Jun 24, 2026: St. John the Baptist and Summer Art

2026 weekly newsletter Jul 11, 2026

Art study resources, MFAH excursions this fall, backyard lizards, Glassell classes, and fireworks with the Symphony

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist

The Church celebrates very few birthdays. Christ's, of course. Mary's in September. And today — John the Baptist, the last of the prophets, the voice crying in the wilderness, the one who leapt in the womb at the sound of Mary's greeting. His birth was impossible. Elizabeth was old, Zechariah had stopped believing, and yet God kept his promise anyway. For homeschooling families in the middle of summer, John the Baptist is a good patron for the season ahead. He lived simply. He spent long stretches in the wilderness before he ever spoke a public word. He knew exactly what his mission was — not to be the light, but to point to it. That is our work too. We are not the answer for our children. We are the ones preparing the way. Every book we open, every prayer we pray together, every hard conversation at the kitchen table is clearing a path for them to meet Christ on their own. We decrease. He increases. That is not failure. That is the whole plan.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." — John 3:30

Art Study This Summer

You don't need to be an artist to teach your children to see beauty. Art study at home starts the same way nature study does — with observation. Look closely. Talk about what you see. Ask your children what they notice. The rest follows.

Create. Little Holy Hearts — Catholic art lessons for kids ages 5–11, rooted in the liturgical year. Free tutorials on the blog. Crafty Catholic Moms — liturgical crafts, saint projects, and seasonal activities.

Learn. Art Education Through Religion Series from St. Augustine Academy Press — a structured Catholic art curriculum. AmblesideOnline Artist Study — a free term-by-term rotation of great artists with suggested works to study together.

Watch. Catholic Art Lessons for Kids and Art Education Through Religion — free YouTube playlists connecting art and faith. Smarthistory and Khan Academy — free video walkthroughs of individual works of art, explaining composition, context, and meaning.

Visit. Picasso–Klee–Matisse at the MFAH — 95+ works, open through September 13, free for children 12 and under. Summer Break at the MFAH — Thursdays all summer with gallery activities and art-making.

Save the Date: CHECH Art Gallery Excursions at the MFAH New for 2026–2027 — docent-led tours and activities to help your family engage with art in person. Two fall and two spring visits. More details coming soon. Not yet a member? Join CHECH.

Summer Reading Reminder
Reading logs are due July 1. The Popsicle Party is July 9 at Annunciation Catholic Church — games, certificates, raffle prizes (must be present to win), Confession, and Extraordinary Form Mass. Log in to submit your reading log.

Nature Spotlight

Backyard Lizards

If your kids are already chasing anoles around the yard, they're halfway to nature study without knowing it. Houston is home to several species of lizards — green anoles, brown anoles, Mediterranean geckos, and ground skinks are the most common. Challenge your family to sit still for ten minutes and just watch one. Where does it go? How does it move? Does it change color? What does it eat? Sketch it in your nature notebook. Look up what you find on iNaturalist. The best science lessons this summer might already be living on your fence.

Collect and Connect

Upcoming in Houston

ACT or SAT: Which Test Is Right for My Student? — Cygnus Test Prep | Free webinar | Tuesday, June 30 | 7:30–8:30 p.m. CT | ACT vs. SAT comparison, testing timelines, preparation strategies, and common mistakes

Star-Spangled Salute — Houston Symphony (free) | Saturday, July 4 | 8:30 p.m. at Miller Outdoor Theatre and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands | 1812 Overture, Stars and Stripes Forever, America the Beautiful | Fireworks grand finale

Looking for more? Visit our Community Calendar.

Tuttle Twins

Summer reading doesn't have to come off a shelf. Tuttle Twins teaches kids about free markets, entrepreneurship, and the ideas behind the American founding through illustrated picture books and chapter books for every age. With America's 250th this year and summer reading in full swing, it's a great time to hand your kids a story about how the world works. Explore all of our CHECH Partners.