Merry Christmas,
Faith Formation Families!
Last week, we learned about our parish home, Blessed Sacrament, and we took a little meditation journey to Bethlehem with the Holy Family.
This week's Flocknote includes a little review of what we've done in December and a chance to go back to what you may have missed this month, a few links to some Christmas fun, and a Christmas Children's Liturgy of the Word!
Christmas Guided Meditation
Are you looking for a way to appreciate "the reason for the season" together as a family? Guided meditation is a great way to connect with Jesus in your mind and heart. Try the one from last week's Flocknote, here:
In a guided meditation, you close your eyes and use your imagination to enter into a gospel story or another sacred place. The speaker will help you use your senses to encounter Jesus. Many people, children and adults both, find that a guided meditation is one of the best ways to feel the presence of Jesus and speak to Him in prayer. I invite you to share in this meditation together.
In this little video, we imagine that we are travelling with the Holy Family to Bethlehem, looking for a place to stay. We begin with a little introduction to set the stage, then I'll ask you to close your eyes and imagine along with me. About two thirds of the way through the video, you'll have a quiet moment to just be with the Holy Family. A short prayer to Baby Jesus ends this quiet time. Then we return to our story and finish our meditation. The video has some pretty pictures of a fresh snow at Chippewa Nature Center last November. If you have trouble keeping your eyes closed during the meditation, you can use the pictures to help you center your imagination and then close your eyes again.
"Shelter the Homeless "
Family Lesson #14
"Collect all 3 December Lessons!"
Lesson 11: December 4
In this lesson, we took a good look at the Bible story about the "Prodigal Son," a story Jesus told about a son who left his family and found himself without a home, but was still welcomed home by his father. We also learned about another family who was once without a home--Mary and Joseph, looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Would you give the Holy Family a place to stay?
Lesson 12: December 11
In this lesson, we learned about St. Martin de Porres, a saint from Peru who cared for the homeless in many different ways and was given many miraculous gifts to help him in his mission, including the gift of bilocation (he was able to be in 2 places at one time)! We did some service projects inspired by St. Martin, such as caring for our own homes or helping our neighbors with their homes.
Lesson 13: December 18
In this lesson, we talked about how Blessed Sacrament is our parish home, and we took a little tour to get to know it better. The lesson also included a tour of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the pope's church that, as Catholics, we can also call our home. We finished our lesson with a guided meditation, travelling with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and spending time in the stable with the Holy Family.
Special Bible Verse
As a family, read this Bible verse a few times slowly. Take a quiet moment to think about what Jesus is telling us.
"The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord."
If you wish, you could also write out this Bible verse in fancy letters, or even try to memorize all or part of it!
God Sightings
My dad sent me this God Sighting this week. He just had surgery on his shoulder, and he was resting on the couch, not feeling too great. It was a dreary, cloudy day, but suddenly the sun shone through the windows and lit up the Holy Family and the angel in the nativity set on their mantel!
Remember to share your own God Sightings in the "Share your faith work" section below!
Share Your "Faith Work"
Merry Christmas, Faith Formation Families! Have a blessed day!
Yours in Christ,
Corinne
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Faith Formation and Parish News
Plans for the New Year
Father Rob and our Faith Formation team have decided to continue virtual programming into January and through the rest of the school year. One of the many ways we can show how "Love Works" is by keeping one another safe! And as always, our love is at work for you!
