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Four County Catholic October 2012
Did You Know? October Respect Life month so be sure to talk about the gift of life and look at your baby photos. Ask your parents about your first day of being in your family. Read how God made you in Psalm 139. October 14-20 National Food Bank Week so collect canned foods and donate them to a food bank. Remember that when you feed a hungry person you are feeding Jesus (Matthew 25:35, 40, 41)
by Karen H Whiting
October15 National Cake Decorating Day. Decorate a cake, or let each family member decorate a cupcake, with symbols of faith such as a cross, dove, or fish. October24-30 Peace, friendship, and good will week. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Forgive people who have hurt you. Talk about how to peacefully when you disagree. Pray for peace. October31 Hallow’s Eve. Talk about saints and thank God for people who follow him.
Year of Faith October 11 is the beginning of the “Year of Faith “ for Catholics around the world. It’s a time to learn more about what we believe and to celebrate Jesus. Have fun with your family learning more about your faith with these activities: • Decorate a special box to be a treasure chest. On separate slips of paper write the different beliefs in the Nicene Creed (a creed is a statement of beliefs, and you say the Nicene Creed at Mass). Once a week take out one slip from the chest and chat about it as a family. Add other slips of paper with important beliefs of the church, such as prayers or the sacraments. • Celebrate the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Let each person talk about what Jesus did for us and what communion means. • As a family, recite the words Jesus gave us to pray. That’s the Our Father (also called the Lord’s Prayer). Pray after a meal or at bedtime. Talk about the meaning of the words. • Light a candle at dinner and talk about how Jesus is the light (John 8:12) and Jesus also called us to be lights to others (Matthew 5:14). • After church and CCD, take time to chat about what you learned about your faith and how you can put it in action. For example you may learn more about how God creates each baby and cares about life; and then decide to give a gift to a woman’s shelter or make a meal for someone who just had a baby. • Celebrate blessings and prayer answers. Read Malachi 3:10 and chat about blessings as gifts from God. God even calls children a blessing ((Psalm 127:3-5) and gives us gifts of family, a home, food, and clothing. Put a glass inside a bowl. Fill a pitcher with water. Use a tiny container (a cap or small measuring cup) and dip it into the pitcher and fill it every time someone names a blessing from God. Pour the water into the glass. Keep doing this until the water in the glass overflows into the bowl.
Celebrate Young Lives in the Bible For Respect Life month, try to match Bible babies and children with facts about them.
Isaac Cain Moses Shem Timothy Josiah
(Genesis 21) (Genesis 4:1-8) (Exodus 1, 12, 20) (Genesis 5:32, 7:13, 11, 10-26) (2 Timothy 1:5) (2 Kings 21-23)
Jesus (Luke 2, 23-24) John the Baptist (Luke 1, John 1) Samuel (1 Samuel 1-2) Jacob (Genesis 25:20-26, 35:22-26) Joseph (Genesis 30:22-25, 41) David (1 Samuel 17:12, 16:11, 2 Samuel 5)
1. Son of Abraham and Sarah Father planned to sacrifice him Had trouble with neighbors over wells
6. Son of Eunice, grandson of Lois Worker with Paul 2 Letters/Epistles written to him
2. Son of Elizabeth and Zacharias Lived in the desert and ate locusts Baptized Jesus
7. Son of Adam and Eve First baby in the Bible Killed his brother
3. Son of Hannah and ElkaniahMother dried in temple as she prayed to have a baby Served as a priest in Israel 4. Son of Jedidah and Amon Became king at eight years old Repaired the temple and found the lost book of God’s word 5. Son of Jesse, Grandson of Boaz and Ruth King in Israel God called him, “a man after my own heart “ A shepherd who played the lyre
8. Twin son of Isaac and Rebekah Father of the 12 tribes of Israel Brother named Esau 9. Son of Mary and Joseph Born in a stable Died for you 10. Oldest son of Noah Lived in an ark Ancestor of Abraham 11. Son of Jacob and Rachel Wore a coat of many colors Saved people from starving Interpreted dreams 12. Son of Amram and Jochebed Brought his people out of slavery in Egypt God gave him the Ten Commandments
Answer key: 1. Isaac 2.John the Baptist 3. Samuel 4. Josiah 5. David 6. Timothy 7. Cain 8. Jacob 9. Jesus 10. Shem 11. Joseph 12. Moses