September 2-3

Parents, 

Please be sure to watch the introduction video that is linked to the left!

Please 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! https://www.facebook.com/SsCosmasandDamian  

Throughout this whole month, help your child to notice and watch things in nature…go outside together when it gets dark and look at the stars, stop and smell the flowers, watch the squirrels, etc., help him/her to be amazed!

Week 2: Creation

Watch

Watch video of Creation storyThe Seventh Day” by Deborah Bodin Cohen, illustrated by Melanie Hall, and talk about it together, discussing: 
     ~God created everything in nature.
     ~Everything that God created is good!!
     
~Talk with your child about his/her favorite things that God created.

     ~Help your child to experience the pure wonder and awe that comes from gazing at the beautiful, natural world around us and realizing that God did all of this! This is a holy thing, to think about God, our Creator!

Create

Watch the Lukas Storyteller video on formed.org, “Catherine of Sienna: Joy of Living”.
Ask your child to draw a picture of him/herself doing their favorite thing with Jesus.  (i.e., swinging on the playground, playing catch, reading, etc.) Placing this picture near the child’s bed will remind him/her to talk with Jesus in prayer each night and every morning!

OPTIONAL: Create a masterpiece depicting God’s beautiful garden as God created it – before sin entered in.  You will find a few ideas as to how to do this attached. Please contact the parish office if you need any supplies. Here is a link to an instructional video, prepared by one of our catechists,  just for you!

Encourage your child to use this craft to re-tell the story to you and others!

Joyful Praise

Joyful Praise – let your child watch and sing along with the Joyful Praise video found here.  You will get one each month, although they may be very different from one another! 

Pray

Practice being still and quiet for prayer.  Start learning and practicing your prayers, including Sign of the Cross, Our Father, and participating in the Holy Mass.

Week 3: The Holy Bible

Main Ideas

  • The Bible is the Word of God. Its origins are from God.
  • Origins of the Bible are ancient.
  • 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.)
  • Everything in the Bible is written for us to know God, and to understand God’s plan to save us from sin and death.

Main Ideas

  • The Bible is God’s “love story” written to each of us (and God hopes that we will read it and cherish it.)
  • PARENTS: Be sure that you are using a CATHOLIC Bible!  If not, you will find some things missing!  Parents may also find this link helpful for your own understanding of what the Bible is to us as Catholics.

Learning About Scripture

Watch the video we have put together for you about how the Bible is put together.  We’ll look at the two main parts, and then small smaller sections within those.  We’ll also look at some special features you may find in your Bible, and show you how to find Scripture passages when you need to look something up.  PLEASE HAVE A BIBLE available for this lesson.  If you don’t have one, you may borrow one from the parish office.  We have some excellent Children’s Bibles on hand. If you would like to purchase a Bible, we can arrange that for you as well, or direct you to where you might find them online.

Look up four Scripture passages in the Bible.  Go back to the video if you need to review. Eventually, you will not have to use the table of contents, but will just know where to find the books quickly!  Look up:  Jeremiah 1:5-8; Matthew 19:13-15; Psalm 117:1; John 6:1-13.  Read them aloud.

Play

Put together the books of the Bible puzzle that we have included for you. This is a virtual puzzle, with movable pieces. When put together, your child will be able to see how all the books of the Bible go together like books on library shelves!  

Bible treasure hunt: See if you can find the things on this check list in YOUR Bible.  Put your Bible in a place of honor in your home, where you will see it and use it often.

Pray

Practice prayers, including:
     ~The Sign of the Cross
     ~Our Father
     ~Participating in Holy Mass

Week 4: Jesus' First Miracle: Water to Wine at the Wedding Feast in Cana

Main Ideas

  • Parents – we DO believe that this miracle actually happened. 
  • This is Jesus’ first public miracle.
  • Note how Mary intervenes for the couple to Jesus. This is an example of intercessory prayer. For prayer this week, consider ask each family member to pray for the intentions of another.
  • Ponder for yourself, where the water came from originally….  God created it.  Then, Jesus takes that water and turns it into wine!  Later, Jesus will take bread and wine, and change it into His Body and Blood.  This too, is a firm belief of the Catholic Church.
  • Consider the quantity of wine that was made for this wedding. This represents God’s great generosity. How has God been generous to you and your family? How has God blessed you?

Pray

Practice prayers, including:
     ~The Sign of the Cross
     ~Our Father
     ~Participating in Holy Mass

Scripture

Look up John 2:1-11 in your Bible.  (Note that this is the Gospel of John, located right after the Gospel of Luke.  There are also letters that John wrote that can be found closer to the end of the Bible.  They are numbered 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John) Talk about this story as a family, and ask your child questions about what they heard in the story. Have your child complete the review questions found here.

Create

Print out this craft for your child to review the details of the story. You will need two small paper plates, crayons, markers or paint, a round head fastener (to fasten the pates together, but they will still be able to rotate.) Parents may need to cut the paper plate according to directions. 

Share

Encourage your child to re-tell the story to the family, as you listen from a child’s perspective – as if you don’t know the story and are hanging on every word, amazed at what you are hearing!  Being able to re-tell the stories of Jesus is a great beginning to discipleship!  Encourage this in your child!

Week 5: Learning the Mass Parts - The Introductory Rite

Main Idea

  • Parents – as your child is preparing to celebrate his/her First Holy Communion – some delayed from earlier this year due to COVID, and others who are just beginning preparations, know that it is essential for Catholic to participate in the Holy Mass, and to celebrate the sacraments. Weekly Mass participation is a law of the Church because it is that important!
  • Introductory Rites include (this is intended for parents – not written for children): https://www.creighton.edu/fileadmin/user/ministry/StJohns/docs/Girm/a-GIRM_03-Introductory_Rites.pdf

Family Sharing

Participate in the Mass together as a family. It is very different now because of the COVID virus. 
Does your family come to the church, wearing face masks and social distancing?  If so, you know we can’t sing at Mass right now because that pushes germs further. I miss singing!  Don’t you? If so, maybe sing some church songs (or Joyful Praise video again) so that we can sing out in joy to our God.

Perhaps your family can’t come to Mass right now because of health concerns. I hope you are joining us by participating in the virtual Mass at the same time. Fr. Michael broadcasts the Masses live via our parish Facebook page. Participate from home with as much joy as you would in coming to the church!  Sing out for those who are in the church are not permitted to sing now. If you’re missing being around family and friends, consider hosting a “Watch Party” and inviting your Facebook friends to join the Mass with you!  You might be surprised to see who shows up!

Pray

Practice prayers, including:
     ~The Sign of the Cross
     ~Our Father
     ~Participating in Holy Mass
and others, as instructed using the Flip Book we’ve given you.

Pray

Practice prayers, including:
     ~The Sign of the Cross
     ~Our Father
     ~Participating in Holy Mass
and others, as instructed using the Flip Book we’ve given you.

Show What You Know

Help your child complete this Introductory Rites worksheet.

I am also attaching a link for the Introductory Rite Mass parts that the First Communion children received at the Church Tour last year. They will get a little more each month. You might save this, to complete a whole Mass booklet that your child has made. 

This may be helpful as we work our way through the Mass parts over the next months.  Please keep it handy.

Those who prepared for First Holy Communion last year, and have celebrated First Reconciliations, who will be celebrating First Communions on October 4th, please watch for updates on rehearsal times!