Catholic, Etc. (www.catholicetc.com) is a free-to-use, online activities site aimed at Catholic youth. Featuring an interactive coloring book, jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, and streaming music, the site is a virtual “one-stop-shop” for interactive Catholic activities.

“I created the site because I saw a void,” said Matt Hollingsworth, developer of Catholic, Etc. (CE). “I worked at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School in Northern Virginia for a few years, and all of the quality activities sites we used were secular in nature. My daughter would ask to play on the computer after school, and there was very little in terms of Biblical activities that she actually wanted to use. I wanted to make something fun, but that also reinforced the faith.”

Catholic Etc. - A family friendly place for faith, fellowship and fun

Inspired to provide an alternative, Matt took to his computer this past March. After a few weeks of coding into the night after work, CE emerged.

One of the most striking features is a Biblical tie-in to nearly every activity. For example, a coloring page about the Israelites gathering manna into baskets has text from the book of Exodus, complete with a link to the passage underneath the coloring section. This provides a reference point and an easy way to explore the scriptures that are depicted in each activity.

Matt’s favorite feature is the music. “I love watching my daughter listen to Catholic music while coloring and doing puzzles. She’s so engaged in the faith, but she doesn’t even realize it. She’s just having fun.”

A labor of love, CE will continue to grow as time goes on. “It took a lot of time and effort to get started,” Matt said. “But I plan on adding a lot more resources and features in the coming months and years. Stay tuned!”

Visit CatholicEtc.com