Lessons in English
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Focus:
Jesus tells us to not be afraid to proclaim the Gospel, God takes care of us.
Materials Needed:
- Bible
- Candle
Create a special table or sacred space in your home you can where you focus during prayer and your in-home Sunday celebration. Here is a video on how to do so: https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2020/04/pop-up-catechesis-creating-a-prayer-space-in-your-home/
Light a candle. Call your family to prayer.
Opening Activity:
Begin by asking your family members to count the hairs on their own heads. Let them count for a few moments. When they begin to get frustrated or question why they are doing this, begin the discussion.
- How many hairs did you count?
- Were you able to count all of them?
- Would it be easier to count the hairs on someone else’s head? Let’s try that.
Have each person try to count the hairs on another’s head. Follow up with the same questions.
- How many hairs did you count?
- Were you able to count all of them?
- Was it easier to count someone else’s?
Tell the children this may seem a strange way to begin today, but encourage them to listen carefully to what Jesus says in the Gospel.
Music:
Choose one of the music suggestions below. Sing together as a family.
Make the Sign of the Cross.
Sunday Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33
Together read the Sunday Gospel. http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062120.cfm
Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible. Be creative. Read it in parts. Act out the story.
Discussion:
- Why do you think we began today by counting our hairs?
- How do you feel knowing that God knows everything about us, even things that seem possible to know like the number of hairs on our heads?
- Jesus told us to fear no one. Is that an easy thing to do? Are you afraid? Why?
- Jesus tells us why we do not need to be afraid, especially when telling others about God. God loves us and cares for us so much and will take care of us. Just like he does the sparrow. We are worth more than the sparrows to God.
- Take a moment to look outside. What other signs do you see that show God’s love for us?
Apostles Creed:
Together pray:
I believe in God the Father almighty Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.
Music:
Choose another song to sing together.
Universal Prayers:
As a family, offer prayers for our Church, our world, your local communities, and your families.
The Lord’s Prayer
Together pray the words that our Savior gave us:
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.
Music:
Choose another song to sing together.
Family Activity Suggestions:
- Go bird watching. https://www.audubon.org/news/easy-ways-get-kids-birding or https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/birding.html
God loves the birds and takes care of them and he loves and cares for us so much more!
- Try a new family activity that you have been unsure about trying. Use the experience to point out that we can do great things with God’s love.
- Brainstorm as a family. What are some ways to bring God’s love and hope to the world as we are asked to do? Choose one and do it.
Music Suggestions:
Gathering: O God Beyond All Praising
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnnQpC9oLxU&list=TLPQMTYwNjIwMjAA7mUQ3O7jtw&index=1
Psalm Response: Psalm 69: Lord, in Your Great Love, Answer Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6guxWuWwDio
Presentation of the Gifts: These Alone Are Enough
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8YDoa90z-w
Communion: Take and Eat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkvOnb2fsvU
Hymn of Praise: Hallelujah is Our Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL065Ww1Z4w
Other Web Resources:
The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) (official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and part of Caritas International):
https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Children-s-liturgy
Catholic Mom:
http://catholicmom.com/kids/catholic-gospel-coloring-worksheets-sunday-mass/
USCCB:
https://catholicdotbible.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/ot-12.pdf
Strong Catholic Faith:
http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/breaking-open-the-word—junejuly—cycle-a.html
Pop-Up Catechesis:
https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/tag/pop-up-catechesis/
