St. Patrick of Ireland (Feast Day March 17)

389 – 461

St. Patrick is one of Ireland's best-known saints. Interestingly, Patrick was actually born in Britain (not Ireland). When he was a boy, he was captured as a slave and sent to Ireland to tend sheep. Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty. He escaped after having a dream from God, who told him to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain, where he was reunited with his family. Patrick became a priest and later a bishop and was sent to Ireland to bring the Good News of Jesus to this land. There, he converted many people -eventually thousands - and began building churches across the country. He often used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity. Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in his memoir, The Confession. After years of living in poverty, traveling, and enduring much suffering, he died on March 17, 461.

·      What does the woman in the Gospel story do after encountering Jesus? What effect does this have on the town in which she lives?

·      The woman testifies to what Jesus does for her. What makes the woman’s message so effective?

·      Is there someone you know who needs to hear about Jesus? In what way can you share your story with him or her?

·      St. Patrick used shamrocks to teach people about the Holy Trinity. What are some things in nature that remind you of God?

Explore your Town

Here are some ideas if you live near a large city:

·      Go to Mass at an old downtown church.

·      Visit a religious shrine or important landmark. Be sure to stop in at the gift shop!

·      Have lunch at a fun downtown restaurant.

Here are some ideas if you live in a rural area:

·      Go to Mass in a neighboring town

·      At Mass, have a conversation with someone from that town and ask if there’s anything special to visit in the area.

·      Have lunch at a local restaurant.

Homemade Irish Soda Bread

St. Patrick’s Day (March 17^th) is just around the corner. Make some Irish Soda Bread to share with friends and family.

4 cups flour

½ cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

8 Tbsp butter, softened

1½ cups raisins

2 eggs

1½ cups buttermilk

2 tsp caraway seeds (optional)

Sift dry ingredients into a medium size bowl. Work in butter with fingers. Add raisins (and caraway seeds if desired). In a separate bowl, combine eggs and buttermilk. Make a well in center of flour mixture. Add eggs and buttermilk. Mix together with a wooden spoon until dough becomes stiff. Turn out onto a floured board. With floured hands, knead lightly and swiftly for a few seconds. Place smooth side up in a lightly floured 8-inch round cake pan. With a floured knife, cut a deep cross on top. Bake at 350 F for 1 hour until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

St. Patrick’s Breastplate

This is a famous prayer attributed to St. Patrick.

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I sit down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

Find the eighth station of the cross in your church. What is happening in this station?

The Samaritan woman acknowledged her sins before Jesus in today’s Gospel story. Go to confession as a family this week. (Remember the Act of Contrition you memorized a few weeks ago!)

Samaritans were descendants of Jews from the northern part of Israel, who had intermarried with Gentiles and did not worship in Jerusalem. At the time of Jesus, Samaritans and Jews did not like each other or interact with each other. Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman teaches us that the gift of eternal life is given to everyone!