Welcome to our FALL 2024 issue of the IHM Catholic EdNotes!
Our cover this edition reminds us of the call we have received to bring the presence of Jesus to our world through our words and deeds. Our nation has honored Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at the National Eucharistic Congress this summer and our hearts are humbled by the depths of the gift of Jesus to each of us in the Eucharist. The Eucharist invites each of us to a communion with Jesus and one another, lived out in our compassion and care of those we encounter daily!
Our IHM Sisters and our dedicated lay colleagues, recognize the Eucharist as the center of our prayer and worship and the spiritual energy of all our good works! “Do this in remembrance of Me” is not just reserved for the moment of Eucharistic Consecration but also a call to mission! The quality of our ministry presence is strengthened as we live out Jesus’ call to be one as Jesus and the Father are one, to be in communion with one another!
We hope to inspire and assist you with the sacred work of Catholic education through these engaging, informative and interesting features that can support your best practices, Pre-K through Grade 12, whether in a catechetical parish program or a Catholic school setting.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact us: ihmcatholicednotes@gmail.com
God bless you for your dedication to Catholic education!
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Understanding the IHM Charism
LOVE, CREATIVE HOPE & FIDELITY
Excerpts on the IHM Charism by Sister Patricia Dailey IHM
A Congregation’s Charism may often be experienced as a compelling, contagious, identifiable spirit, perhaps better caught than taught, better described than defined; something felt, something sensed, something that radiates!
We express the IHM Charism in these powerful words: Love, Creative Hope & Fidelity! Of course, these are virtues that are generally well known, and certainly practiced by many good people. So, how is it that the IHM Sisters claim them as uniquely theirs? The answer lies in the specific identifiable ways that the IHM Sisters attempt to live and share these virtues from their beginning days in 1845 until now.
We say that our Charism grace of LOVE manifests itself in joy, respect and reverence; that it becomes real in kindness and compassion; availability, approachability and accessibility; that it exercises justice with mercy; that it responds with acute sensitivity and large-heartedness to human need. This is not necessarily dramatic but an everyday ordinary response to a need. In a special way, our Charism directs our love and concern to God’s people, especially those most abandoned or neglected - the poor among us, to those who could fall between the cracks, get left on the margins or become almost invisible.
We say that our Charism grace of CREATIVE HOPE places all its confidence in God’s loving Providence; that it seeks to make a way where there seems to be no way; that it finds in the present a hint of something more, looking beyond what appears to be to what really is; that it believes that we can make a difference, especially when efforts seem futile; that it chooses an alternative way of living, different from the dominant culture that would have us settle for less; that it engenders hope in the young and the most vulnerable and seeks to find alternatives to negativity and despair, looking to the future with fresh eyes and renewed vigor. It never gives up on anyone!
In a culture that places little value on faithfulness, we say that our Charism of FIDELITY calls for perseverance, for staying power, for courage, for faithful commitment over the long haul. We say Fidelity fosters integrity in words and actions and it challenges us to remain steadfast in the mission entrusted to us. It calls forth an enduring love.
It is our ongoing challenge and responsibility to claim this God-given gift of the IHM Charism, and to be sure that it finds a home in our hearts; that it becomes the reality of how we choose to live life and live it abundantly!
IHM CHARISM CONNECTION
The Original Dancing Queen
Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing make you afraid.
All things are passing.
God alone never changes.
Patience gains all things.
If you have God, you will want for nothing.
God alone suffices.
~ St. Teresa, The bookmark of Teresa of Ávila
St. Teresa of Avila, a patron of the IHM Sisters, is known to have lived her faith life with immense joy and would dance when overwhelmed with the love of God. She is quoted as saying “May God protect me from gloomy faced saints!” She is sometimes depicted holding a tambourine.
It was through Saint Teresa that St. Alphonsus Liguori came to understand prayer as “nothing but a friendly relationship and frequent conversation with Jesus whom we know loves us.” So, it was really through her spiritual guidance that St. Alphonsus handed on to his Redemptorist congregation and to the IHM congregation the wonderful gift of prayer, prayer that is simple and rooted in the lasting tradition of the Church.
Her prayer, shared above, reflects her deep faith and an optimistic stance about facing the challenges of daily living confident of God’s providential care. Perhaps she could be considered a perfect advertisement for the book title – “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.” When you consider the personal challenges we each face and the more national and global anxieties of our present historic time, St. Teresa may be a good “go to” saint. In fact, dancing is known to be a great outlet for dealing with stress!
Her feast day is celebrated on October 15th . Learn more about St. Teresa: https://hallow.com/blog/st-teresa-of-avila-prayers-quotes-feast-day/
Learn more about the IHM Sisters: https://ihmimmaculata.org/
Prayer for a New Year of Ministry
Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Model of Ordinary Holiness
Call to Prayer: The prophet Isaiah reminds us that “a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11: 6) One such child and soon to be canonized a saint is Blessed Carlo Acutis.
As we enthusiastically begin a new year of ministry, we look to Blessed Carlo to inspire in us a passion to be true disciples of Jesus in all we say and do.
Born in 1991, Carlo died in 2006 at the age of 15, having lived a full life of tangible joy and contagious generosity.
A very normal boy, he loved dogs and cats, soccer, Nutella, his saxophone and excelled in technology, yet his only desire was to be friends with Jesus and to help anyone in need.
Fueled by his deep devotion to the Eucharist and his love for Mary, Carlo teaches us that “nothing is little if it is done with great love.” (Mother Teresa)
Carlo likewise saw all talents and blessings as gifts to be given to others. His “ordinary holiness” noticed a classmate who was sad and invited him to his home, a neighbor or a caretaker in need of a smile, and a homeless person in need of a blanket.
Carlo’s incredible computer skills became a source of evangelization for the whole world through his beautiful exhibit of Eucharistic miracles.
Let us pray that this year we will mirror the simple, ordinary holiness of Blessed Carlo and motivate all whom we will serve to live lives of tangible joy and contagious generosity.
Leader: “To be united with Jesus forever is my program for life.”
Bl. Carlo Acutis
All: Lord, make me holy. Glory be to the Father…
Hymn: The God of All Grace
Reflection: Carlo often repeated: “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.”
During this time of Eucharistic Revival throughout our nation and as we begin anew, may Blessed Carlo ignite in us a deeper love for the Mass and Holy Communion and a greater appreciation of the power of the Blessed Sacrament.
Please Pray Psalm 111
Antiphonally: I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. Majesty and glory are his work and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the Lord. He has given food to those who fear him; he will be forever mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; sure are all his precepts. Reliable forever and ever, wrought in truth and equity.
He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name.
Glory be to the Father…
Reflection: Carlo also said that “the Virgin Mother is the only woman in my life.” To be close to Jesus is to be close to His Mother Mary. Let us pray together the Memorare, asking Our Lady to intercede for all our efforts to bring the Gospel message of her Son to everyone we meet this year.
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother! To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Intercessions
Leader: Pondering the words of Blessed Carlo Acutis, we pray for ourselves and all those who need our prayers.
Petitions: “When we face the sun, we get a tan, but when we stand before Jesus in the Eucharist, we become saints.” Bl. C.
Enkindle in us Lord, and in all the members of the Church, a passionate love for the Holy Eucharist, we pray…
“Continuously ask your Guardian Angel for help. Your Guardian Angel has to become your best friend.” Bl. C.
Empower all the angels Lord, to guard and protect all whom we will serve this year, we pray…
“I offer all the suffering I will have to suffer for the Lord, for the Pope, and the Church.” Bl. C.
Embrace Lord, all the sick and suffering with Your peace and strength and courage, we pray…
“Sadness is looking at ourselves, happiness is looking towards God.” Bl. C.
Energize us Lord, with the Joy of the Gospel that we may minister each day with joyful, selfless hearts, we pray…
“In eternal life, something extraordinary awaits us.” Bl. C.
Enable many souls Lord, especially our departed loved ones, to enter the Gate of Heaven this day, we pray…
Our Father: Please pray together:
Final Blessing: “May the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours. Prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17
Dear Friends,
A computer can be a wonderful device. And it can be the source of angst and frustration! Learning what all the keys are and their function is not always an easy task. Butthebestpart ofa computer is its ability to make me look good! Mistakes, misspelledorincorrectwords,lostdocuments,unevenmargins,etc.canbecorrected at the touch of a key (if you know which one to use!!) Then there is the ”refresh” button. I’m not really sure what it does, but I like the name of it! It gives me the sense that I can do something new.
Back in May, the story in the Acts of the Apostles about Aeneas’ healing by Peter through the power of Christ’s spirit captured my attention. Two lines especially struck me. “Jesus wants to heal you. Get up and make your bed.” WOW! I never noticed those words before, “Get up and make your bed.” Why are those words so important that Luke included them inthe story? Aeneas had been unable to get out of bed for eight years. What was his ailment? Was he paralyzed? Arthritic? Seriously ill? Whatever it was, it kept him “down” for a long time.
Thecommandto“getupandmakeyourbed”isverysignificant. Thebedisnolonger somethingthatholdsthismanback. Hehasrisenfromit. Makinghisbedsymbolizes anewlife,thefirstactofanewday.Aeneashasleftanoldwayoflivingandembarks on a new one.
There are ways of thinking and behaving in our lives that hold us back, that keep us in the old way of living. Perhaps we are paralyzed by our own fears and need to feel in control. Perhaps we are comfortable with the old ways and fear getting up and making our beds so we go back to our former ways or delete any ideas of a new way of doing things.
Jesuscallsuseverydaytogetusandmake ourbeds,tostartanewday,to refresh our lives. He asks that we leave the comfort, the certainty, the crutches behind. Make the bed into something new rather than the same old place to run to whenI’m hurting, confused or angry.
Well, the hazy, crazy,lazy days of summer willbe coming to anend before you know it (at least according to the calendar if not the weather!). May the act of making our beds each morning remind us that God is calling us to new things this day and allow God to heal us.
God calls: Mary, Joe, Alice, Vince, Carol, Marie . . . “Get up and make your bed!”
Patriotic Rosary
October, 2024
(Based on “The Patriotic Rosary” composed by The Caritas Community of Alabama)
Call to Prayer:
This morning we gather to honor our Blessed Mother by praying the Rosary together. One of the most powerful prayers we ever learn to pray is the Rosary. Many times throughout history and especially at Lourdes and at Fatima, Mary has asked children to pray the Rosary each day.
Today, we will pray the Patriotic Rosary. Patriotism is the virtue that displays love and devotion for our Country. Our Blessed Mother, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, has been the Patroness of the United States of America since 1846. We love Our Lady and we love our Country. We offer our Rosary today for our Country - its leaders and citizens and all who are suffering and in need of healing in any way.
There are 50 Hail Mary’s in the five decades of the Rosary. There are 50 states in the United States. At the beginning of each decade, we will announce the names of 10 states. On each bead, we will pray in particular for the people of that state. Through Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, may God bless the United States of America.
Hymn: America the Beautiful
Reflecting on the Joyful Mysteries, we will now place ourselves at the feet of Mary and begin the Rosary by praying:
The Sign of the Cross - In the name of the Father…
The Apostles Creed - I believe in God…
One Our Father – Our Father…
3 Hail Mary’s – Hail Mary, full of grace…
One Glory be to the Father – Glory be to the Father…
Fatima Prayer: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell.
Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.…
First Joyful Mystery
The Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary
As we remember Gabriel’s visit to Our Lady, we thank Mary for her generous and loving YES to God. Mary, please help our President, Vice-President, all the members of the Congress and the Supreme Court. May they have the courage to say YES and to do whatever God wants them to do for the good of our country.
We pray for the people of:
Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
Arizona
California
Our Father…
10 Hail Mary’s
Glory be to the Father…
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Fatima Prayer: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Real Love means “sacrifice” – putting others before ourselves. At the Annunciation, Mary found out that her older cousin, Elizabeth, was also going to have a baby. Our Blessed Mother went quickly to visit and help Elizabeth. Mary, please bless and protect the members of the Military and all the Essential Workers: the Police, Firefighters, our Teachers, the First Responders, Doctors and Nurses. They are our heroes and heroines who put the needs of others first every day. We pray for the people of:
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Our Father… 10 Hail Mary’s Glory be to the Father…
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Fatima Prayer: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
Third Joyful Mystery: Our Lady of Lourdes
The Birth of Jesus
In the small town of Lourdes in France, one winter day in 1858, a poor young girl named Bernadette Soubirous, was sent to gather wood to heat their home. Suddenly in a cave or a grotto, a beautiful lady appeared dressed in a white gown with a blue ribbon around her waist. She asked if they could pray the Rosary together. The Lady was Mary and she told Bernadette to pray for sinners and to return there every day for 15 days. On the sixth visit, the lady told Bernadette “to drink and wash in the spring.” There was no water there, so Bernadette began to dig. Suddenly, a trickle of water came which continued to flow and increase, become clean and clear. People in need from all over the world come to pray the Rosary and be washed in that miraculous water.
The angels announced the birth of Jesus on Christmas first to poor and humble shepherds like Bernadette. They had a special mission, just like Bernadette. Let us travel in spirit to Lourdes and pray for our upcomimg election and for all those running for public office. May they be humble servant leaders with a mission to respect life and work for peace.
Our Father…
10 Hail Mary’s
Glory be to the Father…
Fatima Prayer: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
Fourth Joyful Mystery:
The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple
Forty days after Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary took their Son, Jesus, to be presented at the Temple in Jerusalem. At the Temple, there were two elderly people; Simeon and Anna, who prayed and waited all their lives for the Savior to appear. After they recognized that the little baby was Jesus, Simeon told Our Blessed Mother that as the Mother of Jesus she would experience many sorrows in her lifetime.
Mary, please put your loving arms around all those who are suffering from the natural disasters in our country: the hurricanes, wild fires, tornadoes, and floods. Give them hope and healing and many hands to help them in their pain.
We pray for the people of:
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Our Father… 10 Hail Mary’s
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Fifth Joyful Mystery:
The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple
When Jesus was 12 years old, Joseph and Mary took their Son again to the Temple in Jerusalem. Without either of them realizing it, Jesus stayed behind in the Temple listening to the priests and asking them questions. After 3 days of being worried, like any parent would be, Joseph and Mary finally found Jesus.
To lose a loved one for even a few days or especially through death, really hurts. Mary, please hold close to your Immaculate Heart all who have died in service to our Country or from any type of violence. Meet them at the Gate of Heaven this day.
We pray for the people of:
South Dakota
Virginia
Tennessee Washington
Texas
West Virginia
Utah Wisconsin
Vermont Wyoming
Our Father…
10 Hail Mary’s
Glory be to the Father…
Fatima Prayer: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
Concluding Prayers for the Patriotic Rosary
Hail Holy Queen…
Today, we have shown our love for Jesus and Mary by praying the Rosary. We have remembered the intentions of our Country, our leaders, and our citizens. We ask our Mother Mary to be with us always and to bring peace and protection, hope and healing to the United States of America. Amen.
The first Revival Session of the National Eucharistic Congress kicked off with the entrance of the thirty Perpetual Pilgrims, young people from the ages of 19-29 who walked a combined 6,500 miles with the Eucharist for sixty days, testifying to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist on four different routes throughout the United States. These routes included the St. Elizbeth Ann Seton route from the East, the Marian Route from the North, the St Junipero Serra Route from the West, and the Juan Diego Route from the South Perpetual Pilgrims from these four routes converged in Indianapolis, and they all entered Lucas Oil Stadium together on the opening night of the National Eucharistic Congress. From the beginning of the Congress, young people really set the tone with their enthusiasm, excitement, dedication, and love of the Eucharist As I share some of the highlights of the National Eucharistic Congress in this issue of the Youth and Young Adult EdNotes, I hope that the experience of the Congress can inspire more youth and young adults to become Eucharistic Missionaries in their own communities
The entrance of the Perpetual Pilgrims was only the prelude to the main event that evening Bishop Andrew Cozzens, the Chairman of the Board for the National Eucharistic Congress entered the stadium with a large golden monstrance containing a host the size of a dinner plate. The dark NFL stadium was illuminated by a spotlight shining directly on the monstrance Jesus had arrived, and as he asked everyone to kneel, Bishop Cozzens said, “Lord, we wanted to give you the first words of our National Eucharistic Congress.” Over 50,000 pilgrims gathering to adore our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist was an incredible experience and highlighted the focus of the entire Congress To be with Jesus and allow Him to speak to our hearts, so that we can receive all that He wishes to give us and to share His great love with others!
As the evening continued, one of the emcees for the Revival Sessions, Father Josh Johnson, encouraged us all to “Pray like a pirate,” using the acronym ARRR. Acknowledge, Relate, Receive, Respond:
Acknowledge – Praise and adore God, acknowledge who God is and thank Him for all He has done Relate – Speak to God from your heart, just as you would to a friend Share your hopes, dreams, desires, concerns, etc Receive – Listen to the Lord Open up your heart to receive whatever God wishes to give you Respond – Take time to consider how will you respond to all that the Lord wishes to give to you What changes will you make in your life as a result of this encounter with the Lord? How will you allow Him to lead you to do whatever He is calling you to do?
Consider sharing the “ARRR” acronym for prayer with your youth and young adult group.
Cardinal Christoph Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States reinforced this last point by saying “We have to let ourselves be possessed by the Spirit of God and go wherever the Spirit leads ”
Consider: How can we encourage our young people to do this in our own youth groups, theology classes, young adult groups, etc?
DAY 2 - “THE GREATEST LOVE STORY:”
Father Mike Schmitz emphasized the story of God’s love throughout Scripture and encouraged us all to return to the fire of the first love we had for Jesus Over time, it is easy to become indifferent to the many gifts we are given, but Father Mike reminded us that “The remedy for indifference is love. And the road to love is repentance ” Before another beautiful period of Adoration, he asked us all to reflect on the “fire extinguishers” in our own lives so that we can each renew the love that we have for the Lord He added that while we must learn about our faith, the love we have for God is what is most important by saying, “Knowledge can make you great, but only love can make you a saint,” a theme which really permeated the entire Congress and kept the focus on receiving the gift of God’s love so that we can become a gift to others.
Throughout the Congress, priests were available for confession until 11:00 pm each evening, giving participants many opportunities for repentance and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation
In your own parish, school, youth or young adult group, consider planning an evening of Adoration with priests available to hear confessions to give young people an opportunity to repent and receive God’s love and come to a deeper understanding of the greatest love story, the love of God for His people!
DAY 3 - INTO GETHSEMANE:
This evening’s Revival Session began with so much energy, espec were in attendance. Before the session even began, a group of p “wave” throughout the stadium, which went on for at least ten m crowd was so evident, and something as simple as beginning the session began, musicians including Dave and Lauren Moore, who l began with a brief Praise and Worship concert. Young people ran energy to join together in praising our Lord. It was so powerfu present leading us all in their enthusiasm and joy in experienc
Consider: How do you use praise and worship music in your youth
The Evening Session concluded with a special prayer service for healing led by Father Boniface Hicks, OSB. After exposition, Father Boniface led us all in a beautiful Litany of Healing he composed specifically for the Eucharistic Congress, which allowed us to join together and ask the Lord for the healing we each need in our own lives (see below). The evening ended with Father Boniface processing throughout the floor of Lucas Oil Stadium with the Eucharist and concluded with Benediction. What a beautiful, powerful way to pray and experience God’s love!
Consider: Pray the Litany of Healing together next time you have Adoration with your youth or young adult group.
DAY 4 - THIS IS MY BODY:
Day 4 focused on the power of Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucha musicians inspired us that evening, including Gloria Purvis, Jonathan Roumie, Bishop Robert Barron, Matt Maher, and Sarah Kroger, it was the Eucharist Procession t center stage that day! Thousands of religious, seminarians, priests, and hundreds of bishops participated in the procession as nearly 60,000 people lined the streets. It was an incredibly moving experience to see people cheering, praying, and overwhelmed with emotion at such a beautiful display of each of our vocations, a true image of the Body of Christ united as one. It was certainly an unforgettable experience!
The procession ended at the Indiana War Memorial, where an altar was set up at the top of the Memorial where Bishop Cozzens placed the monstrance. Nearly 60,000 people praying in silence and adoring the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament… It was definitely an unforgettable memory for so many who where present!
In your own youth or young adult groups, parishes, school or college campuses, how could you organize some type of a Eucharistic Procession? Consider talking to your pastor or chaplain about how you could do this and how the young people you work with could work to organize or plan such a beautiful display of our belief in the Real Presence.
DAY 5 - TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH:
The final day of the National Eucharistic Congress began with a reminder from several speakers including Colonel Mike Hopkins of the Space Force, Chris Stefanick, and Mother Adela Galindo, to go “to the ends of the earth” to share what we had experienced, to become Eucharistic Missionaries in our own communities.
1. Share the Gospel in confidence
2. Rejoice always
3. Become saints
Chris Stefanick began his talk by saying “Let’s start to live in radical response to the best news ever!” When we encounter the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, we must be open to receiving God’s love, allowing that Love to transform us so that we can share the Love we have experienced with all those we meet. Chris Stefanick also went on to describe the only way that we should respond to “The Body of Christ” when we receive Holy Communion is to do the three following things:
GPS for Success
Recalculating Positive Social and Emotional Strategies that create healthy climate and learning in the classroom.
5 WAYS TO IMPROVE A CHILD’S SOCIAL SKILLS
Few things can be more frustrating than watching a child struggle to make friends or having a difficult time fitting into certain social settings. These are several steps teachers can take to improve a child's social skills.
1.FollowTheirInterests
Enjoying others will come more naturally when a child is doing something they are genuinely interested in. Whether it's participating in a favorite sport, playing an instrument they like or being part of a game they're interested in, this is the first step toward building social skills. It also places a child around like-minded individuals that the child will probably feel more at ease with. While it's important to be able to socialize with those of varying interests, starting out with other children who like the same things is an excellent way to more easily build social skills.
2.LearntoAskQuestions
Sometimes when children get nervous, they may become more introverted and ultimately struggle in social situations. According to the Center for Development & Learning there are several ways children can initiate and carry on positive conversations with others. One important way is to ask questions. The best way to find out about others and form connections is to ask questions that specifically pertain to the person the
child is talking with. Encourage children to ask questions that can't be answered with just a "yes" or "no".
3.TeachEmpathy
If children have a better understanding of how others feel, they are much more likely to feel connected to other people and form positive bonds. It has been proven that teaching empathy by talking about different situations and scenarios with a child has been successful. Ask how other people might feel when each of these things happen. Part of teaching empathy is to help children learn how to actively listen to others. This involves focusing on what others are saying and then thinking about what the speaker has said once the conversation is over.
4.KnowAChild'sLimits
Some children are simply more social than others. A child who is shy and introverted should not be expected to interact in the same way as a child who is naturally outgoing. Some children are comfortable in large settings, while others find it easier to relate to their peers when in smaller groups. It's also important to understand a child's time limits. Younger children and those with special needs may only feel comfortable socializing for an hour or two.
5.BeaGoodRoleModel
It's important to be consciously aware of how you interact with others when a child is watching. Are you asking questions of others and then taking the time to actively listen? Do you show genuine empathy for friends and family in your life? The Center for Parenting Education states that being an effective role model requires conscious effort and forethought. Children are constantly watching the adults in their lives. It's important to remember that it will take time for a child to develop good social skills. Social skills are something that are developed and improved upon over a lifetime.
Kindergarten Social & Emotional Learning Worksheet
Draw a line to match the action to the effect. (Discussing these actions can be teachable moments.)
Yelling at your makes someone feel friend you care.
Asking someone if so classmates can learn. they’re okay
Not cleaning up everyone has fun your activity playing.
Being quiet during people can find a lesson things easily.
Following the rules makes your friend in a game sad.
Pinching hurts the body and feelings.
Putting things back someone else has in their place to clean your mess.
A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart. www.k5learning,com
MAXIMIZING LEARNING FOR ALL STUDENTS
INCLUSION PRACTICES FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND PARISH RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION
INCLUSION: W
It was a bright summer afternoon. I had turned in my computer and my keys and closed the door of Bishop O’Connell High School behind me. Walking home, I thought about what had just happened. I had completed seven years as a teacher in the school’s Expanded Services Department. Expanded Services, you say? Yes, presently our department serves 14 students who have either Down Syndrome, Autism or a learning disability that requires learning tasks to be significantly modified. Our students who complete their high school years here receive a certificate of completion and are entitled to all the experiences of high school life here and the privileges of graduation. It is a special experience and I am ever so grateful to have been a part of the experience for the past seven years. So as I walked home that June afternoon I thought about my experiences and reflected upon what I had learned during my tenure on this team of teachers. I gleaned a few take aways from this ongoing reflection:
1. EVERYONE CAN LEARN!
Students with different learning needs can learn and they often surprised me about how much
HAT INCLUSION HAS TAUGHT ME!
they could learn. Their learning needs were definitely different from students in the general population but given support, time and understanding, my students learned to read and to understand what they were reading! I learned to pay attention to them as I introduced new content.
When they said “This is hard.” I learned that I was the one doing something wrong and I had to modify my presentation of what I hoped they would learn.
When we worked through the difficulties together, my students became excited with their sense of accomplishment and with their feeling of success. Each of the students I taught to read, learned to use the process of reading in their own unique way. I thought specifically about one young man who tried for three long years to learn to use the letter sounds to make words instead of using his learned method of survivalguessing.
This young man has just begun to make sense of the decoding process and is learning to take risks using the process. When he is successful, his face lights up with a tremendous smile! Some other students figured out the process a bit more quickly and often remind me of what I must have often said to them “Reading is thinking!” As each student’s face flashed through my reflective mind the memory indeed reinforced the belief that everyone can learn!
2. LEARNING TAKES TIME!
Learning is a process. It is not something that can be forced or quickened. Just as a gardener can not hasten the growth of the plants s/he plants, so too, the process of learning takes its own time - time for the student to become interested, to observe and learn what is being offered, to put such an offering into a kind of concept and finally to try it out.
Our program is planned as four years of intentional learning. I learned that it most often took all four years for the academic skills being offered to blossom. As for me I had to attend to my preparation, my way of presenting material, how I asked the students to apply their learning and finally and most importantly for me to evaluate each lesson after its conclusion. When I failed in one of these steps, the lesson usually went awry. Learning for these students required both the students and me to invest our time in a generous way and to be willing to take small steps.
3.
STUDENTS NEED TO FEEL SECURE IN THIS RISKY ADVENTURE!
Making oneself vulnerable involves risk. No one likes to be vulnerable or uncomfortable. Most of us seek security. It has been my experience that when I am learning something new, I don’t want to feel foolish in front of my peers or companions. I am cautious when I put forth an answer to an uncertain question. I realize that my students share similar feelings when it comes to new learning, most especially in their teenage years.
I gave this challenge lots of thought during the COVID years and discovered that how I presented assignments made a huge difference in the learning adventure. Most especially how I presented tasks visually assisted students who had difficulty processing huge amounts of language. The use of color, pictures and charts, word sorts and graphic designs seemed to clarify the task and reduce student stress. They preferred assignments to appear in ways that were similar to those they experienced before. A familiar visual landscape seemed to make the new learning feel less stressful. Often, when presented with a new assignment in a manner that seemed familiar, I would hear the response “Oh, I can do this!” Providing this type of security made the students less apprehensive in these new tasks.
4. WALK BESIDE THE LEARNER, DON’T RUSH AHEAD!
EVERYONE CAN LEARN!
Companionship helps one feel less alone and offers a sense of support. Having a teacher who is willing to walk beside the learner, adjusting the rate of movement to the needs of the other, developing an ongoing relationship with the learner are important ways to send a message of belonging, a message of reverence. God has created each of His children in a unique way and each one reflects an aspect of God’s love for His creation. When I was willing to walk beside the student at his/her own pace and allowed that to be
enough, I believe my students noticed the reverence and love surrounding him/her in this learning environment.
This seemed to be the foundation for our interactions and sharing. I had to consistently remind myself that my task was to accompany the students on their journey not make them accomodate themselves to my journey! In summary, I concluded on that walk home that what I learned were really simple truthsprinciples that are beneficial for all groups of students! My students taught me that the good news of God’s love is for everyone and must be available to all regardless of one’s abilities. As a Catholic educator, I was charged to foster not only their academic growth but their spiritual growth as well and to help them become saints. They in turn helped me to see that what they needed in their academic learning was indeed a tiny reflection of what I need as I continue my lifetime journey toward my God!
Sister Margaret Langer, IHM former teacher at Bishop O’Connell High School Expanded Services, Arlington VA. Each edition of Maximizing Learning for All Students explores inclusion practices that minimize barriers and maximize learning for ALL students. Email margaretlanger50@gmail.com if you would like to share inclusion stories or efforts.
2nd Theme of Catholic Social Teaching: Call to Family, Community, and Participation
by Sister Joyce C. Bell, IHM Coordinator of Social Justice
How many times have we heard, listened to or studied the complex nature of the word “family?” We use the terms “nuclear family,” “human family,” “family of origin,” just to name a few. What do all these terms have in common? They have as their basis the “dignity of the human person” but added to this, is the reality that every person is a social being and is created to grow and flourish in community. The creation of societies is the direct result of this reality with economies and laws that affect the well-being of each individual allowing that person to thrive as a member of a larger community. As Catholics we believe the family is the basic unit of society. Issues that affect families fall directly within the teaching of this second theme. The institution of marriage, the creation of families and the laws that provide for the care and protection of the family are considered within this teaching. We believe that everything must be done to support and strengthen these institutions.
Finally, people have a right and duty to participate in society. This participation takes the form of voting in every election, seeing our right to vote as a civic duty and a privilege. This participation also calls us to engage in organizations that promote the common good and the well-being of all, especially the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable.
Learn a little more about this second theme by viewing the video from CST 101: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mGxEAtVGcU
CATHOLIC TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Instruct the wise and they become wiser still. Proverbs 9: 9
Catholic Podcasts
Catholic History Trek
Catholic History Trek, hosted by Kevin Schmiesing and Scott Schulze is a podcast that explores the history of the Catholic Church, especially the historical background of contemporary Catholic practices and issues. It is a great way to introduce Catholic teens to some interesting stories about the Catholic faith. Each episode is no longer than 35 minutes. Listen using your favorite podcast app.
Sunday Homilies with Father Mike Schmitz
One of my favorites, Father Mike Schmitz shares his Sunday Homilies. Fr. Mike delivers powerful homilies based on the Sunday Mass Scripture readings, inviting you to live more fully as the person God created you to be. Engaging and motivating, these 20-30 minute homilies will help ground your faith, fortify your heart, and transform your life. Listen using your favorite podcast app.
Apps for Ipad, Iphone, Ipod
Catholic Mega App
The Catholic Mega App is your one stop resource for all things Catholic. Come to the app daily for liturgy of the hours, daily mass readings, common prayers, and Order of the Mass. Need to learn more about your faith Check out the many links to news services, Busted Halo, ETWN, recommended books, and more.
Forgot your rosary? No problem...The Catholic Mega App features a digital bead counting Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. Take notes in the prayer journal and save them to your device. Connect with other app users on the prayer wall and discussion board. Connect with the latest Catholic social media including the pope's twitter page, the USCCB Facebook page, EWTN's Pinterest page, and more. Check out Catholic movie reviews, read the L'Osservatore Romano, and read about the saint of the day. While in the car, utilize the Pray as You Go Podcasts integration. Need inspiration? Check out the Catholic Art Gallery or listen to music. Other features include a section on Pro Life Resources, major Catholic events, youth ministry section, national social and formation programs, and a youth ministry section.
The Catholic Mega App is everything you need for your Catholic spiritual journey. It is free to download in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Shared Wisdom
Two heads are better than one. Please submit your favorite technology resources for Catholic religious education at krantzihm@yahoo.com Submissions will be included in upcoming issues. Many thanks to those who shared tools for this issue.
AROUND THE CLOCK Family Trivia
Are you looking for a family faith-based activity, Catholic trivia for a game night, or competition among family members? Picture a typical clock that displays twelve hours. Beginning with one o’clock work your way around the clock by completing the task(s) assigned to the number. It may take a few minutes or several days to complete a challenge. (The Catechism of the Catholic Church (USCCB.org) is a helpful resource.)
1. There is only ONE God but three divine persons. What prayer formula honors this belief? Recite the formula.
2. There are TWO Testaments in the Bible – the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) and the New Testament (Christian Scriptures). (A) How many books are in the Old Testament and what are their names? (B) How many books are in the New Testament and what are their names? (C) The Catholic bible has seven more books than other Christian bibles. These extra books are called the “Apocrypha.” What are the names of those seven books?
3. There are THREE theological virtues. (A) Define the term “theological virtue.” (2) Name the three theological virtues. (3) Each has a prayer formula. Recite each formula.
4. There are FOUR evangelists. (A) What are their names? (B) What are their artistic symbols? (C) Which is the shortest gospel? (D) Which is the longest gospel?
5. What is the title of the first FIVE books of the bible grouped together? And, what are the individual names of those first five books?
6. Traditionally there are SIX precepts of the Catholic Church. Recite each precept
7. Though the Spirit of God has no limits, traditionally we speak of SEVEN Gifts of the Holy Spirit. (A) What are the names of the seven gifts? (B) How does the Catechism of the Catholic Church define each gift?
8. There are EIGHT Beatitudes. (A) Name each of them. (B) Where was Jesus when he taught the Eight Beatitudes? What were the circumstances? (C) What gospel, chapter and verses tell the story?
9. Traditionally we speak of NINE Choirs of Angels (Groups). They are named in the Scriptures. What are the names and ranks of each choir?
10. Name each of the TEN Commandments. Jesus summarized them into the “One Great Commandment.” (A) What is that commandment? (B) Three separate gospels record Jesus teaching the Great Commandment. Give the scripture citations for each of those three gospels.
11. Jesus called twelve apostles. After Judas betrayed Jesus there remained ELEVEN Apostles (A) What are their names? (B) Who replaced Judas as an apostle?
12. There are unlimited expressions of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, traditionally we name TWELVE Fruits of the Holy Spirit. (A) Name each Fruit. (B) Define each Fruit.
Un Proyecto de Investigación Familiar
¿Está buscando una actividad familiar basada en la fe, curiosidades católicas para una noche de juegos o competencia entre los miembros de la familia? Imaginen un reloj típico que muestra doce horas. Comenzando con la una en punto, trabaje durante todo el día completando las tareas asignadas al número. Puede llevar unos minutos o varios días para completar un desafío. (El Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica (USCCB.org) es un recurso útil).
1. Solo hay UN Dios pero tres personas divinas. ¿Qué fórmula de oración honra esta creencia? Recita la formula.
2. Hay DOS Testamentos en la Biblia: el Antiguo Testamento (Escrituras hebreas) y el Nuevo Testamento (Escrituras cristianas). (A) ¿Cuántos libros hay en el Antiguo Testamento y cuáles son sus nombres? (B) ¿Cuántos libros hay en el Nuevo Testamento y cuáles son sus nombres? (C) La Biblia católica tiene siete libros más que otras biblias cristianas. Estos libros adicionales se llaman "Apócrifos". ¿Cómo se llaman esos siete libros?
3. Hay TRES virtudes teologales. (A) Defina el término "virtud teológica." (2) Nombra las tres virtudes teologales. (3) Cada uno tiene una fórmula de oración. Recita cada fórmula.
4. Hay CUATRO evangelistas. (A) ¿Cómo se llaman? (B) ¿Cuáles son sus símbolos artísticos / icónicos? (C) ¿Cuál es el evangelio más corto? (D) ¿Cuál es el evangelio más largo?
5. ¿Cuál es el título de los primeros CINCO libros de la Biblia agrupados? ¿Y cuáles son los nombres individuales de esos primeros cinco libros?
6. Tradicionalmente hay SEIS preceptos de la Iglesia Católica Recita cada precepto.
7. Aunque el Espíritu de Dios no tiene límites, tradicionalmente hablamos de SIETE Dones del Espíritu Santo. (A) ¿Cuáles son los nombres de los siete regalos? (B) ¿Cómo define el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica cada don?
8. Hay Ocho Bienaventuranzas. (A) Nombra cada uno de ellos. (B) ¿Dónde estaba Jesús cuando enseñó las Ocho Bienaventuranzas? ¿Cuáles fueron las circunstancias? (C) ¿Qué evangelio, capítulo y versículos cuentan la historia?
9. Tradicionalmente hablamos de NUEVE coros de ángeles (grupos). Se nombran en las Escrituras. ¿Cuáles son los nombres y las filas de cada coro?
10. Nombra cada uno de los DIEZ Mandamientos. Jesús los resumió en el "Un Gran Mandamiento". (A) ¿Cuál es ese mandamiento? (B) Tres de los cuatro evangelios registran a Jesús enseñando el Gran Mandamiento. Dé las citas de las Escrituras para cada uno de esos tres evangelios.
11. Jesús llamó a doce apóstoles. Después de que Judas traicionó a Jesús, quedaron ONCE Apóstoles. (A) ¿Cómo se llaman? (B) ¿Quién reemplazó a Judas como apóstol?
12. Hay expresiones ilimitadas de la presencia del Espíritu Santo. Sin embargo, tradicionalmente llamamos DOCE Frutos del Espíritu Santo. (A) Nombra cada fruta. (B) Define cada fruto.
5 Keys of Self-Esteem
Positive self-esteem forms when children experience a steady dose of security, autonomy, initiative and industry practices within an atmosphere that demonstrates that a person is valued regardless of his/her performance or status. We communicate genuine love when we show respect in attitude and speech, include and individualize, validate, encourage, express gratitude, keep confidences, affirm, and show pleasure. Through every age and every stage apply the following advice punctuated with genuine affection.
• SECURITY, or stability, is the sense of trust, emotional safety, and confidence that my needs will receive predicable response from the significant people in my life and situation. With this assurance, my energies are available to deal with unpredictable stresses.
We nurture security when we establish routine, procedure, and system. Organize the environment to be purposeful. Initiate safety precautions – both physical and emotional. Provide attentiveness and inclusion. Demonstrate consistency, continuity, and predictability. Keep promises. Anticipate needs.
“Say what you mean and mean what you say!”
“Take care that what you say is what you do!”
• AUTONOMY, or self-reliance, is the sense of respectful independence, inner authority, and responsibility that permits me to make appropriate decisions without the need of supervision.
We nurture autonomy when we provide prudent supervision but not intrusion. Encourage rather than praise. Provide choices. Foster responsible independence. Teach respectful assertiveness. Expect accountability for choices and consequences. Foster self-control.
“Do nothing for a child that the child can do independently.”
“Emphasize effort more than result.”
• INITIATIVE, or self-confidence to be a self-starter, is the interior motivation to originate plans and the personal capacity to conquer tasks without coaxing.
We nurture initiative when we expose children to varied experiences, give patient, respectful answers to their questions, enforce natural consequences, establish standards and deadlines, balance personal freedom with responsibility to the common good, encourage prudent risk taking, intervene as a last step, model how to recover from a mistake, and provide materials, tools, and resources that support varied interests.
“Value ideas and process more than product.”
“Model how to recover from mistakes.”
• INDUSTRY, OR WORK ETHIC, is the capacity to be persistent and diligent, to follow through on a task, and to create a systematic approach for problem solving and responsibilities.
We nurture industry when we guide children to work steadily to complete tasks, to manage time, to anticipate deadlines, and to develop organizational skills.
“Plan your work and work your plan.”
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
“Actions speak louder than words.”
“What you do speaks so loudly that a child cannot hear what you are saying.”
Patricia M. McCormack, IHM
5 Claves de la Autoestima
La autoestima positiva se forma cuando los niños experimentan una dosis constante de seguridad, autonomía, iniciativa y prácticas dentro de una atmósfera que demuestra que una persona es valorada independientemente de su desempeño o su condición . Comunicamos amor genuino cuando mostramos respeto en la actitud y nuestro discurso incluimos e individualizamos, validamos, alentamos, expresamos gratitud, guardamos confianzas, afirmamos y mostramos placer. A través de cada edad y cada etapa, aplique los siguientes consejos marcados con afecto genuino.
• LA SEGURIDAD, o estabilidad, es el sentido de confianza, seguridad emocional y la certeza de que mis necesidades recibirán una respuesta predecible de las personas importantes en mi vida y indepediente de mi condición. Con esta garantía, mis energías están disponibles para administrar/enfrentar las situaciones de estrés que puedan emerger.
Fomentamos la seguridad cuando establecemos la rutina, el procedimiento y el sistema. Organice el entorno para que tenga un propósito. Inicie precauciones de seguridad, tanto físicas como emocionales. Brindar atención e inclusión. Demuestre consistencia, continuidad y previsibilidad. Cumplir las promesas. Anticipar las necesidades.
• ¡Expresa lo que quieres, y otorga sentido a aquello.
• ¡Mantén coherencia entre lo que dices y haces!
• LA AUTONOMÍA, o la seguridad personal, es el sentido de independencia respetuosa, autoridad interna y responsabilidad que me permite tomar decisiones apropiadas sin la necesidad de supervisión.
Fomentamos la autonomía cuando brindamos supervisión prudente pero no intrusiones. Aliente en lugar de alabar. Proporcione opciones. Fomente la independencia responsable. Enseñea sertividad respetuosa. Espere responsabilidad por las elecciones y consecuencias. Fomente el autocontrol.
• No haga nada por un niño cuando el pueda hacerlo de manera independiente.
• Enfatice el esfuerzo más que el resultado.
• LA INICIATIVA, o la confianza, en uno mismo para ser un emprendedor, es la motivación interior para crear planes y la capacidad personal para conquistar tareas sin engatusar.
Fomentamos la iniciativa cuando exponemos a los niños a experiencias variadas, damos respuestas pacientes y respetuosas a sus preguntas, hacemos cumplir las consecuencias naturales, establecemos estándares y plazos, equilibramos la libertad personal con la responsabilidad del bien común, alentamos la toma de riesgos prudentes, intervenimos como último paso, modele cómo recuperarse de un error y proporcione materiales, herramientas y recursos que respalden diversos intereses.
• Valore las ideas y el proceso más que el resultado.
• Modele cómo recuperarse y enmendar los errores.
• NIVEL de DESEMPEÑO, o laboral ética de trabajo, es la capacidad de ser persistente y diligente, realizar una tarea y crear un enfoque sistemático para la resolución de problemas y las responsabilidades.
Fomentamos dicho actuar cuando guiamos a los niños a trabajar de manera constante para completar tareas, administrar el tiempo, anticipar plazos y desarrollar habilidades organizacionales.
• Planifica tu trabajo y trabaja lo planificado.
• Si no planificas, podrías fracasar
• Las acciones hablan más que las palabras.
• Tu ejemplo vale más que mil palabras.
IHM GOOD WRITERS’ CLUB
RATIONALE
1. To assist teachers in providing motivation
2. To develop skills of legible handwriting
3. To provide a means for a sense of achievement
4. To foster pride in daily work
TIPS FOR TEACHERS
1. Select a definite objective for each lesson.
2. Allocate a specific time for penmanship each day.
3. Study techniques outlined in your Teacher’s Manual, noting the letter formation peculiar to your series (Palmer, Noble, Zaner Blozer, Universal Publishing etc).
4. Provide thorough instruction by demonstrating formation, size, shape, alignment, appearance, spacing and slant.
1. SHAPE correct formation of letters
2. SIZE uniform, correct height and width of letters
3. SLANT uniform, diagonal slope of strokes
4. ALIGNMENT tangency to baseline with down-strokes
Classes should come to an agreement on one alphabet. Having the alphabet on display in each classroom is most beneficial to proper letter formation.
Good Writers’ Club
The Good Writers’ Club is designed to assist teachers in:
• providing motivation to write properly
• developing skills of legible handwriting
• establishing a means for a sense of achievement
• fostering pride in daily work.
We encourage a continued effort in all grades in providing daily instruction and encouragement in:
• correct letter formation
• uniform height and width of letters
• uniform slant
• proper alignment
• neat and clean work
• good margins
• a specified arrangement of papers.
Within each school, a designated evaluator could be chosen, or classroom teachers may evaluate within the grade to choose those students each month who have exhibited good writing skills. Perhaps a “Good Writers' of the Month” Bulletin Board in the classroom or in an area in the school where all would have access to the "Good Writers’ " would be a few ways to display work and/or names in order to heighten motivation. Certificates can be distributed.
Monthly samples for Grades 3 thru 8 will be provided in each issue of the IHM Catholic Ed Notes
A sample certificate page will also be included in each issue of the IHM Catholic Ed Notes for your convenience to print on cardstock.
Thank you for all you do to encourage and foster these good writing skills in your students on a daily basis.
Why Cursive? Here are some interesting thoughts. http://www.cursivelogic.com/why-cursive
Grades 3 & 4
OCTOBER NOVEMBER
I open up a crayon box
It is not joy that makes us And what do I see? grateful, A bright green crayon It is gratitude that makes us Waiting for me! joyful.
Grades 5 & 6
OCTOBER NOVEMBER
You can find magic
Be the best you can until Wherever you look you know better. Sit back and relax Then, when you know better, All you need is a book. do better.
Dr. Seuss Maya Angelou
Grades 7 & 8
OCTOBER NOVEMBER
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. Having an attitude of gratitude The most certain way to succeed every day makes us aware of Is always to try just one more time. the blessings that come our way. Thomas Edison
DECEMBER
Grades 3 & 4
Grades 5 & 6
Wintertime is time for snow Jesus was born on Christmas. To the south the birds must go On a very Holy Night. It’s too cold for plants to grow. And in the sky above Him. Shone the very brightest light.
Grades 7 & 8
For seldom do we realize The importance of small deeds, Or to what degree of greatness Unnoticed kindness leads.
Fall, 2024
Religion Bulletin Boards
2024- 2025
“Knowledge can make one great; but only love can make you a saint.” --Fr Mike Schmitz at Eucharistic Congress
“Your Christianity is not for you. Christianity is not a self-help program, something designed just to make us feel better ourselves. Your Christianity is for the world.” Bishop Robert Barron at the National Eucharistic Congress
Bishop Robert Barron reminds us that our faith isn’t merely a personal comfort; it’s meant to be shared with others. It’s a call to love and serve beyond ourselves. In our Bulletin Boards this coming school year, we will continue in the spirit of this summer’s Eucharistic Congress and move on in the new year with a celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope. So often during the Eucharistic Revival, pilgrims were reminded of the call to be missionary disciples to share the love of God with others.
During the closing ceremony, more than fifty thousand pilgrims were encouraged to work in the upcoming year to bring back to the Church at least one fallen-away Catholic. At the heart of this movement is the Eucharist. We cannot bring others to Jesus unless we are alive with a love of Him ourselves.
Bishop Barron emphasized the centrality of the Eucharist at the Eucharistic Congress by encouraging pilgrims to deepen their understanding and appreciation of this sacrament. He likely emphasized its transformative power in bringing people closer to God and each other, urging them to reflect on its profound spiritual significance and the communal aspect of sharing in the body and blood of Christ. His approach would typically blend theological insights with practical encouragement to engage more fully in the Eucharistic celebration.
Use your bulletin boards to convey the message to students that they, too, are able to influence the return of those who have distanced themselves from the Church.
September
Call to Mission - Call to Praise
MAY THE HEART OF JESUS IN THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT BE PARAISED. ADORED AND LOVED WITH GRATEFUL AFFECTION AT EVERY MOMENT IN ALL OF THE TABERNACLES OF THE WORLD EVEN TO THE END OF TIME AMEN
At the beginning of the school year, spend some time reviewing the prayers of the Mass and of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Design a bulletin board using the prayers of these ceremonies and have the students include the prayers as a part of their daily prayers in the classroom. These could include the prayers of the Mass, the Divine Praises, Eucharistic Aspirations, Eucharistic Hymns and Scripture verses related to the Eucharist. One example is shown to the left.
Blessed Carlo Acutis is an inspiring figure, especially for young people. Create a bulletin board that captures some key aspects of his life and devotion. Here are some elements you might consider:
Blessed Carlo Acutis
A Modern Saint
Teen Who Loved the Eucharist
• Born on May 3, 1991, in London, England, Carlos moved to Milan, Italy, with his parents shortly after birth. He was diagnosed with leukemia as a teenager. Devoted to the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament, he dedicated himself to studying Eucharistic miracles. He passed away on October 12, 2006, at the age of 15.
• Carlo’s concern for the poor and homeless was remarkable. He interacted with a homeless man outside the church and shared food with those in need.
• Place a basket/box in front of the bulletin board in which students can place their intentions to be remembered when the class participates in Eucharist.
October
Mary, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
he Luminous Mysteries a beautiful aspect of the Rosary! These mysteries were introduced by Pope John Paul II in 2002, and they focus on significant events from Jesus Christ’s public ministry
October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary. Just as the Eucharist is a sacramental representation of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary, the Rosary allows us to remember and enter into those very moments. The Rosary fosters devotion to the Eucharist. When we pray it, we draw closer to Jesus, who is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. The repetition of Hail Marys echoes the rhythm of the Eucharistic liturgy the “Mystery of Faith” proclaimed during Mass: “We announce your death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.”
The Luminous Mysteries are a beautiful aspect of the Rosary! These mysteries were introduced by Pope John Paul II in 2002, and they focus on significant events from Jesus Christ’s public ministry.
Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist:
This mystery directly links the Eucharist and the Rosary. In it, we contemplate Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. He took bread, blessed it, and said, “This is my body.” Then He took the cup of wine, saying, “This is my blood.” The Eucharist becomes present on our altars during Mass, just as it did that night in the Upper Room.
(See additional teaching ideas
Mary, as the Mother of Jesus, holds a special place in the Eucharistic mystery. She received the Word made flesh in her womb, and her fiat her “yes” to God echoes in the Eucharistic celebration. Just as Mary carried Christ physically, we receive Him sacramentally in the Eucharist. Her intercession and example guide us toward a deeper relationship with this most holy sacrament
Our Lady of the Eucharist, intercede for us, that we may grow in our love for Jesus. May we become living tabernacles, carrying Him within us, and radiate His presence to the world.
The Mysteries of light.
How can you be a light to others?
I can be a light to others by
I can be a light to others by
I can be a light to others by
I can be a light to others by
I can be a light to others by
I can be a light to others by
I can be a light to others by
I can be a light to others by
I can be a light to others by
I can be a light to others by
November Praise and Thanksgiving
The Eucharist as Thanksgiving
The Eucharist, holds a central place in Christian worship. It’s a sacrament that combines both receiving the gift of Jesus Christ and expressing grateful thanks to God. The term itself comes from the Greek word eucharistein, which means “thanksgiving.”
The celebration of Thanksgiving during November provides an opportunity to focus on the Eucharist as our spiritual meal, our spiritual feast.
Our participation in the Eucharist is a profound act of gratitude for the work of creation and redemption.
Through prayers of thanksgiving, we express our appreciation for the blessings received both through nature and supernatural graces won for us by Christ1.
Give
Create bulletin boards on which students can show the things for which they are grateful—family, friends, food, freedom, faith. Provide the students with post-it notes on which they can write their prayers of gratitude to be placed on the bulletin board and then taken as prayers of intercession at their Thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration.
Teaching the Luminous Mysteries
(Source: CoPilot)
Teaching the Luminous Mysteries can be a beautiful and engaging experience. Here are some creative activities to help you explore these mysteries with others:
• Visual Meditation Stations:
Set up five stations, each representing one of the Luminous Mysteries.
At each station, display an image or artwork related to the mystery (e.g., a painting, a simple drawing, or a printed photograph).
Invite participants to spend a few minutes at each station, silently reflecting on the scene and considering its significance.
Afterward, gather as a group to share insights and thoughts.
• Role Play or Dramatization:
Divide participants into small groups.
Assign each group one of the Luminous Mysteries.
Ask them to create a short skit or role-play based on that mystery.
Encourage creativity: What might the characters say? How would they react? What emotions would they experience?
Perform the skits for the larger group.
• Interactive Rosary:
Use large beads or visual aids to represent each mystery.
As you pray the Rosary, pause at each Luminous Mystery and discuss it briefly.
Share relevant Scripture passages or reflections related to that mystery.
Encourage participants to share personal intentions or insights.
• Luminous Mysteries Art Collage:
Provide magazines, scissors, glue, and large poster boards.
Invite participants to find images or words that represent each of the Luminous Mysteries.
Create a collage by arranging these cutouts on the poster board.
Discuss the choices made and the symbolism behind each element.
• Guided Imagery Meditation:
Read a brief description of each Luminous Mystery.
Invite participants to close their eyes and imagine being present during that moment.
Guide them through sensory details: What do they see, hear, smell, and feel?
Afterward, allow time for silent reflection or journaling.
• Luminous Mysteries Scavenger Hunt:
Hide small objects or symbols related to each mystery around a room or outdoor space.
Provide clues or riddles that lead participants to discover these hidden items.
As they find each object, discuss the corresponding mystery.
• Luminous Mysteries Reflection Cards:
Create cards with a brief description of each mystery.
Distribute these cards randomly to participants.
Ask each person to reflect on the mystery they received and share their thoughts with a partner or the group.
Remember, the goal is not just to teach information but to foster a deeper connection with Christ through these mysteries. Feel free to adapt these activities based on the age group, setting, and time available. And most importantly, enjoy the journey of discovery together!
Religion Bulletin Boards
2023 - 2024
Missionary Discipleship
“life is a journey. It’s a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage from God and to God. We are each pilgrims on that narrow path. It’s not an easy . We all know that. However, if we co-operate with God’s grace we can make it and, even better, we can make it together.
Who, though, can teach us the way? The answer, of course, is Jesus Christ. Indeed, in the Holy Gospels, Our Blessed Lord identifies himself as “the way”. Meanwhile, the early Christians often referred to their new life as disciples of Jesus Christ as “the Way” (e.g., Acts 9:2). We too are his chosen.” Bishop Boyea
In our Bulletin Boards this coming school year, it would be a good thing to focus on the importance of Missionary Discipleship. Now, more than ever we need to revitalize our faith as a lived reality rather than just something “good to know.” Becoming a missionary disciple calls us to restore some of the time-honored traditions of our faith and make them a part of our daily practice. Some of these will be reflected in the themes of this year’s Bulletin Boards.
In the Gospels Our Blessed Lord identifies himself as “the way”. The early Christians often referred to their new life as disciples of Jesus Christ as “the Way” (e.g., Acts 9:2).
As we read the Bible, we encounter the Word of God, that is, Jesus Christ himself. He was making us his disciples. He wants us to become even better disciples. So, this coming year, we will be presented with some challenges. These, I hope, will help our students to live an ever more authentic, deeper and happier Christian life as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Call to Mission- Call to Praise
The Divine Praises
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His holy name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His most precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints.
If we are on the way, where exactly are we going? This life is a journey from God to God. He is our source and our destination. We are each a pilgrim on that narrow path. It’s not an easy journey. We all know that. However, if we co-operate with God’s grace we can make it and, even better, we can make it together. And, so, to the topic of our first challenge: Praise.
PRAISE ANOTHER
Did you praise God today?
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that “Praise is the form of prayer which recognizes most immediately that God is God” adding that it “embraces the other forms of prayer and carries them toward him who is its source and goal” which is Almighty God (#2639).
Praise puts us into right relationship with God and, as a result, we also find ourselves in right relationship with our brothers and sisters. Hence praise is an ideal place to begin our pilgrimage because it’s also where, please God, we’ll end our earthly pilgrimage.
Here is a twofold challenge which can be placed on a bulletin board:
First: Praise God every day. Every day.pray the Divine Praises or the Glory Be depending on the level of the students. Place these prayers on the Bulletin Board as a reminder
Second: Praise at least one person each day And praise them for something specific. How quick we can be to criticize. How slow we can be to praise. Yet, to praise others is also to praise God for the goodness of his creation. Place a reminder on the bulletin board. At the end of each day, ask the students if they have remembered to praise God by praising others.
October
Mary, the First Missionary Disciple
Mary’s Magnificat is a beautiful hymn of praise to God. Mary recognizes she is lowly. So are we! And yet, through her perfect co-operation with God’s grace she will become loved and praised until the end of time. There is the lesson for us. In praising God, we share in the God’s great plan for his universe and all creation, There lies the path to happiness as well as the path to Heaven. Bishop Fulton Sheen, liked to compare the radiance of Mary to the reflective light of the moon. He writes:
“God, who made the sun, also made the moon. The moon does not take away from the brilliance of the sun. All its light is reflected from the sun. [Thus] the Blessed Mother reflects her Divine Son; without Him, she is nothing. With Him, she is the Mother of Men.” As with Mary, so too with us.
October is a perfect month to focus on prayers to Mary. In addition to Mary’s hymn of praise, we can also focus on the Rosary and its beautiful mysteries, Dedicate a bulletin board to the Rosary and spend some time teaching the Rosary to the students. Try having the students do one of the following:
• Create a booklet showing the mysteries of the Rosary.
• Using craft beads and string, have students make their own rosary.
• Join with another class once a week in October to pray a “living Rosary.”
• There are many You Tube videos of the Rosary such as Kristen’s Crosses.”
Pray a decade of the rosary each day in October after the lunch recess. Even the youngest students can do a decade each day.
• Teach other prayers to Mary Memorare, Litany to Mary.
Hence, my challenge this month: Pray to Mary each day this month.
ROSARY TELL THE STORY OF
November
Praise and Thanksgiving
Participation in the Mass is the best thing we can do if we truly aspire to be Disciples Together on the Way.
As Disciples Together on the Way we turn our attention this month to the theme of thanksgiving. No, not the annual holiday with turkey and the cranberry sauce but, instead, the reason for that holiday, that we are always to give thanks to God our Father for the many blessings we have received. For the Christian disciple the theme of thanksgiving is essential. It stands at the very heart of our faith and our worship; the word Eucharist itself means ‘thanksgiving offering’. Being thankful is an acknowledgement of God’s goodness and love, as well as his greatness and power. If we don’t practice thanksgiving, we run the risk of forgetting that all good things come from God and, thus, that we could be distancing ourselves from God himself. Practicing thanksgiving in our prayer life can be a means of keeping us connected to God, maintaining our focus and attention on Him. This month:
• Pick a person each day and think of something about that person deserving our thanks. And then do it. Tell him or her of your appreciation. This will be pleasing to God love.
• Take a set of rosary beads and instead of saying Hail Mary’s use each bead to mention something for which we are thankful. If we do this we will have to name 60 thanksgivings.
• Just as Mary plays such an important part in the gift of eternal life offered to each of us through her Son, Jesus, our own mothers too have literally given us the gift of life Write a letter to your mom, living or deceased, and then to say a Hail Mary for our mom every day this week
• Try dedicating each meal as a "screen free zone". This means no TV, no tablet, and no phones. That means the phone is switched off –not just on silent – and away from the table. Doing that allows us to be fully present to each other and to God.
We see Jesus offering a Blessing before many of these meals. In the Jewish tradition, the Blessing corresponds to the type of food or the importance of the meal. But regardless of which type of Blessing, we can understand that it was a prayer ordered to give Praise and Thanks to God.Write your own prayer of Thanksgiving that you can use for Thanksgiving dinner.
