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As you likely know, May is a month when the Catholic Church honors our Blessed Mother Mary. But did you know that during May, the Church also often observes three solemnities? On May 12, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord (except for the ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Omaha, and Philadelphia, which celebrate the Ascension on May 9). Then, Easter Time comes to an end on May 19, Pentecost Sunday. Finally, on May 26, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Let’s take these opportunities our Mother Church gives us to rejoice and celebrate the goodness of our Lord!
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find helpful tips for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and information about our online resources and seasonal activities. Here are tips for teaching the Gospel Weeklies lessons this week:
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 Readings and Reflection for Kids
Holy Heroes
The True Vine
Bible Theater: John-Vine and Branches
Seeds
Lesson Theme: We grow to be like Jesus.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, crayons, a vining plant or branch (even a small twig), Swimmy by Leo Lionni (book from library or YouTube video), and a Church Year calendar. The YouTube address provided in the Teaching Guide on page TG4-30 is no longer working. To find a video for this week’s story, Swimmy, click here.
After the children have cut out the squares on page 3, we suggest that you get them started on the activity by asking, “Who can find Lucas the gardener?” Have the children put one finger by the image of Lucas while you read the brief story about him on page TG4-31 of the Teaching Guide. Invite the children to find the two tools Lucas needs. (Remind them to look on both sides of each square.) Continue in this manner for each of the workers.
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 belong to a church family.
For this lesson, gather pencils, scissors, a ball of yarn (optional activity), a vining plant or branch, and a Church Year calendar. You may wish to enlist the assistance of an aide or aides for the folding and cutting activities. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 and fold one copy of the page 1 activity in advance.
Take your time with the booklet activity on pages 3–4. Show the children how to cut the dashed horizontal line to create two long rectangles. Demonstrate how to nest the pages. Discuss what is happening on each page and encourage the children to bring their booklets with them to Mass to help them follow along.
Answers to the What the Church Believes and Teaches “Holy Days and Feasts Days” activity (page 19) are 1/1 Mary; 11/1 Saints; 1/4 Elizabeth; 3/17 Patrick; 6/29 Peter and Paul; 10/1 Theresa; 12/6 Nicholas.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson 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: Jesus brings us together.
For this lesson, gather a ball of yarn, pencils, crayons, Bibles (one per child), a vining plant, and a Church Year calendar. You may wish to draw your own family tree to share with the children as Miss Noble does in the story on page 2. You may keep it simple by just naming your parents and grandparents.
If weather permits and there are some plants or trees on the grounds of your parish or school, you may plan to take the children outside to proclaim the Gospel together. If the church is available, you might take the children to the baptismal font and point out that we are connected to Jesus by Baptism.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Venture
Lesson Theme: We belong to a church family.
Prepare for this session by bringing in a live plant—the bigger the better. If there is already a plant in your learning space, invite the students to observe it before proclaiming the Gospel on page 4. If you don’t have a plant to share, consider borrowing one. Or, if weather permits and there are large plants or trees on your church or school grounds, invite the students outside to enjoy them as you proclaim the Gospel.
For the nature drawing activity on page 5, pay attention to students who might be struggling. Be aware that some children may, for one reason or another, spend less time outdoors than you might have when you were the same age. Be prepared with some questions to help them notice the natural environment, or the ways nature is brought inside. For example, you might ask what the weather is like today or about students’ pets. You might also invite students to look around the classroom for signs of nature, such a wooden cross or holy water.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Chicago Nun Raises Over $92,000
Trees – Poem (Joyce Kilmer)
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus is the vine. We are the branches.
The students likely can identify Pope Francis in the cover photo, but they may not be able to name Patriarch Bartholomew I. You can explain that he is the leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church. He and Pope Francis often speak out to protect refugees and God’s Creation.
Help students understand that the Psalm writing activity on page 7 is not like a school writing assignment. It is meant to help them find new ways to talk to God and express love for him—something we can keep doing all our lives. Encourage students to relax and even have fun while completing the activity. Remind them that there is no “correct” or “wrong” way of doing this. You might play some background music to set a peaceful tone while students complete the activity.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Padre Kino “Bridge Builder”
Image credit: Valentina Alvarez de Gonzalez/cathopic.com
