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This week, we observe National Marriage Week, which coincides with the Feast of Saint Valentine; the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, which coincides with the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita; and the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, which coincides with the World Day of the Sick. We encourage you to consider how Jesus is calling you and the children in your care to be “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” in support of troubled family relationships, those who are oppressed and abused through human trafficking, and those who are sick. We ask Our Lady of Lourdes to cover with her mantle all who need healing of relationship, body, mind, or spirit and to intercede for us to her son, Jesus.
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 online resources.
Videos of Sunday’s Gospel
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Holy Heroes
Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
Sunday Gospel Cartoon Reading and Lesson
What does it mean that believers are to be salt and light?
This Little Light of Mine Kids Music Video
Be Salt and Light of the World
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus wants us to shine.
For this lesson, you will need a flashlight, a laundry basket or large box, scissors, crayons, markers, hole punch, one 18″ piece of yarn per child, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), and a Church Year calendar.
This Sunday’s Gospel talks about being salt and light and making a difference to people around us. The children will learn about saints, recognizing that they let Jesus’ light shine through their loving actions.
For the Gospel Activity, we strongly suggest that you cut the children’s covers of Seeds before class. Cut through the green band at the bottom of the page and follow the right edge and top of the basket. This will save you time during class and will avoid the children not following the instructions.
For the activity “I shine when . . .” on page 4, it is a good idea to ask a few aides to join you to assist the children in the cutting and threading parts of this activity.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus’ followers are like salt and light.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, pencils, tape, scissors, a Church Year calendar, a parish bulletin, drawing paper, an image of the Pope, craft sticks (four per child), and aide(s) to help with cutting and taping. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance.
In this lesson, the children will learn that small things—including small people like them—can and should make a difference for good. In the Gospel, Jesus tells his followers to be salt and light. The children will learn the meaning of service, the Word of the Week, and that we are all called to brighten the lives of others by serving them. Referring to a parish bulletin, you will help the children identify how members of your parish are being salt and light to others. The children will learn that their pastor and our Pope are servants to our Church, leading us and encouraging us to share the light of Jesus Christ in the world.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
The Lion and the Mouse (click through to watch on YouTube; cue up video after ads)
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus says we make a difference.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells his followers to be salt and light. Help the children to remember these metaphors as meaning “making a difference for good” or “making things better.” Invite them to identify how their words, actions, and prayers can make a difference for the good of others.
The Catholic Faith Word this week is Body of Christ. This term has a dual meaning and use—Holy Communion and the Church. Children of this age are still concrete thinkers. Be satisfied that you’ve planted the seed for them to later understand our call to be the Body of Christ in the world.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
What are the parts of the Mass? (end the video at 1:09)
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus calls us to be salt and light.
What does it mean to be salt and light for others? Simply put, it means making a difference. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus’ image of salt challenges us to bring out the best in others as salt brings out the best flavors in foods. The image of light challenges us to warm and brighten others’ lives like sunlight. It challenges us to live as Jesus did so that our actions shine forth like a lamp on a stand.
Problem-solving activities will put the children in real-life situations that challenge them to be salt and light. Remember to have enough Bibles available so that children may work in pairs on the Sermon on the Mount activity on page 5. Prepare slips of paper (thirteen slips in each set); the children will work in pairs to put the parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in order.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Eucharist 101
What are the parts of the Mass?
St. Paul Miki
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus calls us to be salt and light.
What does it mean to be salt and light for others? In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus’ image of salt challenges us to bring out the best in others as salt brings out the best flavors in foods. The image of light challenges us to warm and brighten others’ lives like sunlight. It challenges us to live as Jesus did so that our actions shine forth like a lamp on a stand.
Arrange your class into pairs who will work well together; keep them together to work on the opening activity on the cover as well as the problem-solving project on pages 6–7.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Chloe Becker—2019 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice
Image credit: Vivida Photo PC/stock.adobe.com
