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What would you have said? How would you answer an angel who appears with a message that God has chosen you to be the mother of God’s Son? While we are not likely to receive this specific invitation, we are all charged with the awesome responsibility of bringing Christ to others. May we all say yes to God’s call with the trust and humility of Mary.
This Advent is the shortest that Advent can be. If you will not meet with your class for 12/25 or 12/31, we suggest that you send home the Christmas & Holy Family lesson and the Parent Teaching Pages for the children to complete with their families over the break.
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 Reading and Reflection for Kids
Sunday Gospel Cartoon Reading and Lesson
The Annunciation to Mary
An Angel Visits Mary
The Story of Christmas (Mary and Joseph)
Fr. Barron Visits Lourdes: Mary, The Immaculate Conception
Holy Heroes
Advent Videos
A Journey Through Advent with Miss Heidi and John Burland
Find the Perfect Gift
O Antiphons
Advent Adventure
What Are the Advent O Antiphons?
O Antiphons: Introduction
O Antiphons (Gregorian Chant)
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus is God’s Son and Mary’s son.
For this lesson, you will need the Advent wreath and candle from 12/3, crayons, a Church Year calendar, and copies of the story coloring page (one per child).
Don’t forget to use the paper candle from the 1st week of Advent during your Opening Prayer. This whole lesson will be used as a booklet. We suggest you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 so the children don’t have to do any cutting during class.
If your class takes a two-week Christmas break, send home the (Christmas & Holy Family) lesson and copies of the Parent Teaching Pages for the children to complete over the break.
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
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: Mary says yes to God.
For this lesson, you will need an Advent wreath, a Church Year calendar, crayons, scissors, tape, glue sticks, pencils, drawing paper, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), aide(s) to assist with cutting, and small paper or plastic cups (two per child). We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 and prepare one set of Magi figures in advance.
This lesson includes cutting out Magi figures for the Nativity scene. You may simply wrap and tape them, or you may wish to wrap the figures around small paper or plastic cups. NOTE: Keep these Magi figures to bring out for the Epiphany & Baptism of the Lord (1/7 & 1/8) lesson. (Depending on your schedule, you may decide to send home the Magi figures this week instead of waiting for the Epiphany & Baptism of the Lord session.) You may want to have the children print their names on the back of their figures. If storage is a concern, you might wait until the Epiphany & Baptism session to tape them into standing figures.
If your class takes a two-week Christmas break, send home the (Christmas & Holy Family) lesson and copies of the Parent Teaching Pages for the children to complete over the break.
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: Mary says yes to God.
For this lesson, you will need an Advent wreath, a Church Year calendar, pencils, a statue or image of Mary, and costumes or props (optional). NOTE: The story should be done in parts, using props and costumes if desired. Your class might plan to present it to another group of children or record it to share with families.
If your class takes a two-week Christmas break, send home the Christmas and Holy Family (12/25 & 12/31) lesson and copies of the Parent Teaching Pages. The children may complete the lesson with their families over the break.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Chanticleer – Huron Carol
Venture
Lesson Theme: Mary says yes to God.
Send home lessons ahead of time and communicate with your children and families about the upcoming class schedule, especially when class resumes in 2024. NOTE: Many schools and faith formation programs will be on break for the next two Sundays (12/25 or 12/31). You may choose to send home this lesson and the Parent Teaching Pages for the children to complete with their families.
Note that you will continue the discussion of vocation into the new year. Select one of the QR codes on the Catholic Leaders page and view the accompanying video together. You might also assign watching one or more of the videos as homework.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Fra Angelico, The Annunciation
Fr. Joncas’s Hymn “Shelter Me”
The Meaning of Icons
Brother Guy Consolmango: A Vatican Scientist
Sister Lisa Maurer: Faith and Football
Visions
Lesson Theme: Mary says yes to God.
For this lesson, bring copies of the song “Mary, a Woman of Faith” (Venture/Visions Music CD, CD-2, #16) for the Opening Prayer. NOTE: Many schools and faith formation programs will be on break for the next two Sundays (12/25 or 12/31). You may choose to send home this lesson and the Parent Teaching Pages for the children to complete with their families.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray – “I’ll Push You” Official Film Trailer
Catedral De Santiago De Compostela
Fr. Barron Visits Lourdes: Mary, The Immaculate Conception
Image credit: Patrice THEBAULT/CIRIC
