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This Sunday is the World Day of the Poor. Pope Francis established this annual observance in 2017 to help us reflect on how poverty is at the heart of the Gospel. This year’s theme is “The poor you will always have with you” (Mark 14:7). He writes:
“This is a summons never to lose sight of every opportunity to do good. Behind it, we can glimpse the ancient biblical command: “If one of your brothers and sisters . . . is in need, you shall not harden your heart nor close your hand to them in their need. Instead, you shall open your hand to them and freely lend them enough to meet their need. . . When you give to them, give freely and not with ill will; for the Lord, your God, will bless you for this in all your works and undertakings. For the needy will never be lacking in the land . . .” (Deuteronomy 15:7–8, 10–11). In a similar vein, the Apostle Paul urged the Christians of his communities to come to the aid of the poor of the first community of Jerusalem and to do so “without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). It is not a question of easing our conscience by giving alms, but of opposing the culture of indifference and injustice we have created with regard to the poor” (8).
These resources will help you to raise awareness of poverty and our call to be cheerful givers to those in need:
- Bulletin Insert about the World Day of the Poor from the USCCB
- Poverty Quiz / Cuestionario de pobreza from povertyusa.org
- Prayers from the USCCB: Help Us Build Communities in God’s Vision of Justice / Oración Para Construir Justicia, Prayer for Those in Poverty, Prayer for the Poor, Prayer to Overcome Indifference / Oración Para Vencer la Indiferencia
- Model of Christian Generosity: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (Feast day: 11/17)
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.
Video of Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 13:24–32)
Use this video as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Holy Heroes
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus is always with us.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus talks about natural disasters that are to occur before the end of the world. Seeds’ message for young children is that no matter what happens, Jesus is with us.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, crayons, and glue or tape. We suggest that you send a note to parents encouraging them to look at magazines or children’s picture books with their child, identifying and naming the feelings they find.
Note that a new Church Year begins on Sunday, November 28. Now is the time to order a new Church Year calendar to use in your classroom or home. Find one here.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
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
Promise
Lesson Theme: We can trust God.
Sunday’s Gospel is about the natural disasters that will precede the end of the world and our need to be ready for when Jesus returns. These themes are incomprehensible to the young child, so Promise focuses on helping the children recognize sad and happy feelings, worries, and fears. The modified Gospel teaches them that God is always with them—when they are sad, happy, mad, proud, lonely, scared, all the time, every day, and every night. The children will help with the Gospel by saying Jesus’ part: “God is with you.”
Note that a new Church Year begins on Sunday, November 28. Now is the time to order a new Church Year calendar to use in your classroom or home. Find one here.
Teaching Guide
Find a coloring page to accompany “The Storm” here.
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Weekly Gospel Videos and Coloring Pages
Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus gives us hope.
The first lines of Sunday’s Gospel can be frightening for children. The Good News lesson will help the children to identify some of their fears and worries and recognize that they can bring them to God in prayer. The Gospel in the Good News lesson focuses on the hopeful messages of Jesus’ Second Coming, God’s faithfulness through trials, and the promise of Heaven for those who have faith in God and make loving choices.
The topic of death comes up in this lesson. Give the children time to talk about their experiences of the death of a loved one or a beloved pet. Be sensitive if any of the children have been through a recent loss.
Note that a new Church Year begins on Sunday, November 28. Now is the time to order a new Church Year calendar to use in your classroom or home. Find one here.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus is our hope.
Explain to the children that we are coming to the end of the year in the Church. People feared the end of time—what do the children fear? Encourage sharing through the opening activity; however, do not push anyone to share their fears. Make sure to have drawing paper, tape, and colored pencils or markers for the Israel timeline activity. Remind the children that the Church celebrates the World Day of the Poor this Sunday, the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. How can they help?
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
How Are We Going to Be Resurrected?
What Is World Day of the Poor?
Pope Francis Celebrates World Day of the Poor
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus will come in glory.
Explain to the students that we are coming to the end of the year in the Church. Time is one of our greatest gifts. Ask the young people to consider the question on this week’s cover: What would they do if time was running out and the Second Coming was upon us? Remind the students that the Church celebrates the World Day of the Poor this Sunday, the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. How can they help? Thanksgiving is celebrated next week on Thursday, November 25. It is a special time to give thanks, but we may share our gratitude in prayer at any time. Especially note this week’s doctrine lesson in the Catechism handbooks; the young people will study the six forms of prayer. Make sure to reserve ample time for the students to learn each form together.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
How Are We Going to Be Resurrected?
What Is World Day of the Poor?
Pope Francis Celebrates World Day of the Poor
Image credit: USCCB
