Article

Lenten Justice Crosses

OVERVIEW Through this hands-on project, the young people help spread the Lenten message of conversion to justice. They also become familiar with the message of the prophet Micah and the traditional spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Suggested Time: …

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Lenten Nails: A Reflection Exercise for Lent

OVERVIEW This two-part reflection exercise allows the young teens to evaluate their behaviors and attitudes and admit their faults, throughout Lent. The exercise is introduced at the beginning of Lent and concludes before Easter. Suggested Time: Approximately 10 minutes for …

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February 14: Valentine Puzzles

Preparation. Purchase or make a poster board heart, about 6 inches wide, for every four or five young people. Write on each heart a different scriptural verse that pertains to love. Include the citation. Here are some possible citations: Deut. …

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January 22: Saying Yes to Life

Preparation Bring in pictures of fetal development. 1. Present a scenario in which a girl like those in your group experiences a crisis pregnancy. Then list on the board a number of options, such as these: She can keep the …

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Instruments of God's Grace

May this selection, from Let Us Remember: Stories of the Holy Presence of God encourage and inspire you in your good work!  

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Advent Buddies

Advent Buddies: An Intergenerational Relationship-building Activity OVERVIEW This activity helps young people learn from an older person in the parish and establish a faith relationship with that person. Suggested Time: About 15 minutes for each meeting during Advent Group Size: …

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Must--Should--Can

Must--Should--Can Instructions: Check all the responsibilities you believe a pope must do in the MUST column, the responsibilities he should do in the SHOULD column, and the responsibilities he can do in the CAN column. # Responsibility MUST SHOULD CAN …

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The Liturgical Year

Learning Experience: The Liturgical Year (20 minutes) On a chalkboard or sheet of newsprint, draw six horizontal lines. Tell the group members that each line represents one of the Church seasons. Invite them to name the major seasons of the …

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A New Rock

  OVERVIEW This is a youth catechetical session intended to lead young people to an understanding of Pope John Paul II's life, ministry, general papal responsibilities, and the procedure for electing a new pontiff. It can be used in a …

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Back to School: Latin 101

Invite your class or each student to create a motto for the year in terms of positive faith growth over the course of the year. Your students are most likely familiar with the tradition of mottos or creeds in Latin. …

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Back to School: Saintly Guest Speaker

Saintly Guest Speaker? This activity is designed to have your students move around a little, look at the lives of a few saints, assess where they are in their spiritual lives, and help you assess how they are feeling about …

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Month of the Rosary: Share the Rosary

For a class or group project make rosaries for a group of elementary students preparing to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time. Rosaries can be made from beads found at craft stores or by tying knots …

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Lectio Divina: Praying with the Scriptures

The Scriptures is one of the greatest riches possessed by Christians. Often attributed to Saint Jerome, there is the saying that "ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of God". However, Catholics are often less comfortable and deft with Scripture than Protestant …

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A Listening Session for Teens on the Mishandling of Sexual Abuse by Clergy

Materials Needed * a 3-by-5-inch index card for each young person * a pencil for each young person * prayer materials (Select one of the "Options for Ritual Actions" below.) * 3 readers for the closing prayer                                                                                                                 * handouts …

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American and Catholic: Inviting Current Events into Religion Class

After the terrorist attacks of September 11, my students discussed Catholic social teaching on war and peace. One of my students said, "This is not the time to be Catholic; this is the time to be an American." He was …

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Operation Rice Bowl

Kenyan communities view the birth of a child as a source of blessing for the entire community. I sense that our culture has some things to learn from African peoples about the need for the community to support its children. …

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The Meal Ministry of Jesus

Ask the students to recall their favorite meal celebration. What made it so special? What was the occasion? Where were they? Who was present? What did they eat? What else happened there? Invite them to share with the class the …

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News from Ephesus

The student text points out that Christians in the Roman Empire were often in conflict with the Roman state over their refusal to worship the emperor. In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke tells a story in which Christians come …

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Singing Telegrams

Direct the students to read Matthew, chapters 1–2. Discuss the role of a messenger in the passage, noting the different messages delivered by angels. Form small groups. Instruct the groups each to compose and rehearse a singing telegram based on …

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Mathematical Equations for Matthew

  Explain to the students that this activity is designed to familiarize them with the Gospel of Matthew. Mention that it asks them to solve and create some mathematical equations based on the Gospel. Write the following examples on the …

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The Elephant Man

I use a "carousel" activity with the movie The Elephant Man (1980, Paramount Video, 125 minutes) when teaching my lifestyles course. It works like this. After viewing the movie, I ask the students to call out the names of all …

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What Every Teen Should Know

I often joke with my students that they help me parent my children! When my daughter Ellie was turning thirteen, all of a sudden I was struck with this idea that turned out to be an awesome activity for my …

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Intergenerational Service Project

Objectives to provide layette and nursery supplies for families in need to bring together girls and women to serve, build community, and pray to stimulate intergenerational dialogue among girls and women to reflect on the physical and emotional needs of …

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Emergency Phone Numbers

When in sorrow, call John 14. When men fail you, call Psalm 27. If you want to be fruitful, call John 15. When you have sinned, call Psalm 51. When you worry, call Matthew 6:19-34. When you are in danger, …

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