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This Sunday, October 22, the Church celebrates World Mission Sunday. Through our Baptism, we are called to collaborate with the Church’s missionary work and support it with our prayers and material aid. This year’s message from Pope Francis for World Mission Sunday titled “Hearts on fire, feet on the move” is inspired by our Jesus’ encounter with the disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35).
Pope Francis writes: “The urgency of the Church’s missionary activity naturally calls for an ever closer missionary cooperation on the part of all her members and at every level. This is an essential goal of the synodal journey that the Church has undertaken, guided by the key words: communion, participation, mission. This journey . . . is a process of setting out on the way and, like the disciples of Emmaus, listening to the risen Lord. For he always comes among us to explain the meaning of the Scriptures and to break bread for us, so that we can, by the power of the Holy Spirit, carry out his mission in the world.”
We pray with Pope Francis: Our Lady of the Way, Mother of Christ’s missionary disciples and Queen of Missions, pray for us! 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 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
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus teaches us to praise God.
As preparation for this lesson, you will need to make copies of the Glory Be to the Father for children to decorate. You can find this prayer on page 33 in the Catechism handbook. You will also need scissors, crayons, and a Church year calendar. Find the solution to the tulip finding activity on page 2 here.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
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: We belong to God’s family.
This lesson focuses on belonging and that we become members of God’s family through Baptism. Promise children will learn more about the Sacrament of Baptism in the lesson in Unit 2 for January 7 and 8, the Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord. Be sure to check the materials box on page TG1-20 of the Teaching Guide for materials you’ll need for this class session. Find a story coloring page for “A Home for Betsey” here.
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
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Infant Baptism at St. Joseph
Good News
Lesson Theme: We follow Jesus’ example.
The Pharisees in the Gospel ask Jesus a question about paying taxes because they know that he is honest. The Good News lesson activities focus on the expectation that Jesus’ followers will be honest and fair like he was. Choosing to follow the Eighth Commandment is an important message to impress upon children of this age. Many of their sins likely fall in the category of dishonesty.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
The Eighth Commandment
Venture
Lesson Theme: We have one faith in God.
In this lesson, the young people will consider the consequence of choices. They will discover that faithful Catholics must also be good citizens. In the political climate of the United States, the children may be aware of its negativity and some of the issues that separate the platforms of the political parties. The Living the Gospel segment focuses on the first three commandments, which make it clear that we are to always put God first. Doing this will affect our daily choices as well as whom we may vote for or support. Note: After you read aloud the GodTalk questions and answers on page 8, gather any additional questions from your students. If you do not feel confident responding to any of them on your own, submit them to your pastor or director of religious education for their assistance.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Pharisees and Sadducees
The First Commandment
The Second Commandment
The Third Commandment
Visions
Lesson Theme: We obey civil law and God’s law.
In this lesson, the young people will identify their allegiances or preferences to certain organizations, products, or brands. They will consider whether loyalties to earthly things interfere with their relationship with God. The young people will learn about the common good and identify what contributes to it. They will participate in an activity in which they will reflect upon priorities and ways to invest, donate, and budget their money in responsible ways. Give them time to consider how they would choose to help others if they had a million-dollar budget to do so (page 8).
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
The Joy of the Gospel
The Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
Image credit: www.missio.org
