Welcome families! I am Carlie Richard, Elementary CCE Coordinator for St. Philip.   My husband, Brett, and I have been members of the parish for 4 years along with our three children. I have had the humble privilege to teach our 3rd and 4th graders for several years and am hoping that as the coordinator I can continue my catechist role by sharing some of my favorite Catholic sites, activites and family resources with you.

One of the biggest challenges I have faced in my own family life is making our Catholic faith a part of our home every day. Throughout the year I will post newsletters and my favorite Catholic blogs/sites here.  The purpose of these resources is to provide fun ways for parents and students alike to engage in their Catholic faith every day.

If you have any fun activities your family partakes in please share your ideas! We can all learn from one another and partake in the joy of our faith together!

Did you know that the word "Eucharist" means thaksgiving? Every Sunday we gather together as a family to celebrate the Eucharist and give thanks to God for all that we have been blessed with. This time of year presents a perfect opportunity to share with your family what you are all thankful for.

A great way to engage your family, young and old, is to have them write a poem* titled “A Story of Thanks,” that expresses thanks using each of the five senses. Ask your family memebers to recall a happy memory from this year or past Thanksgivings or other family meals.  Complete each of the following sentences to finish the poem:

Thank you for the eyes that see . . .
Thank you for the ears that hear . . .
Thank you for my mouth that tastes . . .
Thank you for my hand that feels . . .
Thank you for my nose that smells . . .

When the poem is completed ask family members to share an image or illustrate their poem and then present them during your Thanksgiving meal and family celebration.  You can use these poems year round to reflect and pray for all the many blessings you have been given.

Thanksgiving reminds us that relationships and family are essential to the way we live our faith. By sharing stories as a family you give your children and family members a way to bond through mutual gratitude and impart on them the importance of family to our faith.

*This activity was originally found in a Loyola Press Catechists' Journey written by Barb Gilman.  The message was modified for family involvement.  If you'd like to read the original article please visit https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2018/11/thanksgiving-poems/