The Holy Family
"They returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him."
- Luke 39-40
Feast of the Holy Family: Dec 26
EAT This
Make this recipe together
Weeknight Bolognese
Original Recipe from Ina Garten, the barefootcontessa.com
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Yield: Serves 4-5
Time: Approximately 45 min
Description: an easy bolognese pasta recipe that provides a great and shared family meal.
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Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground sirloin and cook, crumbling the meat with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat has lost its pink color and has started to brown. Stir in the garlic, oregano, and hot red pepper flakes and cook for one minute. Pour the wine into the skillet and stir to scrape up any browned bits. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1½ teaspoons pepper, stirring until combined. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.
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Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a tablespoon of salt and the pasta and cook according to the directions on the box.
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While the pasta cooks, finish the sauce. Add the nutmeg, basil, and cream to the sauce and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. When the pasta is cooked, transfer it with a slotted spoon or sieve to the pan with the sauce, saving the cooking liquid. Cook for one minute, add the remaining ¼ cup of wine, and cooking liquid, if necessary to make enough sauce. Serve hot with Parmesan on the side.
NOTES:
If you don’t have ground sirloin, substitute any ground meat such as chuck, turkey, or pork. You can even substitute chopped mushrooms for a vegetarian dinner!
If you don’t have shells, use any dried pasta that you like!
If you don’t have cream or basil, you can leave it out!
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Copyright 2010, Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That? by Ina Garten, Clarkson Potter/Publishers, All Rights Reserved
Ingredients:
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Good olive oil
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1 pound lean ground sirloin
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4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
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1 tablespoon dried oregano
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¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
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1¼ cups dry red wine, divided
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1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
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2 tablespoons tomato paste
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Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
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1 pound dried pasta, such as orecchiette or small shells
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¼ teaspoon nutmeg
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¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
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¼ cup heavy cream
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Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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PRAY This
Pray this prayer together
1. Place an image of the Holy Family in your home
Ideally in a central place where you come together
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2. Share something you would each like to pray for
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3. Pray the prayer below to the Holy Family.
You can also pray the Rosary together, which Pope Francis invited families and engaged couples to pray together.
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Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family.
Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
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Mary, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother,
nourish our family with your faith and your love.
Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.
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Joseph, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary,
keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.
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Holy Family of Nazareth,
make our family one with you.
Help us to be instruments of peace.
Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass.
May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you.
Amen.
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WATCH This
Watch this movie together
As you eat your bolognese, watch:
Pray: The Film.
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Available at: Praythefilm.com (for purchase via amazon, itunes, or google play)
Movie Run Time: 1 hr 11 min
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Description:
PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON is a documentary about Patrick Peyton, wo was born in 1909. Exposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Ireland, Patrick’s life is transformed, and he emigrates to the United States. In his 20s, prayer results in Patrick being miraculously healed from tuberculosis. On the cusp of World War II, he sends 20,000 letters to American families, asking them to pray. Patrick moves to Hollywood, where he starts a radio program. Never taking “No” for an answer, Patrick convinces Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Lucille Ball, Ronald Reagan, and Jimmy Stewart, to help him spread the message, “The family that prays together stays together."
DISCUSS This
Share together as a family
After watching the movie, use any of the following questions to share as a family.
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1. What changed Fr Peyton's life and made him want to pray?
2. When have you felt unheard or wanted to give up? What helped you keep going?
3. Why did Fr Peyton believe that "the family that prays together stays together"?
4. What are ways we can pray as a family? What do you need prayers for right now?
5. The Holy Family didn't have much, but they had God and one another. How can we be there for each other and love God like Joseph, Mary and Jesus?