The Family Zone
Lectionary-Based Playlist /Issue 54/April 11, 2021
"....then he opened their minds to help them understand the Scriptures"
Journeying with St. Joseph
Artwork of St. Joseph, along with Jesus Christ and Mary, Mother of God, is the only artwork granted a crown by the Vatican. The crown is granted to a piece of artwork by the Pope and added either to the artwork, or above it. St. Joseph has 17 images that have been granted a crown by the Pope, including one in the United States – Saint Joseph of Wisconsin at the National Shrine of Saint Joseph in De Pere, Wisconsin.
Saint Joseph of Wisconsin
National Shrine of Saint Joseph, De Pere, WI
To keep learning about St. Joseph, visit https://oec.dor.org/year-of-st-joseph/ or follow us at
https://www.facebook.com/dioceseofrochester
@rocdiocese on Instagram
READ!
SUNDAY READINGS:
Click on the link below for the readings that you will hear at this coming Sunday's Mass. This will give you a chance to prepare your heart and mind for full and active participation in Mass this weekend! For a Mass schedule in our diocese click on the blue button below.
Family Stories:
Do you love to read to your kids? These stories will help you apply this week's theme to other areas of life and connect the lines between our beliefs and daily life!
- "The Jesus Storybook Bible" by Sally Lloyd-Jones
- "Children of God Storybook Bible" by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
- "The Giant Book of Catholic Bible Activities" by Jen Klucinec
- The Catholic Children's Bible App from St. Mary's Press: digital Interactive Bible reading for kids! https://www.smp.org/TheCatholicChildren'sBibleapp/
- Great Adventure: Kids Catholic Bible Chronicles: Ascension Press
Parent Articles on the topic:
- "Bible at Core of Catholic Beliefs" by Monsignor J. Brian Bransfield
https://www.usccb.org/offices/new-american-bible/bible-core-catholic-beliefs - 10 things about the Bible: https://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible
- Download this article to help you share Bible stories at home: https://www.sadlier.com/religion/blog/free-activities-and-resources-to-support-catholic-scripture-study-in-families
- Getting Started with Scripture for Teens: https://www.catechist.com/bible-rookie-dont-know-start/
- Breakthrough! The Bible for Young Catholic Saints (SMP)
- The Catholic Youth Bible (SMP)
- YOUCAT Bible
Write!
Below you will find "at-home" assignments if your child learns best through writing and completing worksheets:
FOR SMALL CHILDREN:
Download free hidden picture worksheets around Bible stories by following this link: https://sundayschoolzone.com/resource-type/pencil-activities/hidden-pictures/
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES:
Create a Scripture journal to start learning and applying some of the messages from beloved Bible stories to a kid's life today! This can be a family scripture journal too~ Here's how:
https://www.catholicicing.com/how-to-start-a-scripture-journal-with-children/
FOR ADOLESCENTS:
Try the Bible scavenger hunt below, from St. Mary's Press!
LISTEN!
PRAY!
Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of praying with the BIble. It is an ideal way to let the words of Scripture resonate with you as a form of prayer. Here are some resources to help you begin the process of Lectio Divina as a family and an interesting article about VISIO Divina, its visual counterpart.
WATCH!
Play!
Children learn through play; here are some ways for you to keep learning about the faith theme of the week in a "hands-on" way!
FOR SMALL CHILDREN:
- Play "What's Missing". Have someone find some small items (as many as you want!) and put them out on a tray. The person who is "it" will close their eyes and the other person will take something away! Can the person who is "it" guess what is missing? You can connect this game to a Bible story by gathering items that match the theme. For example, if you are teaching your child the story of Noah, gather animal - themed items on a tray!
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES:
- Create these DIY "I Spy" bottles!
https://www.123homeschool4me.com/diy-i-spy-bottles_75/. Choose a Bible story to be "illustrated" by the bottle. Reading the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds? Fill it with growing items and seeds! Reading the Nativity? Fill it with a baby, animals, gifts and stars!
FOR ADOLESCENTS:
- Have everyone write down Bible related stories or people and put them into a basket. Each person gets a turn to stand up and draw that person/theme. Guess the answer!
ALL AGES:
- Put a Bible game app on your phone to add some faith based fun into your screen time!
- Play Bible Hopscotch!
Create!
Great projects for you to create something together for quality time!
FOR SMALL CHILDREN:
- Follow this page to find all kinds of cute and simple Bible crafts for kids! Tell a simple Bible story and bring it to life with your child! https://outuponthewaters.com/easy-bible-crafts-for-kids/
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES:
- Create a bookmark for your Bible! Decorate it how you want! Include a relevant Bible verse or a picture of Jesus, etc!
FOR ADOLESCENTS:
- Create your own Bible verse candle holder or decorate a pot to put a plant in! https://scriptureand.blogspot.com/2012/09/bible-verse-candle-holders.html
ALL AGES:
- Make some fun sock puppets! Design them to be your favorite Bible character or help to tell a simple Bible story! Watch the sock puppet video below to learn how!
Wonder with St. Joseph
I was a faithful follower of the law. I was careful to obey the precepts of my faith and my people. I knew Jesus was the Son of God, but it never occurred to me that he was also the fulfillment of the law. I obeyed the law in order to be a better person, but Jesus was already the best person! He was fully human, and I don’t mean he was biologically a human, I mean he was everything God originally made humanity to be. Following the law is about striving to be more like Jesus!
Parents – We teach them wrong from right and to always listen to the rules. Sometimes we even think ahead enough to remind them why they can’t play in the street or wander off without someone with them. We always try to do what’s best for them, even when they would rather do something else, and it’s not always easy. What rewards have you seen in setting boundaries for your children?
Young People – How amazing is it that Jesus became human? And not just that he became human, someone thought ahead enough to tell his story in a book so we all could come to know him more! Think about how amazing it is that our bible has the stories Jesus grew up hearing in the Old Testament AND his own story in the New Testament! Ask your parents what their favorite bible story is, and if they would read it to you. What are you wondering about Jesus, as a human being? Did he get hungry? Stub his toe? Feel sad?
FAITH WORD OF THE WEEK!
LECTIONARY: the collection of Scripture readings assigned for liturgical proclamation. It has five parts:
- a three year cycle of readings for Sundays
- a two year cycle of readings for weekdays
- a one year cycle of readings for saints' days
- other readings for a variety of other occasions
- responsorial psalms and alleluia verses
Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
Debtor in PossessionEmail: oec@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Location: Diocese of Rochester, Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-328-3210