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: …
Article
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 …
Article
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. …
Article
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 …
Document
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!
Article
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: …
Article
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 …
Article
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 …
Article
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 …
Article
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. …
Article
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 …
Article
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 …
Article
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 …
Article
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 …
Article
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 …
Article
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. …
Article
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 …
Article
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 …
Article
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 …
Article
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 …
Article
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 …
Article
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 …
Article
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 …
Article
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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