6 Welcome to Saint thomaS more PariShSTM/STM affiliaTed dioceSan School oThercolor key:

Nicholasholding christmas in Your heart

What can you learn from the real santa?

Rediscover the Saints Book

the call to holiness motivates us to use the book Rediscover the Saints by matthew kelly as a way to celebrate the lives of the Saints and to build a “culture of holiness” in our world, starting at home. in this section we will provide short bios, drink recipes and activities, so we may intentionally celebrate the Saints, invoke their intercession, and follow their example. on your part, we ask you to read the chapters of the book, to pray and invoke their intercession, and to do the activities as we present them to you each week.

Celebrating the Saints in the domestic church

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Nicholas was born March 15, 270 to wealthy parents in Asia Minor, which is now Turkey, but his parents died in an epidemic when Nicholas was young. Nicholas, like Saint Anthony of the Desert, was struck by the words of Jesus to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor.” He used all of his inheritance to help the needy, the sick, and the suffering. While still young, Nicholas dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra and he was well-known for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.Along with other Christians, Nicholas was persecuted for his faith, exiled, and imprisoned. After his release, it is believed he attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. He died on December 6, 343 in Myra. Saint Nicholas transformed into the legendary character called Santa Claus after his death.While very little is known about Saint Nicholas historically, many legends have been told about him after his death. One was that he helped three poor sisters by giving their father a bag of money that helped pay the dowries for them to be married. Without this help, the girls probably would have ended up as prostitutes.Nicholas’ feast day is celebrated on December 6 and he is the patron saint of sailors, children, repentant thieves, and merchants.

White christmas Martiniingredients• 2 oz vanilla vodka• 2 oz white chocolate liqueur• 1 oz white creme de cacao• 1 oz half-and-half• honey and sugar for rim garnish (optional)• * 1 oz coconut cream• * 1 ½ oz white chocolate flavoring sauce• * 2 oz milk• * 1 teaspoon sugar

how to Make itFor the garnish, pour the honey in a shallow dish and the sugar in another shallow dish. Coat the rim of the glass in the honey; then dip the rim in the sugar to coat evenly. Set the glass aside.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the vodka, white chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao, and half-and-half. Shake vigorously and strain into the prepared martini glass.

For the kids*: In your shaker, add coconut cream, white chocolate sauce, milk, sugar and ice. Shake well and serve. Enjoy.

activityPeople often wonder why the spirit of Christmas is not seen year 'round. In this topsy-turvy world, nothing is as expected right now. Why not celebrate Christmas in July (or June)? A few elves recently heard Father Lopez play-ing Christmas music; maybe that's where he gets his joy!

The spirit of Christmas that people would like to see year 'round is not connected to the gifts or decora-tions, but the way people behave toward each other. Remember back to last December. What interactions

7JUne 21, 2020 BUlletin 7STM/STM affiliaTed dioceSan School oTher :color key

MarYBeautiful surrender

What prevents you from surrendering yourself completely to God?

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Saint Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

It is believed that Mary was born to Joachim and Anne and her birthday is celebrated on September 8; the exact year is unknown. Of course, Matthew Kelly refers to her in this chapter because of her response to God to become the mother of Jesus. How frightening that surrender must have been to an unmarried young girl! As an active Jewish person, she must have known the danger of being with child without a husband. And yet, she said “Yes!” to God.Very little is known about Mary’s life. We know she is the Mother of God, that she had to travel to Bethlehem with Joseph while pregnant to be counted in the census. She and Joseph listened to God and protected Jesus when he was born, fleeing Bethlehem. Mary prompted Jesus to perform his first miracle at the wedding at Cana, and she was there when Jesus died. See what more you can learn about Mary in the Mary Scripture Quest activity.

Mary died on August 15, around the year 41, when her body was taken into heaven. Her feast day is celebrated on January 1, a holy day of obligation. The Catholic Church also celebrates August 15 (Feast of the Assumption) and December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) as holy days of obligation to honor Mary.

Medias de sedaingredients

• 2 oz gin (or tequila or vodka)• 2 oz evaporated milk• 1 ½ oz de grenadine• 4 ice cubes• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder• 1 cherry in syrup

how to Make itAdd all ingredients into your blender except the cinna-mon and cherry, and mix very well. Serve in a glass and garnish with a cherry and cinnamon powder.

For the kids: Leave out the alcohol.

activityThe Mary Scripture Quest

Nothing is more important than reading Scripture as a family. Play the Scripture Quest, perhaps racing against others in the family, or working on it together to learn more about the interactions of Mary throughout Scrip-ture. 1. Find and write the Scripture verse where Mary first ap-peared in the Bible.2. What are Mary's first words in Scripture?3. How does Mary respond to the Angel in Luke 1:38?4. Where does Mary Live? Luke 1:265. Who was Mary betrothed to?6. Who was Mary's husband a descendant of?7. What does Mary say to Jesus in John 2:3?8. What does Mary say to the servants in John 2?9. Describe what is happening in John 19:25-27Mary's prayer of praise is Luke. 1:46-55 and is called the “Magnificat” or the “Canticle of Mary.” Find it and pray it together as a family.

Saint Nicholas, pray for us.

did you notice between people on the streets, between classmates, among family members? There is certainly a friendly atmosphere, with people usually going out of their way to be helpful, especially with those who are poor. Maybe you/your family is already celebrating Christmas in July by being “on your best behavior,” be-ing especially nice to those around you, being thought-ful, and/or being generous to others in need. If not, now is a good time to start!

Two opportunities to help the poor with STM are:

Contact David Butel, dbutel@stmkc.com or 816-942-2492 x210, to make sack lunches for the homeless, to be handed out through reStart homeless shelter.

Contribute food or money to our Red Bridge food pantry to feed those in need. Please contact Dina at 816-665-5301 or send a check, payable to First Baptist Church of Kansas City, to 100 W Red Bridge Road, KCMO 64114; please write Red Bridge Food Patry on the memo line.