While Catholics in America aren’t as big on celebrating this feast day with their children, more and more American Catholic families are adopting St. Nicholas Day as a new Advent family tradition. Ideas to include in your children’s shoes are bags of chocolate candy coins, a small toy, new socks, a tangerine, and inexpensive religious items, such as a Christmas ornament, a rosary, saint bracelet, and prayer cards.

Another cute part of this tradition is for kids to leave carrots or hay in their shoes overnight for St. Nicholas’ donkey to eat. St. Nicholas takes the food for his donkey, and replaces them with small gifts and treats for the children in the morning.

Yes, St. Nicholas was known to ride a donkey laden with gifts for children before he graduated to flying reindeer!

Was born August 23, 1586 in Lima, Peru. While still young Rose began a rigorous life of prayer and penance, subjecting her body to austerities as well as deprivation of food and sleep. The result was exterior mortification and mystical experiences, as well as long periods of darkness and desolation. She joined the Third Order of St. Dominic and lived in a hut in her parents' garden, working to help support them and helping the poor and the sick in a make- shift infirmary. Like her, let us pray, "Lord, increase your love in my heart." 

On October 7th, the Church celebrates the feast day of Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary.

The feast day was established by Pope Saint Pius V on the anniversary of the victory at Lepanto on October 7, 1571.  The naval victory was attributed to the Virgin Mary whose intercession was entreated through the recitation of the Holy Rosary.

The Church then proceeded to dedicate the entire month of October to the Holy Rosary so that individuals, families, and communities would pray the Holy Rosary, if possible, on a daily basis for peace in the world.

Working with 7th and 8th grade students 1st graders made 9 fleece blankets. These blankets were donated to Children's Hospital over the Holidays.