Helping our children grow in their faith. December 2019 Academy of Our Lady of Grace Rev. Peter Sticco, Pastor Filomena D'Amico, Principal Have a peaceful Advent Do you wish for an idyllic family the heart. For example, give a coupon Christmas complete with joyful music, for a household chore to someone grateful children, and tinsel-covered who would appreciate an extra hand. St. Maria di Rosa tree? For many parents, the weeks of Handmade ornaments make Advent before Christmas mean weeks meaningful gifts that last. Born into a wealthy spent shopping, Soothe the beast. family in , wrapping, and Beautiful music Italy, Paula spent spending, and can set a her time, talents, are wrought soothing tone and resources to with family for the help others. She tensions, season. Play left school to obligations, your favorite help her father and overly hymns and with the mill. excited carols to keep a She helped her run a children. Try peaceful tone in school for deaf and mute girls and these steps to your home. cared for those suffering from the keep your sanity Reach out. Want to cholera epidemic of 1836. She and your Savior in your family’s help children focus on founded the Handmaids of Charity observance of Advent and Christmas: something other than their gift lists? in 1840—a religious order which Be realistic. It isn’t the goal of the Do at least one good deed for cared for the sick. Upon entering, season to make everyone happy. If you someone needy. she took the name Sr. Maria don’t overspend and over extend Seek the eternal. Jesus gives us Crucixa. before Christmas, you’ll be in a better peace, purpose, and perspective. The rst Christmas gift frame of mind when it arrives. Spend time with Jesus each day of Tie gifts with heartstrings. It’s okay Advent and Christmas to remember Find something shiny or yellow to give fewer gifts and to keep what what is most important about that reminds you of gold. Use you give simple, meaningful, and from Christmas. something fragrant (like an air freshener) to represent frankincense. Pour a small amount of oil into a small container to represent myrrh. Put Why do Catholics display these three gifts in a poinsettias at Christmas? box, label the present with Jesus’ name, and Originally from Central girl wanted to give something to open it rst on America, poinsettias were used the Christ child. Having Christmas Day. by early Christians to teach nothing, she arranged the faith. The bright red weeds into a bouquet “Glory to God in the leaves recalled Christ’s and left them before the highest and on earth blood which was manger. They grew peace to those on shed for us, while beautiful red owers, whom his favor rests” their arrangement evoked showing that she had (Luke 2:14) . the Star of Bethlehem. In given the best gift of all: one legend, a poor Mexican genuine love.

© Copyright 2019 Success Publishing & Media, LLC December 2019 Page 2 Celebrate a warm and wonderful Christmas Telling stories, making music, demonstrating favorite carols or hymns and create dances to go along gratitude, and sharing our love and faith with one with them. another, are warm and wonderful ways to celebrate Count blessings. Each day during Advent, nd a the joy of bringing God into the human world picture of something for which each person is each Christmas season. Consider these ideas: grateful and put it up in a prominent place in Tell stories. The rst and second chapter your home. These are visible reminders of in Luke’s Gospel tell the most remarkable God’s love. true story of God coming to live among Make it last. The Catholic Christmas us. Read a little each night together, season lasts from the vigil Mass on and try to imagine you were there. Christmas Eve until the of Our Lord Make music. The word “carol” means on January 12. Leave your tree up the an old round dance with singing. Sing your entire time and celebrate with gusto!

Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23, God protects those who trust him.

Nativity scenes usually show Mary there for several years without and Joseph calmly kneeling at Jesus’ family or friends. When she was nine years old, Kara crib surrounded by adoring The had a asked the question many parents shepherds and wise men. share of pain and dread. “Is there really a Santa Claus?” It’s a peaceful scene and dif culties much like Without hesitation, probably pretty far from our own experience. Yet I told her, “yes.” reality. Scripture tells us that I grew up in a Mary and Joseph Mary and Joseph found large family traveled in the last stages strength from their faith in and my of her pregnancy from God and were guided by his parents often Nazareth to Bethlehem. Word. We can do the same. lacked money On foot or donkey, it What can a parent do? Tell your for gifts at was a dirty, exhausting journey. children that Jesus’ birth and the Christmas. Yet, Once there, there was nowhere to stay Holy Family’s escape to Egypt is thanks to “Santa except a stable with animals because all further proof that God always Claus,” we never went a Christmas the good inns were full. After a short keeps his promises. When we lean without a stocking to open or a gift time, they had to ee to Egypt with a on him, God will always lead us to under the tree. newborn to escape danger, and stayed safety. I admitted that I have never met Santa Claus and I don’t know if our gifts were really delivered by a chubby bishop and teacher, and was man in a red suit. devoted to care of the poor in Still, I believe he exists in the Milan. He guarded the Church generosity and kindness of others. against the Arians, who denied Santa provides an opportunity for Dec. 1 – First Sunday in Advent. Jesus’ divinity. people to humbly reach out to others During this season, we anticipate Dec. 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe in his name. So whether we call this Christ’s birth and his coming on the (1531). The Blessed Mother appeared spirit, “Santa” or “St. Nicholas,” at the last day. Catholics everywhere light as a Native American maiden to St. core, it is a love for Christ and the joy candles in an Advent wreath to signal Juan Diego. She of celebrating his birth that brings out the coming of the light of Christ. asked that the the best in people. Dec. 1 – St. Edmund Campion bishop of Mexico (1581). As a young man, St. Edmund build a chapel for studied theology in France then her, and had him became a Jesuit missionary. He carry roses as a To help parents raise faithful Catholic children Success Publishing & Media, LLC returned to England to preach but was sign. When the Publishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™ betrayed and arrested. He was roses were emptied (540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax martyred at Tyburn. from his tilma it http://www.partnersinfaith.com (Unless noted Bible quotes and references are from Dec. 7 – St. Ambrose (397). St. retained the image of the Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible.) Ambrose was an effective pastor, the Blessed Mother. © Copyright 2019 Success Publishing & Media, LLC