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The Lesson Plan

Take time to count your blessings and thank God for your gifts

November 19, 2010

The holiday season moves into full swing this month with our annual celebration of Thanksgiving. It is marvelous to be able to have an attitude of gratitude. God is our provider, the giver of all good gifts, so when it comes to giving thanks, our first expression of gratitude should be directed to almighty God.

The Lesson Plan

Isaiah: Old Testament prophet for the Advent season

November 18, 2010

Isaiah’s Advent message. Isaiah is the prophet who guides our journey through Advent as we prepare for Christmas. Advent is a season of joyful anticipation, and Isaiah invites us to look forward to the coming of the Messiah, to prepare the way of the Lord. Advent is a liturgical season with a strong penitential tone, and Isaiah urges us to straighten out our crooked ways, tear down our mountains of misdeeds

The Lesson Plan

Priest offers parents practical ways to teach virtues

November 18, 2010

In teaching their children about faith and virtue, it helps when parents offer a few examples, according to Father Francis J. “Rocky” Hoffman, executive director of Relevant Radio. “When Mom and Dad love each other, kids know that they love each other,” he said. “When Mom and Dad love their kids, kids know that they love them. When Mom and Dad love their faith, then the kids love their faith. It’s that simple.”

The Lesson Plan

Christians cite reasons to thank God for Fridays

November 4, 2010

TGIF: Work release! Most folks like Fridays. Workers eagerly look forward to them. The cheery thought of Friday gives people a lift, so much so that there is a well-known slogan, “Thank God it’s Friday.” A restaurant chain even named itself TGI Fridays. Friday represents the end of the work week and the beginning of the weekend, both reasons to celebrate.

The Lesson Plan

All Souls Day: Why should we pray for the dead?

November 1, 2010

Nov. 2 is All Souls Day, the special day in the liturgical year set aside to pray for the dead. But why pray for the dead? There is no need to pray for those who have died and gone straight to heaven.

Spotlight

St. Stephen, Anoka, promotes saints in Halloween Capital of the World

October 26, 2010

Halloween is the night before All Saints Day. All Saints is such a major feast that the celebration begins with a vigil on the night before the actual day. The original name was All Hallows Eve and later shortened to Halloween. Hallow means “holy” or “sacred,” and “e’en” is a rough translation of eve or even, British equivalents to evening.

The Lesson Plan

Minnesota bishops issue brief catechesis on marriage

October 7, 2010

The following catechetical statement and an accompanying summary statement on marriage were issued Sept. 22 by Minnesota’s Catholic bishops. The documents’ release follows...

The Lesson Plan

Eyes of faith are needed to see miracles around us

October 6, 2010

What is a miracle? A miracle is a fantastic, unexplainable occurrence that defies the rules of science or exceeds normal human capacity.