The Family Zone
Lectionary-Based Playlist /Issue 51/March 21, 2021
"The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified!"
Journeying with St. Joseph
Pope John XXIII added Joseph’s name to the “Canon of the Mass” (the first Eucharistic Prayer). He added it immediately after Mary’s name. Pope Francis did the same for the other Eucharistic Prayers. Because St. Joseph is the Patron Saint of the Universal Church, this is a beautiful addition. It reminds us that the foster father of Jesus continues to intercede on behalf of the whole Church. To learn more about how you can celebrate this special year Year of St. Joseph, designated by Pope Francis, click on the Year of St. Joseph link below!
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 Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams
- Even Then by Stacy Archer
- Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin
Write!
Below you will find "at-home" assignments if your child learns best through writing and completing worksheets:
FOR SMALL CHILDREN:
Color this picture together and talk about what it means to be a good neighbor in God's eyes!
https://www.biblewise.com/kids/fun/the-good-samaritan-color-number.php
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES and EARLY ADOLESCENCE:
This lesson from Common Sense Media is a great platform for discussing God's laws for us in relationship to our daily actions. How do our "responsibilities" mirror God's expectations for us and how do we serve God by being responsible. The lesson takes it a step further to talk about how we become responsible digital citizens; such an important topic in today's world. We can serve God by being a witness to Christ in all settings!
https://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/Workarea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=33713
FOR ADOLESCENTS: Write a family agreement about serving God. What actions will your family to commit to, in your household, in your community, online, and in the greater world? Post it somewhere and hold one another accountable to it!
ALL AGES: Make a banner or sign to hang on your wall with this quote from Joshua 24:15 "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Invite all family members to help to decorate and make the sign personal!
LISTEN!
PRAY!
Beginning your day with prayer sets a beautiful tone for what may lie ahead. Here is a morning prayer to serve God faithfully throughout your day:
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:
- Make a game out of doing simple household chores. It's a great way to begin the conversation about responsibility that will be continue throughout their childhood. https://www.fatherly.com/play/make-household-chores-fun-kids/
FOR ELEMENTARY AGES:
- Serving God means serving others as well! Our world can be so wonderful if we all serve God and others. If it is cold enough outside (below 30 degrees) create these frozen bubbles a an object lesson! Use a package of bubbles (or create your own solution- one part water to 4 parts dish soap) and make a bubble. Watch the bubble freeze and become solid! Think about the bubbles as our small acts of kindness and service we put out into the world; the frozen bubbles show that we become stronger because everyone reaches out to the other!
FOR ADOLESCENTS:
- Create a Random Acts of Kindness challenge for you and your teen to complete together. Here is a sample of things you might do! Consider creating an acts of kindness scavenger hunt, jar of ideas or calendar for the month. There are many suggestions on Pinterest. https://womensministrytoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Social-Distancing-Random-Acts-of-Kindness-Worksheet.pdf
ALL AGES: Create a HI-5 Chart for the fridge. Acknowledge family members when they serve God by writing their names on the Hi-5 list to affirm positive behavior! Many kids will playfully compete against their siblings to see their names on the board and repetitive behaviors become lifelong habits!
Create!
Great projects for you to create something together for quality time! This week we focus on service projects for all ages!
Wonder with St. Joseph
How can I do anything that could match what God can do? God is so powerful and beyond what I can understand, and I am only a simple carpenter. I’ve been given such blessings in my life – my job, my amazing wife, Jesus to raise as my son – I cannot begin to repay God for those gifts! But I can show my gratitude, even if I cannot match God’s majesty. I can serve God, even if I cannot repay him.
Parents – How do you help your family serve God? Serving and loving our neighbors is such a good way! Loving our families is another. Using our God-given gifts, yet another. So many ways!
Young People – When we show love to others, we reflect God’s love. Isn’t it amazing we can be a part of God’s love for others? How do you show love in your family? In school? At sports and play? How do you think it makes others feel when you do an act of service or kindness for them?
FAITH WORD OF THE WEEK!
EVANGELIZE: The dictionary definition is to "preach the Christian Gospel." There are many ways to preach the gospel without actually having a conversation. We can evangelize others through our attitude and behavior as well. If we want to serve God, we can become witnesses to the Gospel. People will soon associate that our Christianity means that we speak with charity and kindness, respect others, help the needy, show compassion and empathy and work toward justice, as well as worshipping God and honoring God's law.
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