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Earth Day is celebrated throughout the world on April 22, and the Catholic Church joins in this celebration to create awareness about the importance of the relationship between humanity and nature. In 2015, Pope Francis wrote the encyclical Laudato si’ (On Care for Our Common Home) in which he urgently appeals “for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet” (14). He even added the care for our common home as a new work of mercy in 2016.
In 2006, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops formed the Catholic Climate Covenant to respond to the Pope’s call to care for the earth and for the poor through education programs and actionable initiatives. They created a one-hour educational and prayer program called Simple Living: God’s Vision of Abundant Life that you can share with families to encourage them to participate in the Catholic Church’s efforts not only to protect, but also to restore God’s wonderful Creation.
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:
Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
Sunday Gospel Cartoon Reading and Lesson
Holy Heroes
Road to Emmaus
The Road to Emmaus
A Modern Dramatization of the Road to Emmaus
Easter Traditions: Catholic Central
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus’ friends know him.
For this lesson, you will need pencils, scissors, crayons, copies of the Blessing Before Meals pages (one per child), a story coloring page (one per child), and a Church Year calendar. We recommend that you cut and fold your cover page in advance, so you may show the children how theirs will look.
Seeds helps the children realize that, just as the two disciples recognized Jesus when he broke the bread in this Sunday’s Gospel, they also know Jesus. They know his stories, they are in his presence at Mass, and they make him present to their friends and families through loving actions.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Promise
Lesson Theme: We meet Jesus at Mass.
For this lesson, gather scissors, single hole punch, lengths of yarn, pencils, crayons, a Bible, Church Year calendar, and copies of the story coloring page (one per child). We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance. You may also wish to bring in a variety of hats as fun visual aids for the story and creative movement activity.
For the “My heart is happy” activity (page 3–4): If the children are skilled enough with scissors to cut around the shape of the heart, make sure that they cut only on the heavy black cutting lines. If they cut around the top of the heart, the activity won’t work as well. You may wish to arrange for an aide or aides to assist with cutting, punching holes, lacing yarn, and tying knots.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Good News
Lesson Theme: We follow Jesus’ way.
For this lesson, gather pencils or crayons, a Church Year calendar, a map of the Holy Land, scissors, and a Bible opened to Luke 22:19–20. We suggest that you prepare one booklet in advance.
When you talk about the Eucharist as a sacrifice, make sure that the children understand the Mass as an “unbloody sacrifice.” Jesus’ Death on the Cross was a bloody sacrifice, but that sacrifice was once and for all; he does not suffer and die again at Mass.
You may wish to print and distribute copies of this prayer: “Dear Jesus, I believe that Holy Communion is really your Body and Blood. Thank you for this great gift! Help me to always receive you with love and respect. Amen.” Encourage the children to memorize this prayer and pray it silently as they are standing in line to receive Holy Communion or when they have returned to their pew after receiving.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Kids’ Show: How Do We Know That Jesus Is in the Eucharist?
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus is present when we break bread.
Jesus’ disciples recognize him in the blessing and breaking of bread. Ask the children when they have heard this story before—they will remember the story of the Last Supper from Holy Week. Emphasize that the Eucharist is the central celebration of the Church; we are obligated to attend Mass regularly and receive the Body and Blood of Jesus. Make sure to share the Eucharist Quote with the children and their families; these appear in every lesson along with a link to a reflection on the quote.
Engage the children’s senses by taking an Emmaus walk; the activity on pages 7–8 gives the children the chance to role-play the key characters from the Lenten and Easter Gospels, including the man born blind and the Samaritan woman.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Eucharist 101: Catholic Central
Visions
Lesson Theme: We know Jesus in the Eucharist.
Jesus’ disciples recognize him in the blessing and breaking of bread. Ask the children when they have heard this story before—they will remember the story of the Last Supper from Holy Week. Emphasize that the Eucharist is the central celebration of the Church; we are obligated to attend Mass regularly and receive the Body and Blood of Jesus. This is the focus of the “Why Do Catholics Go to Mass?” activity on page 5. Make sure to share the Eucharist Quote with the young people and their families; these appear in every lesson along with a link to a reflection on the quote.
Walking is a theme in this Sunday’s Gospel on the road to Emmaus. If time permits, take a walk around your parish, pointing out items or spaces related to the Eucharist (e.g., the tabernacle, reservation chapel, monstrance, sacristy).
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
The Mass: Catholic Central
Paul’s Ministry
Image credit: Romolo Tavani/stock.adobe.com
