Week of December 27th, 2020 through January 2nd, 2021
Anytime this week
Read and discuss the Gospel reading for the upcoming Sunday, Epiphany.
- Here is the Gospel reading on the USCCB.
- Discussion questions:
- Adult question: When have you been jealous or fearful of another person? When are such feelings harmful?
- Child question: When have you been jealous because something good happened to another person instead of you? What is the problem with feeling that way?
- Everyone: Share about a time when you were tempted to do something wrong but chose to do the right thing.
December 27th: Celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family
The Feast of the Holy Family is a day to honor Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and reflect on what more we can do to make our own families holy.
- Eat: Work as a family to make a favorite meal or dessert, or have a family “potluck” in which each family member contributes one part of the meal.
- Pray: Pray the Consecration to the Holy Family.
- Do: Choose a fun activity to do as a family.
December 27th: Celebrate the feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
As one of the twelve apostles, St. John was with Jesus at the most important moments of Jesus’ ministry. John’s New Testament writings include one of the four Gospels, three letters, and the Book of Revelation.
- Read: Read about St. John the Evangelist.
- Eat: Wine is traditionally blessed on the feast of St. John in remembrance of the legend that St. John safely drank poisoned wine offered to him by his enemy after blessing it. Bless and share a cup of wine.
- Pray: Pray to be a faithful disciple like St. John.
December 28th: Celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents
The Holy Innocents are the children who were slaughtered by the tyrant Herod because he feared one of them might be the newborn rival king (Jesus).
- Read: Read about the Holy Innocents.
- Eat: The traditional dessert for this feast is a white pudding with a red raspberry sauce, which symbolizes both the purity of the Holy Innocents and their martyrdom. Other options include a white cake or vanilla ice cream with raspberry or strawberry sauce.
- Pray: Bless your children or grandchildren.
January 1st: Celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
- Do: Attend Mass in person or online. Find the Christmas Mass schedule at St. Anthony here.
- Read: Read about this feast day.
- Pray: Pray the Canticle of Mary (Magnificat).
