ECHO
A Monthly Resource for Teaching the Faith 12.23
"The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity."
Pope St. John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae (Apostolic Exhortation on Catechesis in Our Time), no. 5
As we prepare to celebrate the Incarnation, here are some ways you can help children grow in intimacy with Jesus during the season:
1. Is a manger scene set up in your church? Take the kids to see the scene and talk about the story or provide some kid-friendly mangers for hands-on exploration in your session.
2. Use storytelling to relay the Gospel story of the Nativity. Engage the senses and help them to imagine they are present at it.
3. Talk about feelings. Help them to understand or imagine the feelings of Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Wise Men.
4. Spend quiet time in prayer, helping each student to ready their hearts...what are their hopes for Jesus in this world? Come, Lord Jesus, Come!
5. Tell the story and invite students to illustrate what they are hearing
6. Engage the students in a "live" nativity during faith formation
7. Shift from Breakfast with Sant to Breakfast in Bethlehem and keep the focus on Christ
8. Host a movie night for families with a showing of The Nativity, The Star, or another appropriate film and engage the families in creating Christ-centered decorations and rituals they can bring home
Shaped by the Source and Summit
CATHOLIC 101
The white Christmas candle replaces the Advent wreath once Christmas arrives. It symbolizes Christ as light for the world! Around the world, there are some specific traditions around the Christ candle. In Slavic countries, people bring their candles to Mass to be blessed and then display them on the family dinner table. In Ukraine, the candle is often placed in a loaf of bread and in South America it is placed in a lantern with scenes depicting the nativity. In Irish homes, the candle is decorated with holly and family members gather around it to pray for loved ones in heaven and on earth.
Engage your families in the Christmas candle tradition by gathering quart-sized mason jars, napkins with nativity scenes, and Mod Podge glue. Invite participants to cut out some images and adhere them to the mason jar with a paint brush and glue over the top of the napkin paper. Give each family a white votive candle and encourage them to place it on their table and light it on Christmas. Ask them to pray that Christ's light fill the darkest corners of our world!
Praying All Ways and ALWAYS!
FAMILY CONNECTION
Keep Learning!
RESOURCE REVIEW
Little Sparks of Life By Courtney Siebring (Paraclete Press)
When You Became You By Brooke Stanton & Christiane West (Mascot Books)
Before You Were Born By Joan Lowery Nixon (Our Sunday Visitor)
Before I Was Me By Frank Fraser (Sophia Institute Press)
And find free downloadables at PROLIFEKIDS.COM
DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS: Feast of the Holy Family, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and Epiphany are Right Around the Corner!
The Feast of the Holy Family
Celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family with these resources from Sadlier!
Celebrate Mary on New Years Day
With these ideas from the Miraculous Medal Shrine
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Miraculous_medal.jpg
Epiphany
Image by Enrique from Pixabay
The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
Debtor in Possession
Email: leslie.barkin@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Phone: (585)328-3210