Week 1:
Introduction to the Holy Rosary
and the Luminous Mysteries
Main Ideas
- Note that every time we pray the Rosary, we follow a series of Mysteries.
- There are four sets of Mysteries: The Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous (mysteries of light).
- Each set of Mysteries is in another set of five. (See handout on the Holy Rosary – how to pray!)
- The Luminous Mysteries were given to us by St. Pope John Paul II around 2002, so some older versions of the Rosary may not mention the Luminous Mysteries!
- 4th & 5th grades will focus on the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary this year because they shed light on the identity of Jesus – that he really is the son of God!
- The Rosary is a very special prayer given to us by our Mother, Mary. What may at first sound like a boring, repetitious string of words to some people, is really a great treasure of our Church and has great value in helping us learn to pray, and to enter into prayer when life overwhelms us. Praying the Rosary teaches us patience, diligence, piety, humility, and more; while also helping us to meditate on the life of Jesus!
- Children will need a Rosary for this unit. If you do not have Rosaries in your home, please contact the office and we can get you as many as you need!
The Holy Rosary
- The Holy Rosary – how to pray handout. Note that this is a two-page handout.
- Watch this video on the Holy Rosary!
- Pray the Rosary with us! The Luminous Mysteries were recorded live at the Servants of Mary in Windsor, Ohio in front of a 50′ tall Our Lady of Guadalupe! Our Rosary group and ladies’ book club, along with a few other friends came along to pray with us. It’s not perfect, but it is prayerful!
- Here are a couple more good videos to follow along as you are learning to pray the Rosary.
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!!
Activity
- Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, and the Luminous Mysteries crossword puzzle. If you make a mistake, you will need to re-enter the word into the puzzle so that it turns green and dings correct! Do NOT click on anything that says “start” – those are ads that support the website!
Optional Craft
Help your child create his/her own Rosary! This helpful link includes list of materials and instructions on how to make it! (We have plenty of “pony beads” here, if you need them!) https://justonecarryon.com/diy-rosary-for-kids/ There is something special about making your own Rosary! Parents may want to try it, too! (We have many materials here – just call and we’ll put a kit together for you! Or you can shop for your own materials at a craft store or online.)
Pray
- Students, your prayer mission for this month is to pray the Holy Rosary, and go to Mass; Mass is big prayer! If you are unable to attend Mass in person, you can view Mass on our parish Facebook page.
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:
The Baptism of Jesus and
Your Baptism
Main Ideas
- When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit came upon him in the form of a dove, and the Father’s voice from heaven was heard, declaring Jesus as his own beloved Son.
- Baptism can only be done once because it makes a permanent change in our soul.
- Baptism removed the stain of Original Sin, and any personal sin committed up to that point (personal sin particularly for older children or adults).
- Baptism makes us members of God’s own family through adoption as God’s own children.
- Jesus, although he had NO sin – not even Original Sin – was baptized to give us example, so that we could walk in his footsteps, but also so that we together could share in that experience with him. In our baptisms, we die with Christ (die to sin) and are raised with him to new life
Parents
Parents – talk with your child about his/her baptism. Tell them how old they were, where they were baptized, and who their Godparents are. Who baptized him/her? Share with them why you chose those Godparents. Then help your child complete a baptism remembrance poster. Perhaps you have a photo or two from the baptism that you could scan onto a piece of paper that they could use for the poster. Encourage them to be creative, and help those children who are not generally artistic to create something that they will be proud to hang up in their rooms! Consider reaching out to your child’s Godparents – maybe send them a card, or invite them for ice cream!
Watch
Watch video on baptism for children (less than 2 minutes) HERE.
Complete
Complete “Baptism Changes Me” form and submit.
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 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
- 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?
- Information and handouts on St. Therese can be found HERE.
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!)