Religion

5 volume set
As stated on their website, these are actual talks given by a priest in the 1940s. The topic, or themes, of each "talk" was directed to the season/liturgical theme, so a chapter may begin with references to the need to change clocks to daylight savings time or to a certain specific Sunday, such as Christ the King. Some will, of course, be more relevant than others for the readers. With some preparation time (looking over an appropriate theme beforehand), these should work very well for family read-aloud.

Volume #2: Advent & Christmastide - Advent Candles & Trees; Decorating; Christmas Legends; Ever-Watchful Eye of God; Name of Majesty and Power and more. $6.95

Volume #3: The Sacraments - Church, a Ship on Life's Sea; Your Ticket to Heaven; Prodigal Son; Five Strings on Your Fingers; Ceremony of Knighthood; An Altar Boy Dies; and more. $6.95

Volume #4: The Mass and Its Parts - Helping at Mass; We Pray; We Give; Lift up Your Hearts; Hail to the King of Kings; Pray for Me; Grace before Communion; A Farewell Blessing; and more. $6.95

Volume#5: Timely Topics Prayer Wheels; Making Crowns; A Song for Mother; Leaves; High Flying; This is Your Day; and more. $6.95

Do your children like to play Monopoly&trade? Then, they might enjoy this Catholic alternative. Rather than encouraging children to attain as much wealth as possible as in Monopoly&trade, the goal of the game is to build as many churches and cathedrals as possible in order to "spread the Word of the Lord."

Each game comes with instructions, game board, play money, churches and cathedrals instead of houses and hotels, "Biblical" tokens, such as an angel, ark, or chalice, to move around the board, Faith cards, Community Service cards, deed cards, and dice. The game board includes countries of the world, such as Poland and Ireland; continents, such as South America and Africa; and famous or important Catholic sites, such as the Vatican, Jerusalem, and Mount Sinai, instead of streets; and famous shrines and cathedrals instead of utilities and railroads. The alternative to "Go to Jail" is "Go to Confession" and the alternative for "Just visiting" is "Just Praying."

On the back of the "deed cards," are several interesting Catholic facts, such as the Apparition at Fatima on the Portugal card or the first parish established in the U.S. on the U.S.A. card. Biblical locations include facts about why these places are important, such as "Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist at the river Jordan", and a scripture passage to look up in the Bible. An example of a Faith card, which replaces a Chance card, is "Your novena has been answered. Advance to 'In The Beginning.' Collect $200." An example of a Community Service card, which replaces a Community Chest card, is "collect $30 as a blessing for being Youth Group leader.

As you move your token around the board, you will be learning interesting Catholic facts on the back of the various deed cards as you collect them and build churches and cathedrals. For those who don't want to spend hours playing the game, a shortened version is also offered.

if ordering from the publisher that in at least one place on the website, the phone number is incorrectly listed. The correct phone number is 971-506-5615.

This book offers short, readable biographies of sixteen of Ireland (and Scotland's) greatest saints (covering the years from St. Patrick through 1142). The writing style and illustrations are reminiscent of Once Upon a Time Saints by Ethel Pochocki (Bethlehem Books). Despite the simplicity of the book (approximately a 4th grade reading level) it covers an important and oft-forgotten part of Catholic history. The great monasteries of Ireland fostered learning, culture and faith that eventually spread to all of Europe (through the help of some of the great missionary saints portrayed in this book) and was a major factor in the renewal of the Catholic faith after the fall of the Roman Empire and the conquests of Europe by the barbarians. The stories are of the following saints: St. Patrick, St. Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, St. Enda of Aran, St. Brendan the Navigator, St. Kilian (Apostle of Franconia), St. Brigid Mary of Gael, St. Columbanus of Bobbio, St. Colmcille Dove of the Church, St. Finian of Clonard, St. Malachy O Morgair, St. Hilda of Whitby, St. Carthage of Lismore, St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Dympna of Gheel, St. Kevin of Glendalough, and St. Comgall of Bangor.

My children enjoyed the stories as a read aloud (especially appropriate for celebrating Saint Patrick's day, but it would also make an enjoyable and very worthwhile addition/supplement to a study of this era of history for almost any grade level.

30 sheet supplement to the larger resource reviewed here

This rosary resource includes a cut-and-color rosary booklet featuring half-page illustrations on each of the 20 mysteries of the Rosary by Anna May McCallum. This project is designed to cover five weeks - an introductory week and one week each for the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries of the Rosary. This resource also provides instructions for compiling the book (along with the child's own meditations on each mystery), suggested book, movie and game ideas, meditations on each of the mysteries of the Rosary (including commentary by the Pope from his encyclical on the Holy Rosary) and beautiful commentaries on four great Shrines in Europe from a young girl who visited them (Loreto, Lourdes, Rue-de-Bac and St. Peter's Basilica). A very beautiful resource.