3. Introduce children to Saint
Andrew by reading aloud A Catholic to Know. ✦✦ Andrew was filled with excitement when Jesus called him to be his disciple. What excites you about your faith? (Possible answers: receiving the Eucharist; learning about God; spending time with family and friends in parish activities) ✦✦
A Catholic to Know According to the Gospel of John, Andrew was the first apostle Jesus called to follow him. After spending an afternoon with Jesus, Andrew was filled with excitement. He immediately went to his brother Simon Peter and shared his experience. “We have found the Messiah,” he proclaimed. Both men gave up their work as fishermen to become apostles of Jesus. Like Andrew, we are called to know Christ and then tell others about our exciting discovery of his love and friendship.
What would prompt you to share your excitement for the Good News with others? [Discuss ideas.]
Witness and Share These sentences describe what Catholics believe. Listen carefully as they are read. Ask yourself, “How strong are my Catholic beliefs?”
4. Discuss what it means to be
My Way to Faith
a witness. ✦✦ Why is it important to show our faith as well as tell others about it? (Possible answer: People are more likely to understand God’s love when they see us acting as Jesus did.) ✦✦
Saint Andrew
• I obey God the Father when I obey Jesus. • I receive God’s strength when I celebrate the sacraments. • I pray for the leaders of our Church. • I look to the teachings of the pope, bishops, and other Church leaders to guide me in my life. • I help build a better world by serving God’s kingdom.
Who are some heroes today who show their faith through service to God’s people?
Share Your Faith Think of one act of service you can do this week. Write your idea on the lines. Share your idea with a classmate. Invite the classmate to join you in this service. Work together to serve God’s kingdom!
5. Read the Witness and Share introductory text. Take a moment to think about the kind of witness you are. Are you growing closer to Jesus? Answer honestly in your heart.
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Read aloud the faith statements, pausing to allow time for reflection.
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Encourage children to be patient with themselves. Point out that we are all on a faith journey, no matter our age. Throughout our lives, we experience God in new and different ways. We must always be open to how he is working within us.
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Remind children to talk with a trusted adult if they would like to discuss further any of the faith statements they heard today. Suggest that children return to these statements later in the year to see how they have grown in their relationship with Jesus.
Transform 1. Read aloud the Share Your
Faith activity. Have children complete the activity with a partner.
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UNIT 1 We Come to Know God
Remember that we can serve others in big and small ways. Sometimes a simple word or gesture brings great comfort to someone in need.
2. Discuss ways children can be of service in the parish. What does it mean to be a member of a parish? (working together to serve God; sharing and caring for one another)
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Find a parish ministry or group in need of assistance for an upcoming event. Arrange to have the class
volunteer to help with setup, hospitality, or cleanup. ✦✦
Remind children to always watch for opportunities to serve those in their own community.
3-Minute Retreat Invite deeper reflection on God’s Word by accessing www.loyolapress.com/retreat. Goal 1: To bring about enthusiasm for faith so it is freely shared with others 97. To foster a deeper sense of prayer
The Church Evangelizes Discuss how many Catholic parishes promote opportunities for couples to strengthen their marriage. Some parishes might publish a newsletter with information about retreats, counseling services, and babysitting opportunities so that parents can grow together while fostering their family of faith. Goal 3: To foster gospel values, promoting dignity of the human person, the importance of the family, and the common good 122. To foster the importance of the family
God Speaks to Us Through the Church CHAPTER 3 T369
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