PREP News
Unit 3: The Church--Our Community in the Spirit
Happy New Year! A Prayer for Hope After a Hard Year
A Prayer for Hope After A Hard Year
God, Thank you for helping us to make it through this difficult year. Thank you that you’ve carried us through the uncertainty of deep waters, through the flames of trials, and through the pain of hard losses. We are constantly aware of how much we need you, your grace, your strength, your power working through even the toughest days.
Help us to keep our focus first on you this season. Please forgive us for giving too much time and attention to other things, for looking to other people before coming to you first. Help us to reflect again, on what Christmas is really all about. Thank you that you came to give new life, peace, hope, and joy. Thank you that your power is made perfect in our weakness.
Help us to remember that the gift of Christ, Immanuel, is our greatest treasure, not just at Christmas, but for the whole year through. Fill us with your joy and the peace of your Spirit. Direct our hearts and minds towards you. Thank you for your reminder that both in seasons of celebration and in seasons of brokenness, you’re still with us. For you never leave us. Thank you for your daily powerful Presence in our lives, that we can be assured your heart is towards us, your eyes are over us, and your ears are open to our prayers. Thank you that you surround us with favor as with a shield, and we are safe in your care.
We choose to press in close to you today, and keep you first in our hearts and lives. Without you we would surely fail, but with you, there is great hope. Thank you for your healing power, thank you for bringing us into this new semester that will undoubtedly be filled with many challenges and opportunities. We look forward to all that You still have in store. In Jesus' name, Amen.
In case you missed it, please enjoy our PREP Virtual Christmas Celebration!
Parent Reminder: Please make sure your children have turned in Unit 1 and 2 Quizzes (chapters 1-4, 6-9) and the Unit 1 and 2 Flipgrids
Unit 3: The Church: Our Community in the Spirit
Click below for the Winter Loyola Press Newsletter--Great Resources!
Some Highlights of Unit 3--The Church: Our Community in the Spirit
Jesus calls disciples/Peter
- Holy Spirit/Pentecost
- God calls us all
- Using our gifts
- Mary
- Reconciliation
- Jesus gave us the sacraments to help us grow in faith
- The Church community
- How to make our home a place of prayer, love and sharing
Family Faith Sharing
- Share with your child the story of the saint that most inspires you. Ask your child about his or her favorite saint and what your child admires about that saint’s life.
- Discuss with your child the deeper meaning of forgiveness. It does not permit holding a grudge, seeking revenge, or harboring resentment. Ask your family to pray for the gift of forgiveness.
- Mary’s yes had a profound impact on her life and ours. Sometimes a proper response to a decision is no. Explore with your child situations in school or the neighborhood when a choice requires a reply of no.
The Call of the First Disciples
Activity Ideas for Unit 3
Let's Search--Bible Dash
- 1 Corinthians 4:7 (We can’t brag about our talents because they are from God.)
- Psalm 139:13-15 (God planned you before you were born!)
- Acts 9:36 (A nice description of someone with the gift of helps.)
- 2 Chronicles 2:7 (Notice the talents listed here.)
- 1 Chronicles 22:15 (God has made people with all kinds of talents and skills.)
- 1 Peter 4:10 (We use our gifts to serve others.)
Discuss as a family the meaning of each. HINT - look at what is written above in parentheses
Now each member of your family will think about the gifts God gave them
Now, discuss as a family
1) Why do you suppose God chose to make everyone different?
2) Why does God want to give us spiritual gifts?
3) If we are the only ones with our specific combination of gifts and talents, how important is it that we learn what our gifts are?
4) Why is it important to use the gifts and talents we have?
Click below for a Unit 3 Saint Stations Activity
Focus on the Saints!
Level 1--Saint Peter
Level 2--Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Level 3--Saint Katharine Drexel
Level 4--Saint Louis IX
Level 5--Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Level 6--Saint Helena
Click on the saint's name to learn more about them!
Prayer Ideas for Unit 3
Our PREP kids learning, praying, and doing service at home!
Upcoming Dates
- Week of Jan. 3--Unit 3 Parent Webinar
- Tuesday Feb. 9--Family Lenten Bags Pick-up (6th grade also picking up Confirmation materials)
- Feb. 13--Unit 3 quizzes due (chapters 11-14) and Unit 3 Flipgrid due
UPCOMING EVENTS
Prayer Minus the Pizza!
Monsignor Hennessy will resume his talks on prayer in person on the first Thursday of the month, beginning on November 5th from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the church. These talks will also be live-streamed as we do for Mass. In his first talk, Monsignor will suggest and explain many of the actual objects that can help us bring the Catholic faith into our homes in a tangible way, inspire our prayer, and demonstrate our devotion to God, Mary, and the saints. Please join us!
Do you have more than one child in PREP? Click on the link below for great ideas for teaching more than one child together!
Please work with your children on their prayers. Below is a list of prayers and Mass responses each child should know by grade level
Please follow PREP on social media--a great way to stay connected!
Follow us on Instagram--https://www.instagram.com/stalphonsusprep/