The Family Zone
Lectionary-Based Playlist /Issue 49/March 7, 2021
"Lord, You Have the Words of Everlasting Life"
Journeying with St. Joseph
St. Joseph is identifiable in art through a number of symbols. He is often seen holding the infant Jesus, lilies, a carpenter’s square, or a rod of spikenard. The infant Jesus is an obvious reference to his role as the foster father to Jesus. The Lilies and spikenard are both flowering plants known for their fragrance. The carpenter’s square is a reference to his occupation. He is also often depicted in a simple brown robe (like that a carpenter would wear) and elderly. In many nativity depictions he is seen holding a walking stick.
READ!
SUNDAY READINGS:
Click on the link below for the readings that you heard at this Sunday's Mass. This gives you a chance to revisit the message and even spend some time with the practice of Lectio Divina!
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!
- "God's Little Critters: The Good Listener" by Allison Holmes
- "It Will Be Okay: Trusting God Through Fear and Change" by Lysa TerKeurst
- "This I Know: Seeing God in the World He Made" by Clay Anderson
Parent Articles on the topic:
- "Learn to Ponder as Parents in the Midst of Daily Life"
http://www.catholicdigest.com/family/parenting/learn-to-ponder-as-parents-in-the-midst-of-daily-life/
- "Discerning Between Good and Evil"
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/family/catholic-teens/making-moral-choices/discerning-between-good-and-evil/ - "Why Do Catholics Follow the Ten Commandments?"
https://lifeteen.com/blog/why-do-catholics-follow-the-ten-commandments/
Write!
Below you will find "at-home" assignments if your child learns best through writing and completing worksheets:
FOR SMALL CHILDREN: Use this handout to talk about and help your child write some ideas about how they will honor God: https://www.kidssundayschool.com/tinymce/filemanager/files/preschool/activities/iwillhonorgod01.pdf
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES:
Use this article from Catechist magazine to do some list-making and have meaningful conversations with your child about the rules God has for us. https://www.catechist.com/teach-ten-commandments-children/
FOR ADOLESCENTS:
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” – Psalm 65:8. God is awesome! Invite your young person to list as many things that make them feel AWE about God..how can they honor God by seeing God with wonder and awe?
ALL AGES: Put the 10 commandments into simple words that help each family member remember God's law. Place the list in a prominent place, such as the refrigerator!
LISTEN!
Listen to this playlist of podcast on the First Commandment from Catholic Sprouts.. Like it? Keep going through all 10 Commandments!
PRAY!
Prayer, in itself, is a way to honor God. This week, add a new prayer slot into the family schedule or take some time to slowly recite the Our Father, considering the words Jesus, himself, taught us and what they mean to our relationship with God.
If you like to pray with scripture, the Psalms are a wonderful place to start. Choose a different Psalm each day to use for reflection in family time or your personal prayer. Need something active with your kids? Try illustrating a psalm; they are FULL of imagery.
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:
- Teaching your child to follow simple directions is a precursor to understanding how to follow bigger directions like God's Commandments. Play a game that involves following rules such as I Spy. Set the parameters so that what you spy is more specific: ie. instead of I spy something blue say "I spy something round and blue."
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES:
- Obeying God means that we need to listen to what he is telling us and act accordingly! Play through listening today! Have a family member draw a maze on a piece of paper or create a maze with tape on the floor (or if it's snowy enough, create a maze in the snow!) Blindfolded, listen to the directions you are given by your family member in order to complete the maze!
FOR ADOLESCENTS:
- Compete with some 10 Commandments trivia with family members! Keep track of your points!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESy9Fk_gQN0
ALL AGES: Enjoy some puzzles and creative family time around the theme of Commandments: https://ministryspark.com/10-commandments-activities/
Create!
Great projects for you to create something together for quality time!
FOR SMALL CHILDREN:
- Have fun with this salt painting! https://artfulparent.com/raised-salt-painting/ Make a picture of something you LOVE about God!
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES:
- God gave us incredible minds to think through problems and assist God in creation. That is why so many great inventions have been made using the gifts God has given us. Use your powerful mind to create a marble run using paper towel and/or toilet paper rolls! How tall can you make yours? https://www.powerfulmothering.com/diy-marble-run-from-toilet-rolls/
FOR ADOLESCENTS:
- Create your own tablet(s) and include each of the 10 Commandments. You can draw the tablet, make tablet cookies, or even paint the Commandments on a rock!
ALL AGES:
- Work on a family banner that honors everything you find AMAZING about God!
Wonder with St. Joseph
Raising the Son of God is not easy. Can you imagine knowing the child you are teaching to say grace before meals is actually talking to his father? But Jesus did all those things. He went to synagogue with Mary and me, he said his prayers, he learned the Torah. Even when he was learning, it was clear to me that he was even more than I could imagine. His love for his father was unwavering and inspiring. I think he actually taught me about honoring God sometimes.
Parents – When have your children taught you about God? Think about how wonderful it is to share the joys of faith with your children, and have them share too!
Young People – Think about how your parents show you that they love you and how you show you love them. How do we show God that we love Him too?
FAITH WORD OF THE WEEK!
OMNIPOTENCE: the quality of having unlimited or very great power.
God is OMNIPOTENT; what a great reason to honor God!
CHANGES ARE COMING EASTER SUNDAY
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