“Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.

The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;

Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.”

Source: USCCB.Org Matthew, chapter 10:1-4

“Our Lord began the second year of His Ministry by an act of the greatest importance, an act which concerns the eternal welfare of every one of us. He founded the Apostolic College, and thus laid the foundation of His Church which was to carry on to the end of time His work for the souls of men.”

Source: Jesus of Nazareth The Story of His Life Written for Children Page 194

 

For Parents to Teach to Their Children

Jesus taught us how to pray when He gave His followers “The Lord’s Prayer.”

“This is how you are to pray:”

Jesus Gives Us The Golden Rule

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

Source: USCCB.Org Matthew, chapter 7:12

Jesus Teaches Us to Love God and Each Other

Source: USCCB.Org Matthew, chapter 22:34-40

Jesus Gives Us Sacraments Throughout Our Lives

“A sacrament is a visible sign, instituted by Christ, to give grace.” 

Source: Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, El Segundo, CA

 

We Learn Through Writing

Jesus Gives Us Gifts through The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Invite your child to make a list or a poster of the gifts that we receive through Reconciliation. Help them with the spelling. If they wish to make a poster, provide construction paper, scissors, glue and markers. This is a helpful activity for children preparing for their first Reconciliation.

We Learn Through Reading

“As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.

He said to them, ‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’

At once they left their nets and followed him.

He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them,and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.”

Source USCCB.Org Matthew, chapter 4:18-22

“The Call of Peter and Andrew”

Source: The Catholic Bible for Children Page 122 Mark 1:16-20

“On the shore, Jesus saw two fisherman, Andrew and Peter, casting their nets. Jesus called them, ‘Andrew, Peter, leave your nets. Come, follow me!'”

“Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1:18)

 

Our Art Project–“Fishers of Men” Collage

Methods and Materials

I used a watercolor I had painted a year ago. I flipped it over, sketched out twelve fish (to remember the number of Apostles), cut them out and arranged them out in a circle. I used a circular piece of plastic webbing that I bought to help open jars to be used as a stencil. I used my finger and smeared children’s white paint around the edge as a border. Then, I pressed the wet side down on top of black construction paper, to make a print of the circle. It peeled off easily and left me with an impression of a net. I organized the previously painted and cut out fish within the circle then glued them down. I used glitter paint, again smeared onto the plastic fabric, and placed wet-side down on dry circle.  I peeled it off and liked the effect! When the collage was dry, I decided to cut out and add a cross from the same original painting. The fish can be made easily with crayons rapidly rubbed on paper instead of cutting up a painting. Enjoy this fun collage experience!

Suggested Homework Activities

Please discuss the Sacraments with your children. Talk to them about their own baptism and your wedding. Perhaps they have seen an older sibling or relative receive their First Holy Communion or Confirmation. Show them pictures from these important events in your life and the children’s lives.

For an excellent book on the Seven Sacraments read, Child’s Guide to The Seven Sacraments By Elizabeth Ficocelli, Illustrations By Anne Catherine Blake.