St. Crispina (Feast Day December 5) 

d. 304 

St. Crispina was a wealthy Roman wife and mother of several children in Thagara, Africa. When she found herself in danger of losing her children, her possessions, and her life in the raging persecution, instead of being intimidated, she was filled with a holy joy, because of the Christian education which she had received from her most tender years. Being arrested in her native city of Thagara by order of the proconsul Anulinus, and brought before his tribunal, he inquired of her whether she was aware of the imperial edicts which commanded that all persons should sacrifice to the gods of the empire. She said that she would not sacrifice to any other God other than the Lord Jesus who suffered for us. As a result, Crispina was tortured and publicly ridiculed. On December 5, she was beheaded. 

St Crispina was held in high veneration all through Africa and is honored by St. Augustine in various parts of his works, in which he speaks of her martyrdom.

·    In today’s Gospel story, Jesus asked his disciples why they were troubled. Why do you think they were troubled? Share a time when you went to Jesus when you were troubled.

·    Why did Jesus ask the disciples to look at his hands and his feet?

·       Share a time when you had difficulty believing something about the faith.

·       In a time of trouble, St. Crispina was filled with a holy joy because of the Christian education she received. Share a time when the teachings that were handed on to you became a source of comfort or joy.

Playground Fun

In today’s Gospel, the disciples were “incredulous for joy.” Playgrounds bring great joy to children. Celebrate the joy of the season at a playground in your favorite park or a new park that you’ve always wanted to visit.

Easy Artisan Bread

Remember Jesus’ triumph on the cross by making this bread.

3 cups all-purpose flour (one may be whole wheat white)

1/2 tsp. yeast

1 tsp. salt

1.5 cups warm water (100-110 F)

In a bowl, stir all ingredients until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and set at room temperature for 8 to 24 hours. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and form a ball by pulling the dough from the sides to the top. Rest for 30 minutes as you preheat oven to 450 F. Place baking dish with high sides into the oven while preheating. Slash a cross on top of the bread and carefully place into baking dish.

Cover and bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more until golden brown. Cool before slicing.

Prayer for the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry

God of infinite Mercy,

you sent your Risen Son

to encounter the disciples on the way to Emmaus.

Grant us today a missionary spirit

and send us forth to encounter

our sisters and brothers:

to walk with them in friendship,

to listen to their hopes and dreams with compassion,

and to proclaim your Word with courage,

so that they might come to know you once again

in the breaking of the Bread.

Make us all missionary disciples, and stay with us always,

as we seek to share the joy of the Gospel

with people of all generations,

from every race, language, culture, and nation.

We ask you this with burning hearts,

filled with the Holy Spirit,

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and through the loving intercession of

our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe,

Star of the New Evangelization in the Americas.

Amen.

From the Prayer for the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic Ministry: https://vencuentro.org/prayer-for-the-v-encuentro/

Outside the Easter season, the first reading is typically from the Old Testament. During the Easter season, the first reading is from which book in the New Testament?

As a family, decide on one way your family can help the poor this week.

Jesus’ resurrected body was different from his earthly body – he appeared and vanished instantly, yet he had flesh and bones and he ate food.