Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí.
With Sunday, January 17, we begin Unit 3 of the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies and also return to Ordinary Time. If you’re curious about why there is no First Sunday in Ordinary Time, see this explanation by Philip Kosloski on Aleteia. I attempted to explain it here, but it’s not a simple task!
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is observed January 18–25. This year’s theme is “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit” (see John 15:5–9). Jesus prayed that all of his followers may be one as he is one with the Father: “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me” (John 17:20–23). May we join our prayer and efforts with his—this week and all through the year.
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find a helpful tip for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and information about our online resources and seasonal activities. Here are tips for teaching the Gospel Weeklies lessons this week:
Seeds
Lesson Theme: We listen to Jesus in the Gospel.
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus invites us to follow him.
Find a coloring page to accompany “Rosie’s Birthday Surprise” here. Plan to have an aide to help with cutting and taping in the “Jesus makes friends” activity on page 3.
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus calls us to come and see.
The children will be locating the Sunday Gospel in their Bibles. We discourage you from skipping this activity even if time is limited. Save class time by putting a bookmark or sticky note in every Bible at the beginning of the Gospel of John in advance. You might also consider pairing the children so they can help each another to find the Gospel passage.
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus calls his first followers.
For the cover activity, prepare by bringing copies of the parish bulletin or provide for access to the parish website so the young people can find the names of the pastor and parish staff.
Before proclaiming the Gospel, you may wish to use a Bible map to show the young people where the River Jordan flows into the Dead Sea. The traditional site of Jesus’ baptism is just north of the Dead Sea. This is also the site of Sunday’s Gospel.
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus calls his first followers.
Set up Sunday’s Gospel in three scenes as noted in the Teaching Guide. The young person who takes the part of Andrew will move through all three scenes to show the chain of calls in motion.
In the Catholic Leaders section of the lesson, you may allow the young people to view one of the videos (linked by QR codes in the student lessons) on their cell phones. Or you may select one video to watch together as a class.
NOTE: The Gospel Weeklies editors are busy finalizing the Unit 4 files for press. We’ll be recording and posting the Unit 3 Overviews soon. You will find them in English and in Spanish here.
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