Saint Faustina, Jesus chose you to remind us that our Savior loves and accepts us as we are. You used all your energy to carry out God’s plan for you. Your day-to-day life wasn’t always easy. You were sometimes misunderstood by those who failed to recognize the love of Jesus in your heart. Jesus called the kingdom of heaven a treasure and a pearl of great price. You found that kingdom and that pearl in the Lord himself.Saint Faustina, you preached Jesus’s mercy with your life, ...

In 1916 an angel appeared to three Portuguese children Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco. Jacinta and Francisco were brother and sister and Lucia was their cousin. The angel who said that he was the Angel of Portugal taught them how to pray and make sacrifices to God for sinners. The children said the prayers over and over for the conversion of sinners and to make reparation for sins.On May 13, 1917, while the children were pasturing their sheep at the Cova da Iria, a flash of lightening appeared acr...

Mark lived at the time of Jesus. Although he was not among the original twelve apostles, he was a relative of Saint Barnabas, an apostle. Mark is well-known because he wrote one of the four Gospels. That is why he is called an evangelist, a Gospel writer. Mark’s Gospel is short, but it gives many little details that are not in other Gospels.       While still young, Mark went with the two great saints, Paul and Barnabas, on a missionary journey to bring the teachin...

Dear Friends,Have you ever thought that something sorrowful had happened, but then—surprise!—there was a happy ending?On Easter morning, the third day after my crucifixion, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to my tomb. An angel came and rolled back the stone from the tomb The angel told the women who came to the tomb,"Do not be afraid. Jesus has been raised, as he said." They ran to tell the others this wonderful message.Saint Matthew, one of my apostles, wro...

Dear Friends,It was a beautiful day. You could smell spring everywhere! It was a day my followers would never forget. We were going to the holy city for Passover. Soon my mission would be complete. In my heart I was getting ready to give my final gifts to my close friends. I felt happy to be going to my Father, but very sad to be leaving my friends. The coming week would be unlike any other in the history of the world. I was about to give my life for the salvation of all people.Can I ask yo...

Why do we see eggs in so many Easter decorations? It’s because eggs are a symbol of new life. From a hard, dead-looking egg comes a new baby chick! This reminds us of Jesus’ resurrection from death to new life. You can make this craft to decorate your family’s table or to put somewhere else in your home. Here’s what you need:  • 2 or 3 toilet paper rolls • poster paint (or colored paper and glue or tape)  • scissors  • an Easter candle or a large plain...

Our faith teaches us we are all God's children, created in His image, but we don't always treat others that way! It's not easy to accept and respect the "different" people in our lives – and facing the wider challenges of racism, sexism, and other prejudices in our society can be overwhelming.Kids deal with intolerance, too. Some personally experience bigotry – or their loved ones do. Others observe intolerance on television and in social media or witness it in ...

Dear Friends,Peter, James, and John were such good friends, I wanted to show them something very special about me—so special, they’d never forget it….There, on Mount Tabor, in a flash of light, I was totally transformed. My appearance was so bright, they were nearly blinded. Suddenly my Father’s voice could be heard overhead…. My poor friends were amazed and awestruck. Nothing could have prepared them for this event. Then, in an instant, I was there beside them. I...

The time arrived for Jesus to come down from heaven. God sent the Archangel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth where Mary lived. The glorious Archangel entered Mary’s little house and found her praying.“Hail Mary, full of grace!” said the angel. “The Lord is with you, and you are blessed among women.” Mary was surprised to hear the angel’s words of praise.“Do not be afraid, Mary,” said Gabriel. Then he told her that she was to be the mother of Jesus, ...

The excitement of Advent’s preparation for Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus is hard to replicate in a season of penance. Plans for Christmas parties and gifts and family get-togethers automatically give Advent an exciting flavor that Lent and Easter don’t quite have for children. Though prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are an integral part of Lenten practice, I believe that a family or class can integrate these into their Lenten activities in ways that arouse imagin...