“This is the one who came through water and Blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and Blood.”
Source: USCCB.Org 1John, chapter 5:6
“The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.”
Source: USCCB.Org Matthew, chapter 4:16
Sunday, January 13, 2019, THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
“The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son, listen to him.”
Source: USCCB.Org Mark, chapter 9:7
For Parents to Teach to Their Children
We Learn Through Reading
“The people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
‘I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’
After all the people had been baptized
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him
in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven,
‘You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased.'”
Source: USCCB.Org Luke, chapter 3:15-16, 21-22
Preparing for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
The Christmas season ends, today, January 13, 2019, with the Baptism of the Lord. The next two months we will continue learning about Jesus through the “Holy Mysteries” of the Rosary. Each week, there will also be material to augment the preparation children are receiving at church, from their catechist, and home. There are many books that can be read for enrichment which are excellent and enjoyable to read. Here are four that are lovely to read out loud with your children:
Child’s Guide to Reconciliation
Child’s Guide to First Holy Communion
Two more books, written by Mother Loyola, originally published in 1907, then again in 2014 by St. Augustine Academy Press, are lovely books for your home library. Mother Loyola was a wonderful writer who told Bible stories, faithfully according to Holy Scripture, but added her imaginative touch for what the people of the Bible were feeling, touching, and experiencing. Jesus of Nazareth is a combination of children’s literature and quotes of Holy Scripture from the Bible. I find it charming and interesting.
First Communion begins with a lovely message for parents:
“‘To make the Life of our Blessed Saviour enter largely into preparation for First Communion seems the most natural way of drawing hearts of the young to Him. It would be sad to think of children coming to the altar-rails knowing little or nothing of His life beyond such facts as the doctrine of the Holy Eucharist supposes…Knowing Him better, they would come to love Him more. Faith, hope and charity would have a firmer foundation; they would make the acts more easily and more fervently, for there would be a loving picture of Him in their hearts.'”
Page xii
Both books are wonderful additions to a family’s home library.
Jesus of Nazareth The Story of His Life Written for Children
For Families to Share Together:
Pray the Rosary with your children. Show them how to use the Rosary crucifix to cross themselves. The Rosary teaches the life of Jesus and is an important part of learning about our faith.
We Learn Through Prayer
How to Pray the Rosary Source: Catholic Child’s Prayer Book By Rev. Thomas J. Donaghy St. Joseph Junior Books, Page 15
“We begin the Rosary with the sign of the Cross (for this is the way that we begin all of our prayers.)
After this, we pray the Apostles’ Creed. This is a very ancient prayer that proclaims the important truths of our faith.
After the Apostle’s Creed, we pray one Our Father, three Hail Marys and one Glory Be.
Now we come to the most important reason we pray the Rosary: to meditate on the Mysteries of our Faith. We proclaim each of the five Mysteries, followed by one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and one Glory Be.
Remember, the reason for praying the Rosary is not to tally how many prayers we can say. It is to meditate on God’s love as shown in the lives of Jesus and Mary. This is why we hold the Rosary while we pray, so that we can keep track of the number of prayers we have said.”
For the Baptism of Jesus on Sunday, January 13, let’s recite the Five Joyful Mysteries, and the Five Luminous Mysteries
We Recite the Mysteries
Beginning with The Joyful Mysteries (Normally, these are recited on Monday and Saturday.)
-
- The Annunciation“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to you word.” (Luke 1:38)
- The Visitation “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. (Luke 1:46-47)
- The Nativity “For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
- The Presentation “My eyes have seen your salvation.” (Luke 2:30)
- The Finding in the Temple “Did you not know that I needed to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:41-52)
- Add the Five Luminous Mysteries (Normally, recited on Thursday.)
-
- The Baptism of the Lord“I have baptized you with water, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8)
- The Wedding of Cana “What would you have Me do? My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4)
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2)
- The Transfiguration“His face became as dazzling as the sun, his clothes as radiant as light.” (Matthew 17:1-2)
- The Institution of the Eucharist “Jesus took bread, blessed it: ‘Take and eat, this is My Body.'” (Mark 14:22)
Source: Magnifikid! Vol. 14.Part 9. Section 4
And, from COMPENDIUM Catechism of the Catholic Church Appendix A. Common Prayers Page 189We Celebrate Through Song
“Christ Be Our Light” By The Notre Dame University Folk Choir
“Christ, Be Our Light” Lyrics By Bernadette Ferrell
“Longing for light, we wait in darkness
Longing for truth, we turn to You.
Make us Your own, Your holy people
Light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in Your church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow’r to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in Your church gathered today.
Longing for food, many are hungry
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us Your bread, broken for others
Shared until all are fed.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in Your church gathered today.
Longing for shelter, many are homeless
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us Your building, sheltering others
Walls made of living stone.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in Your church gathered today.
Many the gift, many the people
Many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another
Making Your kingdom come.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in Your church gathered today.”
We Learn Through Writing
An “acrostic poem” is fun and easy to write. Invite your child to write a word related to Jesus and/or “The Baptism of Christ” vertically on a piece of paper. Each letter begins a word, written horizontally next to it. For example:
Jesus
Original Sin
River Jordan
Dove
Ancestors
Nazarene
We Celebrate Through Art
Our art project this week reflects the importance of light and water in both our physical and spiritual lives. We need the sun’s light to illuminate the world; and we need the sun’s warmth to live, grow and thrive… plants and animals need it too! We would perish if we went more than a few days without drinking water. Think how dirty our bodies would be without the luxury of bathing and washing our clothes in clean water.
In our spiritual life, we receive the Sacrament of Baptism as babies to wash away original sin. As children and adults receiving Baptism, probably a few more sins have collected that need to to be washed away from our souls. Jesus gave us the gifts of the Sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation to restore and renew our relationship with Him. As your children prepare for Reconciliation this spring, you can help them understand that Jesus is the “Light of the World,” and that they can bless themselves with Holy Water to remind them of their Baptism.
Four Samples of Screen Mesh Paintings
Methods and Material
I recently had patio screens repaired. The screen material is soft and not sharp. It is a fabric that rolls up. I had a scrap and decided to try to paint over the screen, which was laid over a piece of watercolor paper, to see what effect it had. I wanted to paint three bands of color to represent the sun, sky, and water. After the paint was applied, I carefully peeled it off. I tried four versions using poster paint, kids’ tempera paint, and watercolors (less water works best.).
Here are the materials:
Suggested Homework Activities–Week Fourteen
Please read the story of “The Baptism of Christ” with your child from a Catholic children’s Bible. Also, read from Holy Scripture:
“The Baptism of Jesus.” Luke, chapter 3:21-22
“After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” Source: USCCB.Org
Please note there are wonderful picture books about the life of Jesus. Pictures help children’s comprehension and are great teaching tools.
Please click here for “Stories About Jesus.”
