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FROM OUR EDITORS—September 25, 2022 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

FROM OUR EDITORS—September 25, 2022 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí.

This Sunday, the Catholic Church celebrates the 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. This year, the theme for this important occasion is “Building the future with migrants and refugees.” According to the United Nations’ Refugee Agency, as of May 2022, 100 million people have been forced to flee their homes worldwide.

In the Gospel for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus tells the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus and teaches about noticing and taking care of those in need; this includes our brothers and sisters who have left their country in search of a better life. As followers of Jesus, we are called to recognize and value the contributions that migrants and refugees make toward building the future. In his message for this celebration, Pope Francis invites us to approach migration as Isaiah did in a prophetic vision, that is, to consider “foreigners not invaders or destroyers, but willing laborers who rebuild the walls of the new Jerusalem, that Jerusalem whose gates are open to all peoples (cf. Isaiah 60:10–11).”

Prayer
Lord, make us bearers of hope,
so that where there is darkness,
your light may shine,
and where there is discouragement,
confidence in the future may be reborn.

Lord, make us instruments of your justice,
so that where there is exclusion, fraternity may flourish,
and where there is greed, a spirit of sharing may grow.

Lord, make us builders of your Kingdom,
together with migrants and refugees
and with all who dwell on the peripheries.

Lord, let us learn how beautiful it is
to live together as brothers and sisters. Amen.
–Pope Francis, May 9, 2022

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 online resources.

Videos of Sunday’s Gospel
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
     Sunday Gospel Cartoon Reading and Lesson
     Holy Heroes
     Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
     Lego Bible Story: The Rich Man and Lazarus

Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus invites us to share.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, envelopes, crayons or colored pencils, a small ball, and a Church Year calendar. Throughout the class, affirm the children every time you see them sharing and caring for others.

Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Lesson Planning Ideas for Grandparents
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: Jesus invites us to share.
Gather these supplies before your lesson: crayons, magazines, scissors, glue sticks, a poster board, pencils, hole punch, 8-inch lengths of yarn (one per child), and a Church Year calendar. You may wish to have the help of an aide to help with cutting, gluing, and lacing. We also suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from pages 3–4.

Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Lesson Planning Ideas for Grandparents
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 teaches us to listen and follow.
For this lesson, you will need pencils, crayons, a Church Year calendar, and drawing paper with the words of the Great Commandment across the top (one per child). Note that the story about Saint Francis and the leper fits well with the message of this Sunday’s Gospel. That is why it appears in this lesson instead of in the lesson for Sunday, October 2, which falls closer to his feast day on October 4.

Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Lesson Planning Ideas for Grandparents
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
     St. Francis of Assisi

Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus asks us to notice people in need.
Take some time to introduce the children to one of the Church’s newest “blessed”—Blessed John Paul I. Explain that he was Pope for just thirty-three days. Ask: What kind of influence can a person have in a short time?

You will need Bibles for your students—one per pair will suffice—for the “Finding My Way in the Bible” activity. If possible, arrange pairs of students so that each pair has a student who is somewhat familiar with the Bible. Make sure that each pair masters a step before moving on to the next.

Ask the children: If you received one million dollars to share with others, how would you spend it? Read how these Venture students answered this same question.

Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Lesson Planning Ideas for Grandparents
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
     St. Francis of Assisi
     Discover the Life of St. John Henry Newman
     St. Teresa of Avila
     The Bible Explored – A Brief History
     How to Look Up a Verse in the Bible
     Catholic Social Teachings for Kids in 3 Minutes

Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus calls us to act justly.
This Sunday’s Gospel message: Pay attention! As the young people work on noting the differences between the two cover images, share with them how Pope Francis highly values noticing others. Introduce the children to one of the Church’s newest “blessed”—Blessed John Paul I. Explain that he was Pope for just thirty-three days. Ask: What kind of influence can a person have in a short time? Note the QR code on page 6; it links to an activity page on Catholic social teaching, which you can download and print for the young people to complete, or you can assign it as an out-of-class activity.

Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Lesson Planning Ideas for Grandparents
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
     A Place at the Table documentary excerpt
     Catholic Social Teaching for Kids in 3 Minutes
     Catholic Social Teaching: Catholic Central
     Pope Francis Approves Beatification of Pope John Paul I

Image credit: Karl-SchembriOxfam

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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 […]