The Family Zone
SUMMER EDITION/ISSUE 65/ JULY 25, 2021
Jesus, Bread of Life
Journeying with St. Joseph
According to Matthew’s Gospel, St. Joseph’s father was Jacob, son of Matthan. Luke records it as Heli, son of Matthat. Many think the similarity between Matthan and Metthat mean that they were likely the same person, and Matthew changed Joseph’s father to Jacob to connect him to the Joseph from the Old Testament, son of Israel/Jacob. The importance of the genealogy of Jesus, however, is that Jesus was born into a family that stretches back generations. He had parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on. St. Joseph grounds the reality of God incarnate into our history!
READ!
SUNDAY READINGS:
Click on the link below for the readings that you will hear at the Sunday's Mass for the coming two weeks. 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 yellow button below.
Family Stories: Story Time with a Positive Message. This issue explores great stories about grandparents!
- When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree BY JAMIE L. B. DEENIHAN
- Drawn Together BY MINH LÊ,
- A Gift from Abuela By Cecilia Ruiz
- Joy by Corrinne Averiss & Isabelle Follath
- Rain by Sam Usher
MASS CONNECTION
Since we are learning about Jesus as the Bread of Life, let's talk about the things at Mass that hold the Body of Christ.
Look at the gallery below to learn the names of these vessels used for the Eucharist at Mass.
Ciborium
Paten
Tabernacle
LISTEN!
These are ORCAS, also known as killer whales. What do they sound like to you?
PRAY!
From Prayers of Summer Break (https://pastoral.center/catholic-book-publishing)
The Warmth of Summer Sun
Under the warmth of the summer sun the world awakes and blossoms into every imaginable color.
You created a garden for us to enjoy and within it planted the most magical of flowers and trees.
You needed no horticultural training to plan your color scheme, no gardening expert to recommend variety or design.
Your garden is perfect
Its colors harmonious
its scale immense
Spoilt only by the clumsiness of those who tend it.
Creator God
who breathed this world into being
who is discernible within the harmony of nature,
the perfection of a butterfly's wing,
the grandeur of a mountain range,
and the soaring eagle and humming bird,
thank you for this world
which you have created.
Thank you for summer sun which reminds us that your creative breath is still alive and active.
Thank you for the warmth of your love sustaining this world:
your garden
FAMILY FIELD TRIPS!
Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica-Buffalo/Niagara
One of Western New York's most exquisite landmarks, Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica attracts visitors worldwide. Rivaling the great churches of Europe, the Basilica was built in 1926 as a gift of thanks to the Blessed Mother from Venerable Nelson Baker, a current candidate for sainthood whose final resting place is located within the church. Prominent features of the shrine include breathtaking paintings and marble sculptures, as well as the Father Baker Museum and OLV Gift Shop located in the lower level. For more information, click here.
WATCH!
PLAY!
Find ways to laugh and be well...play time is just for fun this summer; indoors and out!
Interview your grandparents to learn a little more about them! If your grandparents are deceased, ask your parents these questions about your grandparents and see how much they can answer!
- Do you have a holiday tradition? What is your favorite thing about the holidays?
- Were you named after a family member or does your name have a special meaning?
- Do you have a nickname that your siblings or friends call you? How did you get the nickname?
- Where were you born? What was your house like as a child?
- How did your family spend time together when you were young?
- What was your favorite subject or teacher in school?
- What is the most important lesson that your parents taught you?
- What did your friends do for fun when you were young? Did you have a best friend?
- Did you have a favorite toy as a child?
- Did you get an allowance? How much was it and what did you spend your money on?
- How did you meet grandma/grandpa? What was your marriage proposal like?
- Where was your wedding?
- What was your first job?
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- What was your first car?
- What cities have you lived in?
- Where have you traveled? What is your favorite city to visit? Do you have a favorite family vacation memory?
- What impact has religion had on your life?
- What is your favorite memory with your children?
- What could you tell me that I would be surprised to learn about you?
- What is your dream for your children and grandchildren?
- What were your grandparents like?
- What is the earliest memory that you have?
- Tell me about the day when my mom/dad was born?
- What makes you happy?
- Have you owned any pets? What was your first pet?
- What is different about growing up today than when you were a child?
- What is your favorite thing about being a grandparent?
CREATE!
Great projects for exploring, designing, building!
Go on a nature walk, with your grandparents if they live close, and find fun leaves, sticks, bark, flowers, etc. Get some googly eyes and make some fun Nature art! https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/creating-nature-art-with-kids/
COOK!
Pineapple makes us dream about the beach, a tropical island, or being near water! It is amazing how God allows us to dream. What do you dream about? Make one of these recipes with a grandparent or grandparent figure and ask them what they dream about.
Raising Kids Who Care
Jesus is the bread of life and nurtures US; how can we share the nourishment we receive through our relationship with Christ with the world? As a family, we can work to love our neighbors in big and small ways. Teaching our kids to have a lens of compassion and empathy for the poor and vulnerable is a very powerful lesson for a child. As children begin to notice more around them they might ask questions. Here is some advice on how to talk to your child about homelessness and poverty and be a family of justice:
Wonder with the HOLY FAMILY
Older generations have so much to offer! They help us know where we come from, and they show such love to those who come after them. Children (and grandchildren) are the greatest legacy most people ever leave behind when they return to the Lord. Joseph and Mary, more than anyone else, understood that. What could be a better legacy than the Son of God? And yet, each parent is as proud of their children because that is love.
Parents: What was it like growing up with your parents? How did they prepare you, even when you were a little kid, to have children of your own? What a gift!
Children: What is it like being around your grandparents? Imagine what it was like for your parents growing up with them as their parents. Bet they learned a LOT!
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