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FEATURED VIDEO (4:38) – On this Feast of the Holy Family, Fr. Edward shares the story of Jesus’ visit to the temple, and how while He is in His father’s house, Jesus returns home with His parents, showing His obedience and dedication to living a human life. VIEW MORE VIDEOS

CATHOLIC KIDS BULLETIN

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SERMONS 4 KIDS – GOSPEL

In My Father’s House

Objects suggested: TV remote, a book, car keys — any item we might easily misplace.

Have you ever misplaced something? Of course you have. We have all done that, haven’t we? Perhaps we were reading a book and put it down and then later couldn’t remember where we put it. Maybe we were watching television and couldn’t remember where we put the remote control. I have even put my coffee cup in the microwave oven and later couldn’t remember where it was. What do we do when we misplace something? We usually retrace our steps to all of the places we have been until we find it.

Our Bible lesson today is about some parents who misplaced something. Now, these weren’t just any parents — it was Mary and Joseph — the parents of Jesus. Mary and Joseph didn’t misplace something like a book or some keys. They misplaced Jesus! Here is how it happened.

CLICK on title TO READ ENTIRE SERMON

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Crossword
Coloring Page
Word Search

SOURCE: SERMONS 4 Kids – All Rights Reserved

SERMON WRITER – GOSPEL

Jesus and His Parents

By Dr. Carol J Miller

Objects suggested: None

Jesus must have been having a great time with his friends! His family and a lot of other families were doing something special! The whole group was walking all the way to Jerusalem—the biggest city most of them had ever seen. Have you been to a big city? [Accept all answers]. Cities are exciting. Even more exiting was the fact that they were going to Jerusalem to celebrate their favorite holiday: Passover! At Passover they remembered how God saved their ancestors from being slaves in Egypt. There was always lots of food and games and special prayers.

Since Jesus was 12, he didn’t have to walk with his parents; he could walk with his friends and they could fool around and tease each other and have fun. Well, on the way home, after Passover, Jesus’ parents didn’t see him, but they figured he was walking with his friends. They walked a whole day before they discovered that Jesus had been left in Jerusalem!

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SOURCE: Sermon Writer: Children’s Sermons – All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan; Video added by SermonPrep.org

SERMON WRITER – GOSPEL

Obedience of a Son

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Objects suggested: None

Would it surprise you to know that when Jesus was a child he did something that caused his parents to be very worried about him?

Jesus is the Son of God, but he also came into the world as a baby. When he was twelve years old, he traveled with his parents to Jerusalem for a festival (of the Passover.) There were many people in the city for this celebration. When the festival was over his parents left to go back to their home. They thought Jesus was with the large group of family and friends, who were traveling together, but Jesus had stayed behind in the city and his parents did not know it.

His parents traveled one entire day before they realized that Jesus was not with them. They began looking for him among their friends and relatives. Then they returned to the city and searched for him for three days.

They finally found Jesus in the temple. He was “sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions” (2:46). “All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers” (2:47).

SOURCE: Sermon Writer: Children’s Sermons – All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan; Video added by SermonPrep.org

SERMON WRITER – GOSPEL

What’s the Question

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Objects suggested: A poster with a large question mark printed on it.

Look at this poster and tell me what you see. Yes, a question mark. What does that mean? It means there is something unknown. It means more information is needed.

We see questions marks in books when the character in a book asks a question. We see questions marks on tests when the teacher wants to know if you understand the lessons.

We also hear questions. When someone asks a question, it means that person needs help and is wondering if another person might know the answer to their question. The question might be, “Where is the library?” or “What time is it?” or “Can you come out and play?”

SOURCE: Sermon Writer: Children’s Sermons – All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan; Video added by SermonPrep.org

CATHOLIC KIDS BULLETIN

Teacher and mom, THERESA, creates Kids’ Bulletins, a resource for Catholic kids about the readings for Sunday’s Mass every week. More resources from Theresa can be found at Teachers Pay Teachers website. Click on image/text to download entire bulletin for your children.

Society of Christian Doctrine

Speak, Lord — Sunday Worksheet

SDC is a society of lay catechists that started in Malta in 1907. Worksheets can be downloaded and printed for use during Sunday Mass or handed out to children at school prior to the weekend. They are also used by parents who download them to use with their children at home.

DIOCESE OF SALFORD

Wordsearch

Feel free to copy and paste it into your parish publications.

Clipart  © McCrimmons used with permission. All rights reserved; Text  © 2018 Diocese of Salford Office for Liturgy

CATHOLIC MOM

Coloring Page

Gospel Reading, Sunday Coloring Page,Lesson Plans, Mass Worksheets, Crossword Puzzle, Word Search

YOUNG CATHOLICS

This Week’s Resources

The readings for the Feast of the Holy Family Year C focus on consecration, holiness, and sacred spaces. In the first reading we hear about God’s joy in us. The alternate first reading tells of how Samuel was dedicated to the Lord by his mother Hannah. The psalm speaks of family as a blessing. The alternate psalm speaks of the beauty of God’s dwelling place. In the second reading we hear that love is the perfect bond. The alternate second reading we are told that we are children of God. The gospel the story when the Holy Family went to Jerusalem and Jesus was lost and then found at the temple, which he called his “Father’s house”.

Resources for the 4th Sunday of Advent Year C

SOURCE: Young Catholics: Posts related to upcoming Sunday Mass readings and feast days for saints

Family Activities

SOURCE: Our Sunday Visitor: Lifelong Catechesis

FEATURED VIDEO

5 Christmas Games for Kids

KIDS MINISTRY TOOLS (3:36) – Christmas games for kids each a simple idea that can bring a lot of fun to your Jr church or Sunday school class. Does not really put a lot of emphasis on religious aspect, though. 

ADORERS OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST

The Feast of the Holy Family

Make a list of the people who you are in your family and then write down ways you can show them you love them. Younger kids can draw pictures of those who are in their family. Write down the names of people or draw pictures of people who are not of your family who help you and also need to know you love them. ( such as you teacher or priest of next door neighbor ) people who have been kind to you and shown you love. You could make each of them a card out of paper telling them how much you care for them and thank them for being a part of your life.

SOURCE: Children’s Liturgy

Word Sunday

Time Together, Time of Stress

Children’s Readings

How was Christmas with your family? Was it peaceful? Full of happiness? Explain.

God chose you. After all, he made you holy. And he loves you very much. So, act with compassion. Be kind, gentle, and humble. Be patient with others. Take time to understand each other. Forgive each other, even if someone complains about another Christian. Remember, the Lord forgave you. You should do the same. Above all, love others the way you would like to be loved. This kind of love will completely bind you together.

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Bridging Question: How many of you have moved in the past two or three years? How hard is it on you and your family?

Joseph was a good carpenter. It took a long time to build up his shop and his reputation. Now, he could enjoy being a father because he had the time and the money to support his family.

Mary bore Jesus. Joseph, Mary and Jesus moved into the house Joseph build with his brothers and cousins. As soon as the family unpacked everything, Joseph began to hear news from Jerusalem, the capitol. Herod, the mad king, was throwing another fit and someone was going to pay! The people who suffered from his fits were usually the poor, like Joseph and his family.

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Closing Question: What’s more important, Christmas gifts or family? Why?

Word Sunday

Letting Go

In Luke’s gospel, this narrative of the teen Jesus acted as a rite of passage. Jesus was no longer a boy, but a man, for he was instructing the Teachers of the Law in the Temple. He was beginning to fulfill his Father’s will.

The hardest part of being a parent is letting go, allowing children to take responsibility and self-initiative. Sometimes they disappoint us. Sometimes they surprise us. On the New Year’s Eve, take time to reflect you’re your family’s growth. Talk as a family how members have taken more “grown-up” decisions. Talk about the wisdom they have acquired. And talk about the coming year and what growth family members expect to make. End the discussion with a prayer for the family. (Don’t forget to pray for the parents who need to let go.)

SOURCE: Word-Sunday.com All materials found in word-sunday.com are the property of Larry Broding (©1999-2021). Viewers may copy any material found in these pages for their personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.

CATHOLIC ART TEACHER

St Nicholas Advent Week 4

RECOMMENDED: Resources for Catholic Educators

Christmas Tree Symbolism & Meaning

THE RELIGION TEACHER (3:57) – What is the meaning of the Christmas tree and the many things we use to decorate them? In this video you will take a tour through the many Christian symbols of the Christmas tree including: Evergreen , Evergreen Tree, Christmas Lights, Ornaments, Star, and Angel.

MORE VIDEOS FROM THE RELIGION TEACHER

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The Meaning of the Advent Wreath

The Second Coming of Christ | Advent

The Names of Jesus Christ

St. John the Baptist and the Season of Advent

What is Gaudete Sunday? 3 Things to Know about the 3rd Sunday of Advent

What are the Advent "O Antiphons"?

Christmas Tree Symbolism & Meaning

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SUNDAY CONNECTION

The Holy Family

Gospel Reading:

Mary visits Elizabeth, who sings praise to Mary and her child.

Making the Connection

Grades 1,2, and 3: Younger children generally want to please adults, but they may still need support in following family rules. Help children understand the importance of obeying their parents and other adults who care for them by pointing out that as a child, Jesus honored and obeyed his family.

Grades 4-6: Older children are learning that they have an important role to play in helping make their families strong. We can encourage them to continue to show respect and honor to their parents by following the example of Jesus and asking for Jesus’ help in prayer.

Grades 7 and 8: An adolescent’s growing desire for autonomy and independence sometimes leads to conflict with parents. We can help young people understand that they can disagree with their parents while remaining respectful and obedient to them.

CLICK title for LESSON PLANS

SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved

MISSION BIBLE CLASS

THE LITURGY CENTRE

Dramatized Christmas Gospel

CLICK above TO DOWNLOAD ENTIRE RESOURCE

SOURCE: the Liturgy Centre, Catholic Diocese of Auckland

WEEKLY READ ALOUD

NO READ ALOUD FOR THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE

A Father’s Love

In A Father’s Love, fourteen year old David sets off to hunt the Christmas goose, a tradition that has been passed down from his grandfather to his father, and now to him. Unfortunately, his irritating little sister, Rose, has decided to join him. David just wants to find the geese, shoot one, and go home. But before the geese are spotted, David and Rose find themselves up a tree, hiding from an angry mother bear protecting her cubs. As night draws near, a heavy snow begins to fall and David and Rose fear for their lives. How can their father possibly find them in the dark and cold? How will they survive the night? Ultimately this beautiful story encompasses family love and the lengths all creatures will go in order to protect it.

The love of Joseph for God and God’s son, Jesus and his mother Mary spurs him on to do all that he can to protect the child and his mother. Joseph is attentive to the instruction God gives him in the dream, to take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. This is very much an example of the sacrificial love that parents often enter into when caring for their children and spouses. Think about the many small and large sacrifices that have been made for you on the part of your parents. In fact, there are probably a great many that you may not even be aware.

SOURCE: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University; “Build. Plant. Grow.” = a free faith formation resource which aligns with the Liturgical Year of the Roman Catholic Church. The accompanying video is NOT associated with Markkula Center.

Virtue of the Week

Sacrificial Love

Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14

The Book of Sirach is classified as wisdom literature and as such offers sound advice for living life. The details of the interrelations among family members is spelled out and it speaks clearly of “honoring” those significant individuals in our lives, parents and children alike. This advice would be well to keep in mind as we are called to honor all people as images of of God.

Colossians 3: 12-21

Saint Paul writes this heartfelt letter to the Colossians and speaks of wearing the beautiful virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience as garments. Saint Paul’s image of wearing these virtues as clothing illustrates how we are to have them close to our persons to recognize that we are to be clothed in them so that they reveal who we are and how we are to act in the world. Binding all of these virtues together is the ultimate gift of love, for it is out of sincere love that these virtues become true practices in our lives.

Luke 2 : 41 – 52

Today’s gospel presents us with Joseph having an experience, yet again, of God coming to him in a dream. You will recall that it was in a dream that God told Joseph to take Mary into his home and now he is instructed to protect Mary and Jesus by fleeing into Egypt. Joseph remains open to all of God’s commands even though they come in a dream-like fashion. Each person in a family has a dream for their life and for their family. Clearly the primary figure in this passage is Joseph and although he does not say a word, his actions speak loudly of his trust in God.

SOURCE: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University; “Build. Plant. Grow.” = a free faith formation resource which aligns with the Liturgical Year of the Roman Catholic Church.

ACTIVITY of the Week

Journal Writing

Step One: Have the students begin a journal that would record the sacrificial love that they have experienced in their lives and also to write accounts of what sacrificial love they may have offered to others in their life.

Step Two: The journal entries would be on-going, possibly through the New year, since the Feast of the Holy Family normally occurs very near the calendar New Year. If they choose to they might reproduce the journal so that they may have two copies: one for their mother for presenting on Mother’s Day and likewise one for their father to present on Father’s Day.

What could you do today?

“Thank you” is a very important statement in life and often we do not express our thanks adequately to the persons that do the most for us. In fact, there is a real danger that we may become so accustomed to the many sacrificial acts of love we receive from our parents or guardians that we forget to thank them. Besides the journal entries that would comprise a book to present to your parents, it would be good to show thanks in as many creative ways as possible. A homemade thank you card, an extra chore done without being asked, a hug accompanied with the words thank you as a surprise are just a few examples. What else can you think of?

DOWNLOAD LESSON (PDF)

SOURCE: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University; “Build. Plant. Grow.” = a free faith formation resource which aligns with the Liturgical Year of the Roman Catholic Church.

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