Teaching Catholic Kids

Beginnings

Imagine being able to start totally over: all impressions of you in the minds of others – everyone – are wiped away! You may step into today fresh, clean, without preconception, without “story”; you, in fact, are new.

Before celebrating what a refreshing event that might be, consider this: with the wiping away of the mistakes you’ve made, the bad impressions you’ve left, the wonderful things you have done, the events – mistakes included – that formed your character and the backbone-strength of your personality would also be wiped away.

Would we want new beginnings to be that new?

Certainly not! Such a hope or dream would deny the ability and intent of Almighty God to bring good out of our missteps, to refine us with the fires of our own doings, to fashion gold out of the raw material we bring to Him.
So, then, how may we begin anew, now that we stand here at the beginning of a new catechetical year? Let’s do so by slipping our hands into God’s hand, take a good look at who we are and who it is He is calling us to be, and find ways to s-t-r-e-t-c-h ourselves this year, more and more into His likeness.

Year of St. Paul special web section

Celebrate the Year of St. Paul! Our special section includes a biography, history, interactive presentation, Scripture, prayers, links and more! There's special stuff for kids, too--a downloadable St. Paul coloring book and a page of activities from Take Out. Visit the Year of St. Paul by clicking here»

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This month on TCK

Feature Article: "Begin by Believing" reflection»

Activity One: Saints of August»

Activity Two: Thank You Prayer activity»

Teacher Pattern: Shine the spotlight on Mary»

Soul Food for Teachers: Quotes for Beginners»

Cathechist Know-how: "Getting Our Attention" by Mary Lou Rosien»

How do you bring Jesus into your familys' lives? Let OSV help!

Catholic Parent Know-How: Living Faith is an 8-page booklet that helps bring the love of Christ into your family.  Find out more here»

Prayer

Lord Jesus, this is the start of a new catechetical year. How is my faith, Lord? How can it be new? What do You have in store for me? How will You touch me this year? How will I touch You? Lead me, Lord. Help me to know what I should want from You and help me to know what You want from me.

(Adapted from Kelley Renz’s God Listens to Our Children: Kids’ Prayers for Every Day of the Liturgical Year, 2006. Encourage your parents to order copies for their children.)

Correction notice for 'The Big Book of Family Celebrations'

Our Sunday Visitor regrets the presence of several mistakes in this book’s third chapter. The corrected version of this Family Gathering may be downloaded by clicking here»

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