Blessed John of Fiesole (Feast Day February 18)

1387 – February 18, 1455

This patron of Christian artists was born around 1400 in a village overlooking Florence, Italy. He took up painting as a young boy and studied under the watchful eye of a local painting master. He joined the Dominicans at about age 20, taking the name Fra Giovanni. He eventually came to be known as Fra Angelico. His most famous works include the Annunciation and Descent from the Cross and many frescoes in the monastery of San Marco in Florence. He also served in leadership positions within the Dominican Order. At one point, Pope Eugenius approached him about serving as archbishop of Florence. Fra Angelico declined, preferring a simpler life.

·      One of the teachings in today’s Gospel has to do with anger. Jesus is not saying that the emotion of anger is sinful. He is saying that anger is dangerous and to be careful! Why do you think we need to be careful when we are angry? How could anger get us into trouble?

·      Can anger ever be good?

·      Today’s Gospel also talks about swearing. Why is swearing bad?

·      This week’s featured saint was an artist. He used his artistic ability to glorify God. Have you ever created something that honored or glorified God (i.e., painting, drawing, poetry, music, craft, woodwork, cooking)? Share about what you created.

Art-Themed Activity

·      Plan a trip to a local art museum or a local art gallery. See if there are any pieces attributed to our featured saint of the week (Fra Angelico). Encourage the kids to bring their colored pencils and a sketch pad, and encourage them to try to sketch at least one piece of art.

·      Get some families together and schedule a Family Painting with a Twist at a local paint venue or have your own family paint night at home using a YouTube video and your own art supplies.

·      Search the Internet for an image of Fra Angelico’s Annunciation. Enlarge the image so that everyone can see the details. Try to figure out the story that is being told in the painting.

Roasted, Orange-Glazed Chicken

If we follow Jesus’ teaching in today’s Gospel, it will surely make us sweet! Try this sweet and tasty chicken recipe today!

Whole Chicken, cleaned

½ jar orange marmalade

3 Tbsp butter

Spices for chicken: garlic salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, fresh rosemary, thyme, or other herbs.

Wash chicken inside and out. Melt marmalade and butter together. Coat inside and outside of chicken with mixture. Sprinkle inside and outside of chicken with spices and herbs. Roast uncovered at 425 F until meat thermometer reads 165 F at thickest part of thigh. Baste every 15 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if chicken begins to burn. Serve with mashed potatoes. Yum!

Prayer for Help with Anger

Heavenly Father, sometimes we are troubled by thoughts and feelings of anger. You know that sometimes we say and do mean things because we’ve been hurt by others. Lord, please heal our hearts and give us your peace so that we can live like Jesus is calling us to live. We ask all this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Find a piece of art in church and study it. It can be a painting, sculpture, or stained-glass window. What is the story that is being conveyed through this work of art?

Today’s Gospel teaches us about anger. Challenge each family member to control anger or angry outbursts this week. Make an effort to talk about angry feelings and find peaceful solutions to problems.

St. Valentine was a widely recognized third-century Roman saint, commemorated in Christianity on February 14. St. Valentine was a bishop who ministered to Christians who were persecuted. Since the High Middle Ages, his feast day has been associated with a tradition of courtly love.