Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí.
When I was a little girl growing up in Mexico, I remember that once a year, the Columban Missionaries would come to my Catholic school to talk to us about their work in different countries around the world. They also told us stories about missionary saints, like Saint Marianne Cope who worked with people suffering from leprosy in Hawaii. You may find more information about Saint Marianne here.
This Sunday, October 24, the Catholic Church celebrates World Mission Sunday with the theme “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:2). On this day, we may hear the stories of Catholic missionaries propagating the Gospel around the world. Parishes will also have a special collection to provide for the building of over 1,000 churches in communities in need.
Let us respond to our baptismal call to bring Jesus to everyone we meet. 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.
Video of Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 10:46–52)
Use this video as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Holy Heroes
Gospel Readings for Kids
Mark 1:46–52 with Lego
Healing of the Blind Beggar, Bartimaeus
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus helps us to see.
For this lesson, you will need a magnifying glass, telescope, or binoculars and a pair of sunglasses. You will also need one paper towel tube per child.
This week, while talking about Jesus’ encounter with Bartimaeus, the children will use their sense of sight to explore the different things we see. You can find an additional activity about The Senses here.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
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 see God’s goodness.
Saint Francis of Assisi (feast day 10/4) is pictured on the cover of Promise. You may wish to add a picture or statue of him to your prayer table. You may wish to mention that the Church celebrates all the saints on All Saints’ Day (November 1, Holy Day of Obligation).
For this lesson, you will need a children’s Bible or a picture book about Noah. As the children act out the story of Noah, you may wish to use the music to the song “The Ants Go Marching” and use these lyrics.
Be sensitive to the children’s experiences and fears if your geographic area has experienced flooding, hurricanes, or other natural disasters. Assure the children that these events are not a form of punishment from God. Tell them that God cares about all his Creation and wants all people to be saved. Even when people die as the result of a natural disaster, God will take those who are faithful to him to eternal happiness in Heaven.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
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’ followers care for Creation.
Saint Francis of Assisi (feast day 10/4) is pictured on the cover of Good News. You may wish to add a picture or statue of him to your prayer table. Answers to the cover activity are found on page TG1-26 of your Teaching Guide. You may wish to mention that the Church celebrates all the saints on All Saints’ Day (November 1, Holy Day of Obligation).
This is the first lesson in which the children will learn a part of the Apostles’ Creed. This lesson will include an overview of the Creed and its opening lines. You’ll return to other parts of the Creed in future lessons.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Ten Commandments with Hand Motions
The Ten Commandments!
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus asks us to believe.
The verb “to see” has many meanings. Recently, Pope Francis has urged us to really see people who are poor or are outsiders in some way. In this spirit of really noticing what’s going on around us, make sure to give the children time to identify the differences in the cover activity. These changes are marked for you in the Venture Teaching Guide, page TG1-26.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Sacraments 101: Baptism (why we baptize)
Visions
Lesson Theme: Christians call on Jesus with faith.
This Sunday’s Gospel is about seeing; it is the story of the blind man whose sight is restored by his faith in Jesus. It is also a story about how Jesus sees the man—he notices someone in his midst who needs help and healing. Challenge the young people to notice the needs of others. Assemble a sample Vatican II booklet before class. Encourage the young people to not only identify areas of injustice in the world, but also how they might contribute to solving these problems.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Second Vatican Council: Overview
Original Newsreel Discussing the Council
Opening of Vatican II & Liturgy/Sacrosanctum Concilium
Image credit: © 2021 TPMS
