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This Sunday and Monday, we celebrate the final days of Christmas Time. We first remember the visit of the Magi on Epiphany. This feast reveals that Jesus came to save all people. Then we fast-forward about thirty years in Jesus’ life to celebrate Jesus’ baptism. This feast confirms that the babe born at Christmas is indeed God’s “beloved Son.” Jesus’ baptism also marks the beginning of his public ministry. Our Baptisms mark the beginning of our own identification as God’s beloved sons and daughters. May we be faithful in supporting and sharing in Christ’s mission to share the Father’s love with all people!
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:
Epiphany (1/7)
The Story of Christmas (Jesus and the Wise Men)
Three Wise Men
Holy Heroes (Epiphany)
The Story of the Three Wise Men
The Nativity Story: The Three Wise Men
Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
Baptism of the Lord (1/8)
Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
Holy Heroes
The Baptism of Jesus
John Baptizes Jesus
The Baptism of Jesus
Wild Stories About Jesus
Jesus Is Baptized
Our Spiritual Home with Timothy Cardinal Dolan
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Baptism makes us children of God.
For this lesson you will need pencils, crayons, scissors, envelopes, a shell, towels, paper towels, a baby doll, a water basin, water, and a Church Year calendar.
For the doctrine section of the lesson, we are suggesting that you bring a doll and a water basin so the children can “baptize” the doll. We recommend that you have at least one aide to help you and plenty of towels in case the children get wet. The aides will be very helpful for the cutting activity at the end of the lesson as well.
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: Epiphany
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole: Epiphany
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi: Baptism of the Lord
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole: Baptism of the Lord
Infant Baptism at St. Joseph
What Is the Holy Trinity – “Trinity Is a Mystery” Song
Promise
Lesson Theme: Baptism welcomes us into God’s family.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, pencils, crayons, a Church Year calendar, envelopes, photocopies of “Your Baptism” page 14 of the Catechism handbook (one per child), and parent notes about the Baptism activity. Instruct the children (and parents) that the “Your Baptism” page should be completed at home and returned at the next class session for you to use in a display. You may wish to have an aide or aides to assist with the cutting activity. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance.
When doing the “That’s My Family!” activity, be especially sensitive if any children have been removed from their families or have recently lost a loved one. Make sure to emphasize that the most important thing a family shares is love.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
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: Epiphany
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole: Epiphany
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi: Baptism of the Lord
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole: Baptism of the Lord
Infant Baptism at St. Joseph
What Is the Holy Trinity – “Trinity Is a Mystery” Song
Good News
Lesson Theme: Baptism welcomes us into God’s family.
For this lesson, gather drawing paper, crayons, pencils, and a Church Year calendar.
Encourage the children to ask their parents to tell them about their Baptisms. Suggest that the children find out why their godparents were chosen, how their name was chosen, who was the priest or deacon, and who else was there. The children will enjoy looking at photos, hearing memories, and seeing their white garment and baptismal candle too.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Infant Baptism at St. Joseph
What Is the Holy Trinity – “Trinity Is a Mystery” Song
Venture
Lesson Theme: Baptism gives us new life.
Before your session this week, send an email or text to the families with a reminder that the children should come to class knowing some of the details of their Baptism—date, church, godparents. For this lesson, you will want to prepare a bowl of holy water or make plans to visit your church sanctuary to gather around the baptismal font.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism-Catholic Central
Visions
Lesson Theme: God shines forth in Jesus.
Encourage the young people to discuss their Baptisms with their families. For the crossword puzzle on page 8, urge the young people to complete the puzzle from memory, but they may use their Catechism handbooks as a backup. The answers are included in the Teaching Guide and the Parent Teaching Pages.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism-Catholic Central
What Is the Trinity?
The Sacraments
The Meaning of Icons/Fr. Donat Lamothe
The Light Within: How an Icon Is Made
Image credit: CPP/CIRIC
