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On this 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Catholic Church will celebrate World Mission Sunday. This special observance was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1926 as a day of solidarity to help Christians recognize our common responsibility for the evangelization of the entire world. This Sunday, October 23, we are called in a special way to offer our prayers and financial contribution for the Catholic Church’s missionary work in places like Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Europe.
This year’s theme for the celebration is “You shall be my witnesses.” In his message for this year’s World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis reminds us that the words Jesus said just before his Ascension into Heaven—“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses . . .” (Acts 1:8)—are also meant for us today.
Mary, Queen of the Missions, pray for us!
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:
Sunday Gospel Cartoon Reading and Lesson
Holy Heroes
Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee
Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Everyone is important to Jesus.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, scissors, a Church Year calendar, and copies of the story coloring page (one per child).
The children will learn that in God’s eyes, every person has the same value. They will learn about the Golden Rule. If you have a dedicated classroom, you could place a big poster on the wall or bulletin board with the words THE GOLDEN RULE and, when you notice a child living it by sharing, being fair, or treating others with respect, you can invite him or her to draw a heart or place a sticker on the poster.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Bible Bag with Mrs. Cole
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week
Promise
Lesson Theme: Everyone is important to God.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, scissors, Church Year calendar, story coloring page (one per child), and double-sided or masking tape. An aide or aides to assist with cutting, folding, and taping may be helpful. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 of the student lessons in advance. Find versions of “When the Saints Go Marching In” here and here. These are just two of the many options offered here.
Note that you will introduce the children to saints in this lesson. This content fits well with the Gospel and lesson theme and anticipates All Saints’ Day on November 1. Emphasize that we can all become saints in Heaven someday. In the context of teaching about saints, you will help the children learn to pray the Hail Mary. Plan to pray this prayer together over the next several weeks so the children will memorize it. Engage parents in this effort as well.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Bible Bag with Mrs. Cole
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus teaches us to be humble.
For this lesson, you will need a recording of “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Find versions here and here. These are just two of the many options offered here. You will also need to gather pencils, game markers, pennies (one per group of three children), and a Church Year calendar.
Note that you will discuss saints in this lesson. This content fits well with the Gospel and lesson theme and anticipates All Saints’ Day on November 1. We make the tie of saints to the humble attitude shown by the tax collector in Sunday’s Gospel. Being humble and having humility may have different meanings than the children (and possibly you) first think of. You might offer the children the following help for learning and remembering the definition of humility. Being humble and having humility are ways of being honest. Note all three words begin with the letter h. When we are honest about where our gifts and talents come from (God) and recognize that we’re not perfect, we show God honor, treat other people as equals, and don’t brag or put others down.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus turns things upside down.
This Gospel Reading challenges our ideas about greatness. The person who is considered powerful and successful by earthly standards is not necessarily the same person God considers great. He uses the example of a tax collector, who is considered shady, and the Pharisee, who follows the Law of Moses. It’s an opportunity for the children to consider the qualities of a great person. The cover activity in this lesson is an intricate game; make sure to prepare by reading the instructions carefully before you begin. Gamers will enjoy the familiar format that will help to introduce the idea of how greatness is determined in the Kingdom of God. You may wish to save time during the lesson by cutting the cards for the rights and duties activity on pages 7–8 in advance. This applies to similar Venture activities.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
St. Katharine Drexel
What are child rights?
Visions
Lesson Theme: Be humble in prayer.
Direct the young people to complete the cover activity on their own. Then you may choose to have a class discussion or set up the discussion in a debate with you as the moderator. This Sunday’s Gospel theme is: Who is great in the Kingdom of God? Ask: What things make someone great to God? Likely it’s not the same criteria as we might expect.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Life and Dignity of the Human Person
The Moment in Which The Pope Declares Mother Teresa A Saint
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Image credit: missio.org
