Brother Francis Blog

By Colleen Pressprich

May is a month that the Catholic Church traditionally devotes to Mary, the Mother of Christ. During this month, I like to spend some time with my children learning about the different Marian apparitions that have taken place throughout the Church’s history. 

What is a Marian Apparition?

A Marian apparition is a mystical event where Mary, the Mother of Jesus, appears here on the earth. They take many forms and have happened since the earliest years of Christianity all the way up to modern times.

By Colleen Pressprich

Divine Mercy Sunday is always celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. This makes it a moveable feast within the Church’s liturgical year since Easter also shifts.

On Divine Mercy Sunday we, as a Church, focus on the incredible mercy of Christ, on the wonder that is His dying and rising for us even though we do not deserve it. It is an opportunity to focus on what mercy means and how we are called to live it out in our own lives.

By Anne Metz

What is the Triduum and how can we celebrate it with our young children?

The United States Council of Catholic Bishops defines the Triduum (also referred to as The Three Days) as the period of time from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. They are the three holiest days of the holiest week of our liturgical year and contain many beautiful traditions that we only get to experience once a year. Let’s take advantage of all the Church offer us during this time and teach our kids to love it as much as we do.

By Anne Metz

Lent is the 40 day period before Easter. It is an important season because we are preparing to witness the death and resurrection of Jesus. But how do we impart Lent’s importance to our children while still keeping up with all the demands and daily tasks that come along with raising a family?

We’ve compiled a list of ideas to help you do just that using the traditional three pillars of Lent: almsgiving, fasting, and prayer. Pick and choose what works best for your family. Be sure to talk about the why behind each activity.