This month, I’d like to invite you to do a bit of exploring to find some treasures available to you for free throughout the catechetical year. This month’s newsletter provides you with three...

The Church’s liturgical year continues with the celebration of Lent and Holy Week, the time during which Catholics throughout the world honor the Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and the giving of alms. Through the suggestions and resources listed below

When I was a small child, I used an ink pen to write my name on the face of my sister’s doll. When my mother tells the story, she shares that I never denied the act. It was, after all, my name. A couple of hours passed, however, before I acknowledged my wrongdoing and asked for

From January 18 through January 25, Christians throughout the world will join in a very special week of prayer called the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This week of prayer was established in 1908, and the dates were chosen so that the week ends on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. The Week of Prayer actually consists of eight days—an octave—which always designates a very special

Many years ago, I was asked to give a presentation on the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are so many ways one could talk about Mary— as our model of discipleship, as mother, as queen—but I chose as my focus “Mary was not a size two.” The title drew a crowd, and the crowd had a wonderful time thinking about who Mary was in history and who Mary is to us today.

One of my favorite moments of the Church year is the procession to the font at the Easter Vigil Mass. No matter what setting of the Litany of the Saints you may sing at your parish, there is something wonderful about making our way to the font with those to be baptized as we call upon the saints and angels in song. It is at that point in our Church year when I most physically and spiritually feel that I am part of the Communion of Saints—the communion of pilgrims on Earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in Heaven (see Catechism of the Catholic Church 962). I am always filled with joy as I process with those who are going to enter into this holy communion through the Sacrament of Baptism.

December 2 is the beginning of the season of Advent and the beginning of the new liturgical year. Now is a great time to review the liturgical year section in the back of your Be My Disciples or Blest Are We student, catechist, and teacher editions.

Plan ahead to post a new liturgical year calendar, and celebrate its posting with a Prayer for the New Church Year. Mark upcoming solemnities and feasts with special stickers, push pins, or symbols. Take time to review with your class or family the seasons of the liturgical year and their colors, symbols, feasts, and focuses. The material in the back of your book will help you lead this discussion. 

By Mary Regina Morrell

When I was growing up, I noticed how my mom displayed and treasured the many different gifts my dad gave her over the years. Among those gifts were a variety of painted and jeweled eggs. Their beauty shone in the remarkable designs and craftsmanship of their shells.

When I received an exceptionally lovely porcelain egg music box a few years ago, I believed all I needed to know about it was on the outside. To keep it safe, I placed it behind the glass doors of our hutch. For years it stood there with not much more than a casual glance from me.

One day, after a difficult situation caused me to wonder if my guardian angel had

Join Father Robert Hater on an exploration of what it means to be a modern day missionary disciple of Christ. In this series of essays, Father Hater reflects on the history and importance of Catholic evangelization, how each of us is called by Christ to spread His Good News, and how we can embrace the new evangelization in today’s high-paced contemporary world. 

“Once upon a time” … when we hear these words we know what’s coming – a story.

Our ears perk up, our brains snap to attention, and our expectation, even if it is subconscious, is an experience of connection, meaning, and imagination.

The need to share stories is part of human nature and is documented from earliest times of human existence in ancient cave paintings and engravings from all over the world.