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This second week of Advent includes several feast days that honor Mary. They begin on Monday, December 8, with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation. We honor Saint Juan Diego on Tuesday, December 9, and Our Lady of Guadalupe on Friday, December 12. A relatively new feast honors Our Lady of Loreto on Wednesday, December 10.
As we move closer to Christmas, it is natural for us to think of Jesus’ mother and the final weeks of her pregnancy as we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth. We encourage you and the children in your care to pray the Hail Mary every day this week.
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:
• Holy Heroes
• Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
• Sunday Setup—Weekly Video and Post (courtesy of the Diocese of Bridgeport)
Advent Videos
• “A Journey Through Advent in Song with Miss Heidi and John Burland”
• Liturgical Calendar: Saints & Seasons with Shannon
• The Liturgical Year | Catholic Central
• Advent in 2 Minutes (NEW!)
• What Is an Advent Wreath?
• Find the Perfect Gift
• God’s Story: Prophets
• What’s What in the Church? Advent Wreath
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• The Meaning of the Advent Wreath
Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Juan Diego Videos
• Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe
• Our Lady of Guadalupe
• Our Lady of Guadalupe
Other Resources
• Jubilee 2025
• Pope Leo XIV and the Papacy
• Special Message from Pope Leo to Young People (NCYC | November 21, 2025)
For Catholic Schools
• Albert’s Expeditions Join Albert, a fierce yet friendly Peregrine Falcon, named after Saint Albert the Great (who even gave the Peregrine Falcon its name 800 years ago!) on scientific expeditions all around the globe. From under the soil to the sky full of stars, discover the stunning natural world full of life that God has created. Meant for children ages 5–10 and all families who want to learn more about their beautiful world around them and the Divine Creator who formed it all.
Seeds
Lesson Theme: John the Baptist shares Jesus’ message.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, an Advent wreath for your classroom or your lesson cover from 11/30, and a Church Year calendar.
You will pray the first part of the Hail Mary with your children as a Closing Prayer. It is a good idea to encourage parents to pray this prayer with the children every day during this week so they can learn it by heart. Also, remind the parents to help their child cut the flame on page 4 and paste it on the Seeds cover for 11/30.
Remind the children that the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Monday, December 8; Catholics attend Mass on this Holy Day of Obligation.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
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 Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
• What’s What in the Church? Advent Wreath
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus is God’s promise.
Gather or prepare these materials for this class: crayons, scissors, glue, a Bible, butcher paper or poster board, colored paper scraps (1/2 to 1 inch), an Advent wreath, an Advent calendar, a Church Year calendar, and a story coloring page (one per child). We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 before class. You may also wish to draw the letters J-E-S-U-S in chunky letters on butcher paper or a poster board.
In this lesson, you’ll share the Gospel about John the Baptist preparing people for Jesus’ coming by encouraging them to ask God to forgive their sins. The children will also learn about Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God and sinned. Despite their sinfulness, God promised Adam and Eve that he would send a savior. Help the children understand that Jesus is our Savior, who will also forgive us for our unloving choices (sins).
Remind the children that the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Monday, December 8; Catholics attend Mass on this Holy Day of Obligation.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
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 Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
• What’s What in the Church? Advent Wreath
Good News
Lesson Theme: We turn our hearts to God.
For this lesson, you will need an Advent wreath, Church Year calendar, pencils, crayons, drawing paper, scissors, and copies of the Hail Mary (one per child).
In this lesson, the children learn about two important prophets—Isaiah and John the Baptist. Both men spoke God’s message to the people of their time. Both men told people that God is sending a savior. Jesus, our Savior, opened the gates of Heaven for us by his Death and Resurrection. We can be saints in Heaven someday if we turn our hearts to God, repent of our sins, and share God’s love in our words and actions.
Remind the children that the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Monday, December 8; Catholics attend Mass on this Holy Day of Obligation.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• What’s What in the Church? Advent Wreath
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• Baptism of Jesus for Kids
Venture
Lesson Theme: We turn our hearts to God.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils, scissors, tape, Bibles (one per child), Liturgical Year calendar, Advent wreath, calendars from 11/30 lesson, liturgical calendar (cover of 11/30 lesson).
Remind the children of their study of Isaiah’s messages. This prophet’s message of peace continues this week. Direct the children to the cover image. This is known as the Peaceable Kingdom, in which perceived enemies in the natural world come together in harmony. Light the second violet-purple candle as part of your prayer ritual this week and remind the children to continue to select and complete Advent activities on their calendars at home.
This Sunday’s Gospel is John the Baptist’s call to change. Help the children connect the Gospel Reading with how Sonya Colattur creates positive change in her community. Prepare a sample of the star activity before class.
Remind the children that the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Monday, December 8; Catholics attend Mass on this Holy Day of Obligation.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• The Meaning of the Advent Wreath
• Grandpaws Pantry
• God’s Story: Prophets
• Mary | Catholic Central
Visions
Lesson Theme: We meet models of faith.
For this lesson, you will need pens or pencils; scissors; stapler, glue, or tape; markers or colored pencils; copies of the Magnificat; Bibles (one per student); Advent wreath; string or ribbon; hole punch; branches in sand-filled pot or a sturdy houseplant; construction paper or cardstock.
John the Baptist is one of our most important guiding models, especially during the Gospel Readings for Advent. So is Mary, whose Immaculate Conception we celebrate this week. Make sure that the young people understand the significance of this feast day and that it is a Holy Day of Obligation.
We continue studying Isaiah’s message of peace. Fill a coffee can or garden pot with sticks “planted” into dirt or floral foam. The young people will use it to create a colorful Jesse Tree that celebrates Jesus’ ancestry. Make sure to reserve sufficient time for the closing prayer service on page 8.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• The Meaning of the Advent Wreath
• Mary | Catholic Central
• Prophets—Catholic Central
• The Advent Minute—The Jesse Tree
• O Come, O Come Emmanuel/Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Image credit: Renata Sedmakova/stock.adobe.com
