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On Friday, March 25, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. This feast commemorates the angel Gabriel’s announcement that God had chosen Mary to be the mother of his Son. Mary’s free and faithful response, “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), models the response we are all called to make to God’s will. In these days of Lent, let’s reflect on our priorities and what changes may be needed to ensure that God’s will is on the top of the list.
Mother Mary, help us to love our Lord with wide-open hearts. Amen.
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 13:1–9)
Use these videos as you discuss the Sunday Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
Holy Heroes
The Annunciation of the Lord
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus wants us to grow.
For this lesson you will need crayons, scissors, envelopes, a Bible, a Church Year calendar, and the story coloring page for “Max Grows Pockets” (one per child). We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance.
This Sunday’s Gospel about a fig tree that wouldn’t grow fruit and a gardener who wants to give it one more chance to grow gives us the perfect opportunity to talk to the children about all the living things that God created. They will also reflect on their own physical and spiritual growth.
Encourage the children to share with their families what they learned about the growth of frogs and birds by using the cards they cut out in class.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Weekly Gospel Video and Saint of the Week
Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
Promise
Lesson Theme: God wants us to grow.
In addition to crayons, pencils, and a Church Year calendar, you will need an aide or aides to assist with the “I am growing! activity.
In this lesson about growing and second chances, you will introduce the children to the term sin and help them understand that sinning is freely choosing to do what we know is wrong. A sin goes against what God wants and is disobeying God. Make sure that they understand that we can’t judge whether an action is sinful based on how big a mess was made or how angry someone may be. Emphasize that what makes an action a sin is choosing to do what we know is wrong.
As the children grow in awareness of the choices they make to obey or disobey parents, teachers, or others in authority who care for them, they will grow in awareness of how they choose to obey or disobey God. They will prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation in the coming years, but they don’t need to wait to tell God they are sorry for disobeying him and asking for forgiveness. Emphasize that God will always give them a second chance to try again and do better.
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 Video and Saint of the Week
Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
Good News
Lesson Theme: God gives us second chances.
In this lesson, you will play a game to help the children see the difference between a mistake and a sin. Prepare some mistake situations and sin situations in advance. We suggest several one-sentence examples of mistakes and sinful actions that are appropriate and relatable to your group. Include some examples of thoughts, attitudes, and choosing not to act or speak that could fit either category to help the children recognize that sins aren’t always actions.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
The Sacrament of Repentance and Confession
English First Reconciliation
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus urges us to try again.
This week marks the midpoint of Lent. Assure the children that they still have time to work on their Lenten commitments. Connect the idea of second chances with the theme of this Sunday’s Gospel: God gives us time to change. The gardener asks the landowner to let him give a barren tree another chance to grow and bear fruit. God is that gardener who gives his followers the chance to change.
Remember Bibles for the children’s study of Moses. In the third week of their study of the Lord’s Prayer, the children will shift to asking for what we need from God—give us this day our daily bread. Ask: How do you God ask for what you need?
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
The Meaning of the Lord’s Prayer
The Our Father: Explained
St. Paul
Visions
Lesson Theme: We have time to change and grow.
This is a Gospel message to which nearly everyone can relate—God gives us second chances. This Gospel is a comfort to us, especially those who may not be where they want in terms of their Lenten commitments. God, who is represented by the gardener the Gospel, wants to give the failing fig tree another chance. But the gardener doesn’t expect the tree to thrive without his help—he has a plan to nurture it. In the same way, assure the young people that God never leaves them alone, especially when they struggle.
You will need Bibles and rosaries for this lesson. Save some time for the trivia game. Even played in teams, it will offer a good review of the year.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
How Am I Supposed to Pray?
Eucharistic Adoration
Image credit: Corinne MERCIER/CIRIC
