“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
Sacred Objects for the Eucharist
Our Readings
“Alleluia”
“R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Matthew, chapter 4:23
“Ministering to a Great Multitude”
Source: USCCB.org
“The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 4:12-23”
Source: USCCB.org
“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.’
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.
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.”
Readings for Children
“You are a friend of Jesus”
from, “MagnifiKid!” January 26, 2020
By, Lisa Reno
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Vol. 17. Part 2. Section 5. Page 3
“Jesus begins his mission by announcing the good news: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand!’ Almost as soon as he makes that announcement, he shows that the Kingdom of heaven is all about love. He calls four fishermen–Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John–to follow him as his disciples. Just as Jesus wanted friends to walk by his side, so we all need friends to walk with us toward God. These four fishermen would be the first companions of Jesus, but not the last. They would share their love for Jesus and bring new friends to the faith by their witness–inspiring us to this very day. God does not call us to be ‘lone rangers’ who go through life alone to save our souls. He made us for love, for community. So join others who walk with Christ, and invite others to walk with you toward Jesus. He really wants you to be his friend!”
“The Wise and Foolish Maidens”
“TO EXPLAIN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, Jesus told the following story:”
“There were ten young women at a wedding feast who went one evening to wait for the bridegroom’s procession to arrive, all of them carrying lamps. Ten maidens fall asleep while waiting for the bridegroom…Five wise maidens have extra oil for their lamps…Five foolish maidens have nothing. The five foolish maidens go to buy oil. While they are gone, the bridegroom arrives and takes the wise maidens to the wedding.
When the foolish maidens returned, they beat with their fists on the closed door–‘Sir, sir, please let us in!’
But the bridegroom answered, ‘I do not know you, therefore I cannot let you inside.’
‘So,’ said Jesus, ‘always be prepared, for you do not know know when the son of God will come.'”
This story is called, “The Parable of the Ten Virgins.” Source: USCCB.Org Matthew, chapter 25
A parable is “a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.” Source: OxfordDictionaries.com
Jesus taught his followers using parables to help them learn important concepts. He also taught and listened to them in various locations:
Source: The Children’s Illustrated Bible Pages 252-253
(Parents, this is not a Catholic child’s Bible. However, the stories are respectfully and faithfully written, and the book provides wonderful information and photos of the geography, food, dress, and homes of the people of the Bible. It’s a excellent resource for families.)
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 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
In our church we don’t have a religious education center, yet. I’d love to paint and draw with the students but without tables, it’s not possible. However, the children love to draw, so I am bringing glitter pens, washable markers and colored pencils to make “mini” pictures on strong note cards. The children make it work, using their chairs, the floor, or they draw on top of books.
This cross below is a simple trace (or draw free-hand) and color project, that children can easily do. I used lovely, glitter pens to quickly color it. The designs that decorate the paper are from a great resource, Art Play, “Combining Colors.”
Materials and Method
Suggested Homework Activities–Week Seventeen
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 from Catholic Child’s Bible with your child 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.'”
