For Parents To Teach To Their Children
We Learn Through Sharing
On a trip to Israel and the Holy Sites, I learned so much by seeing the important locations where Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead. When I now think of Mary’s walk from Nazareth to Ein Kerem to visit Elizabeth, I realize what a long and difficult journey–about 80 miles!– that must have been. I am able to imagine Joseph and Mary, almost ready to give birth, on their equally long and difficult trek to Bethlehem to enroll in the census. When my son and I took a quick taxi from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, I was a bit dazzled. We westerners have always seen the peaceful stable with the straw in the manger in Christmas art. I was able to receive the Eucharist from my son, Father William, in the Grotto of the Nativity in the Church that commemorates the birth of Jesus. It was not in the peaceful stable, but a tiny cave. I was somewhat overwhelmed by all that I was seeing and learning. But as years have past, I understand now how profoundly difficult the region and the life were for the people at the time of Christ. I am so glad to have been able to make this journey and experience Israel and Jerusalem in the unique manner I did, receiving communion from my son in the most holy Christian sites.
Beautiful and informative Bible stories from a literary and historical perspective on “The Birth of John” (Luke 1) pages 188-189 and on “The Birth of Jesus” (Matthew 1; Luke 2) pages 190-191 can be read in The Children’s Illustrated Bible.
“Mary traveled a highly dangerous path to visit Elizabeth”
Hello Parents, Please read this short article on “The Visitation” by
Philip Kosloski – published on 05/31/19. It is very interesting, educational, and gives an
excellent picture of the dangers of travel in the region at that time.
Our Art Gallery
“The Annunciation” An Angel Speaks to Mary”
“Matthew 1:18-25– Luke 1:26-38”
“In Nazareth, there lived a young woman named Mary, who was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter. An angel of the Lord came to her with a message. ‘Do not be afraid, Mary,’ said the angel. ‘God has sent me to tell you that you will be the mother of a son, and his name will be Jesus.’
‘Mary was surprised, but the angel said, ’The Holy Spirit will come to you, and your child shall be the Son of God. He shall rule a kingdom that will last forever.’
“Mary said, ‘I am God’s servant. I will do what He asks.’ And the angel went away.”
Source: Catholic Baby’s First Bible
Page 57
Note* Even though the title suggests it is for babies, this charming children’s Bible has lovely stories that children of all ages will enjoy.
For this art project, I used watercolor paper, glue and scissors, pastels, black fine point Sharpie for the outline, and gold and blue Kwik Stix. I cut out the figures and glued them onto a piece of cardboard. I had some white pearl ink which I used for extra “decoration.”
“The Visitation”
Mary Travels from Nazareth to Visit Her Cousin, Elizabeth in Ein Karem, Near Jerusalem
“Luke 1:39- 55 (NABRE)”
“During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Source: Basilica of the National Shrine Website
The painting in the Basilica of the National Shrine shows Mary and Elizabeth greet each other with joy. The painting shows both holy women with halos. Mary has on a red dress covered with a blue cloak. She is young and knows that she will give birth to Baby Jesus. Elizabeth, is much older than Mary, but is also expecting her baby, the mother of John the Baptist. I put her in a humble, brown cloak.
I started the painting, using a light pencil outline, on watercolor paper. Then, I used a fine point Sharpie, to draw over the pencil outline. I also used watercolor paints with a fine brush to make the painting. I used a metallic gold solid tempera stick (Kwik Stix)for the gold lines and gold stars, at the top of the page. Older children might like to make this same painting.
Our Readings
“Announcement of the Birth of Jesus.” USCCB Luke, Chapter 1:26-38
“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said, ‘Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.’
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the
throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’
But Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?’
And the angel said to her in reply, ‘The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
For nothing will be impossible for God.’
Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.”
“Mary Visits Elizabeth.” USCCB Luke, Chapter 1:39-45
“During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, and cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’
And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord-should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
About Saints
The Saint’s Day of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux–“The Little Flower of Jesus,” October 1
Excerpt from Franciscan Media “Saint of the Day“:
“Few saints of God are more popular than this young nun. Her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, is read and loved throughout the world. Thérèse Martin entered the convent at the age of 15 and died in 1897 at the age of 24.”
“Thérèse, like so many saints, sought to serve others, to do something outside herself, to forget herself in quiet acts of love.“
The Saint’s Day of The Holy Guardian Angels, October 2
“Today the Church honors our guardian angels. Each one of us has a guardian angel whom God has appointed to watch over us, and to protect us. In the words of Psalm 91, ‘The Lord has put angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.’ (Ps 91:11)
Source: Magnifikid! Prayers for Schools page 65
We celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, October 4
Source: FranciscanMedia.org
“Saint Francis gave up a life of wealth and comfort to help and care for the poor. He is a profoundly popular saint, particularly with children, and is fondly remembered for his love of animals and all God’s creations.”
Source: Saints and Angels, page 40.
Excerpt from Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offense, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.”
“Saint Francis of Assisi is the Patron Saint of:
Animals
Archaeologists
Ecology
Italy
Merchants
Messengers
Metal Workers”
Source: FranciscanMedia.Org
Our Lady of the Rosary, October 7
“The purpose of the rosary is to help us meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation.” Source: FranciscanMedia.org
Our Art Project–A Crayon Drawing with a Cross
“A Song. A Psalm”
“Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
sing of his glorious name;
give him glorious praise.
Say to God: “How awesome your deeds!
Before your great strength your enemies cringe.
All the earth falls in worship before you;
they sing of you, sing of your name!”
USCCB. Psalms, 66:2-3
This is a simple art project for kids. In my Sunday School class last school year, several students didn’t know how to mix colors to make a different color. Each child had a package of 4 crayons in red, green, yellow and blue. I showed them how to mix blue with red for purple or maroon; blue and orange for brown; blue and yellow for green, and red with yellow for orange. In this picture, I mixed red with white to make pink. The kids had fun and it was empowering for those moments when someone was missing a color! This projects only needs crayons and paper. You can also use a black Sharpie to add some symbols:
Heart, Flower, Water, and a Leaf
Heart
for “Love” and “Holy Family”
Water
for “Baptism” and “Holy Water”
Flower
for “Mary”
and “L0ve”
and
Leaf for “Growth.”
“We are all children of God.”
Blessed FIRST RECONCILIATION
Page 10
“Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning.
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.”
Amen
