“Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.”
Source: USCCB.Org Matthew, chapter 4:23
“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.”
Source: USCCB.org Luke, chapter 6:20
For Parents To Teach To Their Children
Our Art Gallery
Moving Into Lent
Our Readings–Source: USCCB.org
“The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry.” USCCB Mathew, Chapter 4:12-17
“When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
“The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 6:17-26”
“Jesus came down with the Twelve
and stood on a stretch of level ground
with a great crowd of his disciples
and a large number of the people
from all Judea and Jerusalem
and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.
And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
for the kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.
But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.’”
Our Readings for Children
MagnifiKid! is a Liturgical guide for the weekly Mass. It is an excellent source for children and families to share.
A Video From Holy Heroes for the Beatitudes
The Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount
“The text of St. Matthew runs as follows:”
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3)
Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. (Verse 4)
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5)
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7)
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Verse 9)
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 10)”
Source: NewAdvent.org
Child’s Guide to the Beatitudes
This helpful book for children, written by Kathy DellaTorre O’Keefe, illustrated by Anne Catherine Blake, explains the meaning of the words of “The Beatitudes.” It is a lovely story about a class, taught “The Sermon on the Mount,” by the students’ priest.
Our Symbol of the Week–
The symbol below, “INRI,” means “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.” When Jesus was maliciously crowned “King of the Jews”with a crown of thorns, the letters “INRI” where written above his head at his crucifixion.
Our Song and Music
“Blessed Are They” by The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir
Our Writing Project
This is a simplified version of the words in “The Beatitudes.” Young children may want to draw a bee as a memory tool to learn the word “Beatitudes,” Which means “blessed.” Have a conversation about the meanings of the words below. Older children may want to write complete sentences below each word, such as, “A Person who’s humble doesn’t brag.” Invite your child to come up with antonyms- opposite words- or synonyms–words with same or similar meanings– for the vocabulary here. Make a poster like the one here!
At this same time, “Jesus taught them how to pray.”
Source: My First Communion Bible Page 26
Our Art Project–A Kwik Stix “Painting”
In our church we don’t have a religious education center yet. I’d love to paint with the students but without tables, it’s not possible. However, the children love to draw, so I am bringing, washable, solid tempera sticks to make “mini” pictures on small 6″ by 6″ canvas panels. The children make it work, by drawing on top of strong cardboard rectangles, they use as “lap desks.”
The symbol of the Crucifixion of Jesus as “light,” on the drawing below, was shown to me by another religious education teacher, who lives in the United Kingdom. Originally, the abstract image of Christ was drawn by a child with the figure on two straight lines with a circle. The child did not include arms, but it was a powerful image, none the less. I think the children in my class will like to replicate this.
We are learning about symbols. The symbol below, “INRI,” means “Jesus Christ of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
Our Materials
Week 22–Suggested Family Activities
This week, Praying the Rosary will be a “homework activity.”
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.”
“The Third Luminous Mystery” Source: Rosary-Center.Org
“THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM”
- “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”
- “My kingdom is not of this world.”
- “Unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.”
- “Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter into it.”
- “I have come to call sinners, not the just.”
- “Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you.”
- “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
- “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.”
- “Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
- “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church… I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
“Spiritual Fruit: Desire for Holiness”
Please read a story a from a Catholic child’s Bible about “The Sermon on the Mount.”
Below is an excerpt from A Catholic Baby’s First Bible. It is simple and lovely for children 4-7 years of age:
“Jesus Speaks to the People” Page 67
Matthew 5:1-12; 6:5-15 Luke 6:17-26; 11:1-5
“One day Jesus went to a mountain top and spoke to the people. He said, ‘Love everyone, even those who are not kind to you. Treat others as you want them to treat you, and ask God your Father for whatever you need.'”
