Saint Joseph's Altar

Our 2022 St Joseph's Altar - simple

 As I write this, we are entering the 4th week of Lent and this week includes the feasts of Saint Patrick (3/17) and Saint Joseph (3/19). Holy week is really only days away and approaching too quickly. I haven't done as much as in years past, but there are those family favorites that I pull out every Lent. When it comes to baking, that will be the Saint Joseph's Bread and Holy Thursday's Unleavened Bread recipes. (printable below) Just the mention of it brings the memory to my lips.

The Italians' tradition for St Joseph is to create a 3 level altar, which has a statue or portrait of St Joseph on top, with candles and flowers - especially lilies. Then the next level has many shaped breads and decorative treats. That might be Sfinge di San Giuseppe (Cream Puffs of St. Joseph), breads shaped into symbols, roll wrapped Dyed Eggs called Pupa Cu L'ova to remember Easter is near, and fig pastries that represent the fig orchards of Sicily.  The lower level has food for meals, divided up for families to eat and/or donate, which typically includes 12 fish to represent the Apostles. There is a lot of examples and details of meaning to be found online, so I'll leave that info to the pros.

Our First (makeshift) St Joseph's Altar in 2020 - working with what I had.

There is a lot of planning and baking that goes into this for the Italians that really get into it. However, for our family it looks much simpler. We will have our St Joseph statue in a prominent place. We will celebrate with a hearty soup, with St Joseph's Sawdust Bread and a rich butter spread. The adults can have wine, and sparkling cider for the children. We'll pray a >Prayer to St Joseph that we will color< earlier in the day. For dessert we might have cream puffs with chocolate drizzle while we watch another episode of The Chosen series. It is also a day we intend to make a donation to the food shelf.

Certainly take a look at Cooking with Nonna's website for more ideas for Italian recipes just for St Joseph's day.

 I hope you enjoy this idea for Living Liturgically with Saint Joseph on March 19th, and maybe even enjoyed the bread. God bless you and your journey.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Honoring Saint Joseph - Triptych

This year our family is honoring Saint Joseph in March by coloring these triptychs or paper shrines with a variety of prayers asking for his intercession. We've put them around the house to pray as we come by them. Especially on his feast day, March 19th. Here I'll show you what we made, what prayers we chose, and give you a link to a free file to print at the end of this post.

The Litany to Saint Joseph has helped us to realize that he wasn't just a good dad to Jesus, but that he is an admirable role model and protector of the church. 

Saint Joseph of the Holy Family, pray for us. Even our play areas have faith integrated.

It's good for our family to be aware that we are surrounded by Saints who care about us, even though we can't see them. I hope they'll look up from their lessons and pray awhile.

How often do we contemplate the loving arms of St Joseph wrapped around baby Jesus, calmed by his steady heartbeat, feeling completely safe and comforted. Saint Joseph emanated the love of God the Father to Jesus throughout his life. It is our hope as parents we do the same for our children.

Saint Joseph the Worker, help me to complete my daily tasks out of love for God and the people He has put in my care. Real life happens, ordinary tasks need doing, and that's a big part of the mission God has given us - to do the ordinary things with great love.

PRAYERS INCLUDED

Ad Te, Beate Joseph

Litany of Saint Joseph

St Joseph, Protector of the Universal Church

Memorare of St Joseph

Bless Me St Joseph

Assist Me St Joseph

Saint Joseph Novena

Prayer to St Joseph the Worker

 

I currently do not have a variety of Saint Joseph coloring pages created by myself to share. Because of copyrights, I cannot have other people's images on my creation for you. So my recommendation is to print out your favorite coloring pages or images from online, or out of a Catholic sales magazine and paste them onto the template I have made with all the prayers in this triptych style page. I was able to include at least 3, the one below being something I drew! At least this will get you a head start on the project.

{CLICK HERE} for the St Joseph Shrine 

(Google Drive) file to print.

 © 2022 Homegrown Catholics

Saint Patricks Day Activities

I am having so much fun searching for ideas for our Saint Patrick's Day Celebration in March. I'm sure many of you have already thought of the typical dress in green, eat Lucky Charms and read a book, BUT take a minute and see if any of these ideas inspire you to make it a day of faith filled learning and fun like never before!

*Hover over words to find links for most everything posted here. 

*Link to my Pinterest Board: Spring and Irish Fun

GATHERING
Consider having Celtic music in the background. A specific song you might have is "Christ Before Me" by Margaret Becker.


OPENING PRAYER:

May the Strength of God guide us. 

May the Power of God preserve us. 

May the Wisdom of God instruct us. 

May the Hand of God protect us. 

May the Way of God direct us. 

May the Shield of God defend us. 

May the Angels of God guard us. 

- Against the snares of the evil one. 

May Christ be with us! 

May Christ be before us! 

May Christ be in us, 

Christ be over all! 

May Thy Grace, Lord, 

Always be ours, 

This day, O Lord, and forevermore. Amen.

*St. Patrick's Prayers make for great Copywork!

READING

*Choose a Book about St. Patrick and/or Irish Saints from your collection or local library.

St. Patrick's Summer: A Children's Catechism by Marigold Hunt
Patrick Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie DePaola
The Story of St. Patrick by James A Janda
The Story of Saint Patrick's Day by Patricia A Pingry
The Life of St. Brigid, Abbess of Kildare by Jane G Meyer
Brigid's Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story by Bryce Milligan
The Secret of the Shamrock (Chime Travelers Series) by Lisa M Hendey
The Last Monks of Skellig Michael: The Fascinating Real-Life History Behind Luke Skywalker's Island by Philip Kosloski 

OPTIONAL MOVIES
*Irish Catholic Movies @ Catholic Video.com
St. Patrick the Irish Legend
Patrick - Brave Shepherd of the Emerald Isle
The Secret of the Kells
Veggie Tales: Story of Saint Patrick
The History of Saint Patrick - A Short Story
The Secret of Roan Inish

CELEBRATING IRELAND

Making Lapbooks

The Homeschool Post: Irish resources  for lapbooks and other activities!
Teacher's Resources about Ireland

****DONT FORGET A GROUP PHOTO!****

GAMES

Cleaning Treasure Hunt @ Home: Hide gold coins amongst the messes in your home. Ask your kids to find the coins by cleaning up, and trade in their coins for a special treat! This teaches works of mercy for eternal treasures.  We used plastic gold coins. Chocolate coin treat in snack suggestions would work for this!

Pin the Shamrock on St. Patrick - from Under Her Starry Mantle Blog

Setup a Rainbow area for your preschoolers.

 

We not only hid shamrocks around the house, but put them on our windows for people walking by to find!

If you're lucky enough to have Spring weather, you could hunt for shamrocks and clovers!

Saint Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt - from My Very Educated Mother

March Saints and Feast Days Word Search - from CatholicPrintablesOnline.com

CRAFTS
*Link to my Pinterest Board: Spring and Irish Fun

Breastplate of St Patrick: Found at Sweet Little Ones Blog

Shamrock and Rainbow Bookmark w plastic canvas and yarn - by me!

Shamrock Magnet w  plastic canvas & yarn
Shamrock Pin w plastic canvas & yarn
Irish Cross w plastic canvas & yarn
Shamrock Coaster, crocheted

Shamrock Lacing - from Catholic Icing
Felt Saint Patrick Doll - inspiration from Saintly Silver
Holy Trinity Puzzle - from Homegrown Catholics
Saint Patrick Puppet - from Catholic Icing
Color Saint Patrick - from Wee Little Miracles

 

Draw on paper towels with markers, and add drops of water for it to blend together!

SNACKS/MEAL
We usually eat green, rainbow and Irish things in this feast day.  Green pancakes,  sausage *Patties*, Basil Pesto Noodles,  Irish Soda Bread,  and the ideas below. 

Saint Patrick's Gold Coins - from Catholic Cuisine

Irish Kisses (also a matching activity - from Studio DIY)

Gummy Snakes (or Edible Mud w gummy worms)

Rainbow Gelatin - from The Michalek Kitchen

Shamrock Cucumber Sandwiches - from Will Cook for Smiles

Cucumber Slices -Shamrock Platter with dip - from Brit+Co

ALSO CONSIDER: Irish Soda Bread, Corned Beef & Cabbage (on Rye), Irish (Lamb) Stew, Bangers and Mash, Shepherds Pie, Frozen Green Grapes, Avocado or Pistachio Pudding, Spinach & Artichoke Dip w chips veggies or bread, or a Green Smoothie!

MORE

The Feast of St. Brigid is Feb 1st, but she is the Patroness of Ireland, my Confirmation saint and our homeschool saint, so I encourage you to learn more about her as well! [St. Brigid's Academy Blog = now Homegrown Catholics]

OLD POST: 2013 St. Patrick and the Holy Trinity
OLD POST: 2011 Happy St. Patrick's Day @ Homegrown Catholics

Paper Dolls

Mikayla (age 7) and I (age 30) spent hours clipping words, colors and people from magazines for various projects. Tom just smiled at me as I clipped away.



One fun thing we came upon was these ladies that were perfect for free paper dolls. Even though the arms and clothes aren’t positioned ideally, she is having a blast! I guess this is a “green” project. :) I’ll post our other projects soon.

Here are some Paper Doll printables I’ve found online.
Paper Girl from Wee Wonderfuls
Princess Tiana from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog
More Disney Paper Princesses and characters
Paper Doll Land
Betsy McCall Paper Dolls - using fashion from each year of sewing patterns!
More Betsy McCall dolls

 

My girls really enjoy playing with their American Girl paper dolls they got in their McDonald’s Happy Meals awhile back. One of my favorite McD toys for girls thus far. American Girl has a virtual paper doll online, which you can print out when you are done. You can click here to print out a few more of these girls by another artist.

Here are some Football players for the boys!
As well as Caillou and Rosie dolls for younger boys.

Here are some beautiful Paper Doll Saints to purchase
– we have St. Therese.

I am simply amazed at what I was able to find online. Just type in “Paper Doll Printables” in any search engine.

Enjoy!