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We are officially beginning the second half of Lent! Strictly speaking, the Thursday of the third week of Lent marked the halfway point of our Lenten journey. This Sunday, the Catholic Church celebrates Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent).
On this special occasion (as we do on the Third Sunday of Advent’s Gaudete Sunday), the Church expresses joy and hope in the midst of our preparation for Easter. The name Laetare comes from the first words of this Sunday’s Entrance Antiphon from the Book of Isaiah: “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her.” Laetare is the Latin word for “rejoice.”
The joy of Easter, which is just around the corner, is symbolized by the priest wearing rose-colored vestments and flowers adorning the altar. Just before we enter into the solemn days of remembrance of Jesus’ last days, we pause our penitential practices so we can have a glimpse of the joy that waits for us as we celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection on Easter.
Let us join the worldwide Church and take this opportunity to reflect on the glory that lies ahead on Easter Sunday.
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 15:1–3, 11–32)
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
Lego: The Prodigal Son
The Prodigal Son: A Modern Tale – Lego Version
Seeds
Lesson Theme: God is a forgiving Father.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, crayons, yarn, tape, and a Church Year calendar.
For the Forgiveness Ring Activity on page 4, you may cut out the rings in advance to save some time. Also, as you prepare your lesson, you could pre-cut 18″ strings of yarn (one per child) and have them ready.
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 is our forgiving Father.
Supplies you’ll want to gather for this lesson are pencils, scissors, crayons, a Church Year calendar, and copies of the story coloring page for “Bailey and Her New Ball” (one per child.)
You will help the children learn a short Prayer of Sorrow. Encourage the children to pray it any time they are sorry and want to ask Jesus to forgive them.
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’s love is generous.
For this lesson you will need a Church Year calendar and copies of an Act of Contrition (one per child). We also suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance. The Act of Contrition you share with the children may be the one found on page 47 of their Catechism handbooks or one the children learn as they prepare to celebrate their First Reconciliation if they differ.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus shows us how to forgive.
Forgiveness is a key theme for this lesson: It’s the focus of the story about a misbehaving classmate, and the Gospel, Scripture study, and prayer. This Sunday’s Gospel is the Parable of the Prodigal Son. This is a story that usually brings up strong connections. Ask the children the son they most identify with. It’s likely that they will feel the frustration and anger of the dutiful son. Encourage them to put themselves in the role of the younger son by considering what they might need forgiveness for. Remember Bibles for the children’s study Joshua in their map and Scripture studies.
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
Visions
Lesson Theme: We learn to ask for forgiveness.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we see the extent of God’s forgiveness through the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The father forgives and then wholeheartedly welcomes the son back into the family. This lesson focuses on how the Church offers forgiveness when we admit our sins and repent of them. Direct the young people to note the multiple times we address forgiveness in the Mass. Make sure to reserve enough time for the Forgiveness Prayer Service, which includes an examination of conscience.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
How Do I Go to Confession?
Reconciliation
Formation of Conscience
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