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During the month of October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month. As we approach this celebration of reflecting on the dignity of every human life in this Year of Saint Joseph, we turn to Jesus’ earthly father to intercede for us. May we show the same courage in defending life as he did as protector of Mary and Jesus.
October is also the Month of the Rosary. Let’s join the Catholic Church around the world in asking Our Blessed Mother to cover us under her mantle during these hard times when we so desperately need her protection and intercession.
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.
Video of Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 9:38–43, 45, 47–48)
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
Seeds
Lesson Theme: We gather in Jesus’ name.
At the beginning of every Seeds lesson, we encourage you to invite a child to point to the current Sunday on a Church Year calendar. If you don’t have a calendar for 2022 (begins on 11/28/21), you can order one here.
For this lesson, you will need a rubber ball or soccer ball and images or statues of Mary and Jesus. Make sure you have enough orange crayons for all the children.
Teaching Guide
Find answers to the hidden children activity on page 2 here.
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 belong to God’s family.
Materials you’ll need are crayons, pencils, a stapler, dice, game markers, a Church Year calendar, and story coloring pages (one per child).
Before the lesson, cut 1″ by 5″ paper strips and print a child’s name on each. Note that the page 4 activity involves a visit to your parish church. Plan ahead for a church visit. If it doesn’t fit in this week, schedule a time to do this soon.
Teaching Guide
Find a coloring page to accompany “It’s Not Easy Being a Kid” here.
Find answers to the hidden object and people activity on page 1 here.
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
Catholic Church Tour for Kids
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus connects us.
This lesson suggests that you have a Bible for each child. You will also need to prepare Liturgy of the Word cards in advance. Find guidance for what to include on the cards and how you’ll use them at the bottom of the first column on page TG1-11 in the Teaching Guide.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Venture
Lesson Theme: God’s love is for all human beings.
Share with the children that the Church often canonizes new saints in the fall. For example, Charles de Foucauld is expected to be named a saint of the Church this fall. The article in this week’s Venture lesson introduces the children to three saints from the Americas. If you can bring a Lectionary to class this week, share with the children how the readings for Mass are listed in this book, and how that is different from a Bible.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Oscar Romero Is a Saint
St. Marianne Cope
Biography of St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Understanding the Lectionary
Visions
Lesson Theme: God’s love is for all human beings.
After they complete the survey on the cover, invite the children to share their thoughts about Church without judgment. Assign one “lesson” in this week’s article to small groups or pairs of students. They can then report back to the larger group. If possible, have a copy of the Lectionary available for the students to view. Let them identify how the Lectionary is the same/different from the Bible.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
How to Contact Pope Francis
Pope Francis
Understanding the Lectionary
Saint Paul VI
Image credit: USCCB.org
