The Family Zone
Lectionary-Based Playlist /Issue 56/April 25, 2021
"Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them"
Journeying with St. Joseph
St. Joseph is the Patron Saint of so many things! Being a patron Saint means he is a heavenly advocate for a place, craft, group of people, or other need. St. Joseph alone is the patron of:
- The Catholic Church
- Unborn children
- Fathers
- Immigrants
- Workers
- Employment
- Explorers
- Pilgrims
- Travelers
- Carpenters
- Engineers
- Realtors
- Against doubt & hesitation
- A happy death
- China
- Belgium
- Canada
- Croatia
- Korea
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
- Philippines
- And many more places
These are the areas where St. Joseph is a known advocate, but you can pray with him and ask his prayers anytime. His story can inspire you in these areas, and maybe help you learn more about your connection to God!
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 burgundy button below the text.
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!
- Drop by Drop by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops teaches your child how to love neighbors you haven't even met
- This is the Church by Sarah Raymond Cunningham talks about the Christian call to be the church out in the world
- My Family Plays Music by Judy Cox focuses on how one family shares their gifts!
Parent Articles on the topic:
- Encouraging your child to discover his or her vocation: https://www.setonmagazine.com/latest-articles/the-secret-to-helping-children-find-their-vocations
- https://catholicexchange.com/guiding-children-discover-vocation
- We demonstrate our discipleship by love for others: https://catholic-link.org/are-you-really-catholic/
Write!
Below you will find "at-home" assignments if your child learns best through writing and completing worksheets:
FOR SMALL CHILDREN:
Writing and Scripture practice from BibleWise: https://www.biblewise.com/kids/images/fun/love_one_another.pdf
find your way through the vine and branches maze: https://www.biblewise.com/kids/fun/the-vine-branches.php
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES and ADOLESCENTS: Fill in the pdf worksheet linked below from Catechism Angel on TeachersPayTeachers.com This is a free download, for more great worksheets, create your own account and follow Catechism Angel!
How do the Theological Virtues, the basis for a Christian lifestyle, connect to your everyday life? Try this exercise from Loyola Press and then send your cards to someone!
ALL AGES: Write out one of the "love your neighbor" commandments in family terms and use it as a teachable moment. For example, talk about what it means to covet your neighbor's goods and connect it to being jealous of what other people have, or being greedy for more. How does this happen in your family life? Write out things your family shouldn't covet and hang it in a prominent place!
LISTEN!
PRAY!
O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because you are all good and worthy of all my love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me, and I ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.
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!
Open-ended play helps a child to discover their gifts and their own creativity. In time, this type of play helps children learn a lot about themselves!
For open-ended play at any age try these toys for family play time and resist the urge to direct them!
- building blocks: wooden, plastic disks that connect, plastic bricks, etc.
- puppets (you can always provide supplies for making your own with paper lunch bags, googly eyes, markers and yarn!
- A large package of pipe cleaners
- stamps and ink
- play food and pots
- kinetic sand
- recyclable materials to repurpose
- gardening materials
Create!
Great projects for you to create something together for quality time!
FOR SMALL CHILDREN: On a nice day, outline your child's body in chalk on the driveway or sidewalk, and let them draw in their images for their own self portrait. Talk about all the things that make them special and unique in God's eyes.
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES: Make a picture of the vine and branches. On each branch, write one way you can connect with your neighbor to make the world a better place!
FOR ADOLESCENTS: What makes you special? There are so many things unique and wonderful about you! Think about your gifts and what you contribute to the world. Make a self portrait with Words. Watch the video to see the process and follow or just create your own self-portrait free hand!
ALL AGES: Create a family plan for connecting to others this week!! Make a difference out in the world!
Wonder with St. Joseph
I may just be a simple carpenter, but there are some things anyone can understand. I was brought up believing that God is the source of everything good in our lives, and it is our life’s work to spread that goodness. If I have extra, I should share. If I have joy, I should share. And likewise, if I am in need, I should not refuse. I tried to bring Jesus up with that same ethic, but he already understood it. Of course he did, I learned it from God and he IS God! Being a part of a family, including the family of God, means being there to help and get help. You know what? That sounds an awful lot like what it means to be part of the Church too!
Parents – Sometimes we think we have to always provide the help and never show weakness. Truth is, sometimes the best balm for our soul comes from our children! Imagine a world where our children felt empowered to help us too!
Young People – We all have a part to play in the Church. The pope, bishops, priests, deacons, laity – they all are important! How are you important to your parish? Your family is even known as the Domestic Church, so how are you important in your family? Imagine a world where we recognized everyone’s place!
FAITH WORD OF THE WEEK!
CHARISMS: Special gifts the Holy Spirit bestows on individual Christians to help the Church grow.
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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dioceseofrochester