Hello Faith Formation Families!
In last week's lesson about Feeding the Hungry, we learned about how we can hunger for things other than food. We made a list of what some of those things might be and prayed for people who might hunger for those things. Then we played an "I Have... Who Has" game about the Corporal Works of Mercy!
This week, being Thanksgiving Weekend, we won't have a new lesson about the Corporal Works of Mercy, but if you missed one of the "Feed the Hungry" lessons for this month, you can find them all here! This Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent, too, so this Flocknote includes a little bit of Advent as well.
Did you interview a living saint from your family? I would love to hear about it! Over the past few weeks, I've shared with you some of the "churchy" things I've learned about my family, but your interview doesn't have to be just about church stuff! What a great opportunity to learn about how your grandparents met, or their real-life experiences of some of the history you've read about in your social studies book!
Here's the link to that All Saints lesson one last time, with information on how to start your interview:
Beginning on Monday, you can pick up your December Faith Formation materials at the Parish Center. We are switching from delivery to pickup of materials for the remainder of the school year. However, if you are unwell or if you feel unsafe visiting the Parish Center for pickup, we would be happy to make a special delivery for you. Just let us know! Our December materials include a super-cute Baby Jesus craft that you won't want to miss!
"Feed the Hungry"
Family Lesson #10
"Collect all 4 November Lessons!"
Lesson 6: November 1
In this lesson, we learned about All Saints and All Souls Days. We created a family prayer space, researched some saints that have a connection to us, and made a plan to interview a living saint during the month of November. We learned about All Souls Day and said a prayer for the souls of the Faithful Departed.
Lesson 7: November 8
In this lesson, we learned about some "Feed the Hungry" miracles! We took a look at the Bible story when Jesus fed 5000 people--a whole Dow Diamond full of folks--with the bread and fish that one boy shared. We also learned a bit about another miracle, when St. Benedict gave away all the flour at his monastery to help the poor, and then found the equivalent of 6000 5-pound bags of flour on the monastery steps!
Lesson 8: November 15
In this lesson, we learned about St. Elizabeth of Hungary, a princess from the country of Hungary who fed the hungry! Once, she had some bread wrapped in her cloak to take to the poor, and when she showed her husband what was in her cloak, the bread had turned to roses! We baked some bread for people in need, and I shared the recipe for my famous banana bread!
Lesson 9: November 22
In this lesson, we learned about how we can hunger for things other than food. We made a list of those things, and we talked about needs and wants. We talked a little bit about St. Therese of Lisieux and her Little Way of making a habit of doing good little things for everyone all the time (including praying for others!), and how we can make a habit of regularly giving thanks for all we have. This lesson also included an "I Have... Who Has" Corporal Works of Mercy game.
Advent is here!!!
This Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent! As we begin a new church year, it's time to start preparing for the birth of Jesus! Included in the materials for your December activities, available in the Parish Center on Monday, is a super cute Baby-Jesus-in-the-Manger craft! In addition to what's in your kit, you'll need scissors, tape or glue, and a permanent marker. Here's how to put him together:
To Make Baby Jesus:
Tape or glue the end of the blue yarn to the small popsicle stick. Wrap the yarn around and around the stick, and then tape or glue the end when you run out of yarn. Flip him over, then use the permanent marker to draw the face.
To Make the Manger:
Tape or glue one end of the dark brown yarn to the inside bottom of the cup. Weave the yarn in and out of the cuts in the sides of the cup, sliding them down every couple of layers. There's more than enough dark brown yarn to weave all the way to the top. I didn't want you to run out! When you're at the top, tape or glue the end to the bottom of the cup, then cut off the excess.
To Make the Hay:
There should be enough yarn to make approximately 32 1.5 inch pieces of "hay" using the light brown yarn. I folded the whole strand 4 times, cut the ends, then cut through the middle.
Advent Challenge:
During the next 4 weeks of Advent, add a piece of the soft hay to the manger each time you do something kind or generous. Your good deeds can make a soft bed for Baby Jesus!
My thanks to Lacy at the Catholic Icing blog for this awesome activity! https://www.catholicicing.com/yarn-baby-jesus/
Advent Prayers
At our cancelled Advent Wreath Event last weekend, you would have received these prayers for the blessing of the Advent wreath and for each week of Advent as you light your candles. I hope you'll still have an Advent wreath of some kind at your home, and that these prayers will still be a valuable resource to your family! If you're looking for an easy substitute, here's the link to a free printable Advent wreath from the drawn2bcreative blog with tape-on flames for when you "light" your candles.
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. Who or what do you think the "great light" is?
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone."
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
On Sunday, I witnessed the baptism of Nora Lucille, the new baby daughter of our Middle School Youth Minister Christine. I love baptism days! You can always feel the love of God shining down on the families of the person being baptized!
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 and first week of Advent! I'm thankful for you!
Yours in Christ,
Corinne
Faith Formation and Parish News
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!
Pickup Your Faith Formation Materials
The materials you'll need to complete our December Faith Formation lessons, including the Baby Jesus craft described above, will be available in the Parish Center beginning on Monday. Come on by to pick up yours! If you're feeling unwell or if coming into the Parish Center makes you feel unsafe, please let us know and we'll plan on a special delivery porch dropoff for you!
