Hello Faith Formation Families!
In last week's "Feed the Hungry" lesson, we learned about St. Elizabeth of Hungary, a princess from the country of Hungary who was known for feeding the hungry! I love a good pun!
This week, we're going to learn about some other things that we can be hungry for, and finish our lessons for the month with a little Corporal Works of Mercy game.
If you haven't already, I hope you get a chance this week to interview a living saint you might know! One of the neatest people with whom I've shared a conversation is my husband's Uncle Austin. He was a professor at Indiana University, teaching Biblical Archeology! He knew so many fascinating things about how people in Old Testament times lived. Imagine what interesting things you can learn from the people you love! When you have your interview finished, I would love to hear about it!
Here's the link to that All Saints lesson with information on how to start that interview:
"Feed the Hungry"
Family Lesson #9
Let's begin our lesson as we begin all things, with the Sign of the Cross.
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."
Then pray the "Hail Mary" together.
(prayer cards included in your delivery)
Activities:
A List, a Prayer, and a Game
In today's activities, we'll learn a bit about some things besides food that we can be hungry for, and finish our lessons for the month with a game.
If you watched the last Children's Liturgy of the Word video two weeks ago, you might remember me talking about one of my favorite saints, St. Therese of Lisieux.
Her path to sainthood was what she called her "Little Way." She figured out that she could serve God and others by practicing good little things every day, all day long, whether that was organizing the pantry for the sisters at her convent or cutting up the meat at dinner for one of the old nuns who was grumpy all the time. By practicing doing good little things whenever she had the opportunity, those good little things became a habit. I wonder if the good little things she did all day long included, like Douglas suggested in the video, giving thanks for everything. I'll bet she did!
Take a moment now to look at your list again. Thank God for the things on your list that you have. Then say a prayer for people who may be hungry for those things. If you know someone who hungers for one of the things on your list--friendship? kindness?--is there a way you can help them? There might not be a way you can help, especially now, while school is virtual, and that's okay. Prayers are powerful! Every day, St. Therese prayed for missionaries, people travelling the world and teaching people about God. Missionaries would actually write to her at her convent in France and ask for her special prayers! That's how she was able to help them. Praying for people in need might be one of the ways you help as well!
At your Thanksgiving table this Thursday, when it's your turn to say something for which you are thankful, maybe it will be one of the things on your list!
A GAME
Pull out the game that came in your November porch delivery packet. If you've misplaced it or if you would like it in color, here's a pdf you can print out. On the copies I sent home in your packet, I drew instructions for cutting out the cards. If you're printing a fresh copy, see the photo below for the right places to cut. Each game card has two sections.
Have you played "I Have... Who Has" in school? This version is all about the Corporal Works of Mercy!
Here's how it works:
Distribute the game cards among family members. It's okay if the distribution isn't even.
The person whose card has "I am THE STARTER" at the top begins by reading his or her card aloud.
If you have the card that answers the starter's question, read it.
Continue in this way until all cards are read. The last card ends with "I am THE END."
Families with younger children may want to lay their cards out flat for all to see and work together.
You can also play the game individually by shuffling the cards and then laying them out in order.
Feel free to color the illustrations as well! I did!
Have fun!
Special Bible Verse
As a family, read this Bible verse a few times slowly. Take a quiet moment to think about what Jesus is telling us.
"Happy those concerned for the lowly and poor; when misfortune strikes, the Lord delivers them."
If you wish, you could also write out this Bible verse in fancy letters, or even try to memorize all or part of it!
God Sightings
My mom sent me this picture of the last of her roses this season. The Mary vase belonged to my grandma. When my mom was little, she told me, she would bring her mother wildflowers, and they would carefully take Our Lady from the cupboard and together put the flowers in her vase. That's my God sighting for the week--Mary, my mom, my grandma, beautiful memories, and beautiful flowers!
Remember to share your own God Sightings in the "Share your faith work" section below!
Share Your "Faith Work"
Thanks for joining me this week! Have a blessed Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for you!
Yours in Christ,
Corinne
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Faith Formation and Parish News
Outreach Christmas Wreaths
Outreach Christmas wreaths can be picked up this weekend, November 21&22, or the evening of November 23. Contact Justin Rose for more information. justinr@blessed-midland.org
Family Advent Wreath Event Cancelled
Our Second Annual Whole Community Advent Wreath Making Event is cancelled this year. The good news is, we already have all the supplies ready for next year... we can't wait to see you then!
Plans for the New Year
With Michigan's current lockdown status, and as virus cases continue to rise in our state and across the country, Father Rob and our Faith Formation team have decided to continue virtual programming into January and through the rest of the school year. One of the many ways we can show how "Love Works" is by keeping one another safe! And as always, our love is at work for you!
