November Virtue : GRATITUDE

The virtue by which a person acknowledges, interiorly and exteriorly, gifts received and seeks to make at least some return for the gift conferred. Essentially gratitude consists of an interior disposition, a grateful heart, but when genuine it tries somehow to express itself in words and deeds. Consequently it includes three elements: acknowledgment that a gift has been received, appreciation expressed in thankfulness, and as far as possible some return for what has been freely given with no obligation on the donor's part.

Learn more, here.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

LIFE OF SAINT FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI

Francesca Cabrini was born in Sant'Angelo Lodigiano (Italy) in 1850. Since she was a child she wanted to be a missionary in China. She became a teacher and was invited to Codogno to reorganise a small orphanage. Later the Bishop of Lodi invited her to found a missionary Congregation. In 1880 the Institute of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was founded. Her missionary activity took place in Europe and the Americas, especially for Italian emigrants. He travelled a lot to carry out his foundations. She died in Chicago in 1917, was canonised in 1946 and in 1950 was proclaimed Patroness of all Emigrants.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

101 Fun Fall Activities for Kids

These fall activities cover it all, whether you're looking to get crafty, introduce kids to a brand new seasonal experience or simply enjoy the crisp autumn air.

Autumn lovers, rejoice! Your favorite season is finally here (along with bajillions of fall activities for kids that accompany it). As the weather gets cooler and the leaves begin to change color, it’s time to start thinking about how you can help children of all ages get outdoors and take advantage of everything this amazing season has to offer — or bring the outdoors indoors. 

From arts-and-crafts projects to festive outings, this list of fun fall activities for kids has something for everyone!

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

All Souls' Day

All Souls' Day, also called The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, is a day of prayer and remembrance for the faithful departed, observed by Christians on 2 November. Through prayer, intercessions, alms and visits to cemeteries, people commemorate the poor souls in purgatory and give the departed their favorite indulgences.

In Western Christianity, including Roman Catholicism and certain parts of Lutheranism and Anglicanism, All Souls' Day is the third day of Allhallowtide, after All Saints' Day (1 November) and All Hallows' Eve (31 October). Before the standardization of Western Christian observance on 2 November by St. Odilo of Cluny in the 10th century, many Catholic congregations celebrated All Souls' Day on various dates during the Easter season as it is still observed in some Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Catholic and Eastern Lutheran churches. Churches of the East Syriac Rite (Assyrian Church of the East, Ancient Church of the East, Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Chaldean Catholic Church) commemorate all the faithful departed on the Friday before Lent.

Learn more, here.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

All Saints' Day

All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, the Feast of All Saints, the Feast of All Hallows, the Solemnity of All Saints, and Hallowmas, is a Christian solemnity celebrated in honor of all the saints of the Church, whether they are known or unknown.

From the 4th century, feasts commemorating all Christian martyrs were held in various places, on various dates near Easter and Pentecost. In the 9th century, some churches in the British Isles began holding the commemoration of all saints on 1 November, and in the 9th century this was extended to the whole Catholic Church by Pope Gregory IV.

In Western Christianity, it is still celebrated on 1 November by the Roman Catholic Church as well as by many Protestant churches, such as the Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist traditions. The Eastern Orthodox Church and associated Eastern Catholic and Eastern Lutheran churches celebrate it on the first Sunday after Pentecost. The Syro-Malabar Church and the Chaldean Catholic Church, both of which are in communion with Rome, as well as the Church of the East, celebrate All Saints' Day on the first Friday after Easter Sunday. In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, All Saints' Day is on Nayrouz, celebrated on 11 September. The day is the start of the Coptic new year, and of its first month, Thout.

Learn more, here.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

Some Courage Action Steps

1. Think of people in your community who show courage everyday (firefighters, police officers, paramedics, members of the military). Write a letter thanking them for having the courage to serve your community and keep people safe.
2. Practice courage by speaking up when you disagree with your friends about something, or when your opinior is different from others' in a class discussion.
3. Think of something you are afraid of. How can you show courage in the face of that fear?
4. Try something new that you've never done before.
5. You don't have to be a superhero to be courageous. Read a biography of a real person who showed courage.
6. Learn more about saints who showed courage: Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Bernadette, and Saint Paul Miki are great saints to start with!
7. It takes real courage to admit when we've done something wrong. Think of a time when you have made a mistake and not told the truth about it. Now find the courage to be honest!

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website

Virtue of the Month : Courage

To choose what is good, even when it is the most difficult choice and comes with risk.

"Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the Lord, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

Examples of Courage in the Bible

The Bible often uses the word "strong" as a synonym for courage and refers to courage as not giving into fear.

Psalm 27:1. 14

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?

The Lord is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid? Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!"

Mark 10:49

"Take courage; get up, he is calling you."

Joshua 1:9

"Be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go."

Isaiah 41:6

"Each one helps his neighbor, one says to the other, 'Courage!'

John 16:33

"I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world."

2 Corinthians 5:6

"So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight."

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852

Phone (301) 762-4179

Fax (301) 762-9550

Website