December 27, 2012

Christmas in a Monastery

If you’ve ever wondered how a community of Catholic Sisters celebrates Christmas, I know how you feel. I used to wonder too!

My community of monastic Benedictine Sisters has its own traditions which I am happy to share. (I’m not sure how apostolic communities celebrate, or if they even gather together on Christmas Day. They don’t live in community as monastics do. In fact, they often live far away from the Motherhouse. As a monastic community, we live together and celebrate holy days together.) Continue Reading

December 22, 2012

Lots of Daughters and Grandmas

Well, the last day of school has arrived for the year amid a flurry of activity. We had ornaments to make, songs to practice and a concert to perform. In the middle of it all, we visited the monastery. What fun!

The monastery trip was our Christmas Concert rehearsal, service project and super snack time. Since I live there, the kids call the field trip a visit to “Sister Stefanie’s house.” 🙂 Continue Reading

December 17, 2012

Grace the Advent Elf

The elf on the shelf seems to be a big thing right now, but I hadn’t been interested till now. As a Catholic school teacher, I hesitate to participate in such secular activities. Plus the elf is supposed to report to Santa if children are bad. I don’t like it. There’s no such thing as a bad kid! Continue Reading

December 16, 2012

A Contemplative Advent Prayer Service for Preschoolers

I like to hold a prayer service with the preschool students (shown here from our trip to St. Mary Monastery last week) when we place the next flame on the candle of our advent wreaths, which we will do again tomorrow.

I know, I know: How in the world do you do a prayer service with preschoolers? Well, I will tell you. 🙂 Continue Reading

December 13, 2012

Christmas Fun and Learning

In the classroom this week we started to work on Christmas. Although I try to keep the 1st week of Advent sacred, we do start Christmas early (along with the rest of the country … although we don’t start the Christmas season at St. Mary Monastery till a week or so before Christmas). Continue Reading

December 7, 2012

Jesus: Always Loving Us, Always Lighting Our Way!

Throughout Advent, Jesus Time will take place around the Advent wreath. We review what we’ve learned, and add something new every day. This week, that meant sharing a secret.

Everyone grew quiet and leaned in. We all love secrets! This secret is about the Advent wreath. Continue Reading

December 5, 2012

Getting Ready for Something Special

We are in the first week of Advent and I am all excited. I always love teaching, but teaching about Advent is one of my favorite religion lessons!

We start by talking about seasons.

First, I ask the children to list the seasons of the year (we have been working on this for about 2 months now). They share with gusto! Continue Reading