Teaching Guide...Teaching Guide Contents For Catechists and Teachers page 2 Unit 1: Scope and...

Teaching Guide

ContentsFor Catechists and Teachers page 2

Unit 1: Scope and Sequence pages 2–3

Lesson Plan, September 22 • 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time pages 4–7

Lesson Plan, September 29 • 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time pages 8–11

Lesson Plan, October 6 • 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time pages 12–15




Lesson Plan, November 3 • 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time pages 28–31

Lesson Plan, November 10 • 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time pages 32–35

2019–2020 Scope & Sequence Chart page 36

25th–32nd Sunday in Ordinary TimeSeptember 22–November 10, 2019

Volume 34, Number 1

Grades K, 1

Unit 1: We Follow Jesus’ Teachings

The NEW

Gospel W

eeklies

Guides available inSpanish and English atgospelweeklies.com

Unit1

P F L A U M G O S P E L W E E K L I E S F a i t h F o r m a t i o n P r o g r a m

For Catechists and Teachers

Date/Sunday Sunday Gospels CreedSacraments

& Liturgy Life in ChristChristian Prayer

September 22, 2019 25th Sunday Ordinary

Luke 16:1–13 Jesus Teaches His Followers

Jesus invites us to gather in faith. (#1348)

Mass: Gospel, Sign of Peace Joining in community Sign of the Cross


Luke 16:19–31 Rich Man and Lazarus

Jesus calls us to care for the poor. (#2463)

Mass: Gospel ritual Sharing with others; caring Thanking God for Creation; prayer of petition

October 6, 2019 27th Sunday Ordinary

Luke 17:5–10 Faith Like a Mustard Seed

Faith is God’s gift. (#176, 179–183) Mass: Liturgy of the Word Being trusting and trustworthy Praying to grow in faith


Luke 17:11–19 Jesus Heals Ten Lepers

Jesus heals both body and soul. (#1503)

Mass: Eucharistic Prayer Thanking and helping Prayer of thanks for Creation; prayers of petition


Luke 18:1–8 Parable of a Persistent Widow

Prayer puts us in the presence of God. (#2565)

Mass: Prayer of the Faithful Asking for what we need Praying anytime and anywhere


Luke 18:9–14 Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Humility is the foundation of prayer. (#2559)

Belonging to a community Respecting all people as important

Praying to saints; Hail Mary

November 3, 2019 31st Sunday Ordinary

Luke 19:1–10 Jesus Meets Zacchaeus

Jesus brings salvation. (#452, 620) Mass: Holy Communion Making friends Lord’s Prayer

November 10, 2019 32nd Sunday Ordinary

Luke 20:27–38 Sadducees Challenge Jesus

God calls us to repentance, conversion, and sainthood. (#961, 1490)

Celebrating saints Making good choices Praying about Heaven

TG1-2

Imprimatur: +Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, S.T.D., Bishop of Worcester, June 3, 2019. PROMISE Teaching Guide (supplement to Pflaum Gospel Weeklies) copyright © 2019 by Pflaum Publishing Group, a division of Bayard, Inc., sponsored by the Augustinians of the Assumption. Educational Consultant: Mary Gratton, M.Ed., Ph.D.; Editorial Director: David Dziena, Editor: Joan McKamey, Designer: Mary Jean Jones. Page TG1-2 art: © Bayard, Inc. – Illustrations: Jim

Burrows. Printed in the USA. Material in this supplement may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or format without special permission from the publisher.

Meeting Jesus in the GospelsWelcome to the new year of Promise, a liturgy-based approach to faith formation for children in grades K–1. Each Promise lesson is draw from a theme in the Sunday Gospel.

The young children you teach will meet Jesus in the Gospel. When they attend Sunday Mass with their families, the Gospel story will be familiar to them. The stories and activities in each lesson will help the children understand how the Gospel message relates to their own lives.

The Promise lessons follow a comprehensive design. These Gospel-centered lessons teach the faith statements of the Creed, the Seven Sacraments, the Ten Commandments and the moral choices they inspire, and the Church’s traditions of Christian prayer.

We begin our Promise year with Gospels from Luke. Luke portrays Jesus as the man of the poor, who always has his eye out for the person or persons others ignore or reject. Young children can easily identify with these characters and feel a kinship with Jesus, who notices them and helps them. The children will become excited to hear “their Gospel” at Sunday Mass.

Luke also shows Jesus as a teacher of prayer. The Promise lessons provide many ways for the children to pray, including the common prayers of Catholics. Since young children learn best through their senses, the prayer activities include cutting, coloring, and folding, and involve the children in praying with their bodies and voices.

Prayer SpaceWe encourage you to create a prayer space in your classroom. Cover a low table or desk with a simple cloth. Decorate it with seasonal symbols and color, flowers, or religious items, and keep a CD player and the Promise/Good News CDs nearby. At the beginning of each class session, children may open a Bible to the Sunday Gospel and place it reverently on the table. Use the prayer space frequently for the Gathering and Closing Prayers and for proclaiming the Gospel.

Overview of Unit 1

UNIT 1 OVERVIEW: We Follow Jesus’ Teachings

TG1-3

Date/Sunday Sunday Gospels CreedSacraments

& Liturgy Life in ChristChristian Prayer




Mass: Gospel, Sign of Peace Joining in community Sign of the Cross



Jesus calls us to care for the poor. (#2463)

Mass: Gospel ritual Sharing with others; caring Thanking God for Creation; prayer of petition


Luke 17:5–10 Faith Like a Mustard Seed

Faith is God’s gift. (#176, 179–183) Mass: Liturgy of the Word Being trusting and trustworthy Praying to grow in faith



Jesus heals both body and soul. (#1503)

Mass: Eucharistic Prayer Thanking and helping Prayer of thanks for Creation; prayers of petition




Mass: Prayer of the Faithful Asking for what we need Praying anytime and anywhere



Humility is the foundation of prayer. (#2559)

Belonging to a community Respecting all people as important

Praying to saints; Hail Mary







Celebrating saints Making good choices Praying about Heaven

Bayard supports Pope Francis’s call to care for our common home. When completed, please recycle this teaching guide properly. Thank you.

All numbers in parentheses refer to sections in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The stories and activities in this unit will help the children follow the teachings of Jesus and the events in his life. They will learn the following lessons:

●● Jesus invites us to gather at Mass.●● Jesus invites us to share.●● Jesus invites us to trust him.●● We can thank Jesus.●● God wants us to ask.●● Everyone is important to God.●● Jesus invites us to share a holy meal.●● Jesus promises us an eternal home.

Facebook (@pflaumgroup) Instagram (#gospelweeklies) Twitter (@catechisthelp)

Music CDs The Promise/Good News music two-CD set contains songs by John Burland that correlate to the Liturgical Year. Available at gospelweeklies.com or for download at giamusic.com/PGW.

Let’s Sing! Let’s Pray! Teaching Catholic Prayer to Children Through Song is a collection of new settings for Catholic prayers. Available at gospelweeklies.com.

New Music DVD!Let’s Gather! Let’s Sing! Growing in Faith Through Song & Movement contains 25 songs by educator/composer John Burland. This DVD demonstrates the movements to all 25 songs and includes the words displayed in karaoke style.

MUSIC FOR THE LITURGICAL YEARSongs for Grades K-3

The NEW

Gospel Weeklies

For free at-home activities, visitgospelweeklies.com/seasonal

Additional Resources ● Lesson Assessment (gospelweeklies.com/assessments)● Seasonal Resources (gospelweeklies.com/seasonal)● Video Links: Go to gospelweeklies.com/blog to subscribe to GROW.● Find resources at Catholictv.org/masses/Catholictv-mass to

support or enhance your lessons.

Go online to find helpful information to enhance your presentation of the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies in the classroom and support materials for parents. You will find:

●●GROW Newsletter and Blog – Subscribe to our GROW blog for weekly reflections on Sunday’s Gospel, activities, a Calendar of Saints and Feasts, and Video Links that relate to Sunday’s Gospel. Lesson Updates provide corrections or helpful additions to printed materials.

●●Seasonal Activities and Catholic Resources – Reproducible seasonal activities can be used in a classroom or at home.

●●Lesson Assessments – We offer printable pretests, lesson review templates, and lesson, unit, and year-end assessments.

●●Unit Overview Webinars – Editors present an overview of each unit to help you prepare to present your lessons.

●●User’s Guide – Learn about Teaching Guide features and structure and flow of the Gospel Weeklies lesson plans.

●●Teaching Companion to What the Church Believes and Teaches●●Early Start Lessons – Find three introductory lessons online. Three

additional Early Start lessons are in the Promise Activity Book.●●Family Catechesis Resources

The Gospel at Home is a weekly guide for parents with a Gospel summary, discussion starters, and activities in English and Spanish.The Gospel for All Ages includes gathering rituals, discussion questions, large-group sessions—all based on the Gospel Weeklies lessons. Includes a guide for planning four major seasonal events.

●●Scope & Sequence Chart 2019–2020: gospelweeklies.com/scope-and-sequence

GROWPFLAUM Gospel Resources of the Week

blog

Go to GospelWeeklies.com

TG1-4 For monthly gatherings, family catechesis, RCIA, and summer intensive pacing plans, visit gospelweeklies.com/pacingplans

September 22, 2019 • 25th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Amos 8:4–7; 1 Timothy 2:1–8; Luke 16:1–13

For Catechists and Teachers Scripture BackgroundSunday’s Gospel begins with Jesus’ parable about a steward whose master was unhappy with him for squandering property. To ensure he’d have friends to help him if he was fired, the steward sacrificed his commission and lowered the amounts due from his master’s debtors. This Promise lesson focuses on the final verses in which Jesus encourages us to be trustworthy and honest. He tells us to put our trust in God, not in money or possessions.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrinePromise explores the children’s experiences of going to Mass with their families and the larger community. They create a Mass booklet, which highlights some of the parts of the Mass.

“It was above all on ‘the first day of the week,’ Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection, that the Christians met ‘to break bread.’ From that time on down to our own day the celebration of the Eucharist has been continued so that today we encounter it everywhere in the Church with the same fundamental structure. It remains the center of the Church’s life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1343).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesEncourage parents to talk with their child about how Sunday Mass is a time for the Church to gather to remember Jesus and give praise and thanks to God. Suggest that parents remind their child to take the My Mass Book to Mass.

Single-Session Lesson Pacing GuidesNote: These pacing guides are suggestions for how to present the lesson. Please adapt the lesson to suit your needs.

60-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)●● Story • Our family goes to Mass. (page 2)●● Activity • Creative Movement●● Cover Activity • We gather for Mass. (page 1)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Is Our Teacher

Distribute the children’s What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks. Turn to pages 4 and 16.

●● Activity • My Mass Book (pages 3–4)●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)

Take-Home ●● Promise Activity Book, Activity #32●● Remind the children to share their lesson with their families and

do the Family Corner activities and prayer on page 3 together.

90-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)●● Story • Our family goes to Mass. (page 2)●● Activity • Creative Movement●● Cover Activity • We gather for Mass. (page 1)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Is Our Teacher●● Activity • Move and Pretend


●● Activity • Promise Activity Book, Activity #32

●● Activity • My Mass Book (pages 3–4)●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)

Take-Home Remind the children to share their lesson with their families and do the Family Corner activities and prayer on page 3 together.

Share Experiences (20–25 minutes)

Discover Gospel and Doctrine (25—30 minutes)

Live the Gospel (10–15 minutes)


Discover Gospel and Doctrine (45–50 minutes)


Materials●● Promise Student Lesson for 9/22●● Catechism handbook, pages 4 and 16●● CD player and Promise/Good News CDs●● scissors, pencils or highlighters, crayons●● Bible, cloth, and items for Gospel ritual●● aide to help with cutting and folding

NOTE: Separate pages 1–2 from 3–4. Fill in lines 2 & 3 of inside covers of handbooks.Suggested Music

●● “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)●● “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)

Lesson Resources●● Promise Activity Book, Activity #32●● Weekly Review Template (gospelweeklies.

com/catechists-teachers)●● Video Links: Go to gospelweeklies.com/blog

to subscribe to GROW.

September 22, 2019 25th Sunday in Ordinary TimeVolume 34, Number 1

We gather for Mass.


The NEW

Gospel W

eeklies

Unit 1: We Follow Jesus’ Teachings ● TG1-5

Lesson Theme: Jesus invites us to gather at Mass.

Five-Day Lesson Pacing GuideNote: This pacing guide suggests how to present the lesson over five days. Please adapt the lesson to suit your needs.

Day 1

●● Gathering Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)●● Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-6)●● Story • Our family goes to Mass. (page 2)●● Activity • Creative Movement●● Cover Activity • We gather for Mass. (page 1)●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, thank you for those who teach us

about you. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, thank you for those who teach us about you. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Is Our Teacher●● Activity • Move and Pretend●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, thank you for Jesus, who teaches us

to love. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, thank you for Jesus, who teaches

us to love. Amen. (Repeat.)

Distribute the students’ What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks. Turn to pages 4 and 16.

●● Activity • Promise Activity Book, Activity #32●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to learn from and love the

Bible. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to learn from and love the Bible. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Activity • My Mass Book (pages 3–4)●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to open our ears and hearts

to you. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to open our ears and

hearts to you. Amen. (Repeat.)●● Weekly Review●● Closing Prayer (see page TG1-7)●● Closing Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)

Friday Take-Home Remind the students to share their lesson with their families and do the Family Corner activities and prayer on page 3 together.

Share Experiences

Discover Gospel and Doctrine

Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connections●● ELA: Select a fable or fairy tale to read to the class. Explain

that some stories teach a lesson. Read the fable or fairy tale to the class and discuss the lesson it teaches. Then prompt the students to answer key details about the text. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.1)

●● SS: Lead your students in a discussion of the reasons people save money. Ask them to share what they would want to save money for. Have them write a sentence explaining why people save money. (D2.Eco.10.K-2)

Extending the Lesson

Catholic Identity Project of the Week Prudent means “marked by wisdom.” Throughout our lives, we all receive prudent, or wise, advice. Invite your group to reflect on some of the prudent lessons they have received from parents, teachers, or the Church. As a group, create a book of prudent lessons.

Saints and Feast Days to Celebrate ●● September 27: Saint Vincent de Paul

After learning of the spiritual needs of the poor in France, Vincent devoted his energy to what is now the Congregation of the Mission, known as the Vincentians. He founded organizations to provide spiritual and physical relief to the poor and sick. Act: Help or collect money for a charity that serves those in need.

●● September 28: Saint Wenceslaus – The patron of the Bohemian people, Saint Wenceslaus worked to restore unity and peace during the 10th century in what is now the Czech Republic. Political and anti-Christian forces killed “Good King Wenceslaus” as he was on his way to Mass. He is honored as a martyr. Pray: Father, help us to work for peace and unity.

Teaching This Week’s Lesson

TG1-6 TG1-6

Objective The children will share what they understand about the Mass.

Gather in a circle. Sing and play “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17) to begin your Promise session.

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Loving God, we thank you for bringing us together. Help us grow to love you more through our Promise class.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Story • Our family goes to Mass. (page 2) Sit in a story circle. Ask: Who do you go to Sunday Mass with? Call on volunteers by name, so the children get to know one another. Accept all answers, including the admission that some may not go to Mass frequently. Distribute pages 1–2 of Promise. Read the rebus story together. Take time to help the children identify the persons in the first three sentences by finding their pictures at the top of the page.

After you have read the story together, direct pairs of children to read the story together, taking turns reading the sentences.

Activity • Creative Movement Direct the children to leave their Promise copies on the floor and move to an open area of the room. Gather together standing and hold hands, then step back two steps and drop hands.

Invite the children to imagine Lucy’s family getting ready for Mass. They wake up (stretch and yawn). They eat breakfast (eating and drinking movements). They brush teeth (brushing motions). Lucy puts on a dress (arms up as the dress slides over her head). Carlo pulls on his pants. Dad ties his tie. Mom puts on earrings.

They get in the car, and Dad drives to Mrs. Brady’s house. She gets in the car. When they enter church, they make the Sign of the Cross. At offertory, Carlo puts the envelope in the basket. Lucy picks up the wine cruet. Mom picks up the plate with the hosts. They walk to the altar (walk in place very carefully) and give the gifts to the priest. After Mass, everyone shakes hands with Father Joe (shake hands). They drive home for pancakes (eating motions). Lead the children back to your story circle and have them sit again.

Cover Activity • We gather for Mass. (page 1) Ask: What two things did Lucy’s family do during Mass? Put envelope in collection basket. Brought bread and wine to altar. Invite the children to look at the cover illustration of Promise. Ask: What is happening? People are shaking hands or hugging. It is the Sign of Peace. Ask: What are the people saying? The peace of Christ be with you, Peace be with you, or Peace.

Ask: What other things in the picture tell us about Mass? People look happy to be together. They have brought food to share with hungry people and money to help the Church. The book on the ambo is open, so people have heard the readings. The Body and Blood of Jesus are on the altar and are ready to be shared in Holy Communion. There are hymn books in the pews for singing. Emphasize that going to Mass together is one very special way we express our Catholic faith.

Objectives ● The children will recognize that:●● Jesus is our teacher.●● God makes promises to us.●● Jesus promises to be with us at Mass.

Gospel Ritual Create a space for proclaiming the Gospel. Bring a piece of cloth the children can place on a box or desk or roll out on the floor. Bring fresh flowers or other beautiful things from nature. Place the Bible on the cloth and open it to the Sunday Gospel.

Gather for the proclamation of the Gospel. Sing “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24). Explain that we make a special

gesture at Mass before the Gospel. We trace a small cross on our foreheads, lips, and chest. We silently pray: “Dear God, may your Word be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart. Amen.” You may include this gesture and prayer as part of your weekly Gospel ritual.

Sunday Gospel ● Jesus Is Our Teacher Remind the children of Lucy’s family and the people at Mass in the cover picture. Tell them this is Jesus’ message to all of us today:

One day, Jesus told his followers:Make sure that you can be trusted in everything you do—big

things and small things. Always be honest. Put your faith in God and serve him. Do not put your faith in money or the things of this world.

Ask: What are some of ways Jesus tells us to follow him? How will someone know they can trust you? What does it mean to not put our faith in money or worldly things?

Activity ● Move and Pretend Gather at one end of an open area. Call out the activity and direct them to perform it while moving to the other end of the space: throw a football / dribble a basketball / hop on one foot / skip over a jump rope / run from first base to second base / march and play a trumpet / tiptoe quietly to our desks.

Share Experiences


September 22, 2019 25th Sunday in Ordinary TimeVolume 34, Number 1

We gather for Mass.


The NEW

Gospel W

eeklies

Lesson Wrap-UpVisit gospelweeklies.com/catechists-teachers to download Promise Weekly Review template.

Use Activity #32 from the Promise Activity Book as a take-home activity or lesson wrap-up.


September 22, 2019 • 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

What the Church Believes and Teaches

A Promise Is Special (page 4), Our Church Family (page 16)

Invite the children to open the cover of their Catechism handbooks. Distribute pencils and direct them to print their names on the top line. Print the fill-ins for the next two lines on the board or complete these lines in advance.

Point out that the name of this book and their weekly lessons is Promise. Ask: What is a promise? What words or feelings does the word promise make you think of?

Discuss making and keeping promises. Invite volunteers to share stories about making or receiving promises. Ask: What kind of promises have you made? Who did you make a promise to? Who made a promise to you? What did they promise? How does it feel to keep a promise? How does it feel when someone keeps a promise to you?

Help the children find page 4. Tell them this is a letter about promises. Read the letter aloud. Help them find a promise from God on this page. Direct them to highlight or underline the promise. Help them find a promise from Jesus. Direct them to highlight or underline the promise. Emphasize that God always keeps his promises. We can trust God and Jesus.

Tell the children that Jesus promises to be with us at Mass. Ask: How is Jesus with us at Mass? Holy Communion, Word of God in Bible readings, community, priest. Hold up your copy of Promise, page 1. Invite the children to notice the four signs of Jesus’ presence at every Mass.

Help the children locate page 16 in their handbooks. Read aloud the text, leaving out an occasional word for the children to fill in. Distribute crayons and invite the children to trace and color the letters of MASS.

Have the children close the What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks and return to Promise, pages 3–4.

WHAT THE CHURCH BELIEVES AND TEACHES HANDBOOK

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The NEW

Gospel Weeklies

Objective The children will create a booklet about Mass.

Activity • My Mass Book (pages 3–4) Distribute pages 3–4 of Promise. Direct the children to find the word MASS in red at the bottom of page 4. Read aloud the letter from Jesus.

Distribute scissors and point out the heavy cutting lines. After making the cuts, the children will have three smaller pieces. Direct them to put the smallest piece with Promise pages 1–2 to take home.

Direct the children to find the piece with the bread and wine and fold it so that picture is on the cover. Direct them to fold the other piece so the picture of the open book is on the cover. Slip both pieces together to make a booklet. Make sure the page numbers are in order.

Distribute crayons and invite the children to print their names on the cover. Read through the booklet together, completing the other three tasks—tracing the Sign of the Cross, finding the hidden word Gospel, and coloring Thank You.

Closing Prayer Gather in a prayer circle with the Mass booklets. Read the booklet together. Pray: “Jesus, thank you for keeping your promise to come to us in the Mass. Help us to remember to look and listen for you at every Mass.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Play and sing “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17) to bring your Promise session to a close. After the song, invite volunteers to close the Bible, collect the beautiful objects, and roll up the cloth.

Live the GospelDistribute the children’s What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks.

Remind the children to share their Gospel Weeklies with their families and do the Family Corner activities and prayer together.


September 29, 2019 • 26th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Amos 6:1a, 4–7; 1 Timothy 6:11–16; Luke 16:19–31

For Catechists and TeachersScripture BackgroundIn this Sunday’s Gospel, a beggar lies at a rich man’s door, but the rich man never even gives him scraps from his table. Death reverses the fortunes of the two men: the beggar finds comfort in Heaven; the rich man suffers. The rich man asks Abraham to warn his brothers of the fate that awaits them if they fail to share their worldly goods. Abraham tells him that people who don’t listen to Moses or the prophets won’t listen to someone who rises from the dead.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrinePromise will help the children understand what Jesus’ message about sharing means for them. Jesus’ story about the rich man and Lazarus the beggar teaches us about noticing the needs around us and sharing the riches God has given us. For young children, sharing is a challenge, but one they have a lifetime to learn.

“Especially in his parables, Christ invited his listeners to a whole new manner of life sustained by faith in God, encouraged by hope in the kingdom, and animated by love for God and neighbor” (National Directory for Catechesis, 28.2).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesExplain to parents that the Promise story and activities will help their child practice being giving and thankful. Encourage them to display the world their child makes in a prominent place in the home.


60-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)●● Cover Activity • We can share. (page 1)●● Story • Shopping and Sharing (page 2)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • The Rich Man and the Beggar●● Activity • Creative Movement

Distribute the children’s What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks. Turn to page 21.

●● Activity • We share God’s world. (pages 3–4)●● Closing Prayer and Song • “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)

Take-Home●● Promise Activity Book, Activity #9●● Remind the children to share their lesson with their families and


90-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)●● Cover Activity • We can share. (page 1)●● Story • Shopping and Sharing (page 2)●● Activity • Stretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • The Rich Man and the Beggar●● Activity • Creative Movement



●● Activity • We share God’s world. (pages 3–4)●● Closing Prayer and Song • “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)








Materials●● Promise Student Lesson for 9/29●● Catechism handbook, page 21●● CD player and Promise/Good News CDs●● crayons, magazines, scissors●● glue sticks, poster board●● hole punch, lengths of yarn●● aide to help with cutting, gluing, lacing

NOTE: Separate pages 1–2 from 3–4.Suggested Music

●● “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)●● “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)●● “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)




We can share.

Find the hidden food the children can share.

September 29, 2019 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time



Lesson Theme: Jesus invites us to share.


Day 1

●● Gathering Song • “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)●● Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-10)●● Cover Activity • We can share. (page 1)●● Story • Shopping and Sharing (page 2)●● Activity • Stretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to notice those who are in

need. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to notice those who are in need. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • The Rich Man and the Beggar●● Activity • Creative Movement●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to listen to your Word. Amen.

(Repeat.)

Day 3●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to listen to your Word.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Distribute the students’ What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks. Turn to page 21.

●● Activity • Promise Activity Book, Activity #9●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to follow your commands.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to follow your commands. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Activity • We share God’s world. (pages 3–4)●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us choose to notice and act with

love. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us choose to notice and act

with love. Amen. (Repeat.)●● Weekly Review●● Closing Prayer (see page TG1-11)●● Closing Song • “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connections●● Health: Give your students a blank sketch of a person. Discuss

that there are many ways we can be healthy. Direct them to color in the person and check off where they are healthy and any places where they might not be healthy. Be mindful that sickness and disease might be present in their families and that disabilities do not necessarily make someone unhealthy. (NHES.1.2.2)

●● ELA: Read a nonfiction story to your students. Have them create a list of questions they could ask about the text. As a group, answer the questions. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.1)


Catholic Identity Project of the Week Share what the Corporal Works of Mercy are. Discuss how both Lazarus and the rich man could have benefited from them. Ask your students to consider how they could live out these works in their own lives. Invite each person to commit to living out one of the works this week.

Saints and Feast Days to Celebrate ●● September 29: World Day of Migrants

and Refugees ●● September 29: Saints Michael, Gabriel,

and Raphael, Archangels – Today we celebrate three archangels. Gabriel brought God’s invitation to Mary, asking her to become the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26–35).

●● September 30: Saint Jerome – Saint Jerome had a strong devotion to

Scripture. His translation of the Bible became the official text used by the Church. Jerome said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Act: Memorize a passage from the Bible.

●● October: Extraordinary Mission Month – Pope Francis has dedicated this month to fostering an increased awareness of our baptismal call to be missionaries. Ask: How can you be a missionary?

Extending Activities (gospelweeklies.com/catechists-teachers)


TG1-10 TG1-10

Objective The children will recognize the importance of sharing.

Print C-H-O-I-C-E-S on the board. Play and sing “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16) to begin your Promise session.

Gathering Prayer Gather in a prayer circle. Invite the children to name persons to pray for. Pray: “Loving God, we ask for your blessing on (name the people). Please help us notice the needs around us.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Cover Activity • We can share. (page 1) Gather in the work area. Ask: How have you shared today? Distribute crayons and Promise, page 1. Read the title and directions. Invite them to circle the food the children can share.

Story • Shopping and Sharing (page 2) Sit in a story circle with Promise, page 2 faceup on the floor in front of them. Tell this story:

James’s mom parked in the grocery store parking lot. Mom read her shopping list, “Carrots, hamburger, macaroni and cheese, milk.” “And gummy bears,” James added. Mom laughed and said: “You always want candy, James. Today, I want you to shop for something else. We’re going to buy food for the food bank.” James asked, “What’s a food bank?” Mom said: “This Sunday, our Church is collecting food for people who don’t have enough money to buy food for their families. They can get some food at a food bank. I want you to help choose the food we’ll share.”

James and his mom got a cart and went up and down the store aisles. Ask: What do you think James picked out for the food bank? After they paid, James and his mom put the food for the food bank in a separate bag. “We’ll take it to church on Sunday,” Mom said. “Now, I have a surprise for you,” she said. She reached into one of the bags and pulled out two bags of gummy bears. “One for me and one for the food bank,” James said. “That’s right,” said Mom.

Ask: Does your family give food to a food bank? If your Church supports a food bank, tell the children how it works.

Invite the children to retell the story by placing a finger on the house where James and his mom live. Direct them to write a 1 in the circle. Follow the road from home to the grocery store and write a 2 in that circle. Follow the road to church where they will bring the food. Write a 3 there. Follow the road to the Community Food Bank and write a 4 in that circle. This is where the donated food will be given out.

Activity • Stretch and Sing Lead the children in singing and making gestures to “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6).

Objectives ● The children will recognize that Jesus:●● Wants us to help those who are less fortunate.●● Teaches us to care.

Play and sing “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24) to prepare to proclaim the Gospel. Invite the children to use their

right thumb to trace a small cross on their forehead, lips, and chest. Quietly pray: “Dear God, may your Word be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart. Amen.”

Sunday Gospel • The Rich Man and the Beggar Gather in a circle and share this Gospel:

Jesus told his followers this story:There was a rich man who had nice clothes and plenty of food

to eat. A sick beggar lay by the rich man’s door. The beggar’s name was Lazarus. He was always hungry and wished he could have a few leftovers from the rich man’s table. His body was covered with sores, and dogs would come to lick them.

When Lazarus died, he went to Heaven where Abraham welcomed him. The rich man also died, but he went to a place of suffering. The rich man saw Lazarus happy in Heaven with Abraham and called out: “Father Abraham, I am so thirsty. Send Lazarus with a drop of water to cool my tongue.” Abraham answered: “You had many good things when you were on earth. Lazarus had only bad things. Now Lazarus is happy, but you are suffering. There is a great distance between you and us. We can’t go to you, and you can’t come to us.”

Then the rich man said, “Then send Lazarus to warn my brothers what will happen to them if they don’t change and turn to God.” Abraham answered, “Your brothers can listen to God’s Word.” The rich man replied, “They won’t listen to God’s Word, but they will repent if someone comes from the dead to warn them.” Abraham said, “If they don’t listen to God’s Word, they won’t believe someone who comes back from the dead.”

Activity • Creative Movement Retell the Gospel using creative movement. Direct the children to be the rich man eating, drinking, and talking with friends. Then direct them to be the poor man, Lazarus, sitting by the gate, hungry and alone except for the dogs. Direct them to show Lazarus dying and going to Heaven. Ask: How does he feel now? Direct them to be the rich man again. He suddenly dies. Ask: How does he feel now? Who

Share Experiences


We can share.

Find the hidden food the children can share.

September 29, 2019 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time





September 29, 2019 • 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Objective The children will identify ways they share God’s world.

Activity • We share God’s world. (pages 3–4) Gather in the work area with page 4 of Promise facing up. Read the sentence on page 4 and identify the photo of Earth taken from space. Invite volunteers to identify the photos at the bottom of the page. Point out that these are parts of God’s world.

Distribute scissors and direct the children to cut off the strip of pictures and then cut between them. Help the children glue the photos in the squares on page 3. Punch a hole in the top. Distribute lengths of yarn and help the children lace the yarn through the hole for hanging. Tie a knot in the yarn ends.

Closing Prayer Gather in the prayer circle. The children hold their worlds. Pray together: “Thank you, God, for…” (children take turns naming things or persons they thank God for). Conclude: “Help us to share your wonderful Creation with others.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Bring your prayer and Promise session to a close by playing and singing “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16).


Live the Gospel

What the Church Believes and Teaches Jesus Teaches Us (page 21)

Ask: What lesson did Jesus teach us in the Gospel story? He wants us to take care of people who need our help. If we don’t notice and care for the needs of others, we may not get to Heaven.

Help the children turn to page 21 in their handbooks. Ask: Did Jesus always use words to teach? No. He also taught us with his actions. Read aloud the title and first six lines on page 21. After each line, ask: Who remembers a Bible story about Jesus doing/saying this? Invite volunteers to share what they remember of Jesus’ words and actions.

Read aloud the next four lines. As you read each line next to a heart, invite volunteers to give examples of how they have or could follow Jesus’ teaching. For example, they could tell about how they have been fair, a time when they told the truth, and so on.

Distribute crayons and read the directions for the activity. For each picture, ask: What is happening? Does it show someone following Jesus?

Invite volunteers to act out each example of someone following Jesus. Let them add their own ideas of how children follow Jesus’ teachings. The rest of the class may guess what the action is.

Distribute magazines and scissors. Hold up a poster board and tell the children that they will work together to make a collage. Across the top of the poster board, print Jesus Teaches Us to Care in big letters. Direct the children to look through the magazines for pictures that show people helping, sharing, forgiving, etc. When a child has found a picture, help them cut it out and glue it on the poster board.



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does he want to help him? Why is it too late for the rich man and Lazarus to be friends?

Distribute the children’s What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks.



October 6, 2019 • 27th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Habakkuk 1:2–3, 2:2–4;

2 Timothy 1:6–8, 13–14; Luke 17:5–10

For Catechists and Teachers Scripture BackgroundIn Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus’ followers ask him to increase their faith. Jesus tells them that even a little bit of faith—as small as a mustard seed—is powerful. A second teaching concerns the duties of a servant to his master. Jesus reminds us that by fulfilling the demands of discipleship, we are only doing our duty.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrinePromise explores what it means for the children to trust the people in their lives. They are then invited to place their trust and faith in Jesus.

“Faith is a personal act—the free response of the human person to the initiative of God who reveals himself…. The believer has received faith from others and should hand it on to others” (CCC, 166). “Christian faith differs from our faith in any human person. It is right and just to entrust oneself wholly to God and to believe absolutely what he says. It would be futile and false to place such faith in a creature” (CCC, 150).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesRemind parents that for young children, trust means they know the bus driver will take them home, the babysitter will care for them, and their family will provide what they need. God is clothed in these experiences of trusting others. Children learn to trust God from trusting the people who care for them.


60-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “Have You Ever Seen…?” (CD-2, #15)

●● Story • Max Trusts His Parents●● Activity • Layna trusts others. (page 2)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Asks Us to Trust God●● Cover Activity • We trust Jesus. (page 1)


●● Activity • I can trust. (pages 3–4)●● Game • People I Trust●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Have You Ever Seen…?” (CD-2, #15)



90-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “Have You Ever Seen…?” (CD-2, #15)

●● Story • Max Trusts His Parents●● Activity • Layna trusts others. (page 2)●● Activity • Move Like an Animal

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Asks Us to Trust God●● Cover Activity • We trust Jesus. (page 1)


●● Activity ● Promise Activity Book, Activity #1

●● Activity • I can trust. (pages 3–4)●● Game • People I Trust●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Have You Ever Seen…?” (CD-2, #15)








Materials●● Promise Student Lesson for 10/6●● Catechism handbook, pages 5 and 6●● CD player and Promise/Good News CD-2●● crayons, scissors●● Bible●● box or hat●● aide to help with cutting and printing


●● “Have You Ever Seen…?” (CD-2, #15)●● “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)




We trust

Jesus.

October 6, 2019 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time


Who do you know who trusts Jesus?

Make this child look like you.


Lesson Theme: Jesus invites us to trust him.


Day 1

●● Gathering Song • “Have You Ever Seen…?” (CD-2, #15)●● Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-14)●● Story • Max Trusts His Parents●● Activity • Layna trusts others. (page 2)●● Activity • Move Like an Animal●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, thank you for people who believe in

us. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, thank you for people who believe in us. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Asks Us to Trust God●● Cover Activity • We trust Jesus. (page 1)●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help our faith in you grow stronger.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help our faith in you grow

stronger. Amen. (Repeat.)


●● Activity • Promise Activity Book, Activity #1●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, thank you for the gift of faith. Amen.

(Repeat.)

Day 4

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, thank you for the gift of faith. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Activity • I can trust. (pages 3–4)●● Game • People I Trust●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to trust you always. Amen.

(Repeat.)

Day 5●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to trust you always. Amen.

(Repeat.)●● Weekly Review●● Closing Prayer (see page TG1-15)●● Closing Song • “Have You Ever Seen…?” (CD-2, #15)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connections●● Tech: Direct pairs of students to generate questions about

eating traditions around the world. Invite them to use digital tools to answer their questions and produce a pamphlet demonstrating what they learned. (ISTE2016.3)

●● Sci: Ask your students what people need to survive and make a list of their responses. As a class, plant seeds in different containers and, over time, observe what the plants need to grow and survive. Have them compare what plants need to survive with what people need. (K-LS1-1)


Catholic Identity Project of the Week One way we live out our faith is by helping the people around us. For most of us, this begins at home. Brainstorm ways your students can help their parents this week (set the table, make their bed, put their laundry in the right place, etc.). Invite each child to select one of these actions to do this week. Next week, discuss how they felt and how their parents reacted.

Saints and Feast Days to Celebrate ●● October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary –

Once called the Feast of Our Lady of Victory, this day commemorates the 16th-century victory that saved Europe from Turkish invasion. It is said that sailors aboard ships prayed the Rosary during the battle. Pray: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners.

●● October 9: Blessed John Henry Newman – Pope Francis has cleared

the case for the canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman, but a date has not yet been set. He was a priest, preacher, theologian, and writer. Newman Clubs on college campuses bear his name, and his writings influenced the Second Vatican Council. Ask: How can you grow in knowledge of God and the Church?



TG1-14 TG1-14

Objective The children will recognize what it means to trust the people they know and love.

Gather in a circle and sing “Have You Ever Seen a Mustard Seed?” (CD-2, #15) to begin your Promise session.

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and for inviting us to be your followers. Help us to trust you.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Story • Max Trusts His Parents Remain in the circle and tell this story:

Max was a friendly fish. He liked to have swimming races and play games with his friends. One day, Max and his friends were out having fun. They saw three worms floating in the water. Max’s friends were hungry. They told Max they were going to eat the worms. Max said, “Don’t eat the worms! My parents told me not to. The worm might be on a fishing hook. If you eat it, you will be caught.” Max’s friends laughed and swam closer to the worms with their mouths open. Suddenly, the water moved a little, and they saw the shiny fishing hooks. Max’s friends swam away from the worms and over to Max. “We should have trusted you, Max. We were almost caught.” Max smiled and told them, “I’m glad I can trust my parents to tell me what is not safe.”

Review the story details. Ask: What were Max and his friends doing? What happened when they got hungry? What did Max tell his friends? Was Max right? How did Max’s parents keep him safe? Could Max trust his parents?

Activity • Layna trusts others. (page 2) Move to the work area and distribute Promise, pages 1–2. Look at page 2. Read the title aloud. Find the girl in the wheelchair. Her name is Layna. Ask: Why is her leg is in a cast? How might she have broken her foot? What does it mean to trust someone? They will do what they promise, take care of us, tell the truth. Refer back to the story about Max. Ask: Who did Max trust?

Distribute crayons and give the children time to circle the people Layna can trust. Ask: Who are some people you trust to take care of you?

Activity • Move Like an Animal Move to an open area. Invite the children to pretend to be animals. Direct them to move their bodies: swim like a fish / fly like a butterfly / stretch like a giraffe / walk like an elephant / slither like a snake / jump like a kangaroo / pounce like a tiger / walk like a kitten.

Objectives ● The children will recognize that:●● Faith is a gift.●● They can trust Jesus.●● The Bible is God’s Word.

Play and sing “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24) to prepare the children for the proclamation of the Gospel.

Sunday Gospel • Jesus Asks Us to Trust God Gather in a circle. Explain that when we trust someone, we have faith in them. In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus’ followers ask him for stronger faith. Listen to how he answers them. Tell the first part of this Gospel story:

One day, Jesus’ followers said to him, “Make our faith stronger.”Jesus showed his friends a tiny mustard seed and said to them, “If

you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you could tell a tree to pull itself out of the ground, roots and all, and to plant itself in the sea, and it would obey you.

Jesus tells his followers that faith is a gift from God. We don’t do anything to deserve this gift. When we follow Jesus, we’re doing our jobs as his followers. Share the second part of this Gospel story:

“When your servant comes in at the end of his workday, would you say, ‘Come in, sit down, and have something to eat’? No. You wouldn’t say that. You would say, ‘Get my supper ready. You can eat your meal later.’ Does the servant deserve special thanks for doing what they are supposed to do? That’s how it should be with you. When you have done what you have been told to do, say, ‘We are servants who have only done our jobs.’”

Cover Activity • We trust Jesus. (page 1) Move to the work area. Read the title of page 1 aloud. Explain that these people trust Jesus. Ask: Can you trust Jesus? Yes! The man with the bird is Saint Francis of Assisi. Ask: How did Francis trust Jesus? He trusted God and God’s followers to take care of his needs. The woman helping the sick man is Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Ask: How did Teresa trust Jesus? She took care of sick and dying people. She trusted God to help her do this. Ask: Who is with Jesus? Children. Ask: What’s in Jesus’ hand? Mustard seeds. We heard about those in the Gospel. Ask: How do children show they trust Jesus? They follow him and know he will lead them to God. Ask: Who is the child holding a copy of Promise? How do you show you trust Jesus? Go to Mass, follow his teachings, pray, learn about him in Promise class, help others and share with them. Distribute crayons and give

Share Experiences Discover Gospel and Doctrine

We trust

Jesus.



Who do you know who trusts Jesus?

Make this child look like you.




October 6, 2019 • 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

What the Church Believes and Teaches Promises (page 5), God Gives Us His Word (page 6)

Remind the children that we can trust someone if they keep their promises. Help the children find page 5 in their handbooks. Read the title aloud. Distribute crayons and read each scenario. Direct the children to color in the heart next to their answer. Give the children time to consider a promise they could make to God. Refer back to the promises God and Jesus make to us (page 4) to help. Read aloud the text at the bottom of the page to summarize the discussion about promises.

Direct the children to turn to page 6. Read aloud the title and Lines 1 and 2. Invite volunteers to answer the question. Then read aloud Lines 3–8. Explain the activity and give the children time to complete it. Answers: book-B, ice cream-I, bee-B, lion-L, elephant-E = BIBLE.

Show your classroom Bible. Ask: Who has a Bible at home? Where do you keep it? How do you treat it? Read the five lines at the bottom of the page. The Bible is a special book and should always be treated with respect. Ask: What does it mean to treat the Bible with respect? Take special care of it. Put it in a safe place. Don’t color in it or tear the pages. Read it. Respecting the Bible doesn’t mean we keep it on a shelf and never open it. God wants us to read the stories of great love for us.


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Objective The children will name people they trust.

Activity • I can trust. (pages 3–4) Remain in the work area and distribute pages 3–4 of Promise. Ask: Who do you trust? Print responses on the board. Change names to titles like mom, dad, teacher, or priest. If no one offers it, ask: Can you trust Jesus? Add his name to the list.

Invite the children look at page 4. There are four people shapes. Direct them to choose four of the names on the list and print them on the lines in the people shapes (page 4). Suggest that they put Jesus on one of the shapes. Distribute scissors and direct the children to cut along the cutting lines. Then direct them to turn the people over and draw each person to look like the name on the back.

Game • People I Trust Gather in a circle with the children’s people shapes. Invite each child to choose one people shape and place it on the floor in front of him or her with the name side up. Put all the children’s names in a box or hat. Invite a volunteer to pull a name. That child reads the name of the person and tells why the person is someone they trust. The child draws the next name until everyone has shared.

Closing Prayer Gather in a prayer circle. Pray: “Dear God, we are like small mustard seeds. We want to grow in faith. Help us to trust you always.” The children respond, “Amen.”

End your prayer and gathering by playing and singing “Have You Ever Seen a Mustard Seed?” (CD-2, #15).


Live the Gospelthe children time to make the child look like them. Discuss the question at the bottom of the page.




October 13, 2019 • 28th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: 2 Kings 5:14–17;

2 Timothy 2:8–13; Luke 17:11–19

For Catechists and Teachers Scripture BackgroundIn Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns to thank him. He took pity on a group of men suffering not only because of their illness, but also because of their exclusion from society. The leper who returned to thank Jesus was from Samaria. Samaritans were looked down on by other Jewish people, but it is the Samaritan’s example that we should follow.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrinePromise children know about being sick or hurt. They experience adults taking care of them. This lesson ties the care children receive from others to Jesus’ care and healing. Children imitate the actions and words of adults. If a child feels cared for, he or she will more naturally show care to others.

“Christ’s compassion toward the sick and his many healings of every kind of infirmity are a resplendent sign that… ‘the Kingdom of God is close at hand’” (CCC, 1503).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesRemind parents that saying thank you can be an expression of faith. A thank-you prayer for Creation celebrates God’s gifts. Suggest that parents encourage their child to say thank you and also thank their child for helpful actions and for the gift he or she is to the family.


60-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “Have You Ever Seen…?” (CD-2, #15)●● Story • The Teddy Bear Picnic●● Activity • The Teddy Bear Picnic (page 2)●● Activity • Fingerplay

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Heals Ten Sick People●● Cover Activity • We thank God for Creation. (page 1)


●● Activity • Who can help? (pages 3–4)●● Activity • Thank You Bracelets●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)



90-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “Have You Ever Seen…?” (CD-2, #15)●● Story • The Teddy Bear Picnic●● Activity • The Teddy Bear Picnic (page 2)●● Activity • Fingerplay

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Heals Ten Sick People●● Cover Activity • We thank God for Creation. (page 1)●● Activity • Stretch and Move



●● Activity • Who can help? (pages 3–4)●● Activity • Thank You Bracelets●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)








Materials●● Promise Student Lesson for 10/13●● Catechism handbook, page 26●● CD player and Promise/Good News CDs●● scissors, tape, drawing paper, crayons●● “Thank you, Jesus!” bracelet strips●● aide to help with cutting, folding, taping

NOTE: Separate pages 1–2 from 3–4. Make “Thank you, Jesus!” strips in advance.Suggested Music

●● “Have You Ever Seen…? (CD-2, #15)●● “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)




We thank God for Creation.



There are five birds and five flowers hidden in the illustration.Can you find and name each flower and bird?What do they tell you about God?


Lesson Theme: We can thank Jesus.


Day 1

●● Gathering Song • “Have You Ever Seen…?” (CD-2, #15)●● Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-18)●● Story • The Teddy Bear Picnic●● Activity • The Teddy Bear Picnic (page 2)●● Activity • Fingerplay●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, thank you for the people who care for

us. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, thank you for the people who care for us. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Heals Ten Sick People●● Cover Activity • We thank God for Creation. (page 1)●● Activity • Stretch and Move●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, thank you for the signs of your love.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, thank you for the signs of your

love. Amen. (Repeat.)


●● Activity • Promise Activity Book, Activity #24●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to share your love with

others. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to share your love with others. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Activity • Who can help? (pages 3–4)●● Activity • Thank You Bracelets●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to find ways to care for

others. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to find ways to care for

others. Amen. (Repeat.)●● Weekly Review●● Closing Prayer (see page TG1-19)●● Closing Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connections●● Health: Our hands often spread sickness. Direct students to

put on hand lotion but not rub it in all the way. Sprinkle glitter on one student’s hands. Then direct that student to shake the hands of classmates. Observe how the glitter spreads among them. (NHES.7.2.2)

●● Math: Have the students add and subtract within 20, using different strategies such as making 10, decomposing a number, and creating equivalent but easier sums. (CCSS.Math.Content.1.0A.C.6)


Catholic Identity Project of the Week Invite each child to draw or write a thank-you card for someone (parent, teacher, pastor, grandparent, etc.). Model what should be included in a thank-you card and print Thank You on the board. Follow up to see how they felt after expressing gratitude.

Saints and Feast Days to Celebrate ●● October 17: Saint Ignatius of Antioch –

Ignatius lived in the very early days of the Church at a time when being a Christian was dangerous. He wrote letters to encourage other Christians to stay faithful. Act: Be strong in your faith even when it isn’t popular.

●● October 18: Saint Luke the Evangelist – Luke wrote two New Testament books: the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles.

Pray: Father, open our ears to hear your Word.

●● October 19: Saints Jean de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and Companions (US; Canada: Sept. 26) – We honor these missionary martyrs who worked to bring the Good News of Jesus to people in Canada and what is now Upstate New York.



TG1-18 TG1-18

Objective The children will recognize the importance of saying thank you.

Gather in a circle and sing “Have You Ever Seen a Mustard Seed?” (CD-2, #15).

Gathering Prayer Remain in the circle. Invite the children to say who or what they wish to pray for. Respond to each prayer with “Lord, hear our prayer.” Conclude by praying: “Lord, we ask you to hear our prayers and bless us. Help us grow to love you more.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Story • The Teddy Bear Picnic Tell this story:

It was Teddy Bear Picnic day! Teacher Bear got up extra early to make a picnic lunch for her class. She baked cookies and made potato salad. She packed a picnic basket with sandwiches and lemonade.

Teacher Bear went to the park and set up a picnic table. Soon, a school bus brought ten excited bears for a day of fun. Teacher Bear played games with them and handed out prizes. She let them play on the jungle gym and wade in the creek. The ten little bears had so much fun, laughing and playing and eating.

Just as they finished the last cookie, the bus gave a loud honk. The bears jumped up and ran to the bus. Teacher Bear felt very sad. Not even one little bear thanked her for the picnic. Just as she started to clean up, one bear came back and said, “Teacher Bear, thank you for a great day!”

Ask: How did Teacher Bear show she loved the little bears? How did she feel when no one thanked her? How did she feel when one bear came back to thank her? How do you feel when someone thanks you? When someone forgets to say thank you?

Activity • The Teddy Bear Picnic (page 2) Distribute Promise and read together the rebus story on page 2. Invite the children to make a sad face when no one thanks Teacher Bear and a happy face when one little bear returns to thank her.

Activity • Fingerplay Hold up ten fingers and bend one as you go through the verses. Repeat the words in bold for verses 9–2: Ten little bears, sitting on the ground, looking all around. One went away with nothing to say, and then there were nine. / Nine little bears… were eight. / Eight little bears… were seven. / Seven little bears… were six. / Six little bears… were five. / Five little bears… were four. / Four little bears… were three. / Three

little bears… were two. / Two little bears… was one. / One little bear sitting on the ground, looking all around. / One little bear had this to say: “Thank you for a very nice day!”

Objectives ● The children will:●● Recognize the importance of thanking Jesus.●● Thank God for the gift of Creation. ●● Imagine and draw themselves being blessed by Jesus.

Play and sing “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24) to prepare the children for the proclamation of the Gospel.

Sunday Gospel • Jesus Heals Ten Sick People Gather in a circle in the Gospel area. Tell Sunday’s Gospel story:

One day, Jesus and his friends were on their way to Jerusalem. They were walking near the land of Samaria. As Jesus was going into a village, ten lepers saw him and shouted to him: “Jesus! Master! Please make us well.”

Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests, so that everyone would know that they had been healed. On their way to the priests, they were healed of their skin disease.

One leper went back to find Jesus. This man was from Samaria. The healed man threw himself down at Jesus’ feet, praised God, and said, “Thank you, Jesus, for healing me.”

Jesus asked, “Weren’t ten men healed? Where are the other nine? Why is this foreigner the only one who came back to thank God?” Then Jesus told the man, “You may get up and go. Your faith has made you well.”

Ask: How did the ten sick people feel when their sores were better? Why didn’t they thank Jesus? How did Jesus feel when no one thanked him? How did he feel when one person came back to say thank you?

Cover Activity • We thank God for Creation. (page 1) Remain in the circle and invite the children to look at the Promise cover. Read aloud the title. Invite a volunteer to describe the picture. Read aloud the first two sentences at the bottom of the page. Assign partners and direct each pair to find the hidden birds and flowers. When all have finished, invite each pair to tell you one of their finds and write it on the board. Birds: eagle, owl, cardinal, duck, dove. Flowers: dandelion, lily, sunflower, rose, tulip. Say a short prayer to thank God for these gifts of Creation.

Share Experiences


We thank God for Creation.



There are five birds and five flowers hidden in the illustration.Can you find and name each flower and bird?What do they tell you about God?





What the Church Believes and Teaches Jesus Loves Children (page 26)

Move to the work area. Invite volunteers to share the titles of their favorite stories. Tell the children that one of your favorite stories is in the Bible. Read the story on page 26 about Jesus welcoming and blessing the children. Stop reading after Jesus blesses the children.

Ask: How does this story make you feel? Distribute drawing paper and crayons. Invite the children to close their eyes and imagine themselves in the story. Reread the story slowly. Invite the children to draw a picture of themselves with Jesus the story. They could be sitting on Jesus’ lap, hugging Jesus, talking to Jesus, or laughing with Jesus. Give the children time to complete their drawings.

While the children work, prepare a bulletin board or display. Post “We Pray to Jesus” as a heading. When the drawings are completed, mount them in your display. Gather the children and read the heading together. Invite the children to look at their own pictures and listen carefully. Read the last six lines of text on page 26 slowly.

Direct the children to return to their seats and turn to page 26 in their handbooks. Read aloud the three “When you…you are praying” sentences. Read the directions for the activity at the bottom of the page. Give the children time to draw themselves praying in a favorite place. Help them print their favorite place to pray on the line.



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Objective The children will practice how to thank others for loving actions.

Activity • Who can help? (pages 3–4) Remain in the work area and distribute pages 3–4 of Promise. This folding activity shows ways children help others and others help them. Invite the children to examine, one at a time, the six pictures on page 3. Take time to explore what is happening. Ask: What could fix this problem?

Direct the children to turn the page over. Tell them that these people will help fix the problems. Distribute scissors and help the children with cutting and folding. For each story picture, ask: Which person will say thank you? Why? Encourage them to show their families how this activity works and to talk about how their family members help one another.

Activity • Thank You Bracelets Make bracelets for the children by printing Thank you, Jesus! across an 8 1/2” by 11” sheet of paper. Make the letters about 1” high and the whole phrase 7” wide. Duplicate it as many times as you have children in your class. Cut out the strips and give one to each child to tape around their wrists.

Closing Prayer Lead the children in praying: “Thank you, Jesus, for….” They take turns completing the sentence. After each child contributes, the others raise their arms up so their bracelets show and say, “Thank you, Jesus! Amen.”

Lead the children in praying and singing “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17) to bring your Promise session to a close.


Live the GospelActivity • Stretch and Move Invite the children to thank God for the fun things our bodies can do. Give each child a turn naming one thing he or she is thankful to be able to do. The rest of the children act it out. For example, you may say, “Thank you, God, for swimming.” The children pretend to swim. Continue until every child has had a chance to call out an activity.




October 20, 2019 • 29th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Exodus 17:8–13;

2 Timothy 3:14—4:2; Luke 18:1–8

For Catechists and Teachers Scripture BackgroundJesus tells a parable in which he presents a widow as a model to follow. She persists in asking for justice from an unjust judge. The judge gives her a fair judgment because of her persistence.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrinePromise encourages the children to ask God for what they need. Our loving God will answer our prayers much faster than the uncaring judge in the Gospel answers the widow’s request.

“Prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with His Son Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Spirit” (CCC, 2565).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesHelp parents to see that a child’s persistent asking can be a way for parents to find out what their child wants enough to keep asking for. Suggest that parents help their child sort out the difference between needs and wants. Encourage parents to tie this exercise to the message from Sunday’s Gospel: Jesus wants us to keep praying for what we need.


60-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)●● Story • The Children Who Asked and Asked●● Cover Activity • I ask for help. (page 1)●● Activity • What do I need? (page 2)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • The Woman Who Kept Asking●● Activity • Gospel Creative Drama


●● Activity • My Book of Prayers (pages 3–4)●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)



90-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)●● Story • The Children Who Asked and Asked●● Cover Activity • I ask for help. (page 1)●● Activity • What do I need? (page 2)●● Activity • Stretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • The Woman Who Kept Asking●● Activity • Gospel Creative Drama



●● Activity • My Book of Prayers (pages 3–4)●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)








Materials●● Promise Student Lesson for 10/20●● Catechism handbook, pages 27 and 33●● CD player and Promise/Good News CDs●● crayons, pencils●● scissors, stapler


●● “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)●● “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)●● “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)




I ask for help.




Lesson Theme: God wants us to ask.


Day 1

●● Gathering Song • “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)●● Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-22)●● Story • The Children Who Asked and Asked●● Cover Activity • I ask for help. (page 1)●● Activity • What do I need? (page 2)●● Activity • Stretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, thank you for your gifts to us. Amen.

(Repeat.)

Day 2

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, thank you for your gifts to us. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • The Woman Who Kept Asking●● Activity • Gospel Creative Drama●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, thank you for hearing us when we

pray. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, thank you for hearing us when we

pray. Amen. (Repeat.)


●● Activity • Promise Activity Book, Activity #30●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us remember to pray every day.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us remember to pray every day. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Activity • My Book of Prayers (pages 3–4)●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to pray with our words and

actions. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to pray with our words and

actions. Amen. (Repeat.)●● Weekly Review●● Closing Prayer (see page TG1-23)●● Closing Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connections●● ELA: Direct your students to draw or write a narrative in

which a character asks another character for help. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.3)

●● SS: Explain that a judge is an example of a person who has certain responsibilities in our society. As a class, create a list of people who are leaders in our government. Direct pairs to describe the roles and responsibilities of these people in either writing or drawings. (D2.Civ.1.K-2)


Catholic Identity Project of the Week Some children may think that prayer only happens at certain times or places. Brainstorm other times or ways they can pray. Invite them to add to their prayer routines by selecting one of the times or ways to pray from the list and adding this prayer practice this week.

Saints and Feast Days to Celebrate ●● October 20: World Mission Sunday●● October 23: Saint John of Capistrano –

Born in Italy in 1385, John was taken prisoner during a war. Upon his release, he joined the Franciscan community. He traveled and preached in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Russia. At age 70, he was commissioned by the Pope to lead a crusade against invading Turks. Pray: Lord, help us to make a difference for good.

●● October 24: Saint Anthony Mary Claret – A Spaniard born in 1807, Anthony founded the Claretian orders of priests and nuns and served as archbishop of Santiago, Cuba. Anthony took part in the First Vatican Council, served as spiritual counselor to Queen Isabella II of Spain, and supported the Catholic press. Act: Read an article from a Catholic newspaper.



TG1-22 TG1-22

Objective The children will recognize what they need and who answers their needs.

Print C-H-O-I-C-E-S on the board. Play and sing “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16).

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Loving God, we thank you for the many choices we get to make each day. Help us to make loving choices.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Story • The Children Who Asked and Asked Sit in a story circle. Tell the children the title of the story. Ask: What do they think the children are asking for? Tell the story and invite the children to participate:

Peyton and Becket lived next door to each other. Halloween was less than two weeks away. Every day on the way home from school, Peyton and Becket stopped at Flynn’s store to look at the Halloween masks. Every day, they asked their parents, “Can we buy one of the masks in Flynn’s store?” On Monday, they wanted monster masks, but their parents said, “No.” On Tuesday, they decided on gorilla masks, but their parents said… On Wednesday, they asked for clown masks, but their parents said… On Thursday, they wanted superhero masks, but their parents said…

When Peyton and Becket came home from school on Friday, Becket’s mother invited Peyton to come inside for milk and cookies. “We decided we want dinosaur masks,” said Becket.

Becket’s mother smiled and said, “Come with me to the basement.” There stood Peyton’s mother at a worktable with all kinds of supplies for making Halloween masks—paper plates, yarn, glitter, glue, cotton, paints. Peyton made a clown face with a purple nose and red-yarn hair full of glitter. Becket made a green and purple monster face with black hair and big ears.

“These are better than Flynn’s masks,” said Peyton. “I knew you’d get us masks if we kept asking,” said Becket. “We decided we had to do something to stop your asking,” said the mothers.

Ask: What did the children ask for? Why didn’t their parents buy the masks for them? How did the parents give the children what they really wanted?

Cover Activity • I ask for help. (page 1) Ask: Who has helped you today? Tell the children that they will make up a story about a boy who got a lot of help getting through his day. Arrange the children into six groups. Distribute pages 1–2 of Promise and invite the children to examine the cover picture. The boy at the

bottom is Charlie. Each group gets to tell a part of Charlie’s story: getting ready for school / walking to school / being in art class / falling on the playground / going to the library / walking home.

Each group tells who helped Charlie. Write all the people who helped Charlie throughout his day on the board.

Activity • What do I need? (page 2) Move to the work area. Distribute crayons and direct the children to turn to page 2 of Promise. Read the title aloud and give them time to find and color the hidden objects that children need: sun, book, bed, heart (love), flowers, home, rain, water or milk, starlight, trees, parents, clothes, apple and carrot (food), dog (pet). Invite them to take turns telling why they need one of these people or things.

Activity • Stretch and Sing Lead the children in singing and making gestures to “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6).

Objectives • The children will recognize that:●● God wants us to keep asking for what we need.●● Jesus will hear and answer our prayers.

Play and sing “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24) as preparation for the proclamation of the Gospel.

Sunday Gospel • The Woman Who Kept Asking Gather the children in the Gospel area. Tell this Gospel story:

One day, Jesus told his followers a story about how they should keep praying and asking God for the things they need:

In one town, there was a judge who didn’t care about God or people. In the same town, a poor widow went to this uncaring judge for help.

The widow said, “Judge, help me get what is fair.” But the judge ignored her.

Many times, the widow came back to see the judge and said, “Judge, help me get what I need and what is fair.” But the judge still ignored her.

One day, the widow said, “Judge, I am not going away until you help me get what I need.” The judge said: “I don’t care about God or about people, but I can’t stand you bothering me anymore! I will make a fair decision for you.”

After Jesus told this story to his friends, he asked them: “Won’t God who loves you answer your prayers more quickly than the uncaring judge answered the widow? You just have to keep on asking.”

Ask: What did the woman need? Why did the judge help her? What do you ask God for?

Share Experiences


I ask for help.







Objective The children will create prayer booklets.

Activity • My Book of Prayers (pages 3–4) Ask: When do you pray? Explain that when we pray, the Holy Spirit helps us find the words to say. The Church also has prayers we can learn for talking to God.

Distribute pages 3–4 of Promise and scissors. Direct the children to cut on the solid black cutting line. Collect the scissors. Help the children fold the pages on the dashed folding line. Show them how to insert the second page inside of the first to make a booklet. Use the page numbers to get them in the correct order.

Distribute pencils or crayons. Page through the booklets, reading the prayer or doing the activity on each page. Staple the books in the center and encourage the children to use these prayer booklets at home.

Closing Prayer Invite the children to stand in a circle with their prayer booklets. Pray together the Sign of the Cross (booklet page 2) and the thank-you prayer (booklet page 6).

Bring your Promise session to a close by playing and singing “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17).


Live the Gospel

What the Church Believes and Teaches Jesus Makes Promises (page 27, top and middle), prayer (page 33)

Review what the children learned last week about praying. Ask: When we go to Jesus, what are we doing? When we talk to Jesus, what are we doing? When we are close to Jesus, what are we doing? Praying.

Help the children turn to page 27 in their handbooks. Read aloud the title and tell them that Jesus made promises about praying. Read the first promise. Ask: Who do you pray with? When do you pray with others? Write their responses on the board. Then read the text that follows the promise.

Read the second promise. Remind the children that Jesus always keeps his promises and always hears our prayers. Sometimes, we don’t get an answer right away or we don’t get the answer we want. But Jesus always hears our prayers and responds with love.

Explain that our prayers to Jesus can be about the same things we say to our family and friends. Ask: What words do you use to thank someone? What words do you use to tell someone you love them? What words do you use to ask for help? What words do you use to tell someone you’re sorry? Tell the children that we can use these same words when we pray to Jesus.

Distribute pencils and give the children time to complete the four prayer starters. Be available to help by asking gentle questions to spur their thoughts.


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Activity • Gospel Creative Drama Direct the class to show with their bodies these feelings: the widow when the judge doesn’t listen to her, the widow when she comes back to ask again for what she needs, the judge when the widow comes back to ask him to take care of her case, the widow when the judge finally takes care of her, the judge when the widow finally stops bothering him.

Divide the children into groups of three—Jesus, the widow, and the judge. Invite them to dramatize the story.


Direct the children to turn to page 33 in their handbooks and find the word prayer. Read aloud the definition. Encourage the children to have a heart-to-heart talk with God every day. They can do this anytime and anywhere.




October 27, 2019 • 30th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Sirach 35:12–14, 16–18;

2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18; Luke 18:9–14


60-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “Saints” (CD-2, #22)●● Story • The Girl Who Wanted to Be Queen●● Cover Activity • Everyone is important. (page 1)●● Activity • All About Me (page 2)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Shows Us Who Pleases God●● Activity • Gospel Creative Drama


●● Activity • VIP Ribbons (pages 3–4)●● Activity • “I’m a Special VIP” Song Booklet (pages 3–4)●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Saints” (CD-2, #22)



90-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “Saints” (CD-2, #22)●● Story • The Girl Who Wanted to Be Queen●● Cover Activity • Everyone is important. (page 1)●● Activity • All About Me (page 2)●● Activity • March and Sing “When the Saints Go Marching In”

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Shows Us Who Pleases God●● Activity • Gospel Creative Drama



●● Activity • VIP Ribbons (pages 3–4)●● Activity • “I’m a Special VIP” Song Booklet (pages 3–4)●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Saints” (CD-2, #22)








Materials●● Promise Student Lesson for 10/27●● Catechism handbook, pages 24 and 29●● CD player and Promise/Good News CD-2●● crayons, scissors●● double-sided or masking tape●● aide to help with cutting, folding, taping


●● “Saints” (CD-2, #22)●● “When the Saints Go Marching In”●● “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)




Everyone is important.



For Catechists and Teachers Scripture BackgroundIn Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector, both praying in the Temple. Jesus notes the different attitudes they bring to their prayer. Jesus criticizes the Pharisee’s self-righteous attitude and praises the humble and contrite attitude of the tax collector.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrineJesus’ parable invites us to examine how we see other people and how God sees all of us. In God’s eyes, all people are worthy of his mercy. God most readily grants mercy to those who acknowledge their failings and approach him with a humble heart. Promise helps the children recognize Jesus’ message—all people are important.

“Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God. … Humility is the foundation of prayer” (CCC, 2559). “The first movement of the prayer of petition is asking forgiveness, like the tax collector in the parable: ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner’” (CCC, 2631).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesEncourage parents to make an effort to listen to and talk with their child. Doing this will show their child that he or she is important to them. Suggest that parents also point out ways that others are important and why they should be treated with kindness. Encourage parents to take their child to Mass on All Saints’ Day (Holy Day of Obligation).



Day 1

●● Gathering Song • “Saints” (CD-2, #22)●● Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-26)●● Story • The Girl Who Wanted to Be Queen●● Cover Activity • Everyone is important. (page 1)●● Activity • All About Me (page 2)●● Activity • March and Sing “When the Saints Go Marching In”●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to follow the example of the

saints. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to follow the example of the saints. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Shows Us Who Pleases God●● Activity • Gospel Creative Drama●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to do things that please you.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to do things that please

you. Amen. (Repeat.)


●● Activity • Promise Activity Book, Activity #22●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, give us the strength to choose what is

right. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, give us the strength to choose what is right. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Activity • VIP Ribbons (pages 3–4)●● Activity • “I’m a Special VIP” Song Booklet (pages 3–4)●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to be kind in our words and

actions. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to be kind in our words

and actions. Amen. (Repeat.)●● Weekly Review●● Closing Prayer (see page TG1-27)●● Closing Song • “Saints” (CD-2, #22)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Lesson Theme: Everyone is important to God.

Curriculum Connections●● ELA: Invite each student to write or draw a prayer to God,

thanking God for what they have, asking for God’s forgiveness, and praising God. Then help them publish their prayers online. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.6)

●● Tech: Help your students publish their prayers online. This could be done by creating a book of their prayers and emailing it to parents or posting the prayers to the class website. (ISTE2016.6b)


Catholic Identity Project of the Week The concept of tithing reminds us to give some of what we have to the Church to support God’s work. Invite your group to consider how they can support the Church this week—by praying, participating in a volunteer activity, or taking part in a donation program. Ask each child to consider how the week will be different if they support the Church in this way.

Saints and Feast Days to Celebrate ●● October 28: Saints Simon and Jude –

Both men were among the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Jude is also called Thaddeus in the Gospels and is the brother of James the Lesser, also an Apostle. Simon is also called Simon the Zealot because of his rigid following of Jewish law. It is said he traveled to Egypt and then Persia with Jude. They were both martyred there. Pray: Lord, help us to share the Good News with zeal.

●● November: Black Catholic History Month (US)

●● November 1: All Saints’ Day – This Holy Day of Obligation honors all the saints in Heaven.

●● November 2: All Souls’ Day – We remember all those who have died. We pray they will be welcomed by God into Heaven.



TG1-26 TG1-26

Objectives • The children will recognize that:●● Every person is important.●● Saints are friends of God in Heaven.

Print S-A-I-N-T-S on the board. Gather in a circle and sing “Saints” (CD-2, #22) to open your session.

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Loving God, you made each of us special and wonderful. You made us so we could be friends with one another and friends with you. Help us to follow the example of the saints.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Story • The Girl Who Wanted to Be Queen Remain in the circle. Tell the children this story:

Once there was a girl who always wanted to play Queen at recess. “I have pierced ears, and you don’t, so I’ll be the Queen,” she said to the other girls. “We don’t care,” they answered. “I wear pretty dresses, and you don’t, so I’ll be the Queen,” she said. “We don’t care,” said the other girls. “Who wants to play a game like Queen?” asked the other girls. “Let’s play tag. It’s more fun for everyone.”

Ask: Who did the girl who wanted to play Queen think was the most important person? Why did she like that game? Who did the rest of the girls think was important? What did the other girls want to play? Why? Tag is fun for everyone.

Cover Activity • Everyone is important. (page 1) Distribute pages 1–2 of Promise. Invite the children to look at the picture on the cover. Ask: Who is important on this playground? Give each child a chance to tell about an important child he or she sees. Note that everyone is important in the picture. Ask: Is everyone important in this class? Everyone is important.

Activity • All About Me (page 2) Move to the work area. Direct the children to turn to page 2 of Promise. Read through the page with them, asking for one example for each blank space. Children may not know their height. Their parents may add that, or you may measure them in the classroom.

Distribute crayons and give the children plenty of time to finish the page. Go around the room, helping them print or decide what to draw.

Ask: Is brown hair better than blonde hair? Are green eyes better than blue eyes? Is having a birthday in March better than having a birthday in September? Is having five people in your family better than having two people? Point out that everyone is different and everyone is special and important.

Tell the children that some special and important people we celebrate on November 1 are the saints. Ask: Who knows what a saint is? People who lived like Jesus and are now in Heaven. Ask: Can you name a saint? Is our parish named for a saint? Who wants to be a saint? Tell them that if we are friends of Jesus and make loving choices, we will go to Heaven and be saints someday. Ask again: Who wants to be a saint?

Activity • March and Sing Play a recording of “When the Saints Go Marching In” (there are many versions on YouTube) and march around the room.

Objectives • The children will recognize that:●● All people are important to Jesus.●● We can ask the saints to pray for us.


Sunday Gospel • Jesus Shows Us Who Pleases God Tell the children this Gospel story:

Jesus told this story to some people who thought they were better than everyone else:

One day, two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee. The other was a tax collector.

The Pharisee prayed, saying: “God, thank you for not making me like other people. I am not selfish, greedy, or dishonest like this tax collector. I give lots of money to the Temple.”

The tax collector hung down his head and prayed: “God, please be kind and forgive me. I do not always do what is right. I am a sinner.” He hit his chest with his fist because he was so sorry.

As Jesus’ story ended, he said: “It was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who pleased God. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.”

Activity • Gospel Creative Drama Invite the children to identify characteristics of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Talk about how each man feels. Invite the children to pretend to be each of these men and use their bodies to express what each man is like. Direct them to stand and dramatize the men as you reread the Gospel.


Share Experiences


Everyone is important.







What the Church Believes and Teaches Saints Pray for Us (page 24), Hail Mary (page 29)

Invite the children to move to the work area. Help them find page 24 in their Catechism handbooks. Read each paragraph slowly. After the first paragraph, ask: Who wants to follow Jesus to Heaven someday? What are the people in Heaven called? Saints. After the second paragraph ask: What is the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph called? The Holy Family. Ask: Do you have any family members in Heaven? After the third paragraph, ask: Do you know anyone from our church family who has gone to Heaven? How can we ask the saints in Heaven to pray for us? Pray to them and ask them to pray for our needs.

Distribute crayons and read the directions for the activity. Give the children time to complete the activity. Answer: Saints.

Ask: What is a prayer we pray to Jesus’ mother, Mary? The Hail Mary. Direct the children to turn to page 29 and find the prayer next to the bottom star. Invite the children to follow the words with a finger as you read the prayer to them.

Explain unfamiliar words simply: Hail is a greeting like hello. Fruit of thy womb means “your child.” Ask the children to find the words that ask Mary to pray for us. Pray the Hail Mary together over the next several weeks so the children will be able to memorize it.

Encourage the children to ask Mary and all the saints in Heaven to pray for them. We are all brothers and sisters in the family of God.



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Person. Ask: Who might be a VIP? The Pope, president, principal, parents, sports stars. Ask: Is anyone here a VIP? We all are because God made us and loves us.

Hold up your copy of Promise, page 3. Ask: When do people get ribbons like this? When they have done something special. Tell them that every child in this class will get a blue ribbon because they do something special every time they act in a loving way. Point out some of the loving actions you have seen them do.

Distribute scissors, crayons, and pages 3–4 of Promise. Demonstrate how to cut on the heavy cutting line that separates the music and the ribbons. Direct the children to cut the two ribbons apart and print their name in the blue ribbon. Explain that the red ribbon is for a friend in this Promise class. Direct them to turn the ribbons over. Invite them to draw something that makes them special on the blue ribbon and draw something that makes a person a friend on the red ribbon.

Activity • “I’m a Special VIP” Song Booklet (pages 3–4) Direct the children to fold the paper with the song so the music is on the inside. Practice singing the song to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

Closing Prayer Use double-sided or folded masking tape to stick the children’s ribbons to their clothing. Each child carries the My Friend VIP ribbon to the prayer circle. Sing the song through once. The second time through, direct one child to turn to the child on his or her right at the words “and so are you!” and stick the My Friend VIP ribbon on the friend’s clothing. Continue until everyone has two ribbons. Conclude by saying, “Thank you, God, for friends.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Play and sing “Saints” (CD-2, #22) to close your prayer and Promise gathering.


Objectives ● The children will:●● Learn what a VIP (Very Important Person) is.●● Recognize that all people are VIPs.

Activity • VIP Ribbons (pages 3–4) Return to the work area. Ask: Do you know what a VIP is? A Very Important

Live the Gospel



For Catechists and TeachersScripture Background In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus enters the life and home of Zacchaeus, a cheater and a sinner in the eyes of his neighbors. He was not only a tax collector and, therefore, an agent of the Romans, but he also regularly cheated his fellow Jews. Jesus doesn’t focus on Zacchaeus’s sinful past. He is concerned with Zacchaeus’s change of heart.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrineChildren of Promise age are naturally egocentric. These children can eventually move from self-centeredness to concern for others, much as Zacchaeus does in Sunday’s Gospel. This Promise lesson focuses on friendship.

“Jesus consistently used the ordinary human experiences of daily life to form his disciples, to point to the end of time, and to show the transcendent dimension of all of life and of God’s eternal presence in it. Because the eternal Word assumed human nature, human experience is the locus for the manifestation and realization of salvation in him” (NDC, 29A).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesEncourage parents to talk with their child about friendship and the difference Jesus’ friendship made in Zacchaeus’s life. Emphasize that developing a friendship with Jesus can change their child’s life too. Suggest that parents plan an activity their child and a friend can do together.


60-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #17)●● Story • Friends spend time together. (page 1)●● Activity • I play with my friends. (page 2)●● Activity • Move and Pretend

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Makes Friends with Zacchaeus●● Activity • Who is a friend to Zacchaeus? (page 3)


●● Prayer Activity • Jesus’ friends pray. (page 4)●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #17)



90-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #17)●● Story • Friends spend time together. (page 1)●● Activity • I play with my friends. (page 2)●● Activity • Move and Pretend

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Makes Friends with Zacchaeus●● Activity • Who is a friend to Zacchaeus? (page 3)●● Activity • Stretch and Sing “You’ve Got to Love Them” (CD-2, #20)



●● Prayer Activity • Jesus’ friends pray. (page 4)●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #17)








Materials●● Promise Student Lesson for 11/3●● Catechism handbook, page 23●● CD player and Promise/Good News CD-2●● crayons●● scissors●● glue sticks


●● “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #17)●● “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● “You’ve Got to Love Them” (CD-2, #20)




November 3, 2019 • 31st Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Wisdom 11:22—12:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:11—2:2; Luke 19:1–10

November 3, 2019 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time


Friends spend time together.Every day, climbed the to watch the game.Jack was the best player. wished would invite him to play.

One day, the hit the all the way to the .jack ran to get the . climbed down from the , got the , and gave it to .

“Thank you,” said . “Come and play .You can be on my .”

“Okay,” said .

After the game was over, said to , “Come to my house for and .”

From then on, and were .

Duan

Ben

jungle gym

batter

team

friends


Lesson Theme: Jesus invites us to share a holy meal.


Day 1

●● Gathering Song • “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #17)●● Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-30)●● Story • Friends spend time together. (page 1)●● Activity • I play with my friends. (page 2)●● Activity • Move and Pretend●● Closing Prayer • Dear Jesus, thank you for inviting us to be your

friends. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

●● Gathering Prayer • Dear Jesus, thank you for inviting us to be your friends. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Makes Friends with Zacchaeus●● Activity • Who is a friend to Zacchaeus? (page 3)●● Activity • Stretch and Sing “You’ve Got to Love Them” (CD-2, #20)●● Closing Prayer • Dear Jesus, thank you for sharing yourself in the

Eucharist. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3●● Gathering Prayer • Dear Jesus, thank you for sharing yourself in

the Eucharist. Amen. (Repeat.)


●● Activity • Promise Activity Book, Activity #17●● Closing Prayer • Dear Jesus, help us to live as members of your

Body. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

●● Gathering Prayer • Dear Jesus, help us to live as members of your Body. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Prayer Activity • Jesus’ friends pray. (page 4)●● Closing Prayer • Dear Jesus, help us to love others as you love

them. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5●● Gathering Prayer • Dear Jesus, help us to love others as you love

them. Amen. (Repeat.)●● Weekly Review●● Closing Prayer (see page TG1-31)●● Closing Song • “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #17)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connections●● Sci: Direct pairs to illustrate a way for Zacchaeus to see above

the crowd without using a ladder or climbing a tree. Each pair should present their design drawing to the class. (K-2-ETS1-2)

●● Math: Have your students classify money math manipulatives into different categories and then count the quantity of the manipulatives in each category. (CCSS.Math.Content.K.MD.B.3)


Catholic Identity Project of the Week Zacchaeus reminds us how important it is to give to the poor. Allow members of the older groups to come into your class to explain the charity they are collecting donations for. Encourage your group to bring in donations.

Saints and Feast Days to Celebrate ●● November 3–9: National Vocation

Awareness Week (US)●● November 4: Saint Charles Borromeo –

A member of the nobility, Charles devoted his life to the people of the Archdiocese of Milan. He gave up material things and cared for thousands of those living in poverty. Act: Donate to a food bank or other social service agency.

●● November 8: Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity – Elizabeth was born in France in 1880. She decided to enter contemplative life after reading a letter about the death of Thérèse of Lisieux. Elizabeth became a Carmelite nun at age 21. She died in 1906 from Addison’s disease. Pray: Father, let us love all who you send our way.



TG1-30 TG1-30

Objective The children will consider what friends do together.

Gather in a prayer circle. Play and sing “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14).

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Jesus, we want to follow you. Help us learn your teachings and follow your way. Help us to share your Good News with others.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Story • Friends spend time together. (page 1) Gather in a seated story circle. Ask: What do you like to do with your friends? Invite them to think of a time when they were left out of an activity. Ask: How did you feel? Tell them that today’s story begins with a boy named Duan feeling lonely and left out. Distribute pages 1–2 of Promise. Invite the children to follow the story on the cover as you read it aloud.

Discuss the story. Ask: Which boy felt lonely and left out? Which boy invited him to be on his team? How do you know the two boys are friends at the end of the story? Direct the children to move to the work area and use the illustrations to tell the story to a partner.

Activity • I play with my friends. (page 2) Remain in the work area and turn to page 2. Read aloud the title. Invite the children to take turns describing what is happening in each photo. Read aloud the question under one of the photos and invite volunteers to answer the question. Be sure each child has a chance to contribute an answer to one of the questions.

Distribute crayons and invite the children to draw pictures of themselves and a friend in the open frame.

Activity • Move and Pretend Move to an open area and assign partners. Ask: What do friends do together? Explain that each pair of children will act out something friends do together. The rest of the class will guess what they are acting out. Direct the pairs to quietly decide what to act out. Give each pair of children a chance to act.

Objectives • The children will recognize that:●● Jesus wants to make friends with all people.●● Being friends with Jesus changes us.


Sunday Gospel • Jesus Makes Friends with Zacchaeus Gather in the story circle. Ask: What are some ways Jesus helped people? Tell this story about Jesus making friends with a man named Zacchaeus:

One day, Jesus came to the town of Jericho. A rich tax collector named Zacchaeus wanted to see him. But Zacchaeus was a short man, and he couldn’t see Jesus because of the crowd. He climbed up a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus.

When Jesus reached the sycamore tree, he looked up at Zacchaeus and said: “Zacchaeus, come down quickly. I want to stay at your home today.” Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Jesus into his home.

The people grumbled, saying, “Zacchaeus is a sinner, and Jesus is going to his home to eat with him.”

Later that day, Zacchaeus said to Jesus: “I will give half of my belongings to the poor. I will pay back four times as much to anyone I have ever cheated.”

Because Zacchaeus was sorry for his sins and was making things right, Jesus said: “You and your family have been saved. I came to find and save those who were lost.”

Ask: Why didn’t people like Zacchaeus? Why did he climb the tree? Why did Jesus stop? Why was Zacchaeus surprised? Emphasize Jesus’ love and concern for Zacchaeus and how Zacchaeus changed his life and became happier because of Jesus’ friendship.

Activity • Who is a friend to Zacchaeus? (page 3) Move to the work area and distribute pages 3–4 of Promise. Invite the children to look at the pictures of the Gospel on page 3. Look together at each picture, asking: What is happening? Who is this? What is this person saying? Point out that the man in red and blue is Zacchaeus. Note that he is collecting taxes—money—for the Romans. Invite the children to find the orange box with an R on it. Explain that Zacchaeus put the tax money he collected for Rome in that box. Ask: Where else is he putting money? In a brown bag with a Z on it. That was the extra money he was taking from the people and keeping for himself.

Invite the children to retell the Gospel story using the four pictures. Read aloud the voice balloons at the bottom of the page. Decide together which voice balloon goes with each illustration. (They are color coded.)

Distribute scissors and glue sticks. Demonstrate how to cut off the four boxes and glue them in the pictures. When everyone is finished, tell the story again, this time, reading the copy in the voice balloons.

Share Experiences


November 3, 2019 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time


Friends spend time together.Every day, climbed the to watch the game.Jack was the best player. wished would invite him to play.

One day, the hit the all the way to the .jack ran to get the . climbed down from the , got the , and gave it to .

“Thank you,” said . “Come and play .You can be on my .”

“Okay,” said .

After the game was over, said to , “Come to my house for and .”

From then on, and were .

Duan

Ben

jungle gym

batter

team

friends




November 3, 2019 • 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

What the Church Believes and Teaches Do What Jesus Says (page 23)

Ask: Who did what Jesus said in the Gospel story? Zacchaeus. Ask: What did he do? Climbed out of the tree and welcomed Jesus to his home for a meal. Ask: How did Zacchaeus change his life after he became friends with Jesus? He stopped cheating people. He gave to the poor. He gave back what he had stolen. Ask: Who are some other people from the Bible who did what Jesus said to do? His followers (apostles, disciples). Emphasize that when people become friends of Jesus, they want to be better people and live like Jesus wants them to. Ask: Is anyone here a friend of Jesus? What things do you choose to do because you know it’s what Jesus wants you to do? Tell the truth, help at home, be kind, share, pray, etc.

Tell the children that Mary was the person who did the best at following Jesus. She loved God and Jesus very much. Mary can help us be good followers of Jesus too. Read the story of the wedding at Cana on page 23 in the Catechism handbook. Invite the children to retell the story. Ask: Who did what Jesus said? The waiters.

Invite the children to act out this story. There are plenty of roles to go around: Jesus, Mary, bride and groom, waiters, head waiter, disciples, and other wedding guests.

Call the children back to their desks and help them find page 23 in their handbooks. Draw a large heart on the board and distribute crayons. Read the directions for the activity and discuss each scenario. Give the children time to draw their hearts. Go through each scenario again and invite the children to signal their responses to each with a thumbs-up (loving) or thumbs-down (unloving) gesture.



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Objective The children will pray the Lord’s Prayer.

Prayer Activity • Jesus’ friends pray. (page 4) This activity gives the children their own copy of the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) to color and display in their homes. As the children work on this activity, circulate among them and ask for questions. Some questions, especially vocabulary clarifications, may be handled in the larger group. Other questions that arise may be more personal and handled individually.

Closing Prayer Gather in the prayer circle with the children’s copies of the Lord’s Prayer. Read the prayer aloud together. Then direct them to put their copies on the floor in front of them, join hands, and pray the prayer again. Conclude by saying, “Amen.”

Close your Promise session by playing and singing “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #17).


Live the Gospel

Activity • Stretch and Sing Invite the children to get up and sway, stretch, and sing along to “You’ve Got to Love Them” (CD-2, #20). Point out that Jesus loves all people. If we want to follow Jesus, he asks us to love all people too.


Gather in a circle. Invite each child to tell about a time when he or she did what Jesus tells us to do. The others respond with an enthusiastic thumbs-up to each sharing!

Have the children close the What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks and return to Promise, page 4.


November 10, 2019 • 32nd Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: 2 Maccabees 7:1–2, 9–14;

2 Thessalonians 2:16—3:5; Luke 20:27–38

For Catechists and TeachersScripture BackgroundThe Sadducees in Sunday’s Gospel challenge Jesus to take a stand on resurrection, a concept they don’t accept. Jesus tells them that God is God of all who have lived and of people living now. God reaches out in friendship to each new generation.

Connecting Scripture and Doctrine Promise helps young children recognize that all God’s creatures have homes, and God’s people have a home with God in Heaven as well as on Earth with their families. Take advantage of these Sundays when we read difficult Gospels at Sunday Eucharist to talk to your Promise children about the eternal happiness God desires for each of us.

“Catechesis links human experience to the revealed word of God, helping people ascribe Christian meaning to their own existence. … Catechesis helps them relate the Christian message to the most profound questions in life: the existence of God, the destiny of the human person, the origin and end of history, the truth about good and evil, the meaning of suffering and death” (NDC, 29A).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesEncourage parents to go over the activities in this lesson with their child, giving him or her a chance to ask questions about Heaven and about people who have died. Suggest that parents assure their child of our continuing bonds with those we love.


60-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)●● Story • Home for Dinner●● Cover Activity • Where Is My Home? (page 1)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Has a Home for Us


●● Game • How do I get to Heaven? (pages 2–3)●● Prayer Activity • My Prayer About Heaven (page 4)●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)



90-Minute Lesson

●● Gathering Song and Prayer • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)●● Story • Home for Dinner●● Cover Activity • Where Is My Home? (page 1)●● Activity • Stretch and Move

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Has a Home for Us



●● Game • How do I get to Heaven? (pages 2–3)●● Prayer Activity • My Prayer About Heaven (page 4)●● Closing Prayer and Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)








Materials●● Promise Student Lesson for 11/10●● Catechism handbook, pages 28 and 32●● CD player and Promise/Good News CDs●● crayons●● drawing paper●● scissors●● game markers

Suggested Music●● “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)●● “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)




Heaven will be my forever

home.

Help the animals

find their homes.

November 10, 2019 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time


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Lesson Theme: Jesus promises us an eternal home.


Day 1

●● Gathering Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)●● Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-34)●● Story • Home for Dinner●● Cover Activity • Where Is My Home? (page 1)●● Activity • Stretch and Move●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, thank you for our loved ones, living

and dead. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, thank you for our loved ones, living and dead. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Gospel Ritual • “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)●● Sunday Gospel • Jesus Has a Home for Us●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, thank you for the promise of Heaven.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, thank you for the promise of

Heaven. Amen. (Repeat.)


●● Activity ● Promise Activity Book, Activity #12●● Closing Prayer ● God our Father, help us to show you our love.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

●● Gathering Prayer • God our Father, help us to show you our love. Amen. (Repeat.)

●● Game • How do I get to Heaven? (pages 2–3)●● Prayer Activity • My Prayer About Heaven (page 4)●● Closing Prayer • Loving God, help us to keep your commandments.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5●● Gathering Prayer • Loving God, help us to keep your

commandments. Amen. (Repeat.)●● Weekly Review●● Closing Prayer (see page TG1-35)●● Closing Song • “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connections●● Tech: Direct pairs to research the difference in marriage

traditions among Catholics, Jews, and Muslims. Invite them to share what they learned. Students might choose to create a pamphlet, a website, a video, etc. (ISTE2016.6)

●● SS: Select two time periods in American history and discuss what life was like for families during this time period. Have students create a chart comparing life during these time periods to their own lives. Invite students to compare family size, technology, transportation, jobs, homes, etc. (D2.His.2.K-2)


Catholic Identity Project of the Week Sometimes it is difficult to know how to help someone who is going through a difficult time, such as losing a loved one. Pray a decade of the Rosary for people who have lost loved ones. Ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen them and fill them with the love of God.

Saints and Feast Days to Celebrate ●● November 13: Saint Frances Xavier

Cabrini (US) – Mother Cabrini wanted to be a missionary in China but instead spent her life caring for the poor, orphans, and immigrants in the United States. She was the first U.S. citizen to be canonized by the Catholic Church.

●● November 15: Saint Albert the Great – A Doctor of the Church, Albert lived in the 13th century. He taught the great Catholic

theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas and wrote about many subjects: science, math, astronomy, ethics, economics, politics, and spirituality. Ask: How can your education help you grow in love for God?

●● November 16: Saint Margaret of Scotland – Margaret married the King of Scotland and influenced him with her kindness and care for the poor. Pray: Jesus, help us to be kind and caring.



TG1-34 TG1-34

Objective The children will recognize that all God’s creatures have homes.

Gather in a circle. Play and sing “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17) to begin your Promise session.

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Dear Jesus, you invite us to follow you. Help us to become good followers, so that we may someday live forever with you in Heaven.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Story • Home for Dinner Tell this story:

Rabbit and Squirrel were playing in the woods. They saw their friend Bird flying by and invited her to play. “I can’t right now,” chirped Bird. “I need to get home to eat dinner.” The animals on the ground looked surprised. Squirrel asked: “Is it dinnertime already? I need to get home too.” Squirrel ran up the tree. Rabbit started to hop for home. Just then, Duck waddled by and asked: “Where’s everyone going? I was coming to play.” “We need to go home,” Rabbit said. “It’s dinnertime.” Duck looked surprised and quacked: “I’d better go tell Fish. He hates to be late for dinner.” Rabbit said: “I think that’s a good idea. You live close to him. I’ll tell Turtle on my way home. She lives near me.”

Ask: If you were an animal, would you like your home to be on the land, in the sky, or in the water? Why?

Cover Activity • Where Is My Home? (page 1) Gather the children in their work area and distribute Promise. Invite them to look at the cover picture and identify the creatures at the bottom of the page. Tell them that when God created the world, all creatures got a special home. Invite them to trace a finger from each animal to its home. Distribute crayons so the children can draw lines between each animal and its home.

Activity • Stretch and Move Choose a circle area as “home” and gather the children inside it. Select a child to stand outside the circle. The children inside the circle say: “Friend, friend, from over the way. I wonder who is coming to play.” The child outside the circle says his or her name. For example, “It’s Michael.” The children in the circle chant, “Michael, Michael, from over the way, what would you like to play today?” Michael comes inside and chooses an action, such as jumping, swimming, or running in place. The children copy his actions. Michael chooses a new child to go outside the circle, and the game continues.

Objectives ● The children will recognize that:●● God has a forever home for us in Heaven.●● Heaven is living in happiness with God.

Play and sing “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24) to prepare for the proclamation of the Gospel.

Sunday Gospel • Jesus Has a Home for Us Gather in a story circle. Ask: What is special about your home? What is special about the people there? Invite the children to give examples of how people in their homes care, share, help, play, pray, eat, etc.

Tell the children that Heaven is the forever home of all people who are Jesus’ friends. Share this Gospel story:

The Sadducees did not believe that people would rise to live with God after they died. One day, some of them came to Jesus and said, “We don’t believe people will live with God after they die.”

Jesus answered them: “People who live good lives are God’s children and will be raised to new life. Do you believe all that Moses told you about God?” The Sadducees said, “Yes, we believe Moses.”

Then Jesus said: “Moses shows us that the dead are raised to new life. When Moses spoke to God in the burning bush, he called our Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

The Sadducees said, “These are our ancestors who lived long ago.” Jesus told them: “Yes, our ancestors are alive with God. God is the God of the living, not of the dead. To God, all of his children are alive.”

Explain that people who have died are alive with God and Jesus. We believe God is the God of the living—all who live in Heaven and on Earth.


Share Experiences Discover Gospel and Doctrine

Heaven will be my forever

home.

Help the animals

find their homes.

November 10, 2019 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time


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What the Church Believes and Teaches Jesus Makes Promises (page 28, bottom), Heaven (page 32)

Move to the work area and help the children find page 28 in their handbooks. Read the title. Ask: What are some


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November 10, 2019 • 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Objectives ● The children will:●● Recognize following Jesus as the path to Heaven.●● Pray a prayer about Heaven.

Game • How do I get to Heaven? (pages 2–3) Remain in the work area. Direct the children to open Promise to pages 2–3. Invite the children to identify the pictures that show loving actions and unloving actions.

Explain that this is a game called “How do I get to Heaven?” Distribute scissors and game markers. Direct the children to cut out the number squares on the bottom of page 3 and put them facedown. Assign partners.

Direct the children to find and put their game markers on the Start circle. Help them find the Heaven circle where there are three saints. Tell them the object of the game is to get both partners’ markers to the Heaven circle.

Partners take turns drawing a number and moving as indicated. Make sure they know to move ahead for loving actions and move back for unloving actions.

Live the Gospel

Prayer Activity • My Prayer About Heaven (page 4) Tell this story about a dad who teaches his daughter about life with God after death:

Once there was a little girl who loved her grandfather very much. When Linh visited Ông in the summer, they went fishing in the park.

One day, Linh’s father told her that Ông was sick and in the hospital. Linh got out her crayons and made Ông a card with fish on it. Her father found an envelope, and they mailed it.

That weekend, Ông got sicker. “What will happen if Ông dies?” Linh asked. “We will be very sad,” Father said, “but Ông will be happy because he will be with God and Grandmother Bà and all his family who have died.”

“How do you know that?” Linh asked. “Jesus told us we will always belong to him. When we die, we will go to Heaven and live with God and Jesus forever,” Linh’s father said. Linh said, “But Ông won’t be here with us.” Father said, “No, Ông will be gone, but we will see him again in Heaven.” Linh felt better. When Ông died, Linh and her father wrote a prayer about Heaven. Linh prays it every night before bed. This is what she says:

Invite the children to turn to page 4 of Promise. Read the prayer aloud. Ask: Who knows someone in Heaven with God? If they have not experienced a personal loss, suggest their guardian angel, a saint, Jesus, or Mary. Distribute crayons and invite the children to draw in the open space.

Closing Prayer Invite the children to bring their copies of Promise to the prayer circle with page 4 faceup. Invite them to read along or listen as you pray the prayer aloud.

Play and sing “Saying Yes” (CD-1, #17) to end your Promise session.


promises of Jesus? See page 27, top and middle: When you pray together, I am there with you. When you pray, I will hear you.

Explain that Jesus makes us a promise about what will happen when we die. Read the promise on page 28, bottom. Before reading the rest of the page, ask: What is the name of the place Jesus is preparing for us? Heaven. Ask: What do you think Heaven will be like? Who lives in Heaven? God, saints, angels. Read aloud the remainder of page 28. Ask: Does Jesus keep his promises? Yes!

Help the children find the definition of Heaven on page 32. Ask: Is Heaven a happy or sad place? Happy. Ask: How do we feel when someone we love dies? Sad. Explain that it’s normal to be sad and miss people we love who have died, but our sadness won’t last forever. Ask: What does last forever? Happiness with God in Heaven.

Distribute drawing paper and crayons. Invite the children to print the word Heaven on their papers and draw a picture of what they think Heaven will be like.



LITURGICAL YEAR DOCTRINAL CONTENTDate/Sunday Sunday Gospels Creed Sacraments & Liturgy Life in Christ Christian Prayer

ORD

INAR

Y TI

ME




Belonging to a parish community Joining in community Lord’s Prayer



Jesus calls us to care for the poor. (#2463) Mass: Sign of Peace Sharing with others Thanking God for Creation


Luke 17:5–10 Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed

Faith is God’s gift. (#176, 179–183) Mass: Creed Being trusting and

trustworthy Praying with the Bible



Jesus heals both body and soul. (#1503) Mass: Eucharistic Prayer Thanking and helping Prayer of thanks for Creation




Mass: Prayer of the Faithful, Lord’s Prayer Asking for what we need Praying throughout the day



Humility is the foundation of prayer. (#2559) Belonging to a community Respecting all people as

important Praying to saints







Creation shows us God. Making good choices Praying with the Communion of Saints

November 17, 2019 33rd Sunday Ordinary

Luke 21:5–19 Jesus Teaches About End Times

Jesus will come again. (#680–682) Mass: Thanksgiving Sharing our worries and

fears with God Prayer of thanks and trust in God

November 24, 2019 Christ the King

Luke 23:35–43 Jesus Forgives from the Cross

Jesus, the Messiah, forgives our sins. (#453, 984) Reconciliation Loving words; forgiving

and asking forgiveness Prayer of Sorrow

ADVE

NT-

CHRI

STM

AS

December 1, 2019 1st Sunday of Advent

Matthew 24:37–44 Jesus Will Come Again

Jesus will come again. (#680–682) Church Year: Advent Getting ready for Jesus Advent wreath prayer

December 8, 2019 2nd Sunday of Advent

Matthew 3:1–12 John the Baptist Prepares for Jesus

John the Baptist prepares for Jesus. (#719) Church Year: Advent Getting ready for

Christmas Advent wreath prayer

December 15, 2019 3rd Sunday of Advent

Matthew 11:2–11 Jesus Is the Messiah

Jesus is the Messiah. (#547, 561) Church Year: Advent Sharing the joy of the

Good News Advent wreath prayer

December 22, 2019 4th Sunday of Advent

Matthew 1:18–24 An Angel Speaks to Joseph

Jesus is the fullness of God’s revelation. (#73) Church Year: Advent Getting ready for

ChristmasHail Mary; Prayer to My Guardian Angel; Advent wreath prayer

December 25, 2019 & January 5, 2020 Christmas & Epiphany

Luke 2:1–14 & Matthew 2:1–12 Christmas & Epiphany

Jesus is God with us. (#744); Jesus comes for all people. (#528)

Church Year: Christmas and Epiphany

Telling the Christmas story

Christmas carols—singing our prayer

January 12, 2020 Baptism of the Lord

Matthew 3:13–17 John Baptizes Jesus

God is Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (#234) Baptism Living our Baptism Sign of the Cross;

Glory Be to the Father

ORD

INAR

Y TI

ME

January 19, 2020 2nd Sunday Ordinary

John 1:29–34 John the Baptist Testifies About Jesus

Baptism unites us to Christ and gives us the Holy Spirit. (#985) Baptism Sharing gifts and talents Prayer to the Holy Spirit

January 26, 2020 3rd Sunday Ordinary

Matthew 4:12–23 Jesus Calls the First Apostles

Jesus calls us friends. (#609, 1972) Christian community Making friends and

being a friend Prayer to Jesus, our friend

February 2, 2020 Presentation of the Lord

Luke 2:22–40 Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

Jesus is the Light of the World. (#454) Our parish community Seeking and following

Jesus Light prayer service

February 9, 2020 5th Sunday Ordinary

Matthew 5:13–16 Sermon on the Mount: Salt and Light

The Church’s mission is to be salt and light. (#782)

Celebrating human community

Making a difference for good Prayer to make a difference


Matthew 5:17–37 Sermon on the Mount: Jesus’ Law of Love

Jesus fulfills the Law and Prophets. (#577) Parish is a community of love Following rules; loving

one another Short Prayer of Love


Matthew 5:38–48 Sermon on the Mount: Love Your Enemies

God calls us to conversion of heart. (#2608) Reconciliation Being kind; following

rules; forgiving Lord’s Prayer

LEN

T

March 1, 2020 1st Sunday of Lent

Matthew 4:1–11 Jesus Is Tempted

Jesus is faithful to his Father. (#566) Church Year: Lent Making good choices Lenten prayer service

March 8, 2020 2nd Sunday of Lent

Matthew 17:1–9 Jesus Is Transfigured

Jesus shows his divine glory. (#555) Church Year: Lent Growing and changing;

listening to Jesus Glory Be to the Father

March 15, 2020 3rd Sunday of Lent

John 4:5–42 A Samaritan Woman Shares the Good News

The Holy Spirit strengthens us for witness. (#728) Church Year: Lent Belonging to the Church;

telling about Jesus Prayer to the Holy Spirit

March 22, 2020 4th Sunday of Lent

John 9:1–41 Jesus Heals a Blind Man Jesus helps us see God. (#73) Church Year: Lent Seeing and believing I Believe prayer

March 29, 2020 5th Sunday of Lent

John 11:1–45 Jesus Raises Lazarus

Jesus cares about his friends. (#609, 1972)

Church Year: Lent; Mass: Prayer of the Faithful

Praying anytime and anywhere Prayers of petition

April 5, 2020 Palm/Passion Sunday

Matthew 21:1–11 & Matthew 26:14–27:66 Jesus’ Passion

Jesus gives his life for us to bring his kingdom. (#560)

Mass: Introductory (Gathering) Rites Welcoming others Sign of the Cross

EAST

ER

April 12 & 19, 2020 Easter Sunday and 2nd Sunday of Easter

John 20:1–9 & John 20:19–31 Jesus Is Risen

Jesus is risen. (#656–658) Church Year: Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday Sharing the Easter story Divine Mercy Prayer:

Jesus, I trust in you.

April 26, 2020 3rd Sunday of Easter

Luke 24:13–35 Jesus Appears on Road to Emmaus

Jesus is present with us in the Mass. (#1343) Eucharist Meeting Jesus at Mass

and in the Gospels Alleluia

May 3, 2020 4th Sunday of Easter

John 10:1–10 Jesus Is the Good Shepherd

Jesus is our Good Shepherd. (#754, 764)

Mass: gathering as community (Jesus’ flock) Showing I care Psalm 23

May 10, 2020 5th Sunday of Easter

John 14:1–12 Jesus Is the Way, Truth, and Life

The Church is Christ’s Body. (#1698)

Mass: gathering as a community Belonging to the Church Short Prayer of Love

The topics included in this Scope and Sequence chart are subject to minor changes, which will be reflected in the Teaching Guides throughout the catechetical year. To print copies of this chart, visit gospelweeklies.com/scope-and-sequence.

2019–2020 Scope and Sequence

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