August 2010

Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time is anything but ordinary.

In the Church’s liturgical calendar, ordinary simply means numbered; the Sundays of Ordinary Time are known by their numbers. What Ordinary Time celebrates is everything that happens between the birth of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit, as well as all that has happened since. As an important part of that annual cycle of celebration, the Church honors Jesus by honoring Mary, his Mother and the first disciple. In August, we remember Mary in a special way as we celebrate her Assumption.

Celebrate Ordinary Time! -- Dave

Email me at ddziena@osv.com to share your suggestions.

This month on Teaching Catholic Kids

Ordinary Time Resources»

Activity One: (Grades K-5): Mary, Mother of Jesus coloring activity»

Activity Two (Grade 6 and up): “Mary” Tea Light craft»

Teacher Pattern: Rosary Craft»

Now available! Click for a sample» Click here to order»

New Feature! Lifelong Catechesis Corner: Here is one way that your family can practice living your “yes” to God during Ordinary Time. Recall that Mary helped her cousin Elizabeth. As a family, reach out to others. Set aside time for family members to visit relatives, parishioners, or neighbors who are hospitalized, homebound, elderly, alone, or living in care centers. Young children can make and bring small tokens of cheer. Older children and adults can seek practical ways to be helpful.

Catholic Stewardship for Kids: Call Your Mother Word Scramble Puzzle»

Soul Food for Teachers: Meditation from My Daily Visitor»

Catechist Know-How: From Mary Lou Rosien, "The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit"»

TCK archives: Our past months are always available, with resources and free downloads»

New Product Highlights

• Be an Amazing Catechist: Inspire the Faith of Children by Lisa Mladinich is now available.
  • Read more & order here»
  • See the author interviewed on CatholicTV here (forward to six-minute mark)»
• Allelu! Growing and Celebrating with Jesus—New Early Childhood Program! Visit www.allelu.com for more information. Child/Family Activity Sheets are now available in Spanish, too!
• Faith Fusion: Knowing, Loving, and Serving Christ in the Catholic Church—An Overview of the Catholic Faith for Junior High. Visit www.faithfusion.com for more details. New material added!
• Order Now: Why Be a Catechist»

We hope these new resources will continue OSV's mission of bringing your Catholic faith to life!

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Recommended for you!

• Take Out: Family Faith on the Go. See a PDF sample here» Then call 800-348-2440 to order! 

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Prayer

Gracious and all-loving Father, ut of love for all people you spoke your Word who became flesh for our salvation. May your Word transform me so that the message of your Son, our Lord, may be echoed through my teaching. Allow me to guide the hearts of those whom I teach in such a way that they will enter more deeply into your way of truth and salvation. Grant me the insight needed to lead them to know, love, and serve you. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may they become hearers and followers of your Word, so that they might help transform the world to follow the way of life to which your Son has called us all, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

This prayer is from the new book, Be An Amazing Catechist, by Lisa Mladinich. Call 800-348-2440 to preorder.