Pray with Summer Saints
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CLICK HERE to learn more about Columba, and for lessons for grades k-12, and an intergenerational session on the patron saint of the Diocese of Youngstown. St. Columba Feast Day: June 9 |
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CLICK HERE for resources and activities on Pentecost.
Pentecost: 7 Sundays after Easter June 8, 2025 May 24, 2026 May 16, 2027 June 4, 2028 May 20, 2029 |
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CLICK HERE for a St. Thomas More biography for children, from Loyola Press.
St. Thomas More feast day: June 22 |
Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
June 24
June 24
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CLICK HERE to find ways to celebrate St. John the Baptist.
CLICK HERE for background information on St. John the Baptist This short video will help children learn about the Birth of John the Baptist:
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Saints Peter and Paul Feast Day: June 29 CLICK HERE for an elementary activity from Sadlier Connect about St. Peter. CLICK HERE for RCL background information on St. Paul. |
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St. Kateri Tekakwitha Feast Day: July 14 CLICK HERE to read "In the Footsteps of Saint Kateri" from Franciscan Media CLICK HERE for a play script from Loyola Press about The Lily of the Mohawks. |
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St. Mary Magdalene Feast Day: July 22 Read a brief reflection on Mary Magdalene from Franciscan Media: www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-mary-magdalene/ CLICK HERE for a clear understanding of what we know about Mary Magdalene. |
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St. Ignatius Feast Day: July 31 CLICK HERE for a free poster and booklet on St. Ignatius of Loyola from...you guessed it...Loyola Press! |
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St. Maximilian Kolbe Feast Day: August 14 CLICK HERE for "9 Things to Know about St. Maximilian Kolbe." |
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Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary: August 15 CLICK HERE for a Mary scripture quest activity from Sadlier. CLICK HERE for the Marian Resources page from Loyola Press. CLICK HERE for the amazing "All About Mary" website from the University of Dayton. It answers any question about Mary, and gives access to art, film, symbols, music, and much more about Mary. Mass at the Grotto
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto St. Joseph Parish 2643 Waterloo Rd. Mogadore, OH Mass is celebrated each Saturday at 6 pm, weather permitting. There are pews or you may bring your own lawn chair and sit in the grassy areas. Feast of Assumption August 13, 14, and 15 Join us for 3 days of prayer preceding the Feast of Assumption of Mary. Mass begins at 7 pm followed by a candlelight rosary procession each night around the Stations of the Cross pathway over the Grotto. Contact Marcy for more information at 330-212-4220. |
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St. Augustine Feast Day: August 28 CLICK HERE for a brief but meaningful introduction, "Who was St. Augustine and Why Should I Care?" |
Planning for Summer
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The diocesan library has books with great ideas
for connecting in faith with kids. We can mail them to you for free if you have a diocesan library mailing membership or for a small fee if you don't! Email MARGIE to let her know what you need! ([email protected]) |
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Planning VBS or VBC*
"Vacation Bible School" or "Vacation Bible Camp"
Questions to consider in choosing a VBS program:
- Does it recognize the centrality of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and not just the death and resurrection?
- Does it value the community experience of faith, and not just the individual experience?
- Does it integrate knowledge of the faith with living the faith?
- Does it engage the intellect, emotion, imagination, and creativity of all participants, or does it appeal only to the intellect or only to the emotion?
- Does it recognize the goodness of life in this world and the signs of God’s presence here, or does it speak only to spiritual experience and a concentration on eternity?
- Does it promote charity, appreciation, and respect for all racial, social, and religious backgrounds, or does it use exclusive language about salvation?
- Will the cost of it prohibit participation of all community members? How will you provide for those who cannot afford it?
- Can you adapt or create alternative activities for home use or an online meeting platform in case in-person sessions need to be cancelled or families want to participate but are not able to attend in person?
- If you share the program with area Protestant churches, is the program entirely ecumenical, that is, does it convey the teaching of participating traditions without causing confusion?
Vacation Bible School in 2020-2021 was creatively implemented at several parishes by the creation of take home kits, boxes, and a variety of remote or online choices. Congratulations to our many talented and creative people for developing the adaptations! Perhaps some ideas have continued on.
IDEAS INCLUDED:
- Zoom "Cooking with the Saints," or "Praying with the Saints," for example
- outdoor scavenger hunt within the parish
- create pilgrimages to outdoor shrines within your county
- Tailor some activities for men over 50 only, women under 50 only, singles only, couples only, and other combinations.
Consider multiple options and for multiple age groups and/or intergenerational, family groups. Adult VBS can take the form of a mini series on a particular theme to appeal to a wide range of persons.
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CLICK HERE for ideas from Building Faith about Service missions for younger children as an alternative to customary VBS. |
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CLICK HERE for questions to consider in choosing a Vacation Bible School program. |
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Summer is the typical season for setting new goals and envisioning changes in your Faith Formation programs and processes. It's also a good time to:
So -- what are you working on this summer?
Any plans to change or tweak your programs or processes?
Any events that you'd like to share with others? Your comments and ideas are welcome!
- Plan a catechist get-together
- Offer a fun opportunity to help families connect with one another
- Plan a simple service experience for Middle School or High School Youth
- Gather families for a BBQ or bonfire
- Offer a Movie Night
- Relax, travel, and work on your own spiritual wellness
So -- what are you working on this summer?
Any plans to change or tweak your programs or processes?
Any events that you'd like to share with others? Your comments and ideas are welcome!
Ideas for Families this Summer:
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Finding God Everywhere Outdoor GameCLICK HERE to see instructions for this simple game for younger children, by Joe Paprocki, and additional activities.
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Make a Giant Rosary with Kids
Click Here to see instructions for making a Rosary with pool noodles.
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Download a Family Faith Summer KitCLICK HERE to get a download of a Family Faith Summer Kit with prayers, activities, saints, and gratitude tips from Sadlier Religion's Family Center.
En Espanol, haga clic aquí. |
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At-Home Activities for Summer Faith |
Loyola Press provides resources to help parents at home with ideas for activities to do as a family this summer.
Connecting Generations Choice Board
Encourage connections between generations with this new choice board that invites children to learn about and develop deeper relationships with their elders.
40 Ways to Foster Prayer in Your Home
Find inspiration for different ways to pray in the home by downloading Tom McGrath’s suggestions—in English or in Spanish.
Caring for the Environment—A Family Faith-Sharing Guide
Celebrate the beauty of God’s creation while learning what the Church says about caring for the environment.
Summer Prayer Placemat
Pause to thank God for the gifts of the season with a summer prayer placemat that invites children to compose a prayer of thanks in a fun fill-in style.
Pop-Up Catechesis: “I’ll Light a Candle for You”
Explore intercessory prayer with Pop-Up Catechesis host Joe Paprocki.
Praying the Daily Examen
Find multiply resources for the Examen, the defining Ignatian prayer.
40 Ways to Foster Prayer in Your Home
Find inspiration for different ways to pray in the home by downloading Tom McGrath’s suggestions, in English or in Spanish.
Pop-Up Catechesis: Teaching Traditional Prayers
Consider how to pass on traditional prayers to children.
Connecting Generations Choice Board
Encourage connections between generations with this new choice board that invites children to learn about and develop deeper relationships with their elders.
40 Ways to Foster Prayer in Your Home
Find inspiration for different ways to pray in the home by downloading Tom McGrath’s suggestions—in English or in Spanish.
Caring for the Environment—A Family Faith-Sharing Guide
Celebrate the beauty of God’s creation while learning what the Church says about caring for the environment.
Summer Prayer Placemat
Pause to thank God for the gifts of the season with a summer prayer placemat that invites children to compose a prayer of thanks in a fun fill-in style.
Pop-Up Catechesis: “I’ll Light a Candle for You”
Explore intercessory prayer with Pop-Up Catechesis host Joe Paprocki.
Praying the Daily Examen
Find multiply resources for the Examen, the defining Ignatian prayer.
40 Ways to Foster Prayer in Your Home
Find inspiration for different ways to pray in the home by downloading Tom McGrath’s suggestions, in English or in Spanish.
Pop-Up Catechesis: Teaching Traditional Prayers
Consider how to pass on traditional prayers to children.
Summer Movie Nights
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Parents Magazine has ideas to help you plan a backyard movie night.
The Spruce offers 15 cute and cozy backyard movie night ideas. Find directions for making your own outdoor screen HERE and HERE. Click here to be directed to our movies page. |
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Adults can do At-Home VBS!Adults like the bible during summer, too! CLICK HERE for a free download from Sadlier Religion for a self-directed Scripture Mini Course for adults, Catholics and the Bible.
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Take time to rest and reflectIs how you feel on vacation telling you something about the rest of your life?
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Help Parishioners
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On the seventh day God completed the work he had been doing; he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation. (Genesis 2: 2-3)
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Stay ConnectedCLICK HERE for "9 Ways for Churches to Stay Connected with Parishioners" from Building Faith.
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Evaluate Your Catechetical YearCLICK HERE for great advice from Kathy Hendricks on how to evaluate programs, people, and yourself at the end of a catechetical year. From Sadlier Religion Blog.
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Recruit Catechists Now!CLICK HERE for a few brief but great tips from Catechist magazine for recruiting catechists.
CLICK HERE for staying positive and not getting desperate while inviting people into catechetical ministry (from Catechist's Journey). CLICK HERE for a Loyola Press helpful article that begins, "Among the most crucial tasks of any catechetical leader are the recruitment and retention of good catechists...." |
Go on a MissionCLICK HERE for tips and a webinar "From Trip to Experience: Creating Short Term Missions" from Building Faith.
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CLICK HERE for the "Service and Justice with Teens" page from the Diocese of Youngstown's former Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. (Archived resources)
