Week 1:
God Made my Hands and Feet
Main Ideas
- God made us out of love.
- God made our hands and our feet, and God wants us to use them for loving! Maybe we use them to help take care of a pet? Remind the children of this as we remember St. Francis of Assisi and bring our pets to church for a special blessing!
- We can use our hands to pray to God, especially when we make the Sign of the Cross, and fold our hands for prayer. (and in praying the Rosary!)
- We are supposed to use our hands and feet to help others. Parents – this is a good time to establish or remind children of their responsibility in helping the family with simple chores around the house (using their hands, feet and hearts!)
- We can hear God speak to our hearts in the quiet space when we pray.
Important Dates
- Guardian angels feast day celebrated in the Church – October 2! We each have guardian angels to help us. We will learn the Angel of God prayer this month!
- Francis of Assisi – Blessing of Animals – October 4th at 6 pm on the Twinhaven Patio. Bring your pets! In cages – on leashes – in your arms, whatever! Very cool event!
- Feast of the Holy Rosary – October 7th. Click on this link to pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary with your family today (or at some other time).
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 - Choose 1 (or both!)
Watch
- Watch video of the story “Shhhh! God is in the Silence!” It’s about how to “be still” and listen for
God when we pray!
Watch
- Watch video introduction to the Holy Rosary. Note to parents – they do not mention the fourth set of mysteries in this video, which were instituted by St. John Paul II (St. John Paul the Great) around 2002. They are the Luminous Mysteries. Watch our parish video of the Luminous Mysteries to learn more, and to pray with us!
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:
God Made Day, Night, Trees, Flowers, Fruits, and Vegetables
Main Ideas
- God made day and nights – sun and moon and stars!
- God made trees, flowers, and fruits, and vegetables.
Parents
- Click here for a Parent’s Guide on Church teachings about caring for creation.
Family Activity
Help to take care of God’s creation by making an easy birdfeeder out of pinecones. Easy instructions can be found on this website. One suggestion I would make is to let the little ones use Q-tips to put the peanut butter on the pinecones. It is easier to get the peanut butter where you want it without breaking off the little pinecone scales. Peanut allergies?? You can use suet, or shortening instead!
Family Activity
Try the Pumpkin Prayer! You will need a pumpkin, marker for tracing on it, a sharp knife to be used by an adult, and a strong spoon or two for scooping out the insides. Also, a candle or light to place inside when you’re done. All the instructions can be found on the following webpage: https://www.positivelysplendid.com/the-pumpkin-prayer/ Be sure to do the prayer as you are cutting the pumpkin features!
Again, just spending some time in nature is a great way to teach your children about God! Walks in the park, or even just on the sidewalk in your neighborhood are ways to get some fresh air and talk about the beautiful things that God has created! As the days get shorter, it is easier to keep the little ones up just a little bit later to enjoy the starry nights and the bright moon. Be sure to offer “thank you” prayers with your children to God. Remember parents – you are their most effective teachers!
Sing!
Joyful Praise – songs will review week 1 lesson and more.
Pray
Practice prayers, including Angel of God, Sign of the Cross, Our Father, and participating in the Holy Mass.
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 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.
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!)