January 2010

January 1 – New Years Day, Holy Day Octave of Christmas, World Day of Prayer for Peace – May we maintain the spirit of Christ’s coming and pray for world-wide peace as we begin 2010.

January 3 – The Epiphany of the Lord – Like the three kings, we can also find direction, purpose and reward in seeking a relationship with Christ.

January 10 – National Cut Your Energy Costs Day – Stewardship reflects responsible and careful use of environmental resources.

January 15 – Humanitarian Day – We all can promote human welfare through caring words/acts of serving outreach.

January 16 – Religious Freedom Day – freedom to practice religion is a treasure. reflect gratitude for this opportunity, and pray for those desiring the same freedom.

January 18 – Martin Luther King Day – Honoring one man’s efforts, we see that each person can have an impact on the world. Consider how you are influencing life and history.

January 22 – Celebration of Life Day (Roe vs. Wade Day)
– This is a day to celebrate life and to pray against violations to the dignity of the human person.

January 24 – National Compliment Day – find ways to honor others with respectful, kind and caring compliments. Practice making kind compliments each day.

December 2009 - Taken from Raising Faith Filled Kids by Tom Mc Grath

Making more out of Advent:  Get an Advent wreath, light candles in order, and sing a hymn at dinner every night.  Get an Advent Calendar so that your children can focus on the preparation for Jesus' coming during the days before Christmas.  The opening of one door a day builds anticipation and the sense that life is a search for mystery and that, in the words of author Mary Jo Pedersen, 'there's more to life than meets the eye."

Put your children in charge of the manger scene.  If they bicker over this, buy one for each child.  Scholars say that St. Francis of Assisi reevangelized Europe with the introduction of the manger scene as a whorship aid and teaching too.  It can work on your children too.

Give each child a great send off.  Make it a family habit to bless your children in their comings and goings.  This is a ritual in most Hispanic homes.  A quick tracing of the sign of the cross on the forehead as your child leaves for school or for play conveys your deepest hopes that he or she will remain safely in the sight of God all day.

 November 2009

November 2nd – All Souls Day and End of Daylight Savings – Pray for the deceased souls of all times. Enjoy an extra hour of clock / sleep time. Value God’s gift of time.

 November 3rd  Elections – Voting is a right and privilege of citizenship. It deserves careful and considerate reflection and decision. Be grateful for the democracy and freedom that enables voting opportunities.

November 8th – National Parents as Teachers Day – The Church recognizes parents as the primary teachers of children. Parents teach in varied ways – through attitude, modeled example, mentoring, educational efforts and demonstrations of courtesy/ respect/ manners.

November 11th – Veterans Day – The day focuses on thanking and honoring ALL those who serve(d) honorably in war or peacetime. Reach out to military families to show appreciation for their willingness and sacrifices in serving our nation. Seek special opportunities and means to express gratitude.

November 22nd – National Family Volunteer Day – Look for ways family time, talents and gifts can be shared to help others. Unite the family in work together as volunteers in the church, community, nation.

November 25th – Thanksgiving Day – This traditional North American holiday was first shared as a celebration of the Pilgrims and Native Americans to express gratitude [to God] for the blessings and bounty of the harvest season. Count the many blessings that you and your family have received. Reflect gratitude to God. Celebrate with others. Share your abundance.

October 2009

 2nd:  The Feast of the Guardian Angels - Serve as a guardian to others by guiding conscience, moral decision and good choices through your faith, modeled example and mentoring.

5th:  Respect Life Sunday - Life, from birth to death, is a gift from God.  As stewards of life, we are to be responsible for respecting, protecting, preserving and cherishing life at all ages and stages.  Many areas sponsor special events to celebrate the day.

6th:  Child Health Day - This is a great day to review health records of children for up-to-date check-ups and immunizations.  Protection and prevention support good health.

12th:  National Children's Day and Farmer's Day - Both provide hope for the future of our world.  Special time spent with children can nurture interests, talents and abilities for discovery and development.  Have fun sharing time together.   Gratefully remember farmers each day in mealtime prayer for their dedication and sacrifices in providing food for our tables.  Make a special effort to take a food supply to a local food pantry.

13th:  Columbus Day - This commemorates Columbus' discovery of the West Indies.  What discoveries have you made about yourself - in talents, using abilities, or by pursuing varied interests?  Seek ways to apply these God-given gifts in daily living.

16th:  World Food Day - Much of the world population is hungry each day.  Consider how you might be able to contribute and serve in feeding and relieving hunger pains of others.  Buy and contribute extra food, send a contribution to a food relief charity, volunteer time serving at a food kitchen or packing food for distribution.  Consider working for Meals on Wheels.

19th:  World Mission Sunday - Celebrated in all local churches, this feast celebrates universal solidarity for Christians around the world to recognize their common responsibility with regard to evangelization of the world.  Shared support serves this world-wide evangelization ministry effort.  Saint Patrick's Children's Collection envelopes go to support the World Missions.

26th:  Priesthood Sunday - Honor and celebrate the vocation, commitment and dedication of priests to ministry service.  Show appreciation to priests for serving their ministry vocation in your parish/diocese.

31st:  Hallowed Eve (Halloween) - Review and share the history of this church feast.  Spend time evaluating how you live to reflect saint-like stewardship.

Written by Suzanne Erpenbach, Stewardship Director, Diocese of Knoxville in Tennessee