Pope Francis Visits the Home
They readied the place for him by building a cathedral with their Nesting Blocks, Blessing Blocks, and Tiny Saints. The Popemobile led the assembly to the front doors of their little church.
Commemorating the Canonization of Junípero Serra
It’s another historic day in the Catholic Church as our Holy Father visits the United States of America and Father Junípero Serra becomes the very first saint to be canonized on U.S. soil!
Junípero Serra was a Spanish Franciscan friar who founded a mission in Baja California and the first nine of 21 Spanish missions in California from San Diego to San Francisco, which at the time were in Alta California in the Province of Las Californias in New Spain. (source: stjunipero.org)
Here are seven ways to commemorate this special day with children:
1 – Picture Books
There are some great picture books available about the Papacy, Pope Francis and the soon-to-be canonized Saint Junipero Serra. Snuggles received a new book about our Holy Father (“his Pope“) in his Easter basket last year. Many of these books are available from Sacred Heart Books and Gifts, Catholic Child, and through my affiliate links below. Here is the list of the books we’ll be reading:
Jorge from Argentina: The Story of Pope Francis for Children by Marlyn Monge
Our Holy Father the Pope: The Papacy from Saint Peter to the Present – An excellent book for teaching children about the Papacy.
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| “Only the Pope may declare men and women to be saints.” – Our Holy Father the Pope |
The Mission Bell (OOP) – The story of Father Junipero Serra’s travels in the California wilderness, of his interest in the Indians and of his building of the missions.
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| The Mission Bell |
Song of the Swallows – First published in 1948, was written and illustrated by Leo Politi about Mission San Juan Capistrano, the 7th of 9 missions established by Father Serra.
The First Californian: The Story of Fray Junípero Serra (OOP) – Chapter book by Donald DeMarest and originally published in 1963.
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| The First Californian |
I’m still waiting for our copies of the following two books to arrive:
Serra: American Founding Father
Junípero Serra: Founder of the California Missions (Pre-Order! I’ll probably save this for one of the children’s Stacks of Books on Christmas Morning or for next year’s Easter Baskets since it hasn’t been released yet.)
2 – Coloring Pages & Worksheets
Free Online Resources:
Pope Francis printables from Tiny Saints
Pope Francis in the United States from Paper Dali
Blessed Junipero Serra’s Canonization Day from Paper Dali
Pope Francis coloring pages from St. John the Baptist Religious Education
Blessed Junipero Serra from Catholic Playground
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| From Catholic Playground, Saints of the Americas, and Paper Dali |
Coloring Books to Purchase:
Bl. Junipero Serra from Saints of the Americas Coloring & Activity Book
Pope Francis Coloring & Activity Book
Popes Coloring Book (Dover)
California Missions Coloring Book (Dover)
3 – Lap Book
If you never downloaded the Papal Lap Book and Unit Study I created during the Election of Pope Francis, now is another great time for a Unit Study on the Papacy. Here is a list of my published posts on the Lap Book. (I never did get back to completing the posts for the last couple units.)
Scroll through all my Papal Unit Study posts here
(Note: A number of my posts include suggestions for reading from My Catholic Faith. This was a childhood favorite of my husband’s and we have been using it with our children ever since our teenagers were toddlers. This beautiful book has just been released in Audio format!!! Today we will be listening to the following sections: 74. One Body in Christ: Communion of Saints, 93. The Veneration of Saints, and 94. Relics and Images.)
4 – Crafts
California Missions to Cut Out (Book 1) and California Mission to Cut Out (Book 2)
Summer with the Saints: Blessed Junipero Serra (homemade holy cards)
Mission Drawings on Brown Paper and Drawing Guides
5 – Catholic Cuisine
Celebrating Bl. Junipero Serra with California Mission Foods over at Catholic Cuisine
Mexican Chocolate Bread Pudding over at Catholic Cuisine
Flan — A Spanish Delight over at Catholic Cuisine
Italian Cream Cupcakes with Vatican Flag and Pope Francis’ Papal Coat of Arms Cupcake Toppers
Keys of Heaven Candies for my children using this Key Mold and Yellow Candy Melts
Chicken Paella from CatholicMom.com
More ideas can be found over at Catholic Culture
Fig Newtons – The Black Mission Fig was named after the mission fathers who planted the fruit as they made their way north along the California coast!
6 – Gift Ideas
Hand-painted Bl. Junipero Serra Doll from {JOY}filled Family
St. Junipero Serra from Naturally Catholic
Pope Francis and Saint Junipero Serra from Tiny Saints
Blessed Junipero Serra print form Portraits of Saints
Monk Rag Doll from Jacob’s Toy Box
7 – Watch the Live Coverage
The Official Schedule for Pope Francis’ Visit to the U.S.
Live Streaming and Archived Videos from the Vatican YouTube Channel (English)
Yesterday we pulled out the iPad and started watching the World Meeting of Families using the EWTN app and AirPlay! Our older boys set their alarms to wake up extra early this morning to watch the welcoming ceremony at the White House before meeting with their math tutor! EWTN will also be streaming the canonization. You can view their schedule here.
5 Ways to Celebrate Michaelmas
The feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels, traditionally known as Michaelmas, is coming up on September 29th. Today I’m sharing 5 Ways to Celebrate Michaelmas over at TAN Homeschool!
On the Feast of Saint Matthew
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| Saint Matthew from Catholic Folk Toys |
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| Matthew from The Twelve Apostles by Marianna Mayer |
Life Is Precious :: Miracle of Life Picture Books
Note: Links to American Life League (ALL) are not affiliate links, but ALL is currently a sponsor here at Shower of Roses. I was given a complimentary copy of Life Is Precious in exchange for my honest review. It is such an excellent program and I am really enjoying using it with my children this year!
- Angel in the Waters
- Miracle of Life Coloring Pages from Companion CD-ROM
- Crayons, Colored Pencils and/or Markers
- Pregnancy and Baby Pictures (I just printed some digital photos on cardstock)
- Blank Books, 14 sheets, 28 pages, 6″w x 8″h (I purchase these from Rainbow Resource. You can also find a single book or 6 pack over at Amazon.)
- Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets (one 9×12 sheet cut in half is enough for the front covers of two small blank books)
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| “MOM! Why you so FAT?!” |
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| His FACE when his older brother told him HE was inside my tummy. |
Next the children worked on coloring the provided coloring pages with images of the baby at different stages of development.
So… This happened today!
Bargain Priced Toys :: Shining Light Dolls
{this moment}
Life Is Precious {Sponsored Review & Giveaway}
Earlier this year I was sent a review copy of the brand new Life Is Precious Culture of Life Unit Study for Elementary Students from American Life League!
“Life Is Precious is a resource for parents and their children and illustrates the basic facts of human development in the womb using scientifically accurate yet kid-friendly coloring pages and traditionally published picture books. In consultation with a former biologist, as well as veteran homeschool parents, we created this 4-week unit study to provide students with accurate information to enhance learning. Designed to complement any existing homeschool curriculum in grades K-2, Life Is Precious instructs children about the truth of human development while still respecting their innocence. It is perfect for the homeschool or co-op setting where parents are involved, and is a fun, easy way to learn about human development and the value of life. A version appropriate for classroom use in production and will be available in early Fall.”
I am so excited about this program and have included it in my elementary students curriculum for our new school year.
The Life Is Precious unit study is broken into four lessons featuring the following picture books which all explore age-appropriate culture of life themes while teaching the value of human life:
- Angel in the Waters or purchase the 10th Anniversary Hardcover! (studies human development from creation until birth)
- On the Night You Were Born (studies the beauty and wonder of each and every single person God has created)
- Horton Hears a Who (studies the need to defend and protect all persons, no matter how small)
- One (studies the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it’s not easy to do)
Each lesson is broken into four days (or classes). Realistically, I will most likely spend a month completing each lesson (one day per week) with my younger children since our schedule is so full at the moment. We will continue studying Angel in the Waters this month as we prepare for “Respect Life” month in October!
In the back of the comprehensive teacher guide you will find a companion CD-ROM which contains all of the printable appendices and coloring pages! The package also includes a 12-week fetal model and the Baby Steps DVD with live 4D ultrasound imagery of preborn babies in the womb.
Happy Birthday, Blessed Mother!
Today, in addition to beginning our new school year, we also celebrated the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary!
Pray for my children, dear Mother. Keep them from all danger, especially from spiritual danger. Help them to become virtuous citizens of their own country, but let them not forget the Kingdom of God.
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