Blog

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Focus:

God sent his son Jesus to save us.

Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God will have eternal life.

God is one being, but three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Materials Needed:

• Three Candles
• Candleholder
• Table covering
• Bible

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/

Watch this video ahead of time to prepare for the opening activity to help explain Trinity:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7md-lZL4-7M

Light one candle. Call your family to prayer.

Opening Activity:

Use the candle activity from the above YouTube video.  Help your children understand that God is three distinct persons but one being. God the Father is the creator, God the Son (Jesus) is the redeemer (which we will hear about in the Gospel today), and God the Holy Spirit is the sanctifier who is our helper.

Questions for an opening discussion:

When people love each other, how do they treat each other?

The Trinity is celebrated today. How would you describe your relationship with God the Father? With Jesus? With the Spirit?

In the Gospel we will hear that God loves us so much, he gives us his only Son.  That is quite a sacrifice.

Music:

Choose one of the music suggestions below.  Sing together as a family.

Make the Sign of the Cross. (When you do this today, slow down and really highlight how this is an important prayer and that we remind ourselves of the Holy Trinity each time we sign ourselves.)

Sunday Gospel:  John 3:16-18

Together read the Sunday Gospel.  http://usccb.org/bible/readings/060720.cfm

Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible.  Be creative.  Read it in parts.  Act out the story.

Discussion:

• Who is this verse about? – God
• What does God do? – loves
• Who does God love? – the world (that includes you and me)
• What did God do to show his love? – gave his one and only Son
• What must we do in return? – believe that Jesus is the Son of God
• What is our reward? – eternal life
• How do we show our world that we believe in the Holy Trinity -God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit?

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.

OR

Glory Be to the Father (Doxology)

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Conclude with the Sign of the Cross. (Again be mindful of the Trinity as you pray this prayer)

Music:

Choose another song to sing together.

Family Activity Suggestions:

• Cook together: Make a snack, dish, or dessert that contains only three ingredients. Or make a Tres Leches (3 Milks) Cake. https://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2012/05/tres-leche-cake-for-trinity-sunday.html
• Take some time to learn about St. Patrick, who taught about the Trinity using a shamrock which was native to Ireland. What do you have near you that could help to teach others about the Trinity?
• Often at sporting events, you would see people in the stands with signs saying John 3:16. Create a sign for your window or yard to remind people that God loves them so much he sacrificed his Son for us.

Music Suggestions:

Gathering: Holy, Holy, Holy Cry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9vzLlgQbfs

Psalm Response: Daniel 3: Glory and Praise For Ever

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-vAtmu8pEw

Presentation of the Gifts: On This Day, The First of Days

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw1aYp1Nj8I

Communion: Love One Another

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.giamusic.com/mp3s/5050_4451_5ab20efb63bb7.mp3

Hymn of Praise: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.giamusic.com/mp3s/5328_4634_5ab20f1f1ac80.mp3

Other Web Resources:

Loyola Press: https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/solemnity-of-most-holy-trinity-a-sunday-connection/

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/trinity.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/

The Solemnity of Pentecost

Focus:

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the first disciples.

Jesus gives the us the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Materials Needed:

• Candle
• Bible
• Balloons(or plastic sandwich bags would work as well)

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/

Today is a special day in the Church – Pentecost – the birthday of the Church.  Wear something red, which is the liturgical color for this solemnity.  Add red items to your sacred space.

Light the candle. Call your family to prayer.

Opening Activity:

Begin by reading today’s First Reading, Acts 2:1-11 (http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/053120-day.cfm)

Give each person an uninflated balloon or bag.  Use the activity found at https://sermons4kids.com/filled_with_the_holy_spirit.htm to explain the great gift that Jesus gave us in the Holy Spirit.

Music:

Choose one of the music suggestions below.  Sing together as a family.

Make the Sign of the Cross.

Sunday Gospel:

Together read the Sunday Gospel.  http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/053120-day.cfm

Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible.  Be creative.  Read it in parts.  Act out the story.   Or a children’s version can be found here: http://jareddees.com/pentecost-biblestory-kids/

Discussion:

• Jesus gave the apostles two things. What were they? (Peace and the Holy Spirit)
• What did he ask them to do with his peace and the Holy Spirit? (Forgive people’s sins)
• It is not always easy to forgive others, but with the Holy Spirit helping us it may be a little easier. Think of someone that you need to forgive and give them your forgiveness.  Tell them that you forgive them the next time you talk to them.
• There are seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. For more information: https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/scripture-and-tradition/catholic-basics/catholic-beliefs-and-practices/gifts-of-the-holy-spirit/

As a disciple of Jesus, how do these gifts help you spread God’s love all over the world?

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.

OR

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.

Lord,
by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.

Music:

Choose another song to sing together.

Family Activity Suggestions:

• Learn some words or prayers in another language: At the first Pentecost, the disciples were given the ability to speak in different languages so that God’s word could go to the ends of the earth. Learn some prayers or simple phrases in another language that may help you to spread God’s word in a new way.
• Have a birthday party for the church! Make a meal together complete with birthday cake. While you eat, share stories about how the Holy Spirit has been active in your lives. What are the “God moments” you have experienced that you cannot explain any other way?
• Discipleship Pledge cards – How are you going to bring God’s word to the ends of the earth? https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2015/04/discipleship-pledge-cards-for-pentecost/

Music Suggestions:

Gathering: One Spirit, One Church

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMpa11CUg0Q

Psalm Response: Psalm 104: Lord, Send Out Your Spirit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eL0UU8iUzU

Presentation of the Gifts: We Have Been Told

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZowVhbf4T4

Communion: Taste and See

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcn1-9Fg0WA

Hymn of Praise: The Spirit Sends Us Forth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFHKabtZr40

Other Web Resources:

Loyola Press: https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/pentecost-sunday-cycle-a-sunday-connection/

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/2020/03/pentecost.pdf

Strong Catholic Faith:

http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/easter-season-resources.html

Pop-Up Catechesis:

https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/tag/pop-up-catechesis/

Ascension of the Lord

Focus:

Jesus gives his disciples, and us, a mission to go and make other disciples.

Materials Needed:

• Candle
• Bible

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 the candle. Call your family to prayer.

Opening Activity:

Begin by watching a video about the Ascension of Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnRJa4cZQIE or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lzYihXQa-w

Discuss how it feels when someone you love has to leave you like Jesus left his Apostles.  Do you just stop doing things because that person has left? Do you know that person still loves you?  Have they ever given you anything to help you when they are not with you? Jesus tells his disciples that he will be sending them a helper and gives them a mission, which we will hear about in today’s Gospel.  Jesus also remind them that he will be with them, and us, until the end of time.

Music:

Choose one of the music suggestions below.  Sing together as a family.

Make the Sign of the Cross.

Sunday Gospel:  Matthew 28:16-20

Together read the Sunday Gospel.  Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible.  Be creative.  Read it in parts.  Act out the story.  http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/052420-ascension.cfm  Or a children’s version (a combination of the First Reading from Acts and the Gospel) can be found here: http://jareddees.com/ascension-biblestory-kids/

Discussion:

• What mission does Jesus give to his followers? (To make disciples)
• How does Jesus tell them to do this? (By baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit)
• What does it mean to be baptized? (Through baptism, we become followers of Christ and members of the Body of Christ, the Church)
• Why do you think Jesus asked his followers to do this?
• How do we help with the mission of making disciples? (By our witness and our words)
• What are the things we do to show others that they would want to be part of the Body of Christ?

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:

• Play “Finding God Everywhere”: https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2020/05/pop-up-catechesis-finding-god-everywhere-game/

Discuss how it shows that Jesus is always with us even when he is in heaven with the Father.

• Watch a video or look at pictures of your child(ren)’s baptism(s). Talk about what the day was like.  Point out that the same words Jesus gave the apostles are still used today.  Find their baptismal candles and light them while you have a special meal together.
• Create your own Bible Story video to share with others, helping to spread God’s word.

Music Suggestions:

Gathering: All the Earth Proclaim the Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8IqqqajEbU

Psalm Response: Psalm 47: God Mounts His Throne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXU3E88PxbY

Presentation of the Gifts: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ionKh1dL9o0

Communion: All Who Hunger

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.giamusic.com/mp3s/3859_3448_5ab20e7fe2ad6.mp3

Hymn of Praise: Go Out, Go Out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdiEEVIhvPI

Other Web Resources:

Loyola Press:

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/ascension-of-the-lord-cycle-a/

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/2020/03/ascension.pdf

Strong Catholic Faith:

http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/easter-season-resources.html

Pop-Up Catechesis:

https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/tag/pop-up-catechesis/

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Focus:

Jesus will be sending us a helper, the Advocate to continue his work after he has gone to the Father.

Materials Needed:

• Candle
• Bible
• Blowing Bubbles

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 the candle. Call your family to prayer.

Opening Activity:

Head out side with your bubbles (or another item that you can see move in the air).  Spend some time blowing bubbles together. Point out to your children that after they blow the bubbles that the bubbles keep moving.  How do they keep moving like that?  We can see them move, but we cannot see what is moving them.  In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that he will be leaving, but he will send us a helper called the Advocate.  We know the Advocate as the Holy Spirit.

Music:

Choose one of the music suggestions below.  Sing together as a family.

Make the Sign of the Cross.

Sunday Gospel:  John 14:15-21

Together read the Sunday Gospel.  Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible.  Be creative.  Read it in parts.  Act out the story. http://usccb.org/bible/readings/051720.cfm

 Discussion:

• Do you ever need help with things? What kind of things do you need help with?
• Is it hard sometimes to be a follower of Jesus? What things make that difficult?
• Jesus knows that it will be difficult sometimes, but that is why he has sent the Holy Spirit to help us. We receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism. The Holy Spirit helps us to be good followers of Jesus and to love God and other people.
• When you feel like you need extra help, ask the Holy Spirit to come and help you by simply praying, “Come, Holy Spirit, be my_________.” Maybe you need strength or courage or hope. Ask the Holy Spirit to be that for you.

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:

• Send thank you cards to those who have helped you during this pandemic or to those in service to our communities.
• Research a saint or other holy person who has done good works in the world. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, just as we are.  The Spirit helps us to do good works, too.  We do what we do to bring Christ to the world.  Find a way to be a saint inspired by the Holy Spirit and do an act of service to your family or neighborhood.

Music Suggestions:

Gathering: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiLHPcPHqIY

Psalm Response: Psalm 66: Let All the Earth Cry Out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqdkPtbBoX0

Presentation of the Gifts: How Can I Keep from Singing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnsCKkveqnU

Communion: You Are Mine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9iTK4Ryq5M

Hymn of Praise: I Know That My Redeemer Lives

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8BP9_luk3Q

Other Web Resources:

Loyola Press:

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/sixth-sunday-of-easter-a-sunday-connection/

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/2020/03/easter-6.pdf

Strong Catholic Faith:

http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/easter-season-resources.html

Pop-Up Catechesis:

https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/tag/pop-up-catechesis/

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Focus:

Jesus tells us that he is “the way, the truth, and the life.”

Materials Needed:

• Candle
• Bible
• Maps or GPS

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 the candle. Call your family to prayer.

Opening Activity:

Hide an item (or items) really well in your house, so that the children may not come across it accidentally.  Tell the children you want them to go look for the item.  After a minute of looking, have them come back. Tell them that this time you want them to look for it, but you will give them directions.  Guide the children to the item and have them bring it back to your sacred space.

Discuss:

How did you feel when you went the first time to find the item and couldn’t find it?

What did you think you might need to find it?

How did you feel the second time, when you were given directions and found it?

Tell the children that it is harder to find something when we don’t know how to go.  That’s why we have maps and GPS.  They tell us the way to find a place, just like you told them how to find the object.  You may have funny stories to share about times when you have been lost and had to ask for directions or use a map or GPS.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that he will be leaving to prepare a place for his disciples with his Father. Thomas asks Jesus how they will know the way to this place and Jesus tells Thomas that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.”  Jesus will help us to find our way.

Music:

Choose one of the music suggestions below.  Sing together as a family. 

Make the Sign of the Cross.

Sunday Gospel:  John 14:1-12

Together read the Sunday Gospel.  Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible.  Be creative.  Read it in parts.  Act out the story. http://usccb.org/bible/readings/051020.cfm 

Discussion:

• Discuss the ways in which Jesus has shown us the way to be with the Father someday in heaven. (Jesus taught us to pray – the Lord’s Prayer, which you will pray in a little while, how to love one another, that if we know Jesus we know the Father).
• Where do you see Jesus in our world, showing you the way to heaven?
• How will you help others see “the way?”
• Do you know about Jesus or do you know Jesus as a friend? How do you know Jesus instead of just about Jesus?

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:

• Have fun creating a map showing the ways we go through Jesus to be with God.
• Do a Scripture scavenger hunt. In last Sunday’s Gospel, we heard Jesus say he was the gate.  This Sunday he says he is the way, the truth, and the life. Look through John’s Gospel to find the other “I Am” sayings of Jesus.  Who else does Jesus say he is? Us the “I Am” statements to create an artwork.
• Keep in mind that it is still the Easter season and we continue to celebrate Jesus’s resurrection. Spend some time outside planting flowers.  Or if you are not a gardener, take another family walk to find signs of new life.  Spring has sprung and there are signs of new life everywhere.  Have a repeat of your Easter dinner.

Music Suggestions:

Morning Has Broken

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlbmNAcoRww

Psalm 33: Lord, Let Your Mercy Be On Us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG55hAbxHYU

Come to the Water/I Will Run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5047C0Lulc

Come to the Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP0IBnpwfMg

Your Grace is Enough

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv38qkeVKvQ

We Walk By Faith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icsXi-tqFlY

Other Web Resources:

Loyola Press:

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/fifth-sunday-of-easter-cycle-a-sunday-connection/

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/2020/03/easter-5.pdf

Strong Catholic Faith:

http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/easter-season-resources.html

Pop-Up Catechesis:

https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/tag/pop-up-catechesis/

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Focus:

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, we know his voice.

Jesus has come that we may have life and have it abundantly.

Materials Needed:

1. Candle
2. Bible

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 the candle. Call your family to prayer.

Music:

Choose one of the music suggestions below.  Sing together as a family.

Opening Activity:

Play “Guess the Disney Voice” on You Tube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB0HYM9rPvQ

You do not need to play the entire game at this time, but may choose to finish after prayer.

After you play, talk about how we can recognize the voices we know.

Are there other voices you would recognize? (Friends, family members, etc.)

How did you know who the voices belonged to?

What about our pets? Do they recognize our voices?

When we hear voices we know, we respond to them.  What happens when we do not recognize a voice? Do we respond in the same way?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus will be telling us how his sheep will recognize his voice.

Let us read it together.

Make the Sign of the Cross.

Sunday Gospel:  John 10:1-10

Together read the Sunday Gospel.  Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible.  Be creative.  Read it in parts.  Act out the story. http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050320.cfm

Discussion questions:

What was the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep?

How did the sheep know the shepherd?

Who is Jesus in this story? Who are we?

How do we recognize Jesus?  Where do we hear his voice?

If we follow him, what does that mean 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 outside and play a game of sheep tag. https://elementarypegames.weebly.com/sheep-tag.html
• Using quotations of Jesus from scripture, find a creative way to share them with others. Create a poster.  Make a slide show or video. Write a song. Make a card as a surprise to someone.
• Send a note of thanks or encouragement to your priests or bishops as they are our shepherds here on earth.

Music Suggestions:

Like a Shepherd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPBxYJ7iQ7M

Lift Up Your Hearts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ijYehz2Y9o

The King of Love My Shepherd Is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgTB9U1Y2Ls

Beloved, Arise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQk10Ob6CNE

Other Web Resources:

Loyola Press:

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/fourth-sunday-of-easter-cycle-a-sunday-connection/

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/2020/03/easter-4.pdf

Strong Catholic Faith:

http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/easter-season-resources.html

Pop-Up Catechesis:

https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/tag/pop-up-catechesis/

A Reflection from Teri Krowka Ansberry, DRE, Ss. Peter and Paul, Richmond/St. Boniface, Cold Spring: