October 2011

Celebrate Life!

baby As my seven-year-old son was rolling his eyes at the prospect of doing chores recently, I launched into a conversation about how our home is one of the important things we own and it is important that we all pitch in to keep it clean and well maintained. He responded wisely, “But a house is not the most important thing we own… that’s our life, right Mom?” Ah, how kids help keep things in perspective. Life is our most important possession, more important than anything we “own”. We believe that life is a gift from God and the value and dignity of all human life is celebrated in a special way throughout the month of October. This month, thank God for the gift of life and pray daily for God’s guidance in the respect of all human life.

E-mail Heidi

May God bless your family with health, happiness and holiness!

--Heidi Busse and the OSV staff
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This month on Teaching Catholic Kids

New feature! October at a Glance (PDF download)

Activity One: (Grades K-5): Guardian Angel Fun!

Activity Two (Grade 6 and up): Angels: Messengers from Heaven

Questions:

Do you ever call upon your Guardian Angel with you are facing a challenge at home or at school? What might you say to them and how might they help you?
Angels are messengers of the Lord. Have you ever felt that you were receiving a message from God? How did you respond?

Lifelong Catechesis Corner:
The gospels throughout the month of October focus on God's justice as above and beyond human justice. In the gospel of Matthew (22:34-40), a scribe tries to trap Jesus in matters of the Law. He asks Jesus if he knows the greatest commandment, and Jesus replies that we are to love God above all and to love each other as we love ourselves. This is the basis for the Catholic Church teachings on Social Justice. Because we were created out of divine love for the purpose of love, human persons should be treated with dignity and respect. Cherishing all life from the womb to the tomb is Christ's message and mission. Activities online at Lifelong Catechesis page.

Catholic Stewardship for Kids:

Think of some ways to support all of human life … from the unborn, to young children, to the elderly. Maybe you could collect dimes for the March of Dimes premature baby fund or use some of your allowance money to support pro-life causes. Visit a local nursing home or an elderly relative who is lonely and in need of someone to talk to. Over dinner tonight, talk about some ways that your family might become a witness to the dignity of human life.

Soul Food for Teachers: The Gift of Gratitude

Catechist Know-How: 'Works with Faith' from Mary Lou Rosien

Prayer

Thank you, God for the gift of life
light, air, health, family and friends.
Thank you for the gift of this day.
Bless us with the courage to see
Your divine presence in everyone we meet.
Amen.

Also on www.TeachingCatholicKids.com: