Archdiocese of Baltimore Creative Services Director Tim Murphy says his own faith has grown through connecting with the youngest members of the Catholic community. Over the past year, Murphy has helped lead a program by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Catholic Review that produces CR for Kids – a monthly resource designed for parishioners, families and students.
Featuring Murphy’s original artwork for children to color, CR for Kids offers a fun, faith-filled way to engage youngsters in the Gospel. Each month, a two-sided activity page invites children to explore Scripture through word searches, puzzles and other activities.
“I’m having some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my 10 years working at the archdiocese creating these,” said Murphy, a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park. “The whole process has illuminated my own understanding of not only Scripture, but how the church selects readings from the Old Testament and New Testament that pair so beautifully each week.”
Murphy often tests his creations on his daughters, Evelyn, 9, and Gwen, 7, as well as students from Monsignor Slade Regional Catholic School in Glen Burnie.
Beth Mayr, director of evangelization at Catholic Community of South Baltimore, said she has seen the fruits of CR for Kids in her parish and her own family.
She downloads the artwork and uses it on the cover of the parish’s weekly bulletin. CR for Kids is also used to supplement the parish’s “pew art,” which welcomes families and entertains children during Mass.
Mayr brings her children, Charlotte, 5, and Stephen, 2, to Mass each week and has seen firsthand how her daughter has enjoyed the coloring. She said the exercises also have sparked her daughter’s curiosity about Mass and the readings.
“People really seem to enjoy it,” Mayr said of CR for Kids. “We are very grateful to have it. It’s important because if kids don’t want to go to Mass, it makes it more difficult for families to get to Mass. It’s vital for our parish to be family-friendly and have that as part of our culture. It’s a simple but effective step in faith sharing.”
Mayr said CR for Kids also initiated discussions among adult parishioners, particularly one that centered on Mother Mary Lange’s cause for sainthood.
Father Jeff Dauses, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Baynesville, said, “The kids love it.”
Murphy selects a saint whose feast day is near, studies the month’s readings and designs themed activities. Parishes and schools across the archdiocese are encouraged to use CR for Kids as both an educational and entertaining faith resource. It’s distributed weekly through the archdiocesan update and is available for download at archbalt.org/social-media-resources.
Ways to use CR for Kids
» If your parish prints copies of CR for Kids, pick one up at Mass. If not, print one out for your family at archbalt.org/social-media-resources.
» After Mass, talk about the Scripture featured in the activity sheet. Ask your child what he or she learned or noticed about the story.
» Save completed pages in a folder or binder. Over time, it becomes a colorful scrapbook of your child’s spiritual growth and family faith memories.
» Each issue highlights a saint whose feast day is near. Read a short story about that saint as a family and talk about how their example inspires us to live like Jesus.
» Display finished coloring pages and puzzles as a reminder of the week’s Gospel message. It helps children feel proud of their faith-filled work and keeps Scripture visible in your home.
» Individuals families are also welcome to download the material for home use or home schooling.
Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org
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