Click on the image above or here to print the coloring page!
If you'd like another activity, try out this set of Papal Trivia:
Or you could grab a copy of We Have a Pope at The St. Paul Center here or it is also available on Amazon here.
Click on the image above or here to print the coloring page!
If you'd like another activity, try out this set of Papal Trivia:
Or you could grab a copy of We Have a Pope at The St. Paul Center here or it is also available on Amazon here.
Here's a list of ideas to help you and your kids have a holy and purposeful Lent and Holy Week, as well as celebrate some of the important March Feast Days like St. Patrick and St. Joseph!
A long, long time ago (2012!) I posted a set of Resurrection Eggs (for the stories during Holy Week) that I made with our CCD program. A couple of years later, I also made a set of Way of Light Resurrection Eggs (for the stories during the Easter Season). We recently had a CCD family day focusing on the Stations of the Cross. Kids aged 5-14 participated, and I knew that the little ones would benefit from something hands-on before we went to the church to pray the Stations together. I thought about making a version of the Resurrection Eggs, but really wanted to make sure we were hitting all of the traditional Stations of the Cross- and then I remembered how my friend Bonnie prayed the Stations with her kids back when her now teenagers were toddlers. So, inspired by Bonnie Engstrom (who tells me she was inspired by Kate Wicker), I set up a symbol for each Station for the kids to collect, complete with artwork and a table tent explaining the meaning of the symbol.
You can certainly use this idea to make a hands-on set of the Stations of the Cross for your own home, but I wondered if maybe someone else had seen activities like this and wanted to be able to replicate it for a whole group. So I made sure that I used objects that were affordable on a larger scale and created printables using public domain images (or my own art) so that you would be free to print them yourself.
I ordered simple cotton bags for the children to put each object in (fyi, I got 4x6 bags, but 5x7 would have been a better choice) and added a tag that they labeled "Stations of the Cross" and wrote their name (important since they will look exactly alike). Practically speaking, the set would be easier for preschoolers to use at home if they were in a box, rather than having them dump the bag out when you are planning on using them. But the bags were a simple and affordable way to package them for the activity at church, and then parents can always change up the storage when they take them home. The rock, nail, cross, and medal are also choking hazards for little ones, so if you are making these without parents present, it might be a good idea to give them a heads up before those items get lost around their house! ;)
Here is the list of objects according to each Station: (You can obviously switch these up based on supplies you have on hand or your own creative ideas!)
Surprise- I have a new book! We Have a Pope is a beautifully illustrated picture book (dream fulfilled to do a project with the talented Kortnee Senn) and my hope is that it helps little (and big) Catholics appreciate the legacy of St. Peter and the gift of the papacy. Beginning when Jesus calls Peter to hold the keys of the Kingdom and continuing until today, the book also gives a peek into what happens during a papal conclave. Set in Vatican City, the pages share a look at St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. It’s available for preorder now from The St. Paul Center and will release on February 22nd, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter!
Here are a few sneak peeks inside, as well as the book description and a couple of the endorsements. (The book has an imprimatur as well- all my books do!)
It’s time to elect a pope!
Welcome to St. Peter’s Square in the heart of the Vatican, where cardinals are arriving from every corner of the globe. They have come to elect a new pope.
We Have a Pope is a gorgeously illustrated children’s book by beloved author Katherine Bogner and illustrator Kortnee Senn.
Discover the history of the papacy and how a new pope is chosen in We Have a Pope. See inside the walls of the Sistine Chapel and watch from St. Peter’s square as the whole Catholic Church waits to hear the words “Habemus papem—we have a pope!”
"A beautiful collaboration between two of my favorite Catholic creators! This book is a charming and informative behind-the-scenes look at how the Catholic Church elects a new pope, vibrantly illustrated. Perfect for classrooms, homeschools, and any home with a love for Catholic traditions and practices.” -Kendra Tierney, Mother of Ten, Author of The Catholic All Year Compendium
“A delight for the mind, soul, and eyes! With bright, reverent, captivating illustrations, We Have a Pope is such a teaching-rich, unique picture book, one from which both adults and children will learn. I can’t wait to read and reread it to my own children and to recommend the book to others!” -Katie Warner, Bestselling Author of the First Faith Treasury Series
And you know that I always offer resources to help you get the most out of my books! With your purchase of We Have a Pope directly from The St. Paul Center, you will receive a digital download with special bonus resources. (This will be sent directly from SPC with your order confirmation.)
This exclusive PDF includes printable coloring pages, prayer cards, papal trading cards, and more!
You can preorder the book here and it releases in less than two weeks!
(It is also available on Amazon here, and it will be available as an ebook after the release date!)