Catholic

Earth Day, Stewardship and the Catholic Faith

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Earth Day is an annual celebration of our planet and everything it does for us. For many, it’s also a day to reflect on and speak out about what we could do to make our beautiful planet even better. In the Catholic faith, it’s about protecting all of God’s creation, from the people to the plants and the animals that inhabit the Earth. Earth Day is special for everyone, but these are a few reasons why it’s especially important in the Catholic faith:

Protecting Our Home

All of God’s children share a home. Even Adam and Eve were told by God to be stewards of the garden. From our first steps, we were made to protect and guard our environment. People of faith have a vested interest in protecting the environment for the future of the planet. There are plenty of ways to focus on protecting the planet, whether it’s participating in cleanup and recycling efforts, planting trees and gardens, or educating others about being better to the environment.  

Helping the Less Fortunate

Climate change disproportionately impacts people who have less and therefore contribute less to the climate problem. Housing is more affordable around power plants and factories, which provide jobs but also contribute to pollution. Earth Day is the perfect time to participate in cleanup efforts and other initiatives to help those who are struggling. 

Contemplating God’s Creation

There’s no better day than Earth Day for contemplation. This Catholic practice creates a deeper appreciation for God in all creation, including people, animals, plants and more. Take a walk with your family, and encourage everyone to take in the nature around them. Find a nice park, or see what inspiring sights you can find in your own neighborhood. 

Earth Day Saints 

Aside from the many Biblical references to nature, several saints found inspiration in the Earth. St. Francis of Assi, a gentle man who loved contemplating God’s creation, is known for his care for nature and animals, ministering to the poor, and founding the Franciscan order. St. Kateri Tekawitha, a Mohawk, was the first Native American recognized as a saint. She is the patroness of ecology and the environment, Native Americans and people in exile. These are just a couple examples of saints who loved all of God’s creations.

Earth Day and the Catholic faith go hand-in-hand, and we encourage our students to celebrate this important day. Our Orlando Catholic school located in the Diocese of Orlando is more than just a place to learn; it’s a diverse community. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

5 Morning Habits to Start the Day Off Right

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The start of the day can either be a drag or a time to get set up for success. Ultimately, it’s up to you. You and your child can spend the first moments of the day with the intention of getting through that first hour or so. Or, you can be intentional from the moment you wake up, ready to start your day off the right way. Here are a few of our favorite ways to start the day: 

Praying

Everyone in the family could use a little more prayer. Encourage your child to begin the day with a thankful heart by thanking God for the gifts they have. If you’re worried your child might forget, make prayer a group activity by having a couple minutes of silent prayer around the breakfast table. 

Setting an intention

Setting an intention can build the foundation for a great day. This could mean thinking about the intention, writing it or saying it out loud. Examples of a daily intention for a child could be paying attention in class, being nice to teachers or spreading more love throughout the day. Anyone can benefit from being more intentional in life. 

Reading scripture

In the rush of getting breakfast prepared, finding matching shoes, and convincing your child to get out the door, you may not think there’s time to read scripture in the morning. However, if you and your child could wake up just a few minutes earlier in the morning, you could start your morning being inspired by the word of God. Would waking up your child early be a real miracle? Try listening to some gospel music first thing in the morning as you’re getting breakfast ready. 

Making the bed

Children and adults alike start the morning with a one-track mind. The one intention they have for the time between getting out of bed and leaving for the day is preparing for the trip out the door. Making the bed can put a pause on this process, showing your child the importance of doing a task now that will benefit them later. Starting this habit early will encourage your child to continue taking a moment to make the bed for the rest of their lives.

Exercising

Another way to make the morning more meaningful and productive is through exercise. If you and your child spend 15 minutes in the morning exercising or stretching before heading off to work and school, you’ll feel much better throughout the day. Even a quick walk outside can send endorphins running through your body to set you up for success in the day ahead.

Sometimes, all it takes to have a great day is starting it off right. Our Orlando Catholic school located in the Diocese of Orlando, is more than just a place to learn; it’s a diverse community. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

Making Lent More Meaningful for Your Child

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Long, boring, devoid-of-treats: these are a few words a child might use to describe the Lenten season, at least until it leads to the inevitable anticipation of Easter candy. Without understanding the context of Lent, your child may not find this liturgical season all that relatable. As a Catholic, you know how important Lent is, and you wish your child did, too. Here are a few ways you can make Lent more meaningful: 

Start with Stories

When you tell your child they need to sacrifice something for Lent, the first question you probably hear is “why?” It’s a reasonable question, especially if they don’t know the stories behind the Lenten season. Pick out a few Bible stories that relate to Lent, including the one about how Jesus suffered leading up to his crucifixion. Stories help everyone relate to what they’re learning about, especially children. 

Incorporate Journaling

Consider buying your child a Lent journal that will guide them through the season while allowing them to write down the ways the season impacts them. This is a great way to help your child feel more connected to their faith on a personal level. If you’re not looking to invest in a season-specific journal, give your child writing prompts each day that will allow them to reflect on their thoughts and experiences.  

Keep Track Together

Making a sacrifice for Lent may not be appealing to your child on its own, but add in charts or calendars to help them track their progress, and suddenly they’ll be accountable and find it easier to stay on course. Keep the chart or calendar in a place that everyone in the family can see so everyone can be accountability partners. Consider having separate calendars for each person in the family to get everyone involved in the activity. 

Add in Positivity

Lent can be a somber, reflective time, especially when you consider the focus on self-sacrifice. For children who may not understand the benefit of quiet reflection, this may make them feel disconnected from the meaning of the season. If your child is bummed out by the idea of giving something up yet again, consider encouraging them to pick up a new, good habit. This spin on Lent can serve the same purpose of bringing them closer to their faith without the heavy, somber feelings. 

Lent is one of the most important seasons in the Catholic faith, leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord. Our Orlando Catholic school understands the importance of this tradition. Located in the Diocese of Orlando, St. Charles Borromeo is more than just a place to learn; it’s a diverse community. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

5 Saints Who Help Us Celebrate Diversity

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Diversity runs deep within the roots of the Catholic Church. Tracing back to St. Peter and St. Paul, we see examples of unification and diversity as they each served our Lord differently. This diversity has evolved over the years, with a growing recognition and celebration of the diversity within the Church and the richness it brings to our faith. As the Church grew to other parts of the world, it became increasingly diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, culture and language. At St. Charles Borromeo, we celebrate the diversity of all our families and look to these saints who are shining examples of expanding diversity of our Catholic faith.

 

St. Augustine of Hippo 

Augustine was an African bishop and a respected theologian in the 4th and 5th centuries. He authored “The City of God,” which described an eternal city that was stable and welcomed all, unlike the unsettled governments of his time. He was a key figure in the development of Western philosophy and influenced the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas and René Descartes.

St. Teresa of Avila 

St. Teresa was a Spanish mystic and writer in the 16th century. She is best known for her autobiography, “The Book of My Life,” in which she detailed the struggles of women living in a male-dominated society and religious order. She reformed the Carmelite Order after determining it was lax in its contemplative prayer, with those in the Order not living as austerely as they should have. Her writings helped to shape the Carmelite Order as we know it today. 

St. Josephine Bakhita

Born into Sudanese slavery, Bakhita became a religious sister in the late 19th century. She went on to become a symbol for anti-slavery and was canonized in 2000. She lived a simple, humble life, devoted to the care of others, particularly children, and promoted peace and reconciliation among different cultures and religions. Her devotion to our Lord and her ability to forgive those who had harmed her in the past, including her former slave masters, were important contributions to her canonization.

St. Katharine Drexel 

Katharine Drexel was an American heiress and philanthropist who became a religious sister and founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, a congregation of women dedicated to the education of African American and Native American children. Using her family fortune, she built schools and missions for these neglected communities. She fought for social justice and racial equality throughout her life. She was canonized in 2000, making her the second American-born saint and the first person of African-American and Native American heritage to do so.

St. Oscar Romero

Oscar Romero was an Archbishop in El Salvador. He is known for his work advocating for the poor and marginalized and for his outspoken opposition to the country’s military dictatorship. He was assassinated in 1980 while celebrating Mass.

St. Charles Borromeo

Our school’s namesake is recognized by the Catholic Church because of his exemplary life and his dedication to serving the poor and promoting Church reform during the 16th century. He worked to counter the Protestant Reformation and is known for his efforts to improve the training and education of priests. He is considered the patron saint of catechists and seminary students. 

 

Our Orlando Catholic school located in the Diocese of Orlando, is more than just a place to learn; it’s a diverse community. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

How to Celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary as a Family

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The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7th this year. In keeping with the spirit of this special day, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School has some creative suggestions for helping you celebrate as a family. Historically embedded in our Catholic history, this feast was originally named “Our Lady of Victory” after a 16th century battle that ended the attempted Turkish invasion of Europe. It’s said that the nation-wide Rosary prayers offered to the Virgin Mary for intercession in the war resulted in Europe’s victory. It was later changed to “The Feast of the Holy Rosary” by Pope Gregory XIII. The date has varied only slightly over the centuries, but always occurs in October.

Praying the Rosary

As practicing Catholics, we know the importance of praying the Rosary daily. Between work, getting the kids to school, homework, after-school activities, cooking, cleaning, etc. finding the time to pray as a family can be challenging. Praying the Rosary as family may seem even more impossible to schedule. We all struggle to find the time to be prayerful, to thank God for all he has blessed us with, and to adore the Virgin Mother. It’s not as difficult as you may think.

Meals

To celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, create a menu tailored to honoring Mary. Kids love to be creative with decorating cakes or cupcakes. Bake a Bundt cake (crown-shaped), and let them decorate with blue and white icing, symbolic of Mary. Decorate cupcakes, and arrange them to form a decade of the Rosary. Incorporate the herb rosemary, often associated with the Blessed Mother, into a recipe for the main meal. When saying your meal blessing, add the Hail Mary after.

After Dinner

If your family eats dinner at the same time every night, consider scheduling family prayer-time immediately after dinner. The whole family is gathered together; you can pray the Rosary even while cleaning up. Or take an after dinner walk each day with the family. Pray the Rosary as you walk about the neighborhood. If family prayer time is always scheduled for bedtime, it’s easy to factor in additional time to pray the Holy Rosary. There are no rules for when to pray.

In the Car

Whether on the way to or from our Orlando Catholic school, being in the car provides a great opportunity to recite the Rosary. There are even podcasts and CDs available to help keep track. (Yes, there’s also an app for this.) Visit your app store to download The Catholic Rosary. Remember, you can pray just one decade or all five as time permits.

Charitable Acts

Every Saturday is set aside in the Church for devotion to the Virgin Mary. Volunteer for a favorite charity as a family or offer your services to a specific individual in need. Let each family member designate a special intention for the Holy Rosary on that day.

With a little creativity and planning you will find the time to honor Our Lady of the Rosary as a family throughout the month of October. Praying the Rosary daily was requested by Our Lady of Fatima. Start this October by celebrating Our Lady of the Rosary as a family.

Our Orlando Catholic school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

Back-to-School Prayers to Start the School Year Right

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If you’re like most of our St. Charles Borromeo parents, you spent the last few weeks of summer vacation getting everything ready for another successful school year. From helping with homework to volunteering at school, we know the everyday demands of parenting. Another important component of preparing your children to return to campus is prayer. 

Easing Your Child’s Fears

From a child’s point of view, starting a new school year can be a source of anxiety, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Students can struggle with bullying, discrimination, and not fitting in. In addition to these social issues, children overhear what’s happening in the world, regardless of how you may try to shield them. Children today are struggling to maintain balance between these issues and being academically successful. Prayer can play an important role in helping assuage a child’s concerns. They can place their fears in the hands of Our Lord and know that He will hear and answer those prayers. 

Phillippians 4:6-7 teaches us: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

As Catholics, we are reminded of the power of prayer daily. Instilling faith in prayer is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child. Learning how to pray isn’t difficult; neither is teaching your children to open their hearts to Jesus Christ.

Praying for a Good School Year

The prayers don’t have to be lengthy and you can encourage your children to speak to Him from their hearts. You can guide them by praying the Lord’s Prayer together first, or using one specifically written for the start of a new school year. Here’s an example:

“Heavenly Father, I pray that I will be safe going back to school. I ask you to watch over me and my family and friends. Help me to learn from my teachers. Help me to do my best in all my subjects. Please help me to be a good friend and to be kind to everyone I meet. Thank you for the blessings in my life. Amen”

For Parents and Caregivers

“Lord, I am worried about my children returning to school. The world is not in a good place right now. I ask that you wrap them in your arms and protect them from any dangers that may come their way. I also pray that they learn to be compassionate and kind and become good citizens of the world. Help them to learn their academic lessons and to utilize the gifts you bestowed upon them. In Jesus’ name. Amen”

Take time to pray and encourage your children to pray. Make praying together an important part of your family routine now and you will find the time to continue throughout the year. Our Orlando Catholic school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, encourages parents to provide children with activities to help stimulate them over the summer. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

Teaching Your Child How To Serve Others Biblically

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It’s important to teach children how to serve others so they can follow the example that Jesus set for us in the Bible. Learning how to serve people while young creates a foundation for serving selflessly throughout life. As parents, the best way to teach your child to serve is to lead by example. Learn ways to teach your child how to serve others biblically.

Blessing Bags

Creating blessing bags will require some time and dedication. Gather essential personal items like toothpaste, soap, and socks. With your child, place these items into a reusable or Ziploc bag, and ask your child to write a prayer or word of encouragement to place in each bag. You can drop these bags off at a local shelter. This activity will open your child’s eyes to the blessings they are given every day. It can also teach children about constantly looking for opportunities to serve others.. 

Thank You Cards and Letters 

Creating thank you cards for the people who influence your child’s life is a great way to serve. Have your child pick some members of their community who help them or serve them, then ask your child to write a thank you card for those people. Jesus washed the feet of His followers. By setting this example, He showed us how to serve out of a heart of compassion and love. You can also write letters to those in the military or to those in the hospital. Jesus says that we must comfort those that go through trials, and writing letters is a real-world application of that. 

Picking up Litter 

Doing this activity with your kids teaches them to respect the earth and their surroundings. Start by finding an area that needs some attention, like a park or a beach. Then, with your child, gather plastic bags and gloves so that you can be safe while collecting litter. Along with helping keep the environment clean, it reminds your child that we’re here to be good stewards of God’s creation.

Food or Clothing Drive

Starting a food drive with your child can teach them to serve those who are less fortunate. The Bible says in Proverbs 19:17, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” This is a lesson to teach our children in order for them to grow in their faith and be stewards of what God has given them. Donating their clothes is an application of how Jesus calls us to live in the Bible. Since we have and don’t need, we are able to give. This is the blessing of abundance that we can teach our children.

Serving others is a fundamental part of being a follower of Christ. That’s why our Orlando Catholic school located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando encourages children to serve others just as they are taught to in the Bible. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

How To Encourage Your Child To Be Active At Home

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Many children spend the majority of their days looking at a screen. Granted, a lot of this interaction between technology and children is for educational purposes. As summer approaches, it’s a good time to break up your child’s time on the screen and get them up and moving. Learn about ways you can encourage your child to be active without using technology. 

 

Providing Alternative Activities

Start by taking it old school, teaching your child games that you used to play as a child. This will help them to feel connected to you and allow them to learn about games that are new to them. Some activities to consider are building Lego forts, teaching your child a new skill, and playing board games like Monopoly or Scrabble! These may be old-school activities, but they allow your child to interact with the whole family and learn problem-solving skills. 

 

Starting a Technology Fast

A part of our walk in faith is fasting and prayer. Introducing a technology fast to your children is a great way to get them to take a break from their screens and get them into the Bible. Just like we fast from food, we are able to fast from technology by setting limits or fully removing it from our lives. This is a great way to get your child to explore their faith more deeply and understand what fasting is like. 

 

Creating a Bucket List or Competition

Humans are competitive in nature. Proposing a bucket list or competition for your child will allow them to develop a spirit of fun to not use technology. Creating a bucket list of activities like building forts, decorating contests and baking would make your child look forward to being off of their devices. Having family competitions like relay races and artistic challenges would be a fun way to get everyone involved and in good spirits.  

Getting out in Nature

Depending on where you live, you can get your kids out in nature doing fun activities after school and during summer break. Going on excursions to amusement parks or nature walks is a great way to decompress as a family. Fishing and swimming are two activities that are both relaxing and will be able to keep the screens away. 

 

In a world that is stuck on the screen, we know how important it is to find ways to engage children outside of technology. That’s why our Orlando Catholic school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, encourages children to be active when they are at home. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

5 Ways to Show Teachers Your Appreciation

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We love our teachers and staff that pour into classrooms each day. Teaching children and leading them to the future is not always an easy feat. We like to show our appreciation to teachers by being supportive and encouraging while meeting their needs in and out of the classroom. Keep reading for ways that you can show appreciation to your child’s teachers.

Writing Letters of Gratitude

One way to get your child involved in showing their appreciation is by having them write letters to their teachers. They can get their classmates involved by asking them to write letters of their own. This shows teachers that their students care about them and want to take the time to express their gratitude. The students will also be able to express how grateful they are and have an opportunity to learn about how to build better relationships.

A Video Card

This gift would be a great keepsake for teachers to keep for years to come, allowing them to look back at all their students. Start by gathering videos of students leaving a short message to their teachers. Compe these videos onto a flash drive to create a cute small gift to show the care students have for their teacher. Consider decorating the flash drive or picking out a distinctive-looking one so they can tell it apart from others they have. If you want to make a teacher’s day even brighter, add an extra flash drive or two along with the video drive present.

Getting the Community Involved

A teacher’s impact goes beyond the walls of a school; what kids learn from teachers can last a lifetime and affect whole communities. A practical gift would be gift cards and vouchers to local restaurants and small businesses. Going around the town and asking local businesses to help support teachers in this way is a great way to show how much they really impact the world around them. It will also allow teachers to step out into the community and have fun.

Hosting a Surprise Dessert Day

Everyone loves a treat after a job well done; teachers are no different! With the permission of administrators, you can help host a dessert day for your child’s teachers. Bringing in a dessert that teachers love, like coffee cake and ice cream, would be a great way to help break up their day and boost their energy!

School Supplies

Teachers are always using up their school supplies and could always use more. Start by asking if they need specific supplies, which will allow them to feel appreciated and listened to. Find a group of fellow parents who are interested in helping out, and give each parent a list of supplies to contribute. This not only shows appreciation but also helps in fueling your child’s education!

 

Teachers do so much for our students, and it’s important to let them know they’re appreciated. That’s why our Orlando Catholic school located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando encourages children to show their teachers appreciation, just as they are taught to in the Bible. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.

Easter Traditions Around the World

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Jesus Has Risen! Easter is widely celebrated around the world as a commemoration to our Savior Jesus’ sacrifice for us. This is a great time to remember that even though we may have different cultures and traditions, we can all come together to celebrate our Lord! Keep reading to learn more about how Easter is celebrated around the world. 

America

New York City is notorious for the grand parades they host every year. The Easter parade is no different. Many gather from near and far to celebrate Easter by watching a parade go down Fifth Avenue. Parade goers are encouraged to wear Kentucky Derby-style bonnets, fascinators or hats that showcase spring colors. 

At the White House in Washington D.C., the President and staff host an Easter Roll on the South Lawn. A lucky few will be invited to the White House to take part in rolling Easter eggs down the lawn with the president of the United States!

Caribbean

Flying kites on Easter is a big Caribbean tradition. The kites symbolize Christ being resurrected, rising from the grave into Heaven. Countries like Bermuda and Guyana will create kites out of colorful paper, sticks and twine. They fly these kites right after a sunrise service, with hot baked buns in hand.  

Europe

In Haux, France, residents make a giant omelet on Easter Monday. Thousands of eggs are used in making this omelet, and it feeds up to 1,000 people! That’s taking Easter eggs to a whole new level. In other European countries, like Finland and Italy, people celebrate Easter by dressing up. In Finland, children dress as witches, donned with colorful paints on their cheeks, and sing blessings to ward off evil spirits. In Italy, people dress up in masks and red robes to reenact the story of Easter. 

The Holy Cities: Vatican City and Jerusalem 

Vatican City is home to the Pope, making it the center of the Catholic world. On Good Friday, the Pope commemorates the way of the cross, leading a procession around the city with candles. On Easter Sunday, the Pope leads Mass, and many flock to St. Peter’s Square to await his blessing. 

Jerusalem is the city where Jesus is said to have been crucified. Many Christians will walk along the same path that Jesus did. They will carry crosses to remember what Jesus went through in His last hours. 

Easter is such an important time for us to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and to be in community with our brothers and sisters around the world. That’s why our Orlando Catholic school. located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, encourages children to help their communities thrive. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.