Plans for the Feast of St. Patrick

by | Mar 12, 2009 | Feast Day Plans, St. Patrick's Day | 13 comments

March 17th marks the feast of St. Patrick, one of our favorite feasts of the year. Could it be because of all the Irish blood in our family, or maybe since it is also the birthday of hubby’s dad and brother? Whatever the reason, I already have a bunch of excited children in my home and we have begun making plans for the big day!

Storytime
Here is a list of books you will find in our book basket.

Movie Night

Every year my children ask to watch Patrick – Brave Shepherd of the Emerald Isle. I’ve never seen this movie, but I just ordered it from Netflix to watch. Usually, on St. Patrick’s day, hubby and I watch an Irish themed movie, after our children go to bed. Michael Collinsis his favorite, but I prefer The Quiet Man.

“Well, then. Now. I’ll begin at the beginnin’. A fine soft day in the spring, it was, when the train pulled into Castletown, three hours late as usual, and himself got off. He didn’t have the look of an American tourist at all about him. Not a camera on him; what was worse, not even a fishin’ rod… “

Crafts

For more ideas, be sure to visit Barbara and Crafty Crow.

Copywork

“Good St. Patrick traveled far, to teach God’s Holy Word and when he came to Erin’s sod, a wondrous thing occurred. He plucked a shamrock from the earth and held it in His hand to symbolize the Trinity that all might understand. The first leaf for the Father, and the second for the Son, the third leaf for the Holy Spirit, all three of them in one.”


Music

I’ll be pulling out some of our Irish Cd’s. Not that they are too hard to get to! 😉

Food and Drink

There are SO many ideas to be found online, so I am just going to share our plans for this year. For breakfast, I’ll be making a pot of our favorite Irish Oatmeal, though my kids are already asking if I can pick up some Lucky Charms instead… We’ll see.

I am thinking about organizing a St. Patrick’s Day Picnic in the Park in the afternoon, and asking everyone to bring a snack to share. I’m thinking of making dipped oreos decorated with green and Shamrock Cupcakes.

We are not huge fans of Corned Beef, and I can’t have cabbage, so our favorite dinner for St. Patrick’s day is Irish Beef and Guinness Stew. I am planning on making it again this year and serving it with Baked Potatoes and Irish Soda Bread. I can’t wait to try Barbara’s recipe!

I am still deciding on a fun drink for my kiddos, maybe “St. Patrick’s Floats” using a scoop or two of lime sherbert, 7Up and Whipped cream. I picked up some Guinness last night for hubby (I’ll hide a bottle for the stew!) but didn’t have any luck finding Murphy’s… I’ll have to keep looking. 😉 In the meantime, don’t miss Mary Ellen’s post over at Catholic Cuisine, Slainte!

Prayer

St. Patrick’s Breastplate

I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this today to me forever by power of faith, Christ’s incarnation; His baptism in Jordan river, His death on Cross for my salvation; His bursting from the spiced tomb, His riding up the heavenly way, His coming at the day of doom, I bind unto myself today. I bind unto myself the power of the great love of cherubim; the sweet ‘Well done’ in judgment hour, the service of the seraphim, Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word, the Patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls, all good deeds done unto the Lord and purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today the virtues of the star lit heaven, the glorious sun’s life giving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even, the flashing of the lightning free, the whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks, the stable earth, the deep salt sea around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need. The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward; The word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin, the vice that gives temptation force, the natural lusts that war within, the hostile men that mar my course; Or few or many, far or nigh, in every place and in all hours, against their fierce hostility I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan’s spells and wiles, Against false words of heresy, Against the knowledge that defiles, Against the heart’s idolatry, Against the wizard’s evil craft, Against the death wound and the burning, The choking wave, the poisoned shaft, Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name, the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in Three. By Whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: Praise to the Lord of my salvation, Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!
St. Patrick’s Day Blessing Upon You!

13 Comments

  1. Debbie

    Thanks for posting so many wonderful ideas. I am hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party for our homeschool group and am definitely going to incorporate the Irish handprints as one of the crafts.

    Reply
  2. Tony

    <"pulling out some of our Irish Cd's">
    Are you listening to Sinead O'Conner?

    Reply
  3. Regina

    wow, i post about a lap book and you give them the world according to St Patrick. Goodness gracious you big one-upper 😉
    So sad we won’t be having a St. Patty’s day get together with you guys this yr. Hey, some big wig with FSSP is going to be here on Sunday. You could come for Mass and just stay until Wednesday!!
    r

    Reply
  4. Jessica Gordon

    Debbie ~ I hope the kids enjoy making the handprints! =)

    Tony~ No, I was thinking more along the lines of all hubby’s Irish Drinking Songs. 😉

    Regina ~ Your so funny! (This post has been in my drafts folder forever, and I didn’t think I’d ever get it posted.) As I said, I was SHOCKED to see you posting something for a feast day! 😉 Can’t wait to see the girls lapbooks… 🙂 So, are you going to the FSSP Mass this weekend? That would be awesome. I’ll have to talk to hubby and see. We miss you guys!

    Reply
  5. Anonymous

    Wow, Jessica!! So many excellent ideas!

    BTW: The St. Patrick movie you ordered from Netflix…a little scary for little ones, I wouldn’t let anyone under the age of 12 view. That pretty much knocks out your crew! It’s still definitely worth watching…

    Can’t wait to try the handprints…too fun!

    Reply
  6. Amy

    I love watching The Quiet Man on St. Patrick’s Day! I thought I was the only one, lol.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous

    Have I said before that I love your ideas! This one is definitely going to be starred in my reader. St. Patrick’s day is my birthday, too!

    Reply
  8. Unknown

    We love Quiet Man over here:)

    Reply
  9. Sarah

    Great post – and thank you so much for the book recommendations! I am slowly but surely trying to gather a few books about each holiday and saint day that we want to focus on, and your lists are always so helpful!

    We are either doing a similar stew for our dinner on Tuesday or . . . . I found an awesome Irish cheddar and stout fondue recipe. Thinking of boiling up some fingerling potatoes, Irish brown bread, and various veggies for dinner, all perfect for dipping!

    Best,
    Sarah

    PS – We also love Irish movies – but admit that we always have to put on our closed captioning to get everything! 🙂

    Reply
  10. The Wades

    You are incredible! Again, in awe of all you do.

    Reply
  11. Anonymous

    After Sinead O'Connor ripped up a picture of the Pope on Sat. Night Live, she lost her Irish Citizenship in my mind. The good in Ireland was brought there by S. Patrick, not King Billy. It's too bad Ireland didn't have a few more guys like Gen. George Washington on their side.

    A good movie to watch for S. Patrick's Day is "The Long Gray Line": an Irishman at West Point. My Grandmother who emigrated from Ireland County Cork, used to say about "The Quiet Man": 'makes us look like a bunch of fools'.

    Here's a sample of some of the Irish Tunes we parade and march around the house to:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI4qSdhmq1U&feature=related

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWmAwVE2hVg&feature=related

    Hubby

    Reply
  12. Mary in MN

    Wow, the St. Patrick’s resources you have are GREAT!! Can’t wait to read them all. However we did watch the movie (the one from Netflix) and honestly, we didn’t care for it… very long and not that great for little ones. It just gave us an uneasy feeling and didn’t put the “church” in the best light. Not sure if this makes sense but we just didn’t care for it.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Prayer of Mothers

Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.


Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-23, Ranger-21, Twinkle Toes-20, Chiquita-18, Snuggles-16, Rose-14, Bud-12, Grace-6 and Joy-4 (blog nicknames)

A Little About Me

Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

My Other Blog: Catholic Cuisine

Please Visit My Sponsors…

This Week's Popular Posts

Shower of Roses Affiliate Links

All About Spelling
All About Reading
All About Reading Pre-reading
All About Reading Giveaways
Illuminated_Ink_Advent_Candle_Kit_package_image_Holy_Heroes.jpg
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our Advent & Christmas Books

Shower of Roses Christmas Gift Guides

Looking for Something?

Looking Back

  • 2024 (5)
  • 2023 (30)
  • 2022 (48)
  • 2021 (48)
  • 2020 (57)
  • 2019 (61)
  • 2018 (90)
  • 2017 (128)
  • 2016 (148)
  • 2015 (172)
  • 2014 (227)
  • 2013 (238)
  • 2012 (308)
  • 2011 (297)
  • 2010 (313)
  • 2009 (486)
  • 2008 (564)
  • 2007 (148)

Posts About:

Shower of Roses Alphabet of Saints

A Papal Unit Study & Lap Book

Our Lent and Easter Books

Shower of Roses Easter Gift Guides



All Saints Party Printables

All original photographs and written material are ©2007-2023 Shower of Roses. I'd love for you to link back to me, but please do not copy or take content from this blog without permission. Click here for my Copyright Terms & Conditions. Thank you for visiting!