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CATHOLIC KIDS BULLETIN

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SERMONS 4 KIDS

THE WIDOW’S MITE

Objects suggested: An offering plate and bills and coins in various denominations

Every week we take an offering during the worship service. As you know, the ushers walk up and down the aisles and pass the offering plate down each and every row. People place their offerings to God in the plate. When they have finished passing the offering plate, it may look like this one that I have with me this morning. Here is a twenty dollar bill, and a ten. Here is a five and there are a lot of one dollar bills. Down in the bottom of the plate there are even some coins, Look, someone even put in some pennies.

Who do you think gave the most? Was it the person who put in the twenty dollar bill? The ten? The five? We can be sure it wasn’t the one who put in the pennies, can’t we?

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RELATED ACTIVITIES

Crossword
Coloring Page
Word Search

SOURCE: SERMONS 4 Kids – All Rights Reserved; Video added by SermonPrep.org

SERMONS 4 KIDS

GIVING OUR ALL

Objects suggested: A poster with “Classroom Rules”

I imagine that most of you have seen a list of rules like this in your classroom at school. One day last week I walked through the school and every classroom I walked into had a list of rules on the wall. Even though there were some slight differences, most of them said pretty much the same thing. They said things like:

If you were to ask me which classroom rule is most important, I know what I would say. I would say that the most important rule is to respect and obey your teacher and the second is very much like it — be kind and show respect for your fellow students. If we would just follow those two rules, there really wouldn’t be a need for any more.

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SOURCE: SERMONS 4 Kids – All Rights Reserved; Video added by SermonPrep.org

SERMON WRITER

BEING REAL

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Objects suggested: Peacock feather, if available. (Check with the zoo.)
Pictures of peacocks

A peacock is one of the most colorful birds you will ever see. The male has bright blue and green tail feathers that are several feet long. When he wants to attract attention he spreads his tail feathers out into a beautiful fan. (Show pictures.) As you can see, at the end of each feather, there is a remarkable design that has the appearance of an eye.

Peacocks are large, powerful birds weighing six to thirteen pounds, but they are not strong fliers. They spend most of their time on the ground looking for food.

When a peacock spreads his tail feathers into a fan he also has a certain walk that could be called a strut. (Demonstrate) It is as if he is saying, “Look at me. Aren’t I beautiful? Please give me your attention.”

In the Bible Jesus describes people who were much like peacocks. They wore long robes that prevented them from doing practical work. They liked to be treated with respect in the marketplaces. They sat at the best places in the churches and at banquets. They liked to be seen and admired by others. Like a peacock, they seemed to be saying, “Look at me. Give me your attention.”

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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

GIVING ALL

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Objects suggested: A copy of the book “The Giving Tree”

Get a copy of “The Giving Tree,” written by Shel Silverstein, from the library and read it to the children, sharing the illustrations with them. If time is more limited, summarize the general concept of the book.

Some of you may know the story of The Giving Tree. It is a story about an apple tree that loved a little boy very much. In the beginning the little boy spent a lot of time playing in and around the tree.

As the boy got older he spent less and less time with the tree, but when he did come to visit he talked about things he wanted. First he wanted money, then he wanted to build a house and after that he wanted to build a boat so he could sail away.

Each time the tree gave him what he wanted – its apples to sell so he would have money, its branches so he could build a house, and finally its trunk so he could build a boat. Giving made the tree happy.

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

SERMON WRITER

TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE

By Dell Smith Klein

Objects suggested: Ten one-dollar-bills.

Have you ever worked hard at home or at your grandparent’s house and afterwards they gave you money? (Allow children to answer.) That happened to the twins, Kyle and Kelly. They worked hard every day for a week at their Grandparents’ home. They pulled up weeds and raked everything up into piles. They cleaned all the weeds and grass out of the flowerbed along the sidewalk and they helped plant flowers in the flowerbed.

That Saturday, their grandparents gave Kyle five one-dollar bills. (Pick up the stack of bills, and count out five bills.) And they gave Kelly five one-dollar bills. (Count out the second stack of bills.) They were so excited to have so much money.

On the way home, they talked about what they would buy. Kyle wanted a solar powered dump truck. Kelly decided she would like a new journal so she could write in it each day.

The next morning, when they went to church the pastor talked about a special project to give toys and food to homeless families. People could put money in a box at the back of the church if they wanted to help.

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

SERMONS 4 KIDS

WHAT’S IN YOUR HEART

Objects suggested: Several coins of various values from small to large and a bag of pennies to pass out to the children.

I enjoy taking walks in the neighborhood where I live. Sometimes on my walk, I will find a coin in the street. If it is a penny, I might not even bother stop to pick it up. After all, a penny isn’t worth much. If I find some other coin that is worth more than a penny, I will probably stop, pick it up and put it in my pocket. If I am lucky enough to find a dollar, do you think I would stop and pick it up? You know I would!

You and I sometimes look at other people and form an opinion about them by how much money they have. If there is a child in your class at school whose parents have a lot of money, is that child treated better than others in the class? If there is someone who doesn’t have much and can’t afford to wear nice clothes, are they treated the same as those who have a lot of money? When we see a homeless person on the street, do we look at that person the same way we look at someone who lives in a big, fancy house?

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SOURCE: SERMONS 4 Kids – All Rights Reserved; Video added by SermonPrep.org

SERMON WRITER

LEARNING TO TRUST

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Objects suggested: None

Today let’s talk about one of the Bible’s most famous characters: Elijah. Elijah had long, thick hair. He wore some type of garment tied around his waist that was probably made of leather. He sometimes wore a sheepskin cape around his shoulders. That description gives us a picture of a man quite different from someone we would see today.

He was a man of endurance and traveled in the hills where he came to know God.

God asked him to go to a place called Zarephath. At that time there was a drought. There had been no rain, the plants had died, and people were having trouble getting enough food to eat.

Elijah probably wondered how he would survive in such a place. God told Elijah there would be a woman there who will feed you.

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

CATHOLIC KIDS BULLETIN

Recent Issues

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

Unscramble the Verse Puzzle

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

YOUNG CATHOLICS

This Week’s Resources

The readings for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B challenge us to remember that all we have comes from God and we must be willing to give back. In the first reading a widow shares what little she has with Elijah, and she is rewarded with abundance. The psalm praises God for his generosity and mercy. The second reading Paul tells us that Jesus offered himself for our salvation once and for all. And in the gospel, Jesus observes the poor widow who generously gives what little she has to the treasury.

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

OBJECT LESSON

How Can You Live for God?

Family Activities

SOURCE: Our Sunday Visitor: Lifelong Catechesis

FEATURED SONG: INTERMEDIATE

The Widow’s Mite Song

ADORERS OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST

Giving to Others

Activity: Ask the children to draw or write on their index cards time and talents that they could give. For example: ½ hour after school to help someone with their homework instead of going to play right away or singing at Mass. Each time or talent should be on its own card. While they are doing that, redistribute the play money from the baskets. Each child should be given $10 again. When they all have created 2 or 3 index cards and have their money again ask they to take a minute of silence to talk to God about how they should spend their time, talent and money. After a minute or two invite them to again put their money, as well as their time and talent cards, into the baskets. Count the money in each basket. Discuss the different outcome.

SOURCE: Children’s Liturgy

FEATURED VIDEO

The Widow’s Mite for Kids

Word Sunday

Sharing With Others

Children’s Readings

Opening Question: Have you ever shared your lunch with someone? What happened?

Bobby was starving. He forgot to take his lunch to school. And he was too embarrassed to ask anyone for something to eat. So, he sat alone while his classmates talked about many exciting things.

“Can I sit here?” a voice asked. It was Tom, one of Bobby’s better friends. Tom didn’t wait for an answer. He just sat down and opened his lunch bag. He had a sandwich, an apple, a juice box, and cookies for dessert. “What’s going on?” Tom inquired.

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Bridging Question: Sacrifice means to give up something for someone else. Who has sacrificed something for you?

Jillian, Rebecca, Deanna stood in the ticket line for the movie theater at the mall. The three friends had planned for this day. They had saved for this movie. A romantic comedy. The chatting among the three girls was constant and joyful. They all had high expectations for the movie experience.

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Closing Question: What little things can we give up for the good of others?

Cleaning Out Closets

Sacrifice is an ugly word these days. No one wants to think about it, much less do anything about it. Yet, we all make choices to give up a pleasure or ambition for something greater. The gospel of the poor widow spoke volumes. This poor woman sacrificed all for the greater good. In return, she implicitly trusted God would care for her in her need.

Like the widow’s simple gift, a simple chore like cleaning out a closet can raise the question of sacrifice. Have your family members help each other clean out cluttered closets. (This weekend might be the perfect time for a “fall cleaning” in anticipation of holiday gift giving.) Divide the clutter into three piles: “Give Away,” “Might Keep,” “Definitely Keep.” After the closet is cleaned out, go through the “Keep” piles. Remind your family members about the parable of the widow’s sacrifice. How much can your family members sacrifice? How much can they do without, and trust God for the rest?

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.

RECOMMENDED: Resources for Catholic Educators

PURSE GOD KIDS

PURSUE GOD KIDS (2:39) – Generosity means giving something away even when it hurts. That’s what Jesus did, and we should too!

SUNDAY CONNECTION

GENEROSITY

GRADES 4-6

Generosity is a trait we wish to encourage and develop in our children. We teach generosity by encouraging trust in God, who will care for us when we share with others.

Materials Needed: a tripod

1. Ask: Which would be more difficult: giving away a shirt you have outgrown or giving away your favorite shirt while it still fits you? (Giving away something that no longer fits us, while difficult, is usually easier.) Which is a more generous gift: giving away something that no longer fits or giving away your favorite shirt even when you can still wear it? (giving away your favorite shirt)
2. Say: One way we judge generosity is by the sacrifice required to make the gift. It is much more difficult to give away a piece of clothing we like very much and still fits. It requires us to make a sacrifice, to give up something we like in order to share with another person.
3. Say: In today’s Gospel, Jesus notices people putting money in the collection box at the Temple. Let’s listen to what Jesus observes.

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

THE LITURGY CENTRE

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

8-12 Year Olds

A good place to begin is with the question: What did you hear? Allow children the opportunity to respond in their own words to hearing the Word of God. When each has had an opportunity to speak you might begin general discussion by building on to their responses, perhaps using some prepared questions, like the following, to stimulate ideas:

• What would you do if you had two dollars to spend on a present for someone else? Talk about what fun it is to work out what we can do with two dollars and look out for some creative ideas like buying material to make something. How do you feel when people enjoy what you chose for them? What is it like when people say thank you? Can you think of some ways you can be generous to others without needing to spend any money? (sharing our time, talents, helpfulness, keeping our promises and commitments we make to others)
• Jesus wanted to teach his disciples about what it means to be generous. Who did he use as an example to them? Why did Jesus say she was more generous that the rich people even though she only gave two small coins? If you were Jesus teaching the disciples, what would you hope would happen next in this story? (the disciples might share some food with her or share some coins so she could buy some food)
• Can you think of someone else who was generous in the first story we read? What did she have to share? How difficult do you think it would have been for her to obey Elijah? What did she expect to have left for herself and her son? How are the woman in the Gospel and the woman in the first reading alike? How are they different? What do you think Jesus wants us to learn about God’s generosity? What do you think Jesus wants us to learn about being generous too?
• Can you think of some wonderfully generous gifts that God gives all of us, every day? (good homes, food, families, friends, lots of sunshine to keep us warm, rain to make the plants grow, plenty of fresh air to keep us healthy, a beautiful world to make us happy)

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SOURCE: the Liturgy Centre, Catholic Diocese of Auckland

WEEKLY READ ALOUD

STORY TIME (7:59)

Following the Drinking Gourd

Follow the Drinking Gourd is a wonderful illustration of the virtue of trust. Throughout the story, trust is essential to those who work to free others from slavery. The story begins when a peg-legged sailor aids slaves with their escape plans. While working for various plantation owners, Peg-Leg Joe teaches the slaves a song about the “drinking gourd:” the star constellation the Big Dipper. The slaves learn to make their escape by following the song’s direction.

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

Trust

Reading I: 1 Kings 17:10-16

Today’s first reading emphasizes the trust shown by both the prophet Elijah and the widow of Zarepath. Elijah is traveling into a hostile territory, but trusts that God will watch over and protect him. When he encounters the widow of Zarepath, Elijah asks her for assistance. Although the woman explains that she has little to offer him, Elijah announces that if she feeds him, the Lord will provide for her and her son. Trusting that the prophet’s words are true, she does what is requested and her trust is rewarded, for the jar of flour did not go empty nor did the jug of oil run dry as the Lord foretold through Elijah. The trust of the prophet and the widow brought about both physical and spiritual abundance as the Lord promised.

Reading 2: Hebrews 9:24-28

The author of the book of Hebrews speaks about how believers are called to have absolute trust in the one who gave himself as a sacrifice on the cross. The writer proclaims that Jesus is the seal to the new covenant and that this covenant will not be revoked by God. We can trust that Jesus has given his own blood to seal this new covenant with our God and that this sacrifice brings our forgiveness and reconciliation. We are called to place trust in the love that God has shown for us through this perfect sacrifice for all of humanity.

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

This passage in the Gospel of Mark illustrates the complete and utter trust of the widow, who believed that God would care for her. As is common in Mark’s Gospel, we find this story of trust amidst stories about people who believe that they are above others. As Jesus says, this self-confidence and lack of trust in God will be their undoing.

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

Worry and Trust Don’t Mix

Materials Needed: •Cooking Oil •Water •Food coloring •Three clear containers (2 small and 1 large) •Masking tape •Sharpie

Step One: Show the students the supplies you have and identify each one.

Step Two: Pour the oil into one of the small, clear containers and as you do so, explain to the students that oil is going to represent “worry.” Ask the students what it means to be worried. Label the container “Worry.”

Step Three: Place water into the second small container and add food coloring so that the water can be seen more clearly. Explain to the students that the colored water will represent “trust in God” and label the container this. Ask the students what they think “trust in God” means.

Step Four: Ask the students if they think that God wants us to worry or to trust. Ask them if they think it is possible to worry and to trust in God at the same time.

Step Five: Pour the contents of the “worry” container and the “trust in God” container into the third container. At first, the two will appear to mix, but have the students see that they eventually separate.

Step Six: Explain to the students that our hearts cannot hold onto worry while trusting in God. Tell them that God wants us to trust him whenever we are tempted to worry because he cares for us.

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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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