Craft for today's Gospel (Fisher of Men) and we have a little secret

Today's Gospel was Jesus calling the disciples to come follow Him and He would make them fisher of men! 

We began the morning with a prayer to St Michael 

St. Michael the Archangel, 
defend us in battle. 
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, 
and do thou, 
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, 
by the power of God, 
thrust into hell Satan, 
and all the evil spirits, 
who prowl about the world 
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. .

We read the Gospel as a preview to mass. 

Matthew 4:12-23

12Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; 13and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Caper'na-um by the sea, in the territory of Zeb'ulun and Naph'tali, 14that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15"The land of Zeb'ulun and the land of Naph'tali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles -- 16the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." 17From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb'edee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. 23And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. 

We reviewed a map to see where they would be fishing. 

Now the craft.

I found a neat idea over at Art Camp  and expanded the idea just a tiny bit.  You know I am always saving cardboard tubes, I add some googly eyes and the red was just a scrap of a red envelope saved from Christmas.  

I tried making one before class to see how long it would take to make and dry.  Using acrylic paints, they dry very fast.  The metallic paint created something fun. 

I packed up my art bag and headed for the church hall. 

They loved the craft and I think they turned out well. 

We discussed what it meant to be "fisher of men".   Bringing others out of the water (baptism perhaps?)  and to follow Jesus.  So we decided we would spread the Word our way. 

We printed up images and put them on small bags of Gold Fish crackers  and left for snacks after mass. 

This really got them sparked and they requested we do something for the senior center in our little town in the future.  Wow. 

Back to the homestead.... We have been keeping a little secret.  It has been three years since Dude's back surgery.  He got the go-ahead from him his doctor to start riding a horse again about a year or more ago.   Dude has found a horse and been riding and taking care of her at a stable in the foothills. The prior owner paid the stables through the end of next week and trail rides. She told Dude he could keep them until we bring her home Feb. 1st. He goes twice a week and on the weekend to ride and just be with her.  She is only 8 years old and her name is Daisy. 

peace