Hello Faith Formation Families!
Last week, we took a pause from our lessons about "Visit the Prisoner" with a special MLK Day lesson. If you think about it, though, Dr. King fits right in with our "Visit the Prisoner" lessons. His work was all about equality and keeping people from being imprisoned by unfair practices and systems. He even unjustly spent time in prison, himself, in his commitment to his cause.
This week, we'll continue learning about "Visit the Prisoner," the Corporal Work of Mercy for January, with a lesson all about St. Damien of Molokai.
All of the materials you'll need for this month's lessons will be printable or accessible online, so there's no need to pick up a packet in the Parish Center.
"Visit the Prisoner "
Family Lesson #18
Let's begin our lesson as we begin all things, with the Sign of the Cross.
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."
Then pray the Guardian Angel Prayer:
"Angel of God, My Guardian Dear,
To whom God's love commits me here,
Ever this day be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen."
Here's a printable version of this prayer along with the opening prayers from October-December. Consider putting them all together in a prayer book!
Activities: Saint and Service
In today's activities, we'll learn a little more about St. Damien of Molokai and do some service inspired by his life.
SAINT
Print this coloring page of St. Damien of Molokai. As you color him, think about the Bible verse from the gospel of John written on the paper in his hands.
What do you think it means to "lay down your life" for someone? St. Damien knew that going to live on Molokai to care for the people with leprosy meant that he would probably get the disease himself. So why did he do it?
St. Damien said:
The people of Molokai needed to hear about Jesus. Even more than that, the people of Molokai needed to feel the love of Jesus! St. Damien knew this, and he was willing to suffer from leprosy himself in order to show them that they were loved by Jesus! They may have been imprisoned by their illness, but St. Damien showed them that they were not alone or forgotten!
SERVICE
In the introduction video, I talked about how people who are imprisoned often feel like they are forgotten and alone. Some people live in actual prisons because of bad choices they have made, and others can be imprisoned by illness or old age in their homes, especially now, during Covid times. Jesus calls us to "Visit the Prisoner" because no one should ever feel forgotten or alone.
For this month's service project, make a video of yourself reading your favorite picture book. Don't forget to show the pictures like your teacher does in school! Send the video to a grandparent or older person you know who has had to stay home because of Covid. If you don't know anyone who has had to stay home, let me know, and I'll set you up with an older parishioner from Blessed Sacrament. Let's show our loved ones that they are not forgotten or alone!
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.
"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."
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
For the past 20 years, this Christmas cactus of mine has bloomed faithfully during the week before Christmas. This year, I was afraid it had forgotten to bloom, but then it surprised me and bloomed the week after the New Year instead! Thank you, God, for the beautiful colors of your Creation!
Remember to share your own God Sightings in the "Share your faith work" section below!
Share Your "Faith Work"
