St. Martin de Porres (Feast Day November 3)

December 9, 1579 – November 3, 1639

St. Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru, on December 9, 1579. Martin was the illegitimate son of a Spanish gentleman and a freed slave from Panama, of African or possibly Native American descent. At a young age, Martin's father abandoned his family, leaving Martin to grow up in deep poverty. As Martin grew older, he experienced a great deal of ridicule for being of mixed race. Martin became a Dominican lay brother in 1603 at the age of 24. Martin was praised for his unconditional care of all people, regardless of race or wealth. Martin's life reflected his great love for God and all of God's gifts. He had many extraordinary abilities, including aerial flights, bilocation, instant cures, miraculous knowledge, spiritual knowledge, and an excellent relationship with animals.

·      Is it hard to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind? Why or why not?

·      Who are the neighbors in your life that you are commanded to love?

·      How do you ask for forgiveness when you fail to love God or your neighbor?

·      As we celebrate All Saints Day this week, consider the saints we have read about so far this year. In what way are they alike? Which saint stories have been most meaningful to you? Why?

Carve Pumpkins

Get ready for Halloween by carving pumpkins. Challenge your older kids to develop creative designs to evangelize those who come trick or treating to your house through biblical images or Bible verses. Encourage little ones to get involved by painting small pumpkins. Share the following reflection with your children:

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.

God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off you.

He opens you up and scoops out all the yucky stuff, including seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then he carves you a new smiling face and puts his light inside you for all the world to see.

Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Blue

Show love of your neighbors by making this recipe and sharing some with them!

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

1 cup milk

8 boneless skinless chicken thighs

8 slices of ham

8 slices Swiss cheese

One 8-ounce package herbed stuffing mix

¼ cup butter melted

In a small bowl, combine soup and milk. Put enough mixture in the slow cooker to coat the bottom. Unfold each chicken thigh and place a piece of ham and cheese inside. Fold chicken back and place fold side down in slow cooker. Pour remaining soup over the top of the chicken. Using a rolling pin, bash the herb mixture until pulverized. Sprinkle the stuffing on top and drizzle butter over stuffing. Cover and cook on low 4 to 5 hours. You can remove the insert and place under the broiler to brown the top if desired.

Gratitude for Family

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for the gift of family. Help us to be a holy family as your family was holy and is a model for holiness for us. Help us to love, understand, and forgive one another and to celebrate and rejoice in each other’s goodness. Help us to be a light to others and always look to love and serve you in others, especially the elderly and those who may be lonely. We ask this through your holy name. Amen.

Today’s Gospel talks about love of God and love of neighbor. How many times did you hear the word “love” at Mass today?

This week, the Church celebrates the feasts of All Saints (November 1) and All Souls (November 2). Discuss the Communion of Saints (CCC 962) and share stories of some of the saintly qualities of your deceased family members. Display a few pictures in a special place to remember to pray for the souls of the faithful departed in your family.

All Saints’ Day was founded in the early Middle Ages by Pope Gregory III and is a way to honor and remember all the Holy Saints together on one day. All Souls’ Day is a day to commemorate and pray for the souls who have died and are in purgatory. Until the 10th century, All Soul’s Day was observed during Easter; it was moved to November 2 in the 11th century.