Tag: catechism

3 Easy Advent Paper Crafts for Kids!

Paper candles, a scripture Chain and a paper bag snowflake are easy ways to welcome in the season of Advent (Even at the last minute!)

In this post I’ll tell you the how-t0, the everyday materials we used and list all of the passages of Luke we used for the chain, for your convenience!

*I’m also sharing some videos and pics on my Instagram: @prayersoverthekitchensink and TikTok: @prayeroverthekitchensink

These crafts were so fun and easy to make with the kids. The first craft I’ll highlight is the paper Advent candles. Advent is a time of penance, reflection and preparing our souls to celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmastide. While the rest of the world is well into cookie parties and full decor, Catholics should slow down to embrace this beautiful time of anticipation. It always makes me think of the last four weeks of pregnancy and what Mother Mary may have felt as she awaited the birth of the Newborn King!

This theme of joyful waiting is articulated by the penitential purple of 3 of the candles as well as the pink of Gaudete Sunday. The weeks, colors and themes are as follows:

Week 1: Purple representing, Hope

Week 2: Purple, Peace

Week 3: Pink, representing Joy (Gaudete Sunday)

Week 4: Purple, representing Love

Christmas: White, representing Christ

I’ve done this project with my kids in the past and it’s great because crayon scribbles, fingerpaint and haphazard glitter all look cool when they’re wrapped around the tube. In years past, I wrote the theme of the week on the side of each candle with black permanent marker and it’s a fun way for children to become familiar with the tradition.

Continue reading “3 Easy Advent Paper Crafts for Kids!”

Sealed With a Cross

This article first appeared on CatholicMom.com

Please follow my writing there as well as the many wonderful contributors who share their hearts, talents and time for the Catholic Mom community!

Cait Winters tells the story of how her kids cheer her on through the Sign of the Cross.

It was lunchtime in the middle of a typically busy homeschooling day. We had spent the morning on a hike at nature co-op and still had math, cursive and reading to cover that afternoon. Homeschooling can be hard on a home (and a homemaker!) because most days, aside from my hardworking husband, everyone is here all day long. I wouldn’t trade this time serving my family for the world, but it often means cooking three meals a day and constant cycles of washing and drying to keep up our well-loved, humble home.   

That morning I had overslept, being early-pregnant and tired and didn’t have a chance to unload the perpetual dishes. It was easy to leave and forget about the chores while on our hike but coming back to them was another story. The sink was half-full already, but I had hungry kids to feed, so I fired up the stove and sudsed up what I could. The smell of cooking was turning my stomach and everywhere I looked, my to-do list grew.   

I did a swat-like Sign of the Cross, blessing myself as I caught my breath and forged ahead. The Sign of the Cross is a quick way for me to ask for heaven’s help without even saying a word. I broke a sweat but got through the chores, finally setting plates and drinks out for the kids and calling them to the kitchen table. 

Continue reading “Sealed With a Cross”