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FROM OUR EDITORS—November 7, 2021 – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

FROM OUR EDITORS—November 7, 2021 – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí.

This week, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week (Nov. 7–13). During these seven days, the Church promotes vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life and invites the faithful to pray and support all men and women who are considering one of these vocations.

We join the Church in asking God to inspire those who are contemplating surrendering their lives to serve his people. Here, you will find a short prayer for vocations. You can pray this with the children under your care this week.

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 Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 12:38–44)
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
     Holy Heroes
     The Poor Widow’s Offering

Seeds
Lesson Theme: Everyone’s gift is important.
For this lesson, we suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 and make one envelope in advance for the activity “My Gift Envelope” on pages 3–4. It is a good idea to have at least one aide to help children with the assembly of their envelopes.

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: Every gift is important.
For this lesson, you will need coins; small game markers; a Bible with the Psalm 148 marked; scissors; crayons; pencils; glue, tape, or a stapler; Church Year calendar; and a statue or image of Mary or another saint. Separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 and assemble one envelope in advance of the lesson.

This lesson continues the recent focus on saints by pointing out that the poor widow in the Gospel is probably a saint in Heaven because she showed her love for God with her whole heart, mind, and strength. She trusted God to take care of her like he had promised to do. Point out that if we want to be saints in Heaven, we need to be generous and love God like the poor widow did.

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 “What Can I Give?” 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: God asks us to be generous.
Supplies you’ll need for this lesson are a crucifix, drawing paper, magazines, scissors, glue, crayons, and a Church Year calendar. Be prepared to name a gift or talent you see in each of your students. The children will be learning that all their gifts and talents come from God.

The lesson theme for the 11/7 Good News lesson is “God asks us to be generous.” This theme is represented on the student lesson cover as “We Can Be Generous.” The Cover Activity in the Teaching Guide (page TG1-34) is correctly titled “What Makes Us Happy?” The question and directions at the bottom of page 1 go with the Cover Activity.

You will be drawing and referring to a LOVE circle again in this lesson. Find directions for this on page TG1-30 at the bottom of the second column.

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
Videos
     Ten Commandments with Hand Motions
     The 10 Commandments!

Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus asks us to share our whole selves.
This lesson focuses on the messages of selfless sharing and generosity as shown by the poor widow. As you prepare for class, consider making a sample of the activity on pages 7–8. Detailed instructions with photos are available at gospelweeklies.com/lesson-updates. A QR code on the lesson will direct students and families to these instructions as well.

Teaching Guide
Find assembly instructions for the “Everyone Has Rights, Everyone Has Responsibilities” activity (pages 7–8) here.
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
     Rights and Responsibilities
     St. Damien of Molokai
     Preparing the Altar
     Liturgy of the Eucharist – Offertory
     Preparation of the Gifts

Visions
Lesson Theme: Christians share without thought of reward.
Remind the students about the story of the rich man and your discussion of what they are willing to give. This Sunday’s Gospel continues that theme with the story of the poor widow. Do we give from what we have left as extra, or do we think of others first before ourselves as the widow does? Encourage the students to spend some time ranking on the cover what they value. Let them lead the prayer service.

Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
     Preparing the Altar
     Liturgy of the Eucharist – Offertory
     Preparation of the Gifts
     The Roman Catholic View on Giving and Charity
     Catholic Charities – Community Services

Image credit: Corinne SIMON/CIRIC

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Our Editors


David Dziena
Publisher

David Dziena is the Publisher of Pflaum Publishing Group. He has also served as Executive Editor and […]

Joan McKamey
Project Editor

Joan McKamey, project editor, joined the Gospel Weeklies editorial team in September 2016. […]

Erika De Urquidi
Bilingual Editor

Erika De Urquidi, bilingual editor, joined Bayard, Inc. in July 2018. During her 15 years as a professional translator […]