K4-5th Grade Formation Lesson
"Sent Forth" April 19th Lesson--Generations of Faith
We are a community striving together for Heaven
Generations of Faith Lesson
I've been reflecting on ways to find God within this pandemic; God did not make this pandemic, He did not plan for us to lose so many people and have so many other suffer, but if we let Him, He can use this to strengthen us. Here's a few of the positives I've felt:
- As we are told that we can't attend Mass, I feel a deeper pull to Mass. Do any of you feel that too? A little of that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" idea.
- Meals together, we've had 3 meals together every day; that is amazing when we typically can only manage one a day between school, sports, work, etc! And don't forget to mention all the snacks together too!
- Meal time prayers have happened consistently too! We've been able to pray together as a family more...and that leads to my last one
- Typically, I wake up early to pray so I can do it before my kids get up and are on the go; but now, I am sharing that prayer time with them. I'm praying the rosary with them, I'm asking them to respect my quiet prayer time, or join with me. I'm surprised how many times they want to!
What ways is God working through this pandemic for you and your family?
Part I: Learning Lesson -- What are we "Sent Forth" to do?
What is included in the concluding rites?
What do the concluding rites tell us to do?
How can we do this on a daily basis?
This is said at the end of every Mass and is so important to remember. We are not asked to have faith in and love for God just on Sundays for one hour. We are asked to love God so much that it CHANGES HOW WE LIVE! We are asked to go forth and do good for others FOR God and because we love God so much that we want to share that love with others! "Glorify God with your lives" Please watch this video below (25 minutes)
Complete the Challenge
Part II: Circle of Grace -- Required Lesson
Kindergarten - Fifth Grade Discussion: "What is Your Circle of Grace?"
Circle of Grace Concept (see below) is a way to describe God’s constant "Presence”
Raise your hands above your head,
then bring your outstretched arms slowly down.
Extend your arms in front of you and then behind you
Embrace all of the space around you,
Slowly reach down to your feet
Know that God is in this space with you
This is your Circle of Grace; you are in it.
God is "Present" because He desires a relationship with us
- God is with us when we are happy and sad. God does not cause bad things to happen to us. He loves us very much.
- God desires to help us when we are hurt, scared or confused (unsafe).
- Having faith may not take away all of life’s struggles. It is because of these struggles, God promised to always " be present," providing guidance and comfort in our time of need
God helps us know what belongs in our Circle of Grace
- Our feelings help us know about ourselves and the world around us.
- God helps us know what belongs in our Circle of Grace by experiencing peace, love or contentment when something or someone good comes into our Circle of Grace.
- God desires to help us when we are hurt, scared or confused (unsafe).
- The Holy Spirit prompts (alerts) us that something does not belong in our Circle of Grace by giving us “a funny or uncomfortable feeling” that something is not safe. This feeling is there because God wants us to be safe.
God helps us know when to ask for help from someone we trust
- God gives us people in our lives to help us when we are troubled or struggling with a concern
- God wants us to talk to trusted adults about our worries ,concerns and “uncomfortable feelings” so they can help us be safe and take the right action.
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Circle of Grace Lesson
Kindergarten through grade 2 lessons introduce and reinforce the material with varied activities. All three grades have the Stoplight analogy to help them identify green, yellow and red situations, feelings attached to these situations and when to talk to a trusted adult.
Below are discussion points and activity helps children identify what belongs in and outside their Circle of Grace:
Discussion
Now, let’s remember why it is important that we know about our Circle of Grace.
Ask the children the following review questions:
Does Jesus always love us? (Yes)
Is Jesus always with us? (Yes)
If God is always with us, we are always in a special, holy place. What do we call that special, holy place? (Our Circle of Grace – prompt with Circle of Grace movement if needed).
This is the place the Holy Spirit is with us and within us.
If we can remember that we are in a Circle of Grace, with God and surrounded by God’s love, what will that help us remember to do? (Respect ourselves and others)
Write terms “Holy”, “Holy Spirit”, “Respect”, and “Trust” on the board and define them.
Activity – Circle of Grace Cards
Use picture gallery below as the "cards". Look at the picture and decide if this is something he or she would welcome in their Circle of Grace or something he or she would like to keep far outside his or her Circle of Grace. If the picture shows something loving and kind they should put it "in" the Circle of Grace. If it shows something scary, mean, or unhealthy, he or she should put it "outside" the Circle of Grace logo. If the child is not sure, the child should put the card outside the pile until he or she asks for help from the leader (Trusted Adult).
Closing Activity
Trusted adults want what is best for your child. They want your child’s Circle of Grace to be respected. Discuss with your child the three other persons whom you feel are trusted adults. Then let the trusted adults know you have chosen them. Share with them what Circle of Grace means to you. Today is a good day to start those conversations
3rd-5th Circle of Grace Lesson
Children learn about being treasured by God, boundaries, and how to seek help from a trusted adult. Below is discussion development and activity which focuses on helping children understand that as Children of God we are treasured and filled with grace.
Lesson Development
Today we are going to discuss how God treasures all of us by giving each of us a Circle of Grace.
Show students pictures or examples of precious items that, because they are so special, receive extra care. Possibilities might include:
The American Flag
A special set of china dishes that are a family heirloom
Ask the children for other examples
Make a point that everything that is considered extra special, rare, or valuable is given extra care and protection.
The final and MOST IMPORTANT example of care given to precious items are the special measures taken to protect and care for…
A Consecrated Host, The Blessed Sacrament
Not only do we keep it in a special vessel and in a special locked box but also when we handle it we do so with the ultimate reverence and respect.
We even build a special building, the church, where it is housed, and there are many special behaviors for when we are in the presence of Christ in The Blessed Sacrament.
Ask students for examples of special behaviors we use in church to show respect.
Folding hands
Genuflecting
Reverent silence
Activity – Precious Gift-Wrapped Box
(Use a box with a lid that you can wrap. Inside the box is a mirror of some sort so that the students will see their reflection when they look inside the box.)
Show the children a gift-wrapped box. Tell them: “It contains something very precious, something that both you and God treasure very highly. This is so special, unique, and valuable that it should be handled with the highest level of care and respect. Each of us should do everything in our power to keep it safe.”
You are invited to come up one at a time and look into the box, to see this precious gift.
Once you have seen the contents of the box, don’t tell anyone else what you have seen. The beauty of the gift is that everyone will see something very different.
While they are waiting to take their turn to view the special gift, have the children make a list of their ten most precious possessions.
Closing Activity
Trusted adults want what is best for your child. They want your child’s Circle of Grace to be respected. Discuss with your child the three other persons whom you feel are trusted adults. Then let the trusted adults know you have chosen them. Share with them what Circle of Grace means to you. Today is a good day to start those conversations
Other Info
Giving
If you are looking to making your weekly contributions to St. Joe's Parish, you can use this link or you can drop off a check in the parish office mailbox.
https://stjoesbb.weshareonline.org/Sacramental Prep--Session 5
Child and Family Ministry
Email: acollins@stjoesbb.com
Website: https://www.stjoesbb.com/for-children
Location: S89 W22650 Milwaukee Avenue, Big Bend, WI, USA
Phone: 262-662-3317
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StJoesBB