Teaching Catholic Kids October 2009

Respecting Life Starts at Home

As you may know, October is Respect Life month. While most people appropriately think about national right to life issues, a recent discussion with my son, Tim, has made me realize there’s a lot I can do to support this cause right at home.

Tim often gets frustrated with himself when things don’t go right. He can be extremely hard on himself. Since the death of Michael Jackson, I’ve found that Tim has been listening to the song “Man in the Mirror” quite a bit. This is a song that suggests that we look at ways to improve ourselves before we can change the world. While I’m sure the meaning of the song is above a seven-year-old’s comprehension, I’ve used it as an opportunity for discussion. We first need to love and respect ourselves before we can do the same for others. This has been what I have been praying the hardest for in my prayers for Tim. As a family we continue to help Tim see the good in himself, to know what his talents and gifts are, and to know that God created him and made him special. These are ways we can carry out the respect life principal in small but profound ways.

Children have so many pressures at home, at school, with friends. It’s easy for them to feel like they are not good enough or don’t fit in. This month, with your children and students, pray that we all may respect life, from the moment of conception until natural death—and everything in between!

May God bless!

Dave

This month on TCK

Activity One: (Grades K-5): Saint Damien of Molokai (to be canonized on October 11, 2009)»

Activity Two (Grade 6 and up): Based on the maturity level of your group, select appropriate excerpts from this chapter on respecting one’s body. Review and discuss “The Point Is” with the young people. Read Chapter 7 from Amy Welborn's Prove It! You (PDF)»

Teacher Pattern: Pray a decade of the Rosary in honor of Respect Life month. Download this how-to sheet (PDF)»

Soul Food for Teachers: A reflection from Take Five: Meditations with Pope Benedict XVI»

Catechist Know-How: From Mary Lou Rosien, "All Souls Day" and (extra feature) "Should Catholics 'Do the Dare'?»

Please send your ideas and comments to me: ddziena@osv.com.

Product recommendations

New for 2010! Baobab Blast Catholic Vacation Bible School Explore God's Great Get-Together--"From East to West, the powerful Lord God has been calling together everyone on Earth" (Ps 50:1) Visit Catholic VBS»

First Reconciliation Poster

Just Like Mary and other titles by Rosemarie Gortler & Donna Piscitelli

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Email Dave Dziena, TCK editor: ddziena@osv.com.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born into eternal life. Amen.

[from Catholic Prayer Book for Children]