September 8 ~ The Birth of Mary
Teatime fare:
- Gluten-free mini cupcakes with blue frosting
- Blueberry smoothies
Activities:
- Sing Sing of Mary (Gretchen Harris CD, track 8)
- Pray a decade of the rosary
- Play Marian bingo (I made this game for Tulip’s 3rd birthday- a Marian theme)
October 1 ~ St. Therese of the Child Jesus
Teatime fare:
- Gluten-free crepes
- Rosy lemonade (pink lemonade)
Activities:
- Read about St. Therese from Catholic Treasure Box books 1-6
- Coloring page (by Charlotte)
- Make sacrifice beads to count presents for Jesus
November 22 ~ Christ the King
Teatime fare:
- Gluten-free cupcake crowns like those pictured here
- Royal punch (purple juice)
Activities:
- Color and cut out this stand-up Christ the King
December 8 ~ The Immaculate Conception
Teatime fare:
- Gluten-free blueberry muffins, dusted with white powdered sugar (purity)
- White hot chocolate
Activities:
- Read Take it the the Queen by Josephine Nobisso
- Sing Immaculate Mary (Gretchen Harris CD, track 7)
- Make a wooden rosary holder (let the children choose one from Illuminated Ink)
- Coloring page (by Charlotte)
December 12 ~ Our Lady of Guadalupe
Teatime fare:
- Mexican hot chocolate
Activities:
- Read The Lady of Guadalupe by Tomie dePaola
- Bless one another with holy water while saying: May God be as good to you as He was to Juan Diego.
- Act out the story of Juan Diego.
- Coloring page (by Charlotte)
January 1 ~ Mary, Mother of God
Teatime fare:
- Blueberry smoothies
- Gluten-free cookies (any kind)
Activities:
- Using popsicle sticks, make a grotto, similar to this. Let the children choose a favorite image of Mary to place inside.
- Sing Hail, Holy Queen (Gretchen Harris CD, track 10)
February 2 ~ Candlemas, the Presentation of the Lord
Teatime fare:
- Gluten-free pretzels (to represent Simeon’s arms folded in prayer), dipped in white chocolate (purity)
- Juice
Activities:
- Read Luke 2:22-40
- Beeswax candle dipping
March 17 ~ St. Patrick
Teatime fare:
- Shamrock shaped gluten-free sandwiches
- Gluten-free cookies with green frosting/sprinkles
- Green juice
Activities:
- Read Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola
- Sing the traditional Irish blessing
- Search for shamrocks (planted/placed throughout the yard)
- Search for bags of chocolate gold
- Wear green
March ~ Solemnity of the Annunciation
Teatime fare:
- Gluten-free waffles with jam
Activities:
- Read Angel in the Waters by Regina Doman
- Pray the Angelus
- Sing Be It Done Unto Me (Gretchen Harris CD, track 1)
April ~ Easter
Teatime fare:
- Cross shaped gluten-free cookies with white frosting/sprinkles
Activities:
- Each child chooses his or her favorite Easter book to be read aloud
- Make a stained glass cross (for the window)
- Dig up the Alleluia (buried on Ash Wednesday)
May ~ Ascension of the Lord
Teatime fare:
- Ascension Day gluten-free pancakes
- Bubbly drinks (fizzy pop or punch)
Activities:
- Read Acts 1: 1-10 and Luke 24:50-53
- Climb to the top of a hill and blow bubbles
May ~ Pentecost
Teatime fare:
- Holy Spirit crackers (make a gluten-free version similar to the one described here)
- Red tortilla chips served with mild salsa
- Flames of Pentecost gluten-free cupcakes (like this)
Activities:
- Read The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost from Tomie dePaola’s Book of Bible Stories
- Draw illustrated narrations of the story
- Wear red
May ~ Feast of the Visitation of Mary
Teatime fare:
- Sugared violets
- Gluten-free cookies
Activities:
- Make a spiritual bouqet for someone, and deliver it
- Sing Hail Mary, Gentle Woman (Gretchen Harris CD, track 10)
June ~ Midsummer’s Day, the Birth of John the Baptist
Teatime fare:
- Grasshopper Pie (made with gluten-free ingredients)
Activities:
- Make a bonfire
- Read Jesus is Baptized from Tomie dePaola’s Book of Bible Stories
- Sing Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
August ~ Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Teatime fare:
- Blueberry crisp with puffy whip cream clouds
Activities:
- Make a marian wind sock (using oatmeal containers, an image of Mary, and streamers)
- Sing Mother Mary (Gretchen Harris CD, track 9)
