Week 1:
First Holy Communions
Parents
This month we celebrate Mary and the Holy Rosary! Learn the prayers that we use in the Rosary, and learn to pray the Rosary by praying along with us. These are the Luminous Mysteries, given to us by St. (Pope) John Paul II. They reveal to us who Jesus really is. Click here for the link to our parish praying the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary with the parish ladies from the Rosary group and the book club, and some other friends from the parish. They will model for you how to pray the Rosary. We are praying the Luminous Mysteries this Month, but we will do the Joyful Mysteries in December, and the others, later on in the year! Your family can learn to pray the Rosary simply by praying along with us!
- Parents, special just for you! Here is a guided meditation on hands and Jesus’s hands for your prayerful reflection.
- Please pray the Angel of God prater with your little ones as you tuck them into bed at night, say grace before meals together (beginning with the Sign of the Cross), and get your family to Mass. This is the biggest prayer yet. If you are not able to physically attend due to health concerns, please join the Mass virtually via our Facebook Page! Don’t forget to pick up the children’s prayer books in the parish office at your earliest convenience.
First Communion and Reflection
First Holy Communions will be celebrated on Sunday, October 4th at 11 am Mass. Children who are just beginning the First Communion preparation this year are also encouraged to attend to see what it is like! Here is a reflection for children who have celebrated their First Holy Communions this year, for them to reflect on what it means to them. Click submit at the bottom of the form to return a copy to Joni when your child has completed this!
There will be one gathering session on Monday, October 19th at 6:30 pm for all of these children, where we will share what the experience was like for us, and to pray the Holy Rosary together. It will be in the church, to allow for proper social distancing. This session is called Mystagogy, and is a regular part of the sacramental preparation and celebration process!
Parents
- Watch the weekly news videos from our office. We send links to the YouTube videos to you through our Faith Formation gmail at faithformationoffice@gmail.com. Please make sure that our emails are not going to your junk or spam folders!
- Pray the Angel of God prayer with your little ones as you tuck them into bed at night, say grace before meals together (beginning with the Sign of the Cross), and get your family to Mass. This is the biggest prayer yet. If you are not able to physically attend due to health concerns, please join the Mass virtually via our Facebook page!
- Watch this special guided meditation just for you, parents! You deserve this quiet reflection time. Set aside just 10 minutes for yourself to do this.
Prayer Missions
Helpful video for learning the Sign of the Cross! By one of our teachers, Phoebe Koelsch, who works with the 1st grade class.
- Work on learning the Angel of God prayer – stop in the office and pick up your prayer flip books to help you learn your prayers! We have prepared one for each student, and are happy to do more if you want them for your whole family.
- Participate in Holy Mass!!
Crafts
- Start Jesus’ Friends Scrapbook. Directions can be found here. This scrapbook will be developed throughout the school year!
Watch
- Watch the video “The Princess of Lourdes” found of formed.org.
Pray
- Students, your prayer mission for this month is to practice the Sign of the Cross and to say thank you prayers to God each day for whatever beautiful things God has given you today! Work on learning and practicing the Our Father and the Hail Mary. Try to prayer them daily, as well as grace before meals. Also, participate in the Holy Mass! Mass is big prayer!
Week 2:
Missionary Childhood - India
Main Ideas
- Missionary Childhood will meet St. Theresa of Calcutta and look at what it’s like to be a Catholic in India, serving Jesus by helping the poor and the sick.
- The Church is bigger than Ss. Cosmas and Damian or Twinsburg – it is throughout the wole world. We are connected by God’s love for us and for each other.
Watch
- Introduction to Missionary Childhood
- Handouts
- Watch video for Missionary Childhood lesson.
- Watch Lukas Storyteller video: Mother Teresa “Love to Others” on formed.org.
Craft
Follow this link for some great coloring pages for the children, and coloring page quotes that are even great for adult coloring! Site is “Look to Him and Be Radiant.” There are lots of good things on the website!
Cook and Create!
Try a new recipe from India!
- Keema Aloo (Ground Beef and Potatoes)
- Roti Canai/Parath (Indian Pancakes)
Share and Discuss
As a family, talk about what you learned through Missionary Childhood about St. Mother Theresa, Indian, and loving others. What does this inspire you to do as a family?
Pray
Practice prayers, including Angel of God, Sign of the Cross, Our Father, and participating in the Holy Mass, and say a prayer for children and families all over the world.
Week 3:
Jesus and the Little Children
Main Ideas
- Children hold a special place in the heart of Jesus. He blessed the little children when they were brought to him, and he told his disciples that they must be like little children.
- Ponder what Jesus meant by “become like little children.” Perhaps he meant not questioning God, but trusting completely. Perhaps he meant being a good listener, and not interrupting the Lord, or thinking that we know better. What qualities do children have that our Lord, Jesus may have been highlighting? Commend your children when they exhibit these qualities! It seems to be harder as we get older!
- The prophet Isaiah said, “A little child shall lead them.” Parents are supposed to lead the household, and keep things in order – including our children. What do you suppose Isaiah intended here? Look it up for yourself in Isaiah 11:6.
- Parents – have you ever wished that you could have lived when Jesus lived – so that you could have brought your little children to him to be blessed? Well, you can! Jesus is really present in our church, especially at Mass when he is present in the consecrated bread and wine and it really becomes Jesus’ very own flesh and blood! This is not symbol – this is our Lord, coming to us in a self-sacrificing way, to nourish us and sustain us in this life. Take your children to Mass, and explain to them that Jesus is really here with us! Help the get excited to be in his presence! This is an incredible gift you can give to your children every week.
Parents
Share YOUR favorite Bible story about Jesus with your child. If you don’t know where to find it in the Bible, just Google it! Help your child find the story in the Bible. Talk about why this is your favorite story, and what you learned about Jesus from it. Everything that is written in the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit and written down by human authors in their own words (God didn’t dictate the Bible).
- Help your child look up stories about what Jesus had to say about children, and about his blessing of them. Read these together. The Greatest in the Kingdom – Matthew 18:1-5 and the Blessing of the Children – Matthew 19:13-15. Talking points to share with you family can be found HERE.
Play
Word Find – “Jesus Loves the Little Children”
If you don’t have a printer, we can print this out for you. Just let us know, and you can pick up any time!
Create
Coloring page of Jesus and the children. Have your child create a coloring page of him/herself celebrating Holy Communion with Jesus. Add it to your Jesus and Friends Scrapbook!
Sing!
Joyful Praise – songs will review week 1 lesson and more.
Pray
Practice your praters, following the flip book and the guide that goes with it. If you haven’t picked it up yet, they are in the parish office!
Place your Bible on your family’s special prater center, where everyone will be able to see it and use it often.
Week 4:
Missionary Childhood - Cameroon
Main Ideas
- Missionary Childhood will meet St. Therese of the Lisieux as we visit Cameroon. Find out what it’s like to be a Catholic in Cameroon.
- How are we like those Catholics in Cameroon? How are we different? We are all brothers and sisters, children of God!
- Sing Joyful Praise with us!
Watch
- Information and handouts on St. Therese
- Watch Lukas Storyteller video on St. Therese of the Child Jesus as she teaches about prayer on formed.org. How are your prayers coming along? What are your favorite prayers?
Craft
Follow this link for some great coloring pages for the children.
Cook and Create!
Try a new recipe from Africa/Cameroon! Here is a link to some of Mrs. Nadine Nana’s favorites:
Share and Discuss
As a family, talk about what you learned through Missionary Childhood. What does this inspire you to do as a family?.
Pray
Practice prayers, including Angel of God, Sign of the Cross, Our Father, and participating in the Holy Mass, and say a prayer for children and families all over the world.
Bonus!
Count Your Blessings
Candy Corn Worksheet
Email me your success stories!! Photos are most welcome! (We like to get excited about your successes, too!)