~by Veronica G
My children and I worked together to make Bean Cakes for lunch.
We found the recipe on the Catholic Relief Services handout with our Lenten Rice Bowl. You can find it by clicking the photo below.
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This lent, I'm introducing prayer, fasting, and alms-giving to the kids. Making these CRS meals is a great way to teach this lesson and find solidarity with the poor. I really value the work that Catholic Relief Services does. Of the money they collect, 94% goes right to programs that benefit the poor. They work build up communities for long term economic growth through various programs in health, economics, politics, education, emergency response, and more!. The Bean Cake is a typical meal in Burkino Faso. While the cakes were frying, the kids watched a short youtube video about the work CRS is doing in Burkino Faso. I encourage you to watch it if you have the time.
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| Simple ingredients (remember the recipe can be found by clicking the link above) |
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| mixing, another very Catholic Montessori technique |
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| Protecting our ears. |
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| We weren't too sure about eating mixed up beans, carrots, onion and egg. It didn't look good... I actually added garlic just so I would like it. I usually don't like to modify these Lenten meals too much, but I didn't want to waste it if it didn't taste good! |
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| and then we fried it and WHOO HOO! |
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| IT WAS DELICIOUS! |
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| We called them "nuggets" and the kids gobbled it up with ketchup |
I really want my children to realize that not everyone gets candy for Valentines day, not every kid gets extra cups of milk when they spill it, and not everyone gets to choose what they eat for dinner. I don't want them to feel sad or ashamed about the blessings God has given them. I do want them to be inspired to reach out - however they can, and however they are called by God - to serve others who are in need.
I chose a life of marriage and feel blessed to have been able to give birth to my children. I love Lent because it is a time of active intentional living. Being able to weave lessons into small practices and sacrifices, makes up for the fact that I am not living the life as a vowed religious - dedicating each moment to God's service. I am called to wipe runny noses and dirty tables. But during Lent, my intentional actions take on new meaning. I actively seek God. I actively seek to see myself through God's eyes. I actively seek to teach my children JUST HOW MUCH God loves them, and JUST HOW MUCH God needs them. He needs them to fast, to pray, and to give alms. He needs them to understand others and build community in our church, our country, and around the world. Catholic means universal - without praying for and recognizing the needs of our Church throughout the world... we can't really claim that universality. God needs my little ones to act, and He needs me to act, and He needs you too.
May you have a blessed Lent, and journey down the path God has set before you.
photo credits: Catholic Relief Services, Myself
Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne