Letter 1-- Celebrating St. Patrick- Patron of Ireland Letter 2-- A Lenten Checklist Letter 3-- Getting Ready for Spring

Celebrating St. Patrick- Patron of Ireland
Feastday: March 17

I had always thought of St. Patrick's Day as a day for parades and parties but I never knew the reason why we celebrated. That is, until my twin daughters came home from their parish religion program. Sister Jean told them that St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints. Sister also said that it is a day when everyone is Irish.

But the true story of Patrick turns out to be an exciting tale of faith and adventure. Patrick was born around the year 385 in Roman Britain. These were Romans who were living in Britain. When he was just a teenage boy of 14 he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Patrick was held captive until he managed to escape at the age of 20. He returned to his family where he studied to become a priest. He was ordained a priest and soon after was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. Patrick converted all of Ireland to Christianity. After years of telling people about the Good News of Jesus Christ, he died in 471.

Why a shamrock?
Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Just as a shamrock has three leaves but is one plant, so the Trinity has three Persons in one God. Can you draw a shamrock and write the names of the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity on it?