The Two Hearts

Last week the Church gave us two feasts side by side — the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The heart of the Son and the heart of the Mother, both pierced, both offered, both burning with love. June is the month of the Sacred Heart, and there is no better image for a homeschooling family at the end of a long year. His heart is not efficient. It is on fire. It loves the slow ones and the stubborn ones and the ones who keep wandering off. If you are tired right now, rest here. The Sacred Heart is not asking you to do more. It is asking you to let yourself be loved.

"Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." — Matthew 11:29

Nature Study This Summer

Nature study is simpler than you think. It's not a curriculum. It's a habit — being outdoors, observing what's there, learning to see what you've been walking past. A notebook, a pencil, and time outside each week. Start this summer.

Read. Nature Walk with the Saints from Catholic Sprouts — pair nature observation with the saints who loved creation.

Learn. How to Do Nature Study and Nature Lore Books from Sabbath Mood Homeschool. AmblesideOnline Nature Study for a thorough guide with a multi-year rotation.

Draw. Bird Drawing Masterclass from John Muir Laws — free video tutorial on bringing birds to life on paper.

Identify. Merlin Bird ID and iNaturalist — free apps for birds, plants, and wildlife. Critter Connections Magazine — free quarterly for ages 13 and under. TWA Lesson Portal — free downloadable science lessons for K–12.

Go. Water's Extreme Journey at HMNS Sugar Land — hands-on watershed science, open daily through August 10. George Observatory Summer Stargazing on Saturday evenings in Needville. Free Tuesdays at the Houston Zoo — July/August tickets open Wednesday, July 1 at 7 p.m.

Save the Date: CHECH Nature Rambles at the Houston Arboretum New for 2026–2027 — naturalist-led tours and activities. Two fall and two spring visits. More details coming soon. Not yet a member? Join CHECH.

St. John Bosco Prep

(Plantersville / Magnolia)

St. John Bosco Prep offers Thursday high school classes at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Plantersville, serving Catholic families in the Plantersville, Anderson, and Magnolia communities. Drop-off, pay-per-course classical education including Algebra, English Composition with Literature, Advanced Biology, Chemistry, and Home Economics. September through May. CHECH members can find St. John Bosco Prep and other area groups on our Community Groups page.

Upcoming in Houston

Summer of Soccer Film Series — MFAH | June 18, 20 & July 3 | Shaolin Soccer, Pups United, and Bend It Like Beckham | Celebrating the beautiful game on the big screen

International Soccer Day & Health Festival — The Health Museum | Saturday, June 20 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Soccer scrimmage, interactive exhibits, face painting, food | Free for members or with admission

Epic Greece with Teach to the Text — Info Session | Wednesday, June 24 | 6:00–6:45 p.m. CT | Virtual info session for a Summer 2028 student trip to Greece | RSVP required, limited spots | A CHECH partner

World Trekkers: China — HMNS | Friday, June 26 | Hanfu fashion showcase, traditional Chinese instruments, Kung Fu demonstration, and Lion Dance | $5 members, $10 non-members

Bayou Bend Summer History Camp: Crafting America — MFAH | Level 1 (5th grade): July 6–10, explore the 1700s through metal-forging, candle-molding, and quill-pen writing | Level 2 (6th grade): July 13–17, hands-on crafting and object-study from the mid-to-late 1800s

Homeschool Travel Deals — Texas | Discounted rates on family-friendly destinations for homeschoolers | Great Wolf Lodge Webster, Kalahari Round Rock, Moody Gardens Galveston, Margaritaville Lake Conroe, Kemah Boardwalk Inn, and more

Homeschool Mothers Retreat — Our Lady of Walsingham | Saturday, August 15 | Feast of the Assumption | Fr. Kramer and veteran homeschool mom Keri Cooper | Adoration, Confession, fellowship, and encouragement | For mothers at every stage | Flyer & Schedule

Ignatius Catholic Study Bible — 20% Off from St. Paul Center | Complete study Bible with 17,000+ footnotes, 1,700+ cross-references to the Catechism, topical essays, word studies, maps, and charts | In honor of the month of the Sacred Heart | Discount ends June 20 | A CHECH partner

Breakfast Ideas Kids Can Make This Summer — Kitchen Stewardship | Age-appropriate breakfast ideas from toddlers to teens | Smoothies, yogurt parfaits, eggs and toast, overnight oats, and more | From Katie Kimball of Kids Cook Real Food, a CHECH partner

Looking for more? Visit our Community Calendar for upcoming events across the Houston Catholic homeschool community.

Ignatius Press

Ignatius Press has been forming Catholic hearts for over 45 years — saints biographies, spiritual classics, and books for every age. Our CHECH Online Book Fair is open now. We'll also be raffling off Ignatius Press books at the Summer Reading Popsicle Party on July 9. Explore all of our CHECH Partners.