ECHO
A Monthly Resource for Teaching the Faith 3.24
"Healing the wounds of sin, the Holy Spirit renews us interiorly through a spiritual transformation. He enlightens and strengthens us to live as 'children of light' through 'all that is good and right and true.'"
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1695
As we look ahead to planning for our programming Post-Easter, this edition of Echo will focus on the Holy Spirit, in anticipation of Pentecost that will come mid-May! If you are planning now for year-end classes and gatherings, why not focus them on the Holy Spirit who continues to help us to learn, grow, become strengthened, and made whole in our discipleship!
Photo by Sunguk Kim on Unsplash
SHAPED BY THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT
The Holy Spirit in the Holy Mass
CATHOLIC 101
Praying All Ways and ALWAYS!
FAMILY CONNECTION
Share this quote from foryourmarriage.org:
"Double your Quality Family Time from 37 to 74 Minutes Per Day: Ha. Got your attention! You may have heard this description of the Holy Trinity before: the Father is the lover, the Son is the beloved, and the Holy Spirit is the love that bonds them and goes forth from them. In the “little Trinity” of your family, the quality time you spend together is when you deepen the bonds of love. One Google search reveals dozens of studies that state the obvious: distracted parents are spending less and less time with their children (an average of 37 minutes per day). Invite the Holy Spirit into this deficit in your family, and you will see a change." https://www.foryourmarriage.org/blogs/the-descent-of-the-holy-spirit-upon-your-family/
Challenge families to strengthen their "Holy Spirit" bonds in their "little Trinities" by creating a jar of non-screen time, distraction free activities that they can enjoy together. Invite them to choose an idea regularly from the jar. After a few months of this, invite families to share how the non-distracted time with one another has made a difference in their lives.
KEEP LEARNING
RESOURCE REVIEW
Sprit Juice Kids!
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritJuiceKids A YouTube channel for Catholic kids
Subscribe to this YouTube channel for Catholic Kids and you will find informative and engaging videos that help you to teach about the Mass, the Liturgical Year, Prayer, Saints, the Bible and more! Plus, they have just for fun Lego build videos that connect fun to faith and shorts with Fr. Tim Anastos, a priest who has been featured in videos for kids around the National Eucharistic Revival. The content is solidly Catholic and worth following for occasional use in your programming! Watch a sample video below. This video helps younger children to learn Catholic vocabulary!
THIS MONTH'S RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS
Try this Holy Spirit Cryptogram from Catholic from Young Catholic
Follow the link to download worksheet and answers on the Holy Spirit for middle school aged students and above or family ministry! https://young-catholics.com/3363/holy-spirit-worksheet-cryptogram/
Make Cloud Dough and Talk about the Ascension
Tactile activities always help to engage kids in the story! Make some simple cloud dough with your students and then share the story of Jesus' Ascension into heaven! https://playtolearnpreschool.us/cloud-dough/
Hands on Activity First Eucharist Activity on Teachers Pay Teachers
The Teachers Pay Teachers website offers low cost (and sometimes no cost) resources that can be used in Faith Formation. This one, for less than $4.00 provides a made to go activity of setting the altar which can better connect First Eucharist students to the Sacramental Celebration! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Communion-Mass-Craft-Setting-the-Altar-Mass-Vessels-4500830?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5fOZxuTJhAMV4nFHAR12wAiaEAQYByABEgL7jfD_BwE
FIND DOZENS OF FREE RESOURCES FOR FAITH THEMES IN OUR GOOGLE DRIVE
The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
Debtor in Possession
Email: leslie.barkin@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Phone: (585)328-3210