St. Kateri Tekakwitha (Feast Day July 14)

1656 – April 17, 1680

Tekakwitha was born near where St. Isaac Jogues and Jean de Lelande were killed in Auriesville, New York. Her mother was a Christian Algonquin, taken captive by the Iroquois and given as wife to the chief of the Mohawk clan, the boldest and fiercest of the Five Nations. When she was four, Tekakwitha lost her parents and little brother in a smallpox epidemic and was adopted by an uncle, who succeeded her father as chief. Tekakwitha was moved by the words of three missionaries who lodged with her uncle, but fear of them kept her from seeking instruction. Tekakwitha refused to marry a Mohawk brave and, at 19, finally got the courage to take the step of converting. She was baptized with the name Kateri–Catherine–on Easter Sunday.

After her conversion, she was treated as a slave. Because she would not work on Sunday, Kateri received no food that day. Her life in grace grew rapidly. She was powerfully moved by God’s love for human beings and saw the dignity of each of her people. She eventually stole away one night and began a 200-mile walking journey to a Christian Indian village at Sault St. Louis, near Montreal. For three years, she grew in holiness under the direction of a priest and an older Iroquois woman, giving herself to God in long hours of prayer, charity, and practicing strenuous penance. At 23, Kateri took a vow of virginity, an unprecedented act for a Native American woman whose future depended on being married. She was beatified in 1980 and canonized in 2012.

·      What does Jesus mean when he says, “whoever has seen me has seen the Father”? 

·      Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” What does that mean to you?

·      What does Jesus mean when he says, “I am going to prepare a place for you”?

·      St. Kateri displayed great courage to become a Christian. Share a time when you had to be courageous.

Make a House

Inspired by today’s Gospel, build a house with “many dwelling places.” Get creative using Legos, playdoh, marshmallows and toothpicks, or other materials you have at home. Work together to build one home or have each person create their own and share what they made.

St. Kateri Corn Bread

Since the Native Americans introduced grinding corn meal, which led to the birth of corn bread, (an early American staple) you may want to try this recipe. 

 ½ cup butter or margarine, softened

¼ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 Tbsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan; set aside.  Combine butter with sugar and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Blend in milk, flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt until the batter is just blended (a few lumps are ok). Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for about 25 minutes or until surface springs back lightly when touched and a toothpick stuck into the center comes out clean.  Remove from oven and place pan onto a wire rack; serve hot or warm.

From: https://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2010/07/blessed-kateri-tekakwitha.html

Family Rosary

In the month of May, we remember Mary, the Mother of God, in a special way. A beautiful way to honor Mary is to pray a rosary. For a refresher on how to pray the rosary, visit https://rosarycenter.org/how-to-pray-the-rosary for a simple introduction to the rosary. Check out https://catholicathome.com/how-to-pray-a-family-rosary/ for ways to engage children in praying the rosary.

When Jesus begins a phrase with “Amen, amen, I say to you,” it means, “pay attention, this is important!” The word “amen” by itself means “so be it” or “I believe”. Count how many times you say the word “amen” at Mass today.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.” Brainstorm ways your family can do the works of Jesus this week.

The Easter season lasts 50 days and ends on Pentecost Sunday.