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OCIC BLAZE 8: APR. 26
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BLAZE 8: April 26, 2026 - Keep the Story Going!LOOKING FORWARD: Becoming leaders of the faith
This is our last BLAZE night before FAM INTO FLAME! this year: our awesome FIRE celebration at the end of the year. That's why we're looking to the future - a reminder that our Catholic lives are just beginning. There's so much to look forward to - because Sacraments invite us to not only know and love Jesus better, they empower us to change the world around us.
Over the next few years, your son or daughter will begin the journey toward another important Sacrament: CONFIRMATION, but in the meantime, there's lots of good work to do. This BLAZE night is about becoming the amazing people God is calling us to be.
SCRIPTURE TO READ TOGETHER:
Acts of the Apostles 2
CATECHISM FOR OUR GROWTH:
#1
#30
#900
#1285
BLAZE AT HOME ASSIGNMENT: FIVE STEPS TO BECOME A LEADER THAT CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
It's easy to fall into the complacency of letting faith be the thing that we do when we don't have anything else to do... But actually, if we want to do ANYTHING else well, we need God to do it. Your child has been given a great gift by the Lord: and by YOU - a chance to really pursue a life worth having. From today on, your child will be growing in holiness and striving to become a leader for others. Keep the story going!
Take a moment to watch this with your child: Explain that when Jesus came, many people did not understand that He was the Son of God. They wanted to make the world be fair, but Jesus taught us in a new way: LET GOD LEAD YOU, and YOU LEAD OTHERS. (5 min) -
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- DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR BECOMING SOMEONE OF STRONG FAITH
Download and print: JESUS AT THE CENTER OF MY LIFE activity sheet
Directions: If you are going to map out a way towards becoming holy, you need an idea of how to do it. The Church has learned how to do this from Jesus Himself.
This is our last BLAZE AT HOME assignment so this is really assignment FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Some of the resources are for kids (FOR THE KIDS) or support material for the parents (JUST FOR PARENTS). We make it clear at each step so you can see what the resources are.
YOU WILL NEED: a blue crayon/pencil/marker/pen, a red crayon/pencil/marker/pen, a green crayon/pencil/marker/pen, a black crayon/pencil/marker/pen.
GREEN = I DO THIS DAILY
RED = I DO THIS EVERY WEEK (At least)
BLUE = I DO THIS EVERY MONTH
BLACK = THE BASICS (I practice these on my own or with my parents' help)
a. BLACK: In the stem of the flower, write "MY HOLY PLAN"
b. GREEN: On one leaf, write, "The Bible"
c. GREEN: On the other leaf, write, "Prayer"
d. BLACK: On the first petal of the flower, write, "Patron Saint!"
e. BLACK: On the second petal of the flower, write, "Virtues"
f. BLUE: On the third petal of the flower, write, "Reconciliation"
g. RED: On the fourth petal of the flower, write, "Holy Mass"
h. GREEN: On the fifth petal of the flower, write, "Serve"
i. GREEN: On the sixth petal of the flower, write, "Give"
j. GREEN: On the seventh petal of the flower, write, "Love"
h. BLACK: On the eighth petal of the flower, write, "Keep trying"
i. GREEN: On the last petal of the flower, write, "Count Blessings"
You can color the flower, but make sure that the words can still be read, and then place your flower on the fridge or even in a pretty frame in your house so that you can check how you are doing every week.
The point of the flower is to have a map of how to live a holy life every day.
Here's how to use it:
MY HOLY PLAN: START WITH PRAYER, THE BIBLE
There is no way to become a holy person without forgiveness and hope. That's why it's important to be encouraged, be part of a greater network of support, and close to Jesus in His own words. Each week, make an effort to go to Mass and read from your Bible as a family. And go to confession once a month. Pray each day, and ask your Patron Saint for help! - PATRON SAINT
Picking a Saint to partner with you and pray for your journey toward Jesus may seem like an unusual thing, but it's really not! The Saints have been given a great gift in praying for those here on earth who want to do great things for the Lord.
Looking for resources for picking patron Saints?
Let's plan!
Let's pick a Holy Saint to help us as a family (if you are feeling really excited, let each member of the family choose a Patron Saint of their own!) Take time out to learn something cool about your saint each month!
JUST FOR PARENTS:
+ Reflectio: Does your family have a Patron Saint? St. Patrick Parish in IL
https://youtu.be/H2s5BmFMh-U?si=i5_GBeOmAQjCURE2 (2 min)
+ Catholic Mom blog: https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/10/21/finding-your-patron-saint-or-being-found
+ The Biggest List of Saints for you to choose! Lifeteen.com
https://lifeteen.com/biggest-best-list-confirmation-saints-guys-girls/
+ Why pick a "Big Brother/Big Sister" Saint?
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/saints - VIRTUES
VIRTUES help us become the people we want to be: but we need to know what virtues are and how to teach them to our kids. This petal is to remind us that every single day, we should choose a virtue to work on. It's a PRACTICE of choosing the good.
Let's plan!
Let's pick a virtue every week to work on as a family. We can be proud of the virtues we are growing in, and be forgiving when we fail.
FOR KIDS AND PARENTS:
+ The 7 Deadly Sins + 7 Heavenly Virtues Explained for Kids
Super cute and easy to understand! (SpiritJuice Kids) (5 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFhRUbZu_PM
JUST FOR PARENTS:
+ CATHOLIC PARENTING: How To Teach Virtue To Children (Catholic Minute) (8 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0pOFTB87wY
+ Here are some great books for your family library:
"The Virtue Driven Life"
"The Children's Book of Virtues" by William Bennett
"Virtues of the Saints" by Fr. Don Calloway and others - RECONCILIATION
Developing a life of virtue means you're going to stumble sometimes (it's not easy!) That's why going to Confession regularly gives us the ability to stay close to the virtues we need and the forgiving ourselves and others, when we fail. Once a month is a great holy habit.
Let's plan!
How can we make a plan to make monthly Reconciliation something we look forward to? - THE HOLY MASS
We should get in the holy habit of receiving Jesus in the Eucharist as often as we can! Fortunately, we can go to Mass at least once a weekend, but did you know you could go to DAILY Mass? Saint Luke even has a 6 am Mass on Wednesdays for grownups and kids who would like to go to Mass once a week before going off to school and work.
Let's plan!
How can we make going to Mass an easy, good thing to do? How can we help each other get ready on time? How can we talk about what we heard at Mass, and use it to live this Holy Plan? - SERVE!
Becoming a generous person starts with recognizing that we have something to offer. It also has been proven as the biggest antidote for depression! Giving of yourself reminds you that Christ has given you a chance to make the world better. You can help your children focus on doing a little act of service EVERY SINGLE day: this is LOVE!
Let's plan!
How can we as a family look at being generous as a chance to be good for one another?
FOR KIDS AND PARENTS:
+ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMnEP2DYfmI
This sweet story about how one act of generosity affects all: RIPPLE (5 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y4A9_ousPA
Crossroads Kids Club: GOD'S STORY: GENEROSITY (4 min)
JUST FOR PARENTS:
+ Many ministries and organizations at Saint Luke have lots of opportunities to give of yourself. Check them out here!
+ https://youtu.be/1iR2UQWn5dc?si=XYQOU5IhYwpUs1jM (5 min)
Father Mike Schmitz: GENEROSITY THE GREATEST SPIRITUAL GIFT - GIVE
Giving doesn't have to cost money - sometimes, the greatest generosity is just seeing that someone could use your time, or your help, something you can lend, or something that you can give away.
Let's plan!
Let's plan! Think of ways to save change or give of your time and effort that can make a big difference. Consider calling our Good Samaritan Ministry to find out if there is a volunteer opportunity (Thanksgiving Baskets, Food Pantry, Project Christmas, School Supplies Program, etc) where you and your child can serve together! 985-641-6421
- DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR BECOMING SOMEONE OF STRONG FAITH