This journal has been constructed in imitation of the copybook made for Therese Martin by her older sister Pauline (Sr. Agnes of Jesus) in 1884 to help Therese prepare for her First Holy Communion. Each day of her sixty-nine day preparation period Therese recorded the number of times she recited the included prayers and aspirations. By using her "sacrifice beads," she counted each time she overcame her own desires in order to please Jesus. Inspired by that copybook, this journal uses the same method of encouraging-and recording-daily prayers and mortifications. However, instead of using flowers to illustrate virtues, this resource uses the battle model St. Paul describes in Ephesians 6:10-17. First communicants are encouraged to arm themselves with virtues and spiritual weapons in order to fight as soldiers of Christ. The scriptural words of Jesus and St. Paul are reflected on frequently to encourage the imitation of the actions and love of Jesus and to inspire a love and knowledge of Holy Scripture.
Use this journal on its own or in conjunction with the "Communion with the Saints "family preparation program for First Communion. Create a lasting First Communion keepsake by daily recording your thoughts, prayers, and drawings. May you-like St. Therese-learn to love Jesus more deeply, thereby joining St. Paul's "holy ones" (Ephesians 6:18) in heaven.

Let St. Joseph Teach You How to Love Jesus as He Did

St. Joseph was chosen by God to care for and protect the Savior of the world and His mother-to be head of the Holy Family. Yet Scripture does not record a single word this great saint spoke; we must take our lessons of his life from his actions. In this compilation of stories and poems about our Savior's foster-father, Catholic children of all ages are encouraged to imitate the virtues the life of St. Joseph reveal to us in his loving dedication to Jesus and Mary.

Through stories by such renowned authors as Sr. Margaret Patrice, Wilfrid Sheed, Catherine Beebe, Sr. Mary Charitas, and Mary Mannix and poems by Rev. Edward F. Garesche, Sister M. Imelda Wallace, Rev. Gerald M. C. Fitzgerald, and Rev. Frederick Faber, children are sure to acquire a greater understanding of-and devotion to-the earthly father of Jesus. The discussion questions as well as the reflections on the virtues of St. Joseph lead children to apply the lessons of this saint's life to their own. The concluding section of this book contains prayers to St. Joseph, a short litany for children, prayers for the Nine First Wednesdays of St. Joseph, and an Act of Consecration to St. Joseph.

Let us enthusiastically join St. Teresa of Avila who declared: "I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious saint "

Utilizing chapters from two excellent out-of-print Catholic books for children ("I Belong to God, Great Truths in Simple Stories for Children and Lovers of Children" by Lillian Clark; and "Children's Retreats in Preparation for First Confession, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation" by Rev. P.A. Halpin), this book provides a basic doctrinal review of the Sacrament of Confirmation as well as prayer experiences-a nine-day read-aloud retreat/novena. The reprinted material has been supplemented with short stories and poems that provide insights in applying catechetical doctrines to the daily life of young Catholics. Each lesson concludes with "I Talk with God"-a section that encourages readers (of all ages) to deepen their relationship with each of the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity. Reflection questions promote the habit of spiritual conversation within your family-to encourage family members to discuss holy topics-and to help you grow together in holiness. Additionally, a traditional novena to the Holy Spirit is included. "A Confirmation Reader-Retreat "is designed not only to prepare the confirmand but also to deepen the experience of this sacrament for the entire family. In the relaxed setting of a family read-aloud, get to know the Holy Spirit-His gifts and His actions in this sacrament-and renew the commitment of each family member to live as a holy, committed Catholic-a perfect Christian.

"The King of the Golden City "is an allegory that beautifully illustrates Jesus' desire to share an intimate relationship with each one of His children. This RACE for Heaven study guide assists with Mother Loyola's allegory, makes connections to the Bible as well as to the catechism, and provides thoughtful discussion questions and activities to encourage spiritual growth. In addition, parents and older children will be encouraged-by quotations from the three Carmelite Doctors of the Church-to deepen their prayer lives and become more aware of the obstacles to an intimate relationship with our King. This study guide offers chapter-by-chapter insights that will help Catholics of all ages increase their love of Jesus in the Eucharist and enrich their understanding and practice of prayer.

RACE for Heaven study guides use Mary Fabyan Windeatt's saint biographies to teach the Catholic faith to all members of your family. Written with your family's various learning levels in mind, these flexible study guides succeed as stand-alone unit studies or supplements to your regular curriculum. Thirty to forty minutes per day will cover the following topics: the spirituality and holy habits of the saints, family discussions on important faith topics, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills, study of Catholic doctrine and the Bible, history and geography incorporated into saintly literature, and both Catholic and secular vocabulary words. Lessons cover between one and four chapters of each Windeatt biography. Each study guide contains an answer key but does not include the text of the Windeatt biography, which will need to be purchased separately. Experience quality read-aloud time with spiritual living books for a relaxed religious education.

This valuable workbook for Catholic home educators, classroom teachers, and collectors of Catholic juvenile books will help you discover living books from such popular out-of-print Catholic juvenile series as Catholic Treasury, Vision, and American Background as well as current series books for young Catholics. Use this book to find 1) More than 1,250 Catholic books listed by author, series, reading level, century, and geographical location; 2) Almost 300 different authors of saint biographies, historical fiction, and poetry written for Catholic juvenile readers; 3) Hundreds of age-appropriate, living books to enrich your study of the Catholic Church's rich heritage of saints and notable Catholic historical figures; 4) Publishers of Catholic children's books, past and present; 5) Helpful advice for collecting and caring for used books; 6) Information on how to build and maintain your own library of Catholic juvenile books; 7) Inspiring quotations about book collecting, reading, and the love of books; and, 8) The latest in Catholic saint biographies as updated in this 2013 Second Edition.

If you love books and the Catholic Faith, you will love this essential resource

This journal has been constructed in imitation of the copybook made for Therese Martin by her older sister Pauline (Sr. Agnes of Jesus) in 1884 to help Therese prepare for her First Holy Communion. Each day of her sixty-nine day preparation period Therese recorded the number of times she recited the included prayers and aspirations. By using her "sacrifice beads," she counted each time she overcame her own desires in order to please Jesus. Although this book is not an exact replica of the copybook used by Therese, it does contain many of the same prayers and aspirations she used, the same idea of flowers inspiring virtue, and the same method of recording prayers recited and sacrifices made. It is up to you to decorate and complete this journal, replicating Therese's heroic efforts by raising your mind and heart to Jesus and by humbling yourself with small sacrifices. Learn as well to imitate St. Therese's love and knowledge of Scripture as you meditate on-or even memorize-the biblical passages that are provided for reflection.
Use this journal on its own or in conjunction with the "Communion with the Saints" family preparation program for First Communion. Create a lasting First Communion keepsake by daily recording your thoughts, prayers, and drawings. May you-like St. Therese-learn to love Jesus more deeply and be inspired to become a little flower in our Lord's bouquet of beloved saints.

This prayer book strives to instill in young Catholics not only a love of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist but also a love of prayer and a practical knowledge of the art of meditation.

As examples of the many ways to pray, this book contains prayers to pray out loud (vocal prayer) or in the silence of your heart. It shows how you can talk with God, and more importantly, how you can love God. It shows how to use pictures and images-like holy cards and the Stations of the Cross-to help you pray and meditate. This book also shows you how to use Bible stories to meditate on the lessons Jesus taught. You will see how you can talk with God silently in the quiet of your room, in church, outdoors in His wonderful creation-at all times, in all places.

As you progress through this book-from discovering what prayer is to reading and reciting simple prayers to understanding meditation and then to helps for deeper meditation-you will see that prayer and meditation often go together. Meditation is described by the big "Catechism of the Catholic Church "as nothing more than "prayerful reflection" or holy thinking. You can use books, devotions, pictures, holy cards, and images (such as the stained glass windows in church) to help you think or meditate on holy people, events, and ideas.

This book gives many suggestions about how to talk with God so that each day you can love Him more and become closer friends. Learn to hear His loving voice and follow His holy will.

Utilizing chapters from two excellent out-of-print Catholic books for children ("I Belong to God" by Lillian Clark, and "Children's Retreats in Preparation for First Confession, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation "by Rev. P.A. Halpin), this book provides a basic doctrinal explanation and review of the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as a Gospel examination of conscience-a seven-day read-aloud formation retreat. To help the lessons come alive and to enable young Catholics to more readily apply the catechetical doctrines of this sacrament to their own daily lives, the lessons have been supplemented with pertinent short stories and poems. Each lesson contains reflection questions to promote the important habit of spiritual conversation within your family. Your family will deepen their relationship with our loving and merciful God through the prayer experiences that conclude each lesson and through their daily participation in the "Gospel Examination of Conscience," formulated according to the dictates of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church." "A Reconciliation Reader-Retreat" is designed for those who are preparing for the initial reception of this sacrament and for those who want to participate more fully. In the relaxed setting of a family read-aloud, this retreat will not only enrich and deepen the sacramental experience for each member of your family but it will also provide several tools to help you recommit to leading a virtuous life and to grow together in holiness.

RACE for Heaven study guides use Mary Fabyan Windeatt's saint biographies to teach the Catholic faith to all members of your family. Written with your family's various learning levels in mind, these flexible study guides succeed as stand-alone unit studies or supplements to your regular curriculum. Thirty to forty minutes per day will cover the following topics: the spirituality and holy habits of the saints, family discussions on important faith topics, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills, study of Catholic doctrine and the Bible, history and geography incorporated into saintly literature, and both Catholic and secular vocabulary words. Lessons cover between one and four chapters of each Windeatt biography. Each study guide contains an answer key but does not include the text of the Windeatt biography, which will need to be purchased separately. Experience quality read-aloud time with spiritual living books for a relaxed religious education.

RACE for Heaven study guides use Mary Fabyan Windeatt's saint biographies to teach the Catholic faith to all members of your family. Written with your family's various learning levels in mind, these flexible study guides succeed as stand-alone unit studies or supplements to your regular curriculum. Thirty to forty minutes per day will cover the following topics: the spirituality and holy habits of the saints, family discussions on important faith topics, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills, study of Catholic doctrine and the Bible, history and geography incorporated into saintly literature, and both Catholic and secular vocabulary words. Lessons cover between one and four chapters of each Windeatt biography. Each study guide contains an answer key but does not include the text of the Windeatt biography, which will need to be purchased separately. Experience quality read-aloud time with spiritual living books for a relaxed religious education.

RACE for Heaven study guides use Mary Fabyan Windeatt's saint biographies to teach the Catholic faith to all members of your family. Written with your family's various learning levels in mind, these flexible study guides succeed as stand-alone unit studies or supplements to your regular curriculum. Thirty to forty minutes per day will cover the following topics: the spirituality and holy habits of the saints, family discussions on important faith topics, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills, study of Catholic doctrine and the Bible, history and geography incorporated into saintly literature, and both Catholic and secular vocabulary words. Lessons cover between one and four chapters of each Windeatt biography. Each study guide contains an answer key but does not include the text of the Windeatt biography, which will need to be purchased separately. Experience quality read-aloud time with spiritual living books for a relaxed religious education.

RACE for Heaven study guides use Mary Fabyan Windeatt's saint biographies to teach the Catholic faith to all members of your family. Written with your family's various learning levels in mind, these flexible study guides succeed as stand-alone unit studies or supplements to your regular curriculum. Thirty to forty minutes per day will cover the following topics: the spirituality and holy habits of the saints, family discussions on important faith topics, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills, study of Catholic doctrine and the Bible, history and geography incorporated into saintly literature, and both Catholic and secular vocabulary words. Lessons cover between one and four chapters of each Windeatt biography. Each study guide contains an answer key but does not include the text of the Windeatt biography, which will need to be purchased separately. Experience quality read-aloud time with spiritual living books for a relaxed religious education.

RACE for Heaven study guides use Mary Fabyan Windeatt's saint biographies to teach the Catholic faith to all members of your family. Written with your family's various learning levels in mind, these flexible study guides succeed as stand-alone unit studies or supplements to your regular curriculum. Thirty to forty minutes per day will cover the following topics: the spirituality and holy habits of the saints, family discussions on important faith topics, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills, study of Catholic doctrine and the Bible, history and geography incorporated into saintly literature, and both Catholic and secular vocabulary words. Lessons cover between one and four chapters of each Windeatt biography. Each study guide contains an answer key but does not include the text of the Windeatt biography, which will need to be purchased separately. Experience quality read-aloud time with spiritual living books for a relaxed religious education.

RACE for Heaven study guides use Mary Fabyan Windeatt's saint biographies to teach the Catholic faith to all members of your family. Written with your family's various learning levels in mind, these flexible study guides succeed as stand-alone unit studies or supplements to your regular curriculum. Thirty to forty minutes per day will cover the following topics: the spirituality and holy habits of the saints, family discussions on important faith topics, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills, study of Catholic doctrine and the Bible, history and geography incorporated into saintly literature, and both Catholic and secular vocabulary words. Lessons cover between one and four chapters of each Windeatt biography. Each study guide contains an answer key but does not include the text of the Windeatt biography, which will need to be purchased separately. Experience quality read-aloud time with spiritual living books for a relaxed religious education.

RACE for Heaven study guides use Mary Fabyan Windeatt's saint biographies to teach the Catholic faith to all members of your family. Written with your family's various learning levels in mind, these flexible study guides succeed as stand-alone unit studies or supplements to your regular curriculum. Thirty to forty minutes per day will cover the following topics: the spirituality and holy habits of the saints, family discussions on important faith topics, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills, study of Catholic doctrine and the Bible, history and geography incorporated into saintly literature, and both Catholic and secular vocabulary words. Lessons cover between one and four chapters of each Windeatt biography. Each study guide contains an answer key but does not include the text of the Windeatt biography, which will need to be purchased separately. Experience quality read-aloud time with spiritual living books for a relaxed religious education.

RACE for Heaven study guides use Mary Fabyan Windeatt's saint biographies to teach the Catholic faith to all members of your family. Written with your family's various learning levels in mind, these flexible study guides succeed as stand-alone unit studies or supplements to your regular curriculum. Thirty to forty minutes per day will cover the following topics: the spirituality and holy habits of the saints, family discussions on important faith topics, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills, study of Catholic doctrine and the Bible, history and geography incorporated into saintly literature, and both Catholic and secular vocabulary words. Lessons cover between one and four chapters of each Windeatt biography. Each study guide contains an answer key but does not include the text of the Windeatt biography, which will need to be purchased separately. Experience quality read-aloud time with spiritual living books for a relaxed religious education.

Simply told, this Catholic tale of four children who meet with their beloved aunt for "First Communion talks" is more than a story. It is a First Communion primer that takes the tenets of the catechism and, through naturally-flowing conversations, relates them in the language of little ones to authentic Christian living. As Mrs. Bosch explains, "We might learn the catechism all the way through beautifully, and at the end find ourselves still very stiff and clumsy about loving our Lord. When He comes to us, we don't want to welcome Him into our souls only with answers out of the catechism, do we?" Enriched by appropriate Biblical passages, points of doctrine, and prayers, this story-primer is an enjoyable and effective read-aloud that will prepare the Good Shepherd's little lambs to worthily receive Him in the Holy Eucharist.