May is the month of Mary. In your church you might witness events such as a May Crowning or a special gathered Rosary in honor of Our Lady! This edition of The Family Zone will share ways you can celebrate the Blessed Mother in your home this month.

As we continue experiencing the joy of the Easter season, it is a good time to reflect back on our Lenten Journey. Were you able to draw closer to Christ during the season or do you feel as if distractions kept you from making the most of your Lent? We are all on a lifelong faith journey. We don't perfect ourselves in one season (or in one lifetime), but we can always strive to take small steps. Living the Eucharist is having an awareness of our ongoing relationship with Christ. Invite him into your daily thoughts!

SUNDAY READINGS:

Click on the link below for the readings that you will hear at the Sunday Mass for the coming two weeks. This will give you a chance to prepare your heart and mind for full and active participation in Mass this weekend! For a Mass schedule in our diocese click on the blue button below.

Sunday Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050723.cfm

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051423.cfm

Family Dinner Discussions from the Sunday Scriptures: On May 7, we will hear the words: You are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood,

a holy nation, a people of his own,
so that you may announce the praises" of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light," from 1Peter.

We are all called to glorify God through our actions.

What kind of behavior glorifies God? What can your family do to glorify God through the decisions you make and the actions you take?

Try one of these Mary-based worksheets from Sadlier!

Catholic Sprouts has gathered 31 craft ides to celebrate Mary. Find the project that best suits your family!

Here's a fun family dinner idea! Most people know May 5 is Cinco de Mayo, but did you know it is also National Hoagie Day? Try one of the hoagie recipes below and take it on a picnic to a nearby park or right in your backyard!

Many beautiful titles have been given to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Within our own diocese, we have many different titles for Mary connected to our churches including Our Lady of the Valley, Our Lady of the Lakes, Our Mother of Sorrows, and Mary, Mother of Mercy, just to name a few! The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic church in North America and is among the ten largest churches in the world. It can be found in Washington D.C. and has over 80 chapels and oratories devoted to Mary from all different cultures around the world. Take a virtual tour using the link below to see which image of Mary inspires you most!!

Photo by Kristen Smith

Take It To The Queen: A Tale of Hope written by Josephine Nobisso and illusrated by Kataln Szegedi is a tale about a King, Queen and Prince who we come to understand are God the Father, Mary and Jesus. This story book for upper elementary level children, is a terrific book for helping kids understand our Catholic devotion to the Blessed Mother, to whom we can take our concerns for her intercession to Jesus, on our behalf. As you read, help your child to identify whom they believe the characters in the story represent. Talk about how the villager's lives changed when they let God be a part of it, as well as when they turned their backs on God. As a family, name some concerns you can bring to Mary and end your time by praying the Hail Mary together!

As a family, wonder about family life for Mary, Joseph and Jesus:

1. What might it have been like to be the mother of God?

2. Jesus was both human and divine. We don't know much about his childhood. What do you

think it was like?

Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester

Debtor in Possession

Email: oec@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Location: Diocese of Rochester, Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-328-3210

See them all here!