sharing, but sometimes cannot help but to put together a picture-laden post that gives a glimpse of where we've been and what we've been doing.  That is exactly the kind of post Number Five is -- one filled with photographs and memories of a weekend rich in celebrating our faith.

 

~4~

A Simple Seasonal Craft: A Paper Plate Lily Pencil Toppers How-To

 

Whether studying Saint Joseph, tying into Easter, or simply looking for an inexpensive and easy craft for kids to enjoy, this paper plate lily pencil topper how-to may be just what you need.  Plenty of pictures will help you create your own lilies with ease!

~3~

The 5-Finger Daily Examen

 

Somehow, we got out of the habit of using our 5-finger examen here, so, just the other day, the kids and I relocated the hand-shape prayer cards we made during a St. Ignatius Feast Day celebration this past summer.  What simple, yet meaningful model or reflective prayer they guide us through.  Perhaps you and yours would like to add the model to your daily prayer routines, too.

 

~2~

Get A Free Printable Saint Geography Notebooking Page!

Of course, printables are always popular, and, as I saw our Number Two post, I realized that I need to update our printables index page, since our popular Free Printable Saint Geography Notebooking Page has yet to be listed on it it.  Until that task is done, you can find the printable linked here, where you will also find links the pages that inspired the notebooking page I created.

 

~1~

Of Snow and a Free Printable 2015 Daily Planner for Lent

Before researching our most popular posts of 2015, I never would have guessed that the most-viewed faith post from 2015 would be a printable planning sheet I made for Lent last year, but, indeed, it is.  Since we are not done celebrating Christmas yet, maybe you'd like to bookmark this Lent printable to begin using next month.  For, yes, Lent is coming quickly.  It begins on February 10.

 

We hope you've enjoyed taking a look back at our most popular sharing from 2015 (sans review and giveaway posts).  If you like what you’ve seen, we would be delighted if you'd continue reading into 2016.  We are grateful for the opportunity to share here and thank you for each and every time you choose to read a post yourself, share this blog with your friends, or take the time to comment on a post here or at our Facebook page.  Truly, we get excited over your feedback, so please never hesitate to make a suggestion, share a thought, or put forth a request!

We also invite you to follow us on Facebook and Pinterest.

Happy 2016!

2 Words for 2016

A happy New Year enjoying this day that the Lord has made...

A couple of years ago, I found myself embracing the exercise of selecting a single word to guide me in new year.  Then, as 2014 came to a close, I began to think about what new word might guide me in 2015.  Before long, I realized that a single word would not be my charge for 2015.  Rather, a phrase would be.  On the very least day of the year, it came to me.

As I shared last year:

...after prayer and in the midst of typical daily activities, I heard a whisper in my heart, that became an echo in my mind, which stirred an "aha" in my soul:  ACT!

So often I tell my children that I want them to listen and act.  I know that my Father wants the same of me.  Not just to listen.  Not even just to acknowledge that I have heard.  But to act.  

To act upon each of the roles I am called to in my present existence.  

To act with immediate and intentional choice each time I answer one of my own favorite questions -- "What can I do to make this moment better?" 

To act on the stirrings of soul that I am becoming more and more aware of.  

To act with love, trust, faith, purpose, integrity, virtue...

How did I do with listening and acting?

Good.  Bad.  It depends on which day of 2015 I reflect upon.
 
Sometimes I was spot on with acting with love, faith, purpose, integrity, virtue, and the like as I went about fulfilling the roles, making choices, following stirrings of soul...  Other times?  Well, let's just say I am grateful that Our Lord is a merciful one and constantly welcomes me to draw closer to Him despite how human I am and how often I must seek reconciliation.

Let me also express how delighted I am that Our Lord can be so firm yet gentle. 

A Word for 2016 

About a week ago, out of nowhere, I was struck by a firm, yet gentle prompt for my 2016 word while I was in the midst of one of my personal "Mommy Retreats".  (That is, while I was listening to Catholic audio as I cleaned and organized all by myself when my husband - bless him - had the kids out.)  The word that came to me was not spoken on the audio, but rather came suddenly into my mind and heart:

ENOUGH

When it came it me, I knew immediately that it was to be my word for 2016.  Yet, still, I questioned, "Really?  'Enough' not a verb.  I am a verb sort of girl.  How do I 'enough'?"

Then, I laughed at myself. 

"I don't 'enough'.  I simply recognize what is enough, give thanks for it, and carry on with how I am prompted to receive or gift forward whatever enough I experience."

Not the most eloquent, nor profound thoughts, I know, but the ones I heard.

Enough Was Not Enough 

Thus it was I began today thinking that "enough" was "THE" word for me for this year.

Ha!  God has such a sense of humor.

For, at this morning's Holy Day mass, I was given another word:

 

TODAY

As I listened to our pastor's homily, what I am coming to recognize as an undeniable prompt told me, "This is for you, Martianne.  This word.  This idea.  Today."

God wants me to see enough, be enough, do enough, recognize enough, give enough, trust enough, love enough, rest in enough... enough... ENOUGH! TODAY. 

Yes, the whisper was gentle, yet firm and clear at Mass and all throughout this day, from the challenging moments to heartwarming ones.

I am not called to "enough" for the entire year, but just for today.  This day.  And the next.  And the next.  Each day in its own turn filled with His grace, which is always enough.

Have you, too, heard gentle, yet strong whisperings in your heart as you enter into 2016?

Want Ideas for 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments?

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, swap-fever has hit our local Catholic homeschooling group.  That means these beautiful hand-painted saint peg dolls were under the tree for my children on Christmas morning.

It also means that all throughout Advent my children were able to enjoy hanging hand-crafted Jesse Tree ornaments on our Jesse Tree each night just before snuggling in for bedtime stories next to one of our Advent wreaths.

Now, it means the children get to continue hanging hand-crafted ornaments until Epiphany as we make our way through the ornaments I received in our last swap and the 12 Days of Christmas devotional that I shared yesterday.

12 Days of Christmas Ornament Designs

Before organizing the ornaments and devotional in a box near our Jesus candle and Christmas tree, I photographed the ornaments.  Perhaps you'd like to take a peak at them to get some ideas for crafting your own 12 Days of Christmas ornaments:

Days 1 and 2 Fronts

Days 1 and 2 Backs

Days 3 and 4 Fronts

Day 3 and 4 Backs

Days 5 and 7 Fronts (I have yet to get a Day 6, because they were short on them at the swap.  There are Day 6 pics I took at the swap down further in this post though.)

Days 5 and 7 Backs

Days 8 and 9 Fronts

Day 8 Back and Day 9 Front

Days 10, 11, and 12 Fronts

Days 10, 11, and 12 Backs

I have photos of alternate ideas for inspiration, too (in no particular order):

Alternate Days 1 and 7 Fronts

Alternate Days 1 and 7 Backs

Super Cute Ladies Dancing Front

Day 9 Back

Alternate Day 2 Front

Alternate Day 2 Back

Alternate Day 3 Front

Alternate Day 3 Back

Alternate Day 5

Super Cute 6-Sided Day 6

Alternate Day 8 Back

Alternate Day 8 Front

Alternate Day 4 Front

Alternate Day 4 Back

Why all these alternate styles?   I wish I could say, "because I have two sets of ornaments."  Such is not the case, though. 

The real reason is because the organizer of this swap actually ran two swaps at the same time.  Some moms signed up for slots in both swaps so they could get one set of each style, but given my other commitments, I knew I would only have time to complete one set of 13 ornaments to swap.  So, I simply snapped photos of the ornaments at the other swap tabla fellow blogger, Shannon, who shared pictures of what she received at Homeschooling Papist.

Why Make 13 Ornaments if There Are But 12 Days of Christmas?

After the hand-painted saint peg dolls swap I did, in which the organizer of this 12 Days of Christmas ornament swap participated, she and I had the same idea at almost the same time:  Wouldn't it be great if we all completed just one extra item for the swaps and then ended up with a set to donate?  So, beginning with this swap, the "one extra" idea was implemented. 

Coming soon, that will mean I try my hand at woodburning making 13 Lenten Resurrection Eggs so we'll have an extra set to donate.

I'd love to see YOUR 12 Days of Christmas ornaments, too - handmade or not - so please post a link here or post a picture on the Training Happy Hearts Facebook page.  Happy Christmas season!