Sunday School Updates–2022-2023–Week 4–“The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

“Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

From USCCB, Matthew. Chapter 1

September 8, 2022

 

 

For Parents To Teach To Their Children

Hello Parents, This coming week I am going to teach my class about “The Annunciation” and “The Visitation.” The following week I will discuss the wonderful story of  “The Nativity of Jesus.” It is a break from the class textbook, simply because I love the stories and want to share their beauty with the students. We have begun learning about “Reconciliation.” We will discuss the Ten Commandments as a means for “Examination of Conscience,” and the children are working on “An Act of Contrition.” The parents came in for the last ten minutes of the class and everyone read “An Act of Contrition” out loud.

Our Art Gallery

“A Flower for Mary” and “A Boxed Collage of the Nativity of Jesus”

 

Our Readings

USCCB. “Matthew, Chapter 1:18-25

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
‘Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.’

All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.’”

Learning About Mary Through the Mysteries of the Rosary

“The Joyful Mysteries”

  1. “The Annunciation

    Mary learns that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus.

  2. The Visitation

    Mary visits Elizabeth, who tells her that she will always be remembered.

  3. The Nativity

    Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem.

Source: LoyolaPress.com “Mysteries of the Rosary”

Mary’s Prayer, “The Magnificat”

“My soul proclaims
the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God,
my savior;
because he has seen the humiliation
of his slave. From now on all generations
will congratulate me , because the Mighty One has done great things for me: his name is holy, and his mercy reaches his faithful from generation to generation. He does mighty deeds with his arm: he scatters the proud in heart, he casts down the mighty from their thrones and exalts the lowly, he fills the hungry with good things, and the rich he sends away empty. He helps Israel, his servant,
remembering mercy
– as he had promised our fathers –
in favor of Abraham
and his descendants forever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
now and forever, forever and ever.

Amen.

 Source: LoyolaPress.com

Preparation for First Reconciliation

Beautiful Books About First Reconciliation for Children

 

The Process of Confession

Asking for God’s Forgiveness

“The Elements of the Sacrament of Penance” from American Families Living in Faith 

    • “A greeting and a blessing from a priest

    • A reading from Scripture to inspire a heart-felt confession

    • The penitent confesses his or her sins

    • The priest gives a penance

    • The priest gives absolution to the penitent

    • A prayer of thanksgiving and praise, dismissal and a blessing”

 

First Reconciliation Card
An Act of Contrition

Our Art Project–A Sacred Heart

This is an easy way to draw and create a beautiful result. I bought antique-looking paper on Amazon.com. Using a black ballpoint pen, draw circles and squiggles to fill the inside of the heart. Young children can create lovely hearts mostly on their own. We shared a Kwik Stix tempera stick in gold metallic to enhance the heart.