St. John Bosco (Feast Day January 31)

August 16, 1815 – January 31, 1888

John Bosco was born in Becchi, Italy. He was ordained a priest in 1841 and became a spiritual father to thousands of children. He started a school for poor boys, many of whom he met when he visited their parents in prison as part of his priestly work. These boys lived on the streets or in prisons. He started a school where they could eat and sleep safely. Later, John began a similar school for poor girls. John Bosco educated the whole person—body and soul. He believed that Christ’s love and our faith in that love should permeate everything we do—work, study, and play. For John Bosco, being a Christian was a full-time effort, not a once-a-week, Mass-on-Sunday experience. John started the Salesians—a group of priests who helped boys—and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians—a group of nuns who helped girls. (The Salesian name came from his devotion to St. Francis de Sales.) In 1875, he sent his first group of missionaries to the Americas.

·      What does it mean to be poor in spirit? Why do you think Jesus lifts this up as a desirable trait?

·      What does it mean to be merciful? Do you think you are merciful? Explain your answer.

·      What are some ways that people today are persecuted or insulted for following Jesus? What encouragement would you give them?

·      St. John Bosco gave spiritual guidance to thousands of children. Who do you go to for spiritual guidance? Why?

Puzzle Activity

Gather your family today for a little brain exercise! Whether it’s a crossword, jigsaw or Sudoku, puzzles engage our brains in more ways than one. Scientists have discovered that when we work on a jigsaw puzzle, we utilize both sides of the brain, improving memory, cognitive function, and problem-solving skills. Here are some ideas to consider:

·      Do a jigsaw puzzle together as a family.

·      Print an easy crossword, word search, or sudoku puzzle for each family member and see who can finish it first. Create mixed-age teams to create an even playing field or give older children/adults more challenging puzzles.

·      Search the Internet for create-your-own-puzzle templates.

·      Make your own family puzzle using family photos or hand-drawn artwork.

Bosco Sticks

Bosco sticks are breadsticks that are stuffed with mozzarella cheese and coated with butter and Parmesan. They are often served with marinara sauce. While the store-bought kind are delicious, the homemade ones are even tastier. Honor St. John Bosco by making this awesome and easy Bosco Sticks recipe.

2 pounds of pizza dough

16 skim mozzarella cheese sticks

Extra-virgin olive oil, to taste

Garlic powder, to taste

Oregano, to taste

Kosher salt, to taste

1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

Tomato sauce, for dipping

Preheat your oven to 400 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Take pizza dough, roll out into a rectangle, and place mozzarella string cheese per 1.5 inches of dough and cut into 1.5 inch strips. Wrap dough around string cheese, rolling as you go to form perfect breadsticks.

Bake for about 15 minutes or until barely golden. Remove from oven, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder, oregano, parmesan, and salt as desired. Wait 5 minutes for the Bosco sticks to cool before serving them.  Serve with pasta sauce for dipping. Super easy and so delicious!

Blessing Over Children

Enter into the theme of today’s Gospel by blessing your children. Parents/guardians are invited to place their hands upon the head of each child and pray the following prayer. Adapt the prayer as appropriate.

Lord Jesus,

I praise you for the love and mercy you pour out on our family.

Thank you for the many ways that you provide for us and protect us.

I ask for your blessing upon _______________.

Help him to know how much you love him.

Help him to know how much I love him.

Help him to discover the plan you have for his life.

Help him to see how gifted he is in [list areas of giftedness here].

Protect him from all harm.

Surround him with good friends and give him the wisdom to distance himself from anything that would cause him harm or hardship.

Be with him today and always and help him to grow up with you by his side.

Amen.

Find the baptismal font at your parish. Bless yourself with the water making the sign of the cross.

Invite each family member to choose one beatitude from the Gospel, but don’t share it with anyone. Try to live that beatitude for a whole week. At the end of the week, try to guess which beatitude each person selected.

January 29^th is National Puzzle Day. Celebrate this day with today’s Family Fun activity.