“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongst Women!”

“Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold, you shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call him Jesus.”

“And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt amongst us.”

Source: Jesus of Nazareth The Story of His Life Written for Children

For Parents to Teach to Their Children

This week begins our lessons on Jesus, through learning the Mysteries of the Rosary. We begin with The Annunciation. Click to learn how to pray the Rosary by Catholic-Kids.com .

The Joyful Mysteries begin with The Annunciation and are recited on Mondays and Saturdays.

“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.
4. The Presentation
   Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the Temple to present him to God.
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
   Jesus is found in the Temple discussing his faith with the teachers.”

Source: LoyolaPress.com “Mysteries of the Rosary”

Mary’s Prayer, “The Magnificat” 

“My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy
Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.”

Source: OurCatholicPrayers.com

An Excerpt for Children On The Annunciation

“See! See! in the midst of a dazzling light, not of this world, an Angel stands before her. He comes near, and, kneeling, salutes her:

‘Hail full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women!’

What glorious praise, and from one so high and holy! This is Gabriel, one of the seven who stand before God. How will she answer him?

‘Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold, thou shalt bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord His father, and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom shall have no end.’

“When at length she is satisfied that it is God’s Will she should be the Mother of the Messiah, and that He wants her consent, thinking neither of the dignity nor of the pain this will bring upon her, she bows her head and says:

‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to they word.'”

“And The Word was made Flesh and dwelt amongst us.”

“And the Angel was returned to God who sent him; and all Heaven was made glad that night.”

Source: Jesus of Nazareth The Story of HIS Life Written For Children Pages 42-44

Our Prayers

Praying the Rosary

Please read the Apostles’ Creed out loud with your children. Read it slowly, line for line, explaining the meaning and significance of the lines to your children. It explains what we believe in as Catholics. If possible, read this daily to help your children memorize the prayer.

“The Apostles’ Creed” is a profession of our faith and is a prayer. It states the basic beliefs of the Catholic Church. 

Prayers To Mary

Prayer Taught To The Children of Fatima By An Angel

My God

I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love you!

I ask pardon for those who do not believe,

do not adore, do not hope,

and do not love you.

Source: A Missal for Children “In the Evening” Page 86

What is a Prophet?

“The biblical term “nabi” means one who spoke, acted, or wrote under the extraordinary influence of god to make known the divine counsels and will. Yet commonly associated with this primary function to proclaim the word of God, a prophet also prophesied by foretelling future events. His role, then, was to both proclaim and to make the proclamation credible.”
Source: CatholicCulture.org

Excerpt for Children from The Catholic Bible for Children

“Isaiah and the Promised Savior” “Isaiah 9:1-6” Page 94

“The prophet Isaiah brought great hope to the people: ‘One day, the Savior will come. A child will be born who will become a king forever. He will bring justice, peace, and joy to everyone. He will light up the whole world with his love.’ The people waited for this child God had promised them.

He would be the Messiah.”

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”

Excerpts from “The Promised One” 

Source: Jesus of Nazareth Pages 21-22

“These prophecies belonged to God’s chosen people the Jews, who guarded them jealously, and studied them with diligence and delight, those especially that told of the Messiah’s greatness and power:”

“I will make Him higher than the kings of the earth.”

“Men knew He was to be of the race of Abraham, Therefore a Jew, of the Tribe of Judah, of the family of David.”

“His mother was to be a Virgin.”

“He was to be born in Bethlehem.”

“He would be meek and humble of Heart, compassionate and forgiving…”

“He would go about doing good…”

“In spite of His wonderful works and His miracles of mercy, He would be hated and rejected by His own people…”

“One of His chosen friends would sell Him to His enemies…”

“He would be scourged and spit upon, and buffeted, and crucified…”

“After death He was to rise again…”

Writing Project

“Grace is a gift of love that invites us into relationship with God.”

Source: USCCB.org

This week, invite your older children to choose several or all of the following words:

Grace, Prophet, Prophecy, Messiah, Mercy and Savior

Write all of them with a short definition or complete sentence. Use plain white paper, a Sharpie pen, and paste it on the back of the art project below, or write the words in an easy-to-make prayer notebook.

Younger children can choose three words and write a short sentence. For example, “grace” can be called a “Gift of Love.”

Link to Catholic Terms

Art Project–Watercolor Cross Cut-Outs for Mary

First, paint with liquid or cake-type watercolors on watercolor paper and let dry. When dry, flip over and trace or draw free-hand, a cross, circles, hearts, shapes, and “rays.” Cut them out, arranged them on colorful construction paper, then glue them down. I punched holes into a previously-painted pink painting (nice alliteration!) and pasted them onto the flowers. Glue the writing project onto the back of the construction paper for safe keeping, then hang the poster prominently in the house.

Our Materials

Suggested Homework Activities

Abraham is the first prophet in the Bible. Please read about “God’s Call to Abram” in a Catholic Children’s Bible, your family Bible, or read it on USCCB.org. “Genesis” chapter 12:1-9

“Discovering True Riches” from MagnifiKid! October 14, 2018, Vol. 15. Part II, Section 3. Page 2

“On a piece of paper, make two columns. In the first column, draw or write down all of the things you have or care about that can be bought or sold. In the second column, write or draw those which cannot be bought or sold. Which of these things brings you the most happiness? Which of them are true riches?”

Family Discussion: When God told Abram to pack up everything he owned or cared about and to set out for a faraway land, what do you think he’d care the most about and would take?

When Jesus told a rich man to sell all his possessions and to follow Him, what do you think the rich man felt? What would the rich man receive if he chose to follow Jesus?