St. Theresa Catholic Church

from 52 Sundays "A Guide to Reclaim The Lord’s Day for Faith and Family" 
By Anita Houghton and Tara Stenger 

The saints are members of the Church who are with Christ in heaven praying for those in the Church who are still on their pilgrimage of faith. The saints in this year’s edition of 52 Sundays all share one thing in common: they are martyrs of the Church.  Saints help us see how our ordinary lives can be lived out in extraordinary ways.

ST. AGAPE & sisters ~ (Feast Day April 3) d. 304

St. Agape, St. Chionia, and St. Irene were three virgin sisters from Thessalonica, Macedonia. According to Christian tradition, Agape and her sisters were martyred for the faith in the year 304. They were convicted of possessing sacred scriptural texts despite a decree issued in  303 by the Emperor Diocletian naming such possessions a crime punishable by death. During their trial, the sisters refused to make a sacrifice to the pagan gods and were martyred. Even though it would have been seemingly easy for Agape to momentarily push her faith aside to keep her life, she said, “I believe in the living God and will not by an evil action lose all the merits of my past life.” She was wise enough to know that one small evil action can have enormous consequences.

FAMILY FUN:  Preschool Games ~  No matter the age of your children, playing preschool games as a family can be a ton of fun! Younger kids love seeing their parents playing their games and older kids find creative and new ways to make these games new! Take some time today to play Follow the Leader, Simon Says, Red Light-Green Light, Hot Potato, Musical Chairs, or Duck, Duck, Goose.
 
RECIPE OF THE WEEK:   Catch a (Candy) Fish  - Just as Simon and Andrew cast their nets into the sea, make this fun dessert to catch some fish at home! —-(1 bag square snap pretzels /1 bag Hershey’s Kisses /candy fish (gummy fish, sharks, Swedish fish, etc.)—You will need at least one per pretzel  ...Preheat oven to 300 F. Line pretzels on a baking pan and place a candy kiss on each one. Bake for 2 to 3 minutes, until the candy kiss is glossy. Remove from the oven and place the candy fish on top of the kiss, smooshing it down. Allow the candy kiss to harden with the fish now caught in the net. Enjoy!
 
FAMILY PRAYER:   Entrhoning the Bible  - On this Sunday of the Word of God, take some time to honor and reflect on the Word of God as a family.  Set up a prayer table in a prominent place in your home where your Bible can be visibly enthroned, and your family can gather to pray.  Decorate your space with fabric, a candle, flowers, etc.  Open the Bible to John 8:28.  Play a praise and worship or instrumental song.  During the song, have family members bring to the table a lit candle, the Bible and a crucifix. 

ONLINE GIVING

We are grateful for your support of our church. Online Giving allows you to make contributions to our church without writing checks or worrying about cash donations. This site lets you set up automatic contributions and change the timing or the amount of your gift at any time. You may make pledges and manage your contributions to the pledge amount, and you may make one-time donations to special causes. Please click on "Donation"  above and complete your initial account registration. Thank you!

An Act of
Spiritual Communion 

My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

(Saint Alphonsus Liguori)

We are excited to announce our series of FORMED Now!