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As I look to our Saints and Feasts Calendar for a “hook” for this post, I see that there’s a lot happening. We begin our observance of All Saints’ Day (11/1) with All Hallow’s Eve (Halloween) on 10/31. The Solemnity of All Saints on 11/1 is closely followed by a day for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) on November 2. The month of November is considered the Month of Remembrance of the Holy Souls in Purgatory. We believe that our prayers for those who have died may shorten their “time” in Purgatory and hasten their arrival in Heaven. The month of November is also Black Catholic History Month, National Adoption Month (USA), and National Native American Heritage Month (USA).
We pray in union with the Communion of Saints—those in Heaven, saints-in-the making on earth, and those preparing for Heaven through purification in Purgatory: “Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” –Revelation 7:12, from the First Reading for All Saints’ Day
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
• All Saints’ Day and Halloween Explained with Lego
• All Saints’ Day
• Bishop Barron on All Saints’ Day
• Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)
• Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
• Sunday Setup—Weekly Video and Post (courtesy of the Diocese of Bridgeport)
Other Resources
• Jubilee 2025
• Pope Leo XIV and the Papacy
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: Jesus wants us to be with him.
For this lesson, you will need crayons or colored pencils, scissors, and a Church Year calendar. It is a good idea to have aide(s) for the cutting and folding activity on pages 3–4. We suggest you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 before your session.
Explain to the children that on November 1st, the Church celebrates a very special day called the Solemnity of All Saints. On this day, we honor all the people who lived close to Jesus during their time on earth and are now with him in Heaven. On November 2nd, we observe All Souls’ Day, a time to remember and pray for all those who have died. Invite the children to say a prayer for these souls. Be especially sensitive if any of your students have recently experienced the death of a loved one.
This Seeds lesson focuses on our call to be saints. Help the children understand that each one of us is called to be a saint—to live a life of love and goodness so that we can be with Jesus in Heaven forever.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
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 Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus promises us a home in Heaven.
For this lesson, gather crayons, pencils, scissors, tape, and a Church Year calendar. It is a good idea to have at least one aide for the cutting, folding, and taping candle activity on page 3.
Explain to the children that on November 1st, the Church celebrates a very special day called the Solemnity of All Saints. On this day, we honor all the people who lived close to Jesus during their time on earth and are now with him in Heaven. On November 2nd, we observe All Souls’ Day, a time to remember and pray for all those who have died. Invite the children to say a prayer for these souls. Be especially sensitive if any of your students have recently experienced the death of a loved one. Give them the option of mentioning the names of their departed loved ones during the Closing Prayer.
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
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus promises us a home in Heaven.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, markers, or colored pencils; pencils; scissors; drawing paper; and a Church Year calendar. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from pages 3–4 in advance.
At this time of year, we especially remember and pray for those who have died. Death is a hard concept and reality for many children and adults. Be extra sensitive if any of the children have experienced a recent loss. Give the children time to share their feelings about and understanding of death. Jesus’ words in the Gospel assure us that a faithful person’s death is the doorway to eternal (forever) life with God in Heaven.
Some adults think that children should be shielded from the reality of death. Death is a natural part of life, and our faith provides hope in the face of the hard reality of physical death. We need only to look at Christ on the crucifix. It is through his Death and Resurrection that we are promised an eternal home in Heaven. It is a sign of our hope and belief in God’s promises.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus promises us a home in Heaven.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils, scissors, colored pencils or markers, Bibles (one per child), name cards and class motto from the 9/21 lesson, and a Liturgical Year calendar.
At this time of year, we especially remember and pray for those who have died. The Gospels at the end of the Liturgical Year talk about the Second Coming of Christ and about death and resurrection of the dead.
Death is a hard concept and reality for many children and adults. Be extra sensitive if any of the children have experienced a recent loss. Give the children time to share their feelings about and understanding of death. Jesus’ words in the Gospel assure us that a faithful person’s death is the doorway to eternal (forever) life with God in Heaven.
Some adults think that children should be shielded from the reality of death. Death is a natural part of life, and our faith provides hope in the face of the hard reality of physical death. We need only to look at Christ on the crucifix. It is through his Death and Resurrection that we are promised an eternal home in Heaven. It is a sign of our hope and belief in God’s promises. Make sure to go over the doctrine about death and resurrection found on page 13 of the children’s Catechism handbooks and in the gold box on page TG1-31 of your Teaching Guide.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• St. Martin de Porres
• What Is the Communion of Saints?
Visions
Lesson Theme: We belong to Christ’s family, the Communion of Saints.
Gather pens or pencils, slips of paper, and Bibles (one per student) for this lesson.
At this time of year, we especially remember and pray for those who have died. The Gospels at the end of the Liturgical Year talk about the Second Coming of Christ and about death and resurrection of the dead.
Death is a hard concept and reality for many children and adults. Be extra sensitive if any of the children have experienced a recent loss. Give them time to share their feelings about and understanding of death. Jesus’ words in the Gospel assure us that a faithful person’s death is the doorway to eternal (forever) life with God in Heaven.
Some adults think that children should be shielded from the reality of death. Death is a natural part of life, and our faith provides hope in the face of the hard reality of physical death. We need only to look at Christ on the crucifix. It is through his Death and Resurrection that we are promised an eternal home in Heaven. It is a sign of our hope and belief in God’s promises. Make sure to go over the doctrine about death and resurrection found on page 14 of the Catechism handbooks and in the gold box on page TG1-31 of your Teaching Guide.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
• What Is the Communion of Saints?
Image credit: Fra Angelico, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
