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By looking at the Catholic Church calendar, we might say that this week is dedicated to love. First, on the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear the Gospel about the Beatitudes, which are a roadmap to God’s very heart. These eight blessings invite us “to purify our hearts . . . and to seek the love of God above else” (Catholic Church Catechism, 1722.) On February 13, the Catholic Church celebrates World Marriage Day, which focuses on the promotion and defense of marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman. And, finally, on February 14, the Catholic Church remembers Saint Valentine, a 3rd-century Roman saint who secretly married young lovers in the Catholic Church, going against Roman law.
Pope Benedict XVI dedicated his first encyclical, God Is Love (Deus caritas est), to God’s love. He writes: “The ‘commandment’ of love is only possible because it is more than a requirement. Love can be ‘commanded’ because it has first been given.” Let’s remember these words as we strive to bring God’s love to everyone around us during this week.
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find helpful tips for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and links to many online resources.
Videos of the Sunday Gospel (Luke 6:17, 20–26)
Use these videos as you discuss the Sunday Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Gospel Readings for Kids
Luke 6:20–26
Luke 6:17–26 with Lego
Holy Heroes
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus wants everyone to belong.
For this week’s lesson, you will need scissors, tape or glue, string or yarn, pencils or crayons, and a Church Year Calendar. This session, the children will create a paper puppet, so we suggest you have at least one aide to assist with cutting and assembly.
As you tell the children about Jesus’ Beatitudes, help them understand that the people outside their circle of family and friends need their love too. Explain that there is room for everyone in God’s family.
Find a coloring page to accompany “The Heart Family Shows Love” here.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Weekly Gospel Videos and Coloring Pages
Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
God’s Story: Sermon on the Mount
Holy Tales: Sermon on the Mount
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus wants everyone to be happy.
Materials needed for this week’s lesson include a Church Year calendar, scissors, glue, and crayons. In this lesson, you will lead the children in considering what makes them happy. Challenge the children to come up with responses that are not material possessions as they name what makes them happy.
In this lesson, you will explore how being excluded or included makes the children feel. Impress upon the children that Jesus loves everyone and wants us to not leave anyone out.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Weekly Gospel Videos and Coloring Pages
Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
God’s Story: Sermon on the Mount
Holy Tales: Sermon on the Mount
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus shows us the path to happiness.
Prepare for this lesson by gathering scissors, pencils, crayons, drawing paper, a Church Year calendar, and five photocopies of the Gospel (booklet pages 2–3). We suggest that you make one booklet and separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance.
As you prepare the children to learn about the Beatitudes, you will discuss attitudes in the story “A Valentine for Mr. Pinch.” Draw out the children’s experiences of having a bad attitude change to a good one and when they have affected another person’s attitude. Help them see the Beatitudes as actions and attitudes Jesus says will help us be happy on earth and, eventually, in Heaven.
You may wish to show the children where the Book of Psalms is in the Bible before praying the Closing Prayer.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
God’s Story: Sermon on the Mount
Holy Tales: Sermon on the Mount
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus stands with the poor.
This Sunday marks the first of three Sunday Readings taken from Luke’s Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20–49). This Sunday’s Gospel is the Beatitudes. Take time to discuss the Beatitudes and the importance of God’s hope-filled messages for those who are poor, whether materially, spiritually, or socially. You will need ten classroom-type chairs for this week’s cover activity and game markers (buttons, coins, or similar) in order to reach the Promised Land in “The Poor of Israel” activity.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Elijah James Knight
Chalk Kindness
The Beatitudes
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus speaks about happiness.
This Sunday marks the first of three Sunday Readings taken from Luke’s Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20–49). This Sunday’s Gospel Reading is the Beatitudes. These are the hope-filled promises God offers to all people, especially those who are poor, suffering, or grieving. This is a good opportunity to discuss God’s relationship with people who are poor; we have many examples in the Bible. Ask: How does God regard the poor? How does our parish or school help people who are poor? Students will need dice for the Rich and Poor game.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
The Beatitudes
Sisters of Selma
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