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This Monday, December 12, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of Mexico, Empress of the Americas, and Patroness of the Unborn Children. I was born and raised in Mexico, so I feel blessed to be able to share with you a little bit about her.
Pope Francis visited Mexico City on February 2016 and celebrated the Holy Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I want to share with you what he said:
“On that morning in December 1531, . . . God awakened the hope of his son Juan, and the hope of a People. On that morning, God roused the hope of the little ones, of the suffering, of those displaced or rejected, of all who feel they have no worthy place in these lands. . . . On that morning, Juancito experienced in his own life what hope is, what the mercy of God is. He was chosen to oversee, care for, protect and promote the building of this Shrine.
“On many occasions he said to Our Lady that he was not the right person. . . . Visiting this Shrine, the same things that happened to Juan Diego can also happen to us. Look at the Blessed Mother from within our own sufferings, our own fear, hopelessness, sadness, and say to her, ‘What can I offer since I am not learned?’ We look to our Mother with eyes that express our thoughts: there are so many situations which leave us powerless, which make us feel that there is no room for hope.
“Mary tells us that she has ‘the honor’ of being our mother, assuring us that those who suffer do not weep in vain. These ones are a silent prayer rising to heaven, always finding a place in Mary’s mantle. . . . Am I not your mother? Am I not here with you? Mary says this to us again. Go and build my shrine, help me to lift up the lives of my sons and daughters, who are your brothers and sisters.”
Dear Jesus, may we follow Our Lady’s call to build your kingdom among our brothers and sisters. 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 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
Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
Holy Heroes
Advent Videos
Joy: 3rd Sunday of Advent
“A Journey Through Advent in Song with Miss Heidi and John Burland”
Advent in 2 Minutes
Find the Perfect Gift
Seeds
Lesson Theme: We get ready for Jesus’ birth.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, crayons, pencils, a Church Year calendar, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), an Advent wreath for the classroom or your lesson cover from 11/27. This week’s Sunday Gospel talks about John the Baptist being in prison, which can be overwhelming for preschoolers. Instead, this lesson will focus on how Mary and Joseph prepared for the birth of Jesus and how we prepare for his coming. We will read the Gospel story about Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem. After completing the activity on page 4 about Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego, you may wish to invite any Hispanic children in your class to share about related family traditions.
Note the liturgical color change to rose. It’s Gaudete (or “Rejoice”) Sunday. We rejoice that the celebration of Jesus’ birth is so near!
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Advent
Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus brings happiness and joy.
For this lesson, you’ll need an Advent wreath, an Advent calendar, a Church Year calendar, a hand puppet, crayons, and copies of the story coloring page (one per child). The lesson uses Mary as an example of someone who found happiness and joy because she always stayed close to Jesus. The children will learn that they will experience the happiness and joy Jesus wants for us if they do what Jesus says.
Note the liturgical color change to rose. It’s Gaudete (or “Rejoice”) Sunday. We rejoice that the celebration of Jesus’ birth is so near! Note the references to joy throughout the lesson.
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
Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Advent
Good News
Lesson Theme: God sends messages of joy.
For this lesson, gather an Advent wreath, a Church Year calendar, crayons, pencils, and index cards (one per child). The children will need to settle and be quiet for the guided memory activity (Activity • J-O-Y) after the Gathering Prayer. After completing the Cover Activity about Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego, you may wish to invite any Hispanic children in your class to share about related family traditions. The children will consider choices, accidents, sins, options, and what helps them know if a choice is right or wrong. Emphasize that choosing to follow Jesus will bring them joy.
Note the liturgical color change to rose. It’s Gaudete (or “Rejoice”) Sunday. We rejoice that the celebration of Jesus’ birth is so near! Note the references to joy throughout the lesson.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Advent
Venture
Lesson Theme: How do I bring good news?
In this Sunday’s Gospel, John the Baptist asks about Jesus. Is he a prophet or the Messiah for whom the People of Israel had waited? The children will conclude their three-week study of Isaiah today; make sure to have colored pencils and markers ready for them to illustrate Isaiah’s colorful imagery in the First Reading.
Continue to encourage the children to work on their Advent calendars. You may wish to prepare simple props and stage the Our Lady of Guadalupe play in this week’s lesson. Does your parish or school celebrate this feast day? Invite the children to share any family traditions.
Note the liturgical color change: It’s Gaudete (or “Rejoice”) Sunday. We rejoice that Jesus’ coming is so near!
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Our Lady of Guadalupe
God’s Story: Prophets
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal | Obscure Saint
Visions
Lesson Theme: How do I bring good news?
In this Sunday’s Gospel, John the Baptist asks whether this Jesus is a prophet, or if could he be the Messiah for whom the People of Israel had waited for so long. The signs are pointing to yes!
Invite the young people to consider the signs of the times on the cover of this lesson and answer these questions: What do these signs reveal about Jesus? How do we know that Jesus is always present, even when the signs are negative or tragic?
Note the liturgical color change: It’s Gaudete (or “Rejoice”) Sunday. We rejoice that Jesus’ coming is so near! The students’ three-week study of Isaiah concludes this week with a message of hope. After reading this week’s story together, make sure to connect how the robotics team is a hopeful sign of the times.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
MN High School Robotics Students Build Power Wheelchair for 2-Year-Old
Prophets | Catholic Central
The Seven Sacraments
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Image credit: Fabián Montaño/stock.adobe.com
