Free printable Shrove Tuesday activities to prepare for Ash Wednesday and Lenten season

Mardi Gras--also called Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day and Shrove Tuesday--anticipates Ash Wednesday and Lent in the Catholic, Orthodox and some protestant Christian churches. These observances count down to holy week and the Easter Triduum. Shrove Tuesday falls at a different day each year with the movable Easter feast. In 2015, it's Tuesday, Feb. 17. Although the term Mardi Gras is used synonymously with the Carnivale ("farewell to the flesh") celebration, it's actually one day. Here are activities children can do to learn more about Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent.

Pray, fast and give alms. Print the calendar at the left to organize your lenten practices. Mardi Gras is the last day of ordinary time before Lent, the 40-day spiritual pilgrimage that follows Christ on his journey through the desert where he was tempted by Satan. As Jesus fasted, Catholics are called to imitate. Fasting means giving up self-centered practices and practicing selfless acts. The principal virtues of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving (donating to those in need). At Ash Wednesday mass, the first religious event of Lent, the faithful are marked with ashes and told to "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."

http://www.thereligionteacher.com/lent-project-and-lesson-plan-ideas/

Confess sins. For Catholics, Mardi Gras is more than just a day to party before the fasting begins. The traditional name "Shrove Tuesday" more accurately reflects the purpose of Mardi Gras. To be shriven means to be purged of sin and purified by acts of confession and reconciliation in the Sacrament of penance. On Shrove Tuesday, Catholics go to confession, pray, repent and attend prayer services.
Explore with printable Lent lesson plans. Operation Rice Bowl has free Lenten printables.

http://www.crsricebowl.org/

Catholic Mom offers free printable Lent worksheets, puzzles, coloring pages, crafts, games and activities. Children can color Bible pictures, read from the Gospels, follow mass readings, pray the rosary and other Catholic prayers. Printables help reinforce lessons.

http://catholicmom.com/kids/lenten-activities-for-children/

Enjoy Pancake Day. Traditionally, during Lent, people abstain from eating meat, sugar, sweets, oil, butter and fats (hence the term "Fat Tuesday"). To use up these ingredients so they would not be in the home during Lent (and hence a temptation), Catholics made pancakes. That's why it's called Pancake Day.

Abstain from bad, practice good.
Giving up things (fasting) is a spiritual exercise. Catholics fast from
meat on Fridays (in remembrance of the death of Jesus). Many give up chocolate or other sweets. Fasting is particularly healthy for everyone, not just Catholics. It purges the body and soul. Fasting helps the mind focus on spiritual things. Lenten fasting resembles the dietary laws of other religions, notably Kashrut (kosher) Jewish laws, Buddhist and Muslim Ramadan fasting practices. But it's not just about giving up bad habits. It's about learning new healthier ones. So encourage children to give up something they like (candy) and work on improving a behavior--manners, tidiness, getting along.

Free printable Passover kids crafts, Jewish activities on Hebrew Pesach holidays

 Passover or Pesach, is a high celebration in the Jewish Hebrew calendar. Passover is an eight-day holiday, beginning with two days of no work, four days of limited work and ending with two days of no work. The Passover celebration includes several Seder meals, with roast lamb, bitter herbs and matzo bread. Passover, or Pesach commemorates the passing over of the angel of death during the ten plagues of Egypt. God punished the Egyptians for the enslavement of the Hebrews. First born male infants were to die unless the blood of a lamb was put on the lintels and door posts. Passover, or Pesach, is part of Christian calendar as well; it was at the Passover meal that Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist or communion.  Free printable Passover kids crafts, Jewish activities on Hebrew Pesach holidays | Examiner.com

Free printable Catholic liturgical calendars with 2016 holidays and holy days

Liturgical calendars guide the Catholic and Orthodox Christian church year. They show when holidays, holy days, saints' feast days, movable feasts and seasons occur. Parents and teachers can use them plan devotions and activities, Homeschool families can follow the calendar at home. Here are free printable Catholic liturgical calendars and church season activities.   Free printable Catholic liturgical calendars with 2016 holidays and holy days | Examiner.com

Free Catholic Bible printables, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week coloring pages

Catholics celebrate several special religious days, referred to as holy days of obligation. These days center around a Bible event in the life of Jesus or His Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary. Holy Days are All Saints Day (Nov. 1), Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), Christmas (preceded by the holy season of Advent), Solemnity of Mary (Jan 1), Ash Wednesday (movable feast which kicks of the holy season of Lent and leads up to Easter), Ascension Thursday (movable feast) and the Assumption of Mary (August 15). Here are free printable Catholic coloring pages featuring Bible stories. prayer, sacraments, mass, Gospel, saints, Lent, Advent, holidays and holy days, life of Jesus, Catholic saints' feast days, rosary and stations of the cross.Free Catholic Bible printables, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week coloring pages | Examiner.com

   

Saint Patrick printables, free printable Catholic St. Patrick's Day crafts

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17. Many people think the holiday is about green beer, shamrocks and leprechauns. But that 's just commercial hype. And the feasting and partying is verboten in a Catholic Lenten fast. The real Saint Patrick was a Catholic Roman Britain taken as a slave by Irish raiders. Patrick later returned as a missionary to convert Druidic Ireland. Here are St. Patrick's Day lesson plans, crafts and activities to explore the saint behind the legend and the religious beyond the secular, perfect for Lent lesson plans. Saint Patrick printables, free printable Catholic St. Patrick's Day crafts

Free printable Catholic St. Valentine activities, Valentine's Day lesson plans

The story of St. Valentine has nothing to do with Valentine's Day as we celebrate it on Feb. 14. Except in one way (we'll get to that). It has nothing in common with romance as we know it. But Valentine's story is spiritually romantic. Valentinius was a Roman Christian priest. In those days, this was not popular. In fact, it was downright illegal.  So here are Free printable Catholic St. Valentine lesson plans, Valentine's Day worksheets so you know the real story.

Free Printable Palm Sunday Lessons, Bible Crafts, Coloring, Activities

Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians commemorate Palm Sunday as the Biblical triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem one week before His crucifixion. It starts out Holy Week and the countdown to Easter. Palm Sunday is a floating holiday; linked as it is to Lent and Easter which fall at a different time each year. In  2014, it's Sunday, April 13 and Easter is April 20. Here are crafts, coloring and activities for parents to use with children. Use as lessons in homeschool, Christian school, Sunday school or Catholic religious education. These printables provide inexpensive, hands-on ways to explore and celebrate the Palm Sunday.  Free Printable Palm Sunday Crafts, Coloring, Activities

Catholic Saint Valentine Lesson Plans and Activities

The story of St. Valentine has nothing to do with flowers and candy. It has nothing in common with romance as we know it. But Valentine's story is spiritually romantic. Valentinius was a Roman Christian priest. In those days, this was not popular. In fact, it was illegal.

Then Emperor Claudius II decided he'd make marriage illegal too--so men would give up women go fight his battles. Not exactly an even quid pro quo. Valentine understood human nature better and performed underground marriages to keep people from burning in lust. And was jailed for his pains. Here are lessons and activities to celebrate the real Valentine.  Catholic Saint Valentine Lesson Plans, Activities

Printable Feast of the Immaculate Conception Lesson Plans and Crafts

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception falls on Dec. 8 or 9. It's one of the Catholic Church's six recognized Holy Days of Obligation in the liturgical calendar. For 2013, it's not an obligatory day, but here are Free Printable Feast of the Immaculate Conception Activities: Lessons and Crafts

Free Printable Jewish Calendars, Hebrew Gregorian Calendar Converters

Calendars help us mark time, but not everyone follows the same calendar. The Jewish calendar dates time differently than the western Gregorian calendar. Here are free printable Jewish calendars and calendar converters. Calendars are marked with Jewish holy days. You can print monthly calendars for each month of the Jewish year. You can also print calendars cross-referenced with the western Gregorian calendar. Jewish holy days correspond to many Christian Catholic feasts.   Free Printable Jewish Calendars and Hebrew Gregorian Calendar Converters

Free Printable Lent Activities, Calendars, Worksheets

 One way that has always helped our family in our Lenten practices is the Catholic Relief Services lenten calendar. Each day is marked with a scripture verse and a prayer intention. Each week is devoted to a different country in great need in our world church. Listed on the calendar is information about the country, culture and people and a simple recipe from that country.  Free Printable Lent Activities

Free Printable Lent Activities from Operation Rice Bowl

For Catholics and Orthodox Christians, Ash Wednesday begins the season known as Lent. Lent is a penitential liturgical season of the church calendar. As we prepare for Christmas during Advent, in Lent, we prepare for Easter. With prayer, fasting and almsgiving (the three penitential virtues), we ready our minds and hearts for the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. With the imposition of the ashes, we are reminded--"turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel." We think of ways to follow this admonition by practicing spiritual virtues.

Many people confuse the purpose of lent; they talk about what they or someone else is "giving up for Lent." There is the practice of fasting, but it's not just about giving up. Sometimes fasting means doing rather than not doing something. We always taught our children that while we may fast or give up meat, sweets, candy or pop as a physical fast, it's important to think of spiritual ways to fast. One of my besetting sins is selfishness. So at Lent, I try to make a better effort not just to 'give up' selfishness, but also to be more selfless. Do I succeed? Yes and no. But we don't call them lenten practices for nothing. We are practicing prayer, fasting and sacrifice.  Here are activities to help. Free Lenten Printables

Bible Almsgiving Activity for Lent

In the gospel, Jesus tells a story about a man who gave each of his servants a certain number of talents (money in those days). Catholic teachers, parents, homeschool families--use this parable in your lent devotions with an easy almsgiving activity. Here's the conclusion of the parable plus lesson plans to accompany.

In the Bible story, the master instructed his servants to find ways to make the investments he gave them grow. He wanted to see how his servants would use the money. He gave out sums of 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000 based upon his trust in each servant. The servants who were given the larger amounts each doubled theirs, but the third servant hid the money in the ground because he was angry with his master. The master was pleased with the first two and gave over to them all the money they had made. The master took the third servant's sum away and rebuked him for his vengeful spirit. The 1,000 was given to the other servants. Read  more Bible Almsgiving Activities for Lent

Vegetarian Tuna and Fish Recipes for Lent

This Lenten season, my husband and I are working toward a vegetarian diet. Some vegetarians do not eat fish; we are eating fish, but trying to avoid eggs and eat less dairy. Here are Lenten tuna recipes. Tuna is loaded with protein and Omega-3 oils and low-fat. Unfortunately, tuna also earns a great deal of frowns from fish haters. In these recipes, we concentrate on preparing delicious tuna recipes that will appeal to everyone. One of the biggest complaints leveled at tuna, is that it tastes and smells so 'fishy'. The best way to avoid the fishier smelling canned tuna is to choose 'solid white albacore' tuna packed in water. This style of tuna is slightly more expensive than chunk light, but it's nutritionally better and doesn't smell like cat food. Read more at The Lenten Kitchen: Vegetarian Tuna Recipes

Free Printable Stations of the Cross Lenten Coloring Pages and Devotional Booklet

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday of the Catholic liturgical calendar and continues for 40 days up to Easter. We try to imitate Jesus with prayer, fasting and alms-giving. Here are free printable Stations of the Cross coloring pages to guide lent devotions. Each year during Lent when our family was homeschooling, we drew images, one for each of the Station of the Cross, to use as a guide for prayer and devotion. We hung them at different places in our home or yard. The children would begin each Friday in Lent by following the Stations of the Cross. The older children drew images for the each of the Stations of the Cross, but for younger children I used the Fr. Lovasik coloring book. Here is are several sets of free printable Stations of the Cross. Print a booklet for CCD and religious education classes, Catholic school, homeschooling and family devotions. Read more at Stations of the Cross Prayer Coloring Book Printables

Catholic Stand-Up Easter Lamb Cake and Centerpiece Recipe

Catholic Stand-Up Easter Lamb Cake and Centerpiece Recipe As a German Catholic homeschool family, Easter is about the Paschal Lamb of God, and His passion, death and Resurrection. Lent takes us to the Easter celebration. Here is an Easter lamb cake and centerpiece recipe. Several years ago, our youngest son's Croatian godmother brought us an Easter Lamb of God cake, made using the Wilton Stand Up Lamb Cake Pan set. This lucious cream cheese pound cake is perfect for Easter morning brunch. I've name it Osterlamm Gottes which is German for "Easter Lamb of God." Read on

Free Printable Bible Craft Activities

Do you want activities for Sunday School, homeschool, VBS or CCD that involve more than coloring? Here are free printable hands-on crafts. Children get to cut, assemble, paste, color and fold puppets, paper dolls and other crafts. Read more

Lenten Candle Holder Craft for Catholic Families

We are a Catholic family that homeschooled our four children for ten years. In my ongoing quest to bring religious truths home to my family and myself and to make learning experiences more meaningful and permanent, I avidly collected any and all devotional craft projects. My goal was not just to find coloring or paper craft but real 3-D materials that would take our understanding of faith deeper. Here's a lenten candle holder craft to make for Ash Wednesday on your family altar. Read more

Free Printable Lenten Devotion Activities for Operation Rice Bowl

Catholic Relief Services is the single largest non-governmental relief agency in the world. Each year at Lent CRS initiates what is called 'Operation Rice Bowl'. Operation Rice Bowl is a program which focuses our attention on the cardinal aims of the Lenten season: prayer, fasting and alms-giving. Here are activities to use your Lenten Rice Bowl. Read more

Catholic Seasons and Feast Days: Lent

The word 'holiday' takes its origin from the term 'holy day'. Different faiths have various 'holy days' and seasons. In Catholicism, holy days also referred to as 'feast days', are organized around the liturgical calendar. Here's an explanation of Catholic seasons and feast days. Read more