by Dr. Lauri Przybysz, D.Min.

We are part of a wide community of faith made up of people who have guided and inspired us. When we think about it, we can point to some people whose lives bear witness that goodness, kindness, and virtue exist in our world. They are part of a great cloud of witnesses to Christ’s love, evidence that we have a good reason for being hopeful in spite of all the disappointments and challenges of everyday living.

Our faith tradition recognizes the value of these role models: “But those with insight shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament. And those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever” (Daniel 12:3). In his encyclical letter Saved in Hope (Spe Salvi), Pope Benedict XVI reminds us to take courage from those who are role models of this hope.

“The true stars in our life are the people who have lived good lives. They are lights of hope. Certainly, Jesus Christ is the true light… but to reach him we also need lights close by—people who shine with his light and so guide us along the way” (no. 49).

For Your Students: “Who is a star in your life, one who gives you hope?”

• Writing Activities: a) Write a story about that person. Share your story with your classmates. b) Write a note to that person, thanking them for being a sign of God’s love for you. 
• Art Activity: Draw and color a scene of a starry sky, with some stars big enough for you to write a name inside the star. Share your picture with the class or send it to the person who has inspired you.
• Interview with a Star: Identify a Saint or modern Christian disciple that you have learned about in your recent faith formation lessons. Imagine how that person would answer these questions if you could interview them today: “What is the reason for your hope?” “Who is a star in your life who gave you hope?” “What advice do you have for young people like me?”
• Explore the lives of some Saintly stars in RCL Benziger’s Saints Resource.

For you as a Teacher: This reflection can be an opportunity for personal reflection and appreciation for those who have given us hope, as catechists, teachers, and family members.

• Consider how Pope Benedict’s words apply to your vocation as a teacher in your Catholic school. 
• Who is a star in your life, one who gives you hope? Send him or her a note of affirmation and appreciation.
• Consider telling your students the story of your “star “and why they mean so much to you. How did they give you hope? How did that person reflect the light of Christ to you?

 

About the Author

Dr. Lauri Przybysz specializes in equipping families to live their vocation to be domestic churches and signs of God’s love. Lauri received the Doctor of Ministry from the Catholic University of America, and she has been both a Catholic middle school religion teacher and a faith formation coordinator at the archdiocesan and parish levels. She is the mother of six children and grandmother of 21.

 

by Amy Kronberg

Spring has sprung! Or at least, it is certainly trying. Spring is a great time to pause and think about the long, cold winter, with Lent and Easter serving as a great reminder of sacrifice, reflection, and rebirth. 

Many years ago, the priest at my parish gave a sermon about how God has rolled the stone away for us. Through Good Friday and Easter, we are reminded of Jesus’ life and death, as well as his resurrection. Through this liturgical season, let us also take a moment to pause, notice, and bring new life into our classrooms.

Here are three ways to bring some joy into your teaching this month:

●     Take a breath: when you feel overwhelmed by children’s questions, the emotional load of being a teacher, or whatever else is weighing on you, take three deep breaths in. I like to breathe with a mantra, quietly saying it out loud as I take a deep breath in and take a longer time to exhale. Try this one: I breathe in faith, and I breathe out doubt.

●     Get Outside: gray skies are going to clear up, and sunshine will help you put on that happy face! If possible, try to take some lessons outside to enjoy the sun. Research shows many benefits to spending time outdoors, especially on our ability to focus, relax, and even sleep! Keep it simple–having reading groups outdoors, have circle time in nature, or try to plan a picnic!

●     Plant a resurrection garden: tending to something, especially plants, can help us relieve stress and also can help children build empathy. So much learning can happen in the garden – math, science, literacy, language, oh my! Grabbing a planter, some rocks, grass seeds, and sand can help you illustrate this Story of God’s Love with a garden you can care for as a class. A quick google search can give you ideas of how to set yours up!

Here is my gentle reminder to you: self-care is more than just the basic daily needs you have. Self-care isn’t just a hot shower every day or a nourishing meal. Those should be considered your basic needs. 

Think about self-care as your bag of tricks to help you fill your own cup, whether that is a hobby, connecting with a friend, making time to journal or pray every day, or finding strategies that you can rely on when you feel overwhelmed. 

Most importantly, self-care is not selfish. Caring for children involves:
•    Internalizing their feelings.
•    Carrying their worries with them.
•    Finding ways to answer their sometimes big questions.
You cannot pour from an empty cup, and doing so can take the joy out of teaching. Remember to make time for you to connect with yourself, with your faith, and you will be surprised at how you can care for others.

About the Author
Amy S. Kronberg is an early learning consultant and adjunct professor at the University of Dayton. Mrs. Kronberg began her work in early childhood education at the University of Michigan, Dearborn Early Childhood Education Center, where she learned about the Reggio Emilia philosophy, child-centered curriculum, and playful learning environments. She moved to Dayton in 2013 to complete her Masters of Science in Education, studying early childhood leadership and advocacy so she could learn to support children and families in understanding the value of and celebrating play. She is currently all but dissertation in Educational Leadership at the University of Dayton. She specializes in early learning consulting for local nonprofits, infant and toddler learning, and social-emotional development.

by Mary Clifford Morrell

As a child, one of my favorite images was a painting by Carl Bloch of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane being comforted by an angel. It hung on my bedroom wall and always made me feel better when I was sad or worried. I thought it was awesome that Jesus had his own angel as a friend. It was understandable since he was the son of God after all, but I never considered that Jesus needed the comfort of an angel because he was also human – like me.

It was a happy lesson when I learned that everyone has their own guardian angel and memorized the lovely little prayer my religion teacher taught us:

"Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, to guide. Amen." 

It's a prayer I still pray as an adult.

The Agony in the Garden is one of four events in the life of Jesus that is remembered on Holy Thursday. During this night preceding his death, his closest friends, a few of the Apostles, fell asleep while Jesus prayed. Only the angel was present to him.

What does the Church teach? The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "from infancy to death human life is surrounded by their [angels'] watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." (CCC, n. 336).

Take advantage of the Easter season to teach or reinforce your teaching students about the role of angels, especially guardian angels. Include the story of Jesus, who was strengthened by an angel, as he faced suffering and death.

Talk to your students about angels from two perspectives – when they help us in ways we want and when we don't feel they are helping us. Sometimes they protect us from being hurt, and other times they do not. It's important for children to understand that angels' most important role is to strengthen our relationship with God, pray for us, and help us rely on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Adopt a guardian angel prayer for your classroom and pray it with your young students: "Angel sent by God to guide me, be my light and walk beside me; be my guardian and protect me; on the paths of life direct me. Amen." 

For older students and teachers, consider the Prayer to the Angel of Gethsemane when praying for those who are suffering or those who are taking care of them: 

"O Angel of Gethsemane, chosen by the Father 
to bring strength and consolation to Jesus during His agony, 
I ask you to be with me now as I keep watch over my loved one who is sick and suffering. 
Help me to offer my best care, love and protection to this child of God.
May my words and my touch be filled with gentleness, my presence bring comfort, and my prayers bring rest and healing sleep.
Do what I cannot do, O loving Angel, to bring healing and strength to soul and body, according to the Father's will. Amen."

To read more about angels in the Catholic tradition, go to the blog article - Honoring the Angels | RCL Benziger.

For an additional prayer resource, consider, Our Family Prays. This collection of rituals, blessings, prayers, and traditions meant to encourage and inspire makes a great gift for parents or families as a help to keep prayer at the heart of the home. It's also an excellent resource for teachers, organized by the seasons of the liturgical year and including religious traditions and celebrations worldwide.

 

Editorial credit: Nancy Bauer/Shutterstock.com  for the stained glass image

Editorial credit: Carl Heinrich Bloch/public domain work of art (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carl_Heinrich_Bloch_-_Gethsemane.jpg)

 

About the Author
Mary Regina Morrell, mother of six and grandmother to nine, is a Catholic journalist, author, and syndicated columnist who has served the dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, New Jersey, and RENEW International in the areas of catechesis and communication.

by Dr. Lauri Przybysz, D.Min

 

This activity celebrates the family and friends who support and care for us, imagined as a Tree of Life. It would be a fun activity during springtime, Eastertide or part of your Earth Day celebrations. Our families and friends make up our environment in which we can grow and thrive, like trees in a forest. As in those bountiful forests, God provides our families with all that they need to be strong. This activity can appeal to children of all ages.

1. Review the parts of a tree: roots, trunk, branches, and leaves.
2. Our roots are those people who have gone before us—the people in our past who started our families, like our grandparents, saints, etc.
3. Our trunk is the people who give us support every day—the people in our present who help our family, like our godparents, family friends, teachers, priests, brothers, sisters, deacons, lay ministers, etc.
4. Our branches symbolize us reaching out to the world, an important part of keeping us strong—the gifts that we share with the world, like musical gifts and talents or our Catholic faith. As we reach out like branches, we are working towards a future with God.
5. Just as God sends water and sun for the tree to grow, God’s creation also helps us to be strong. Everything around us from the trees to the ocean is an important part of nurturing our faith and trust in God.

Instructions: Each student receives a picture of a tree without any leaves, a number of paper leaves about 3 inches wide (triangles will work), and a form or paper on which to write their answers to the following questions:

1. Print your own name under the “tree” illustration.
2. Think of names of people that helped you to feel loved and cared for.  Write a name on one of the leaves. Glue it on your “tree.” You may add more names on additional leaves.
3. Name the people who currently are positive influences on you. Write them on other leaves.
4. Identify the gifts that you have that you are able to share with others, now and in the future. Write them on one or more leaves.
5. Write the gifts of creation for which you have appreciation. Write the ideas on leaves. Paste all your leaves on the tree page.

Gather the students for a gratitude prayer. During the prayer, invite students to share ONE item from their leaves with the group.

Close the activity with a prayer of thanksgiving: “We thank you, God Our Creator, for all of the people and gifts you have given us to help us grow, and for the beauty of nature that we recall when we see these Trees of Life. Amen.”

Look for free downloadable and printable resources are available for Earth Day in Catholic Resources:

Dr. Lauri Przybysz specializes in equipping families to live their vocation to be domestic churches and signs of God’s love. Lauri received the Doctor of Ministry from the Catholic University of America, and she has been both a Catholic middle school religion teacher and a faith formation coordinator at the archdiocesan and parish levels. She is the mother of six children and grandmother of 21

 

 

by Mary Clifford Morrell

 

St. Augustine once said, “We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song,” a phrase often repeated by St. Pope John Paul II. What, exactly, does that mean for us, and how do we encourage it in our youth?

We begin with the knowledge that the Easter Season is the most important liturgical time in the Church, including the Easter Vigil, which St. Augustine referred to as “the Mother of all Vigils,” and Easter Sunday, the greatest Sunday of the Church year. But there is much more, and it’s something we often overlook.

The Easter Season lasts 50 days, seven weeks plus Pentecost, and is meant to continue the rejoicing of the Resurrection after the long 40 days of Lent. By consciously celebrating the joy and new life of Easter for 50 days, we are also nurturing that joy as a part of our daily lives in spite of challenges and adversity, to truly become Easter people, active witnesses to a faith that transforms even death.

Since lesson plans are generally filled to the brim, now is the time to plan ahead to help students engage in the seven weeks of Easter. Here are some simple suggestions:

Keep Easter liturgical colors – Keep the cloths and accessories on your prayer tables white, with accents of gold, for the seven weeks of the Easter season. Add flowers around holy pictures and statues. Students see these throughout the day, not just during religion class. It’s a reminder that our Catholic faith is always with us, no matter what we are doing.

Display the Primary Easter Symbol – The Christ Candle (Easter or Paschal Candle), represents the light of Christ dispelling the darkness of sin and death. Keep a Christ Candle on your prayer table, either purchased or made. A white pillar candle is perfect, wax or flameless. A red cross may be added to the candle. Use it for discussions about the importance of light in our lives.

Feasting not Fasting –Jesus taught, “As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.” The Season of Easter is a time to enjoy the blessing of food in contrast to the fasting of Lent. If possible, set aside a window of time one day a week where children can enjoy a special Easter food, like hot cross buns or large pretzels (little arms crossed in prayer). Solicit suggestions from parents.

Embrace Easter Attitudes – Easter is a time of rebirth, transformation, renewal, hope and joy. These are attitudes that grow when they are nurtured. No lessons needed, just encouragement to be joyful and hopeful, and a nudge to see opportunities for growth, renewal and change. Or pick a different Easter attitude for a weekly classroom theme. Ask children for suggestions on how to bring the themes alive.

Proclaim Alleluia! – With the Easter Vigil the Alleluia is once again sung or prayed during Mass. Give your students an opportunity to “Praise God,” which is what Alleluia means, by adding this brief prayer at the beginning or end of the school day: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.” R. Alleluia, alleluia.

To further enrich your Easter lessons, visit RCL Benziger’s Easter Resources for free downloadable prayers, activities, and suggestions to help you keep the Easter celebration going.

Mary Regina Morrell, mother of six and grandmother to nine, is a Catholic journalist, author, and syndicated columnist who has served the dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, New Jersey, and RENEW International in the areas of catechesis and communication.

 

 

by Mary Clifford Morrell

 

Today, when sports teams gather on the field of play, cheerleaders wave pompons and fans wave all kinds of things, like signs and flags, accompanied by loud shouting to show their appreciation for their team and express their belief in their ability to win.

In a similar way, Palm Sunday shows a picture of a whole town full of people waving palm branches for the man they believed would be their king and win their salvation. The people shouted, “Hosanna!” –an expression of praise, adoration and joy—as Jesus made his way into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey.

It’s not surprising they should be so excited about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for Passover. They had heard about it before, many years before.

Some 500 years earlier, the prophet Zachariah told the people, “Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king is coming to you, a just savior is he, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The time was now and many were filled with joy because they believed Jesus would be the Messiah, the King, who would save them from domination by the Romans. But in a short time, those who excitedly waved palm branches, a common symbol of victory, were going home shaking their heads and saying, “But we thought he was the one.”

Holy Week begins, but they could not imagine that God had a greater salvation in store.

Palm Sunday is rich with teachable themes, adaptable to a variety of age levels. Several are highlight below:

1. Glory and Praise – People waved palm branches, laid them and their own coats on the ground in front of Jesus as he processed into the city on his donkey.  How do we give glory and praise to God in our daily lives?
2. Triumph, disappointment and hope – Jesus made a triumphant entry into Jerusalem. But soon he was arrested, beaten, crucified and buried. Many people lost faith in Jesus. Who was left? Would we have been among them? Before or after the Resurrection?
3. Incorporating symbols of faith – Palm branches have become symbols of faith. We take them home, weave them into crosses and place them behind religious pictures or Bibles or above doors as a means of protection. What are some other symbols of Holy Week and how do we incorporate them into daily life? Don’t forget food.
4. Role of Prophets – The word prophet means “those who speak before others.” Eighteen books of the Old Testament contain the messages of the prophets, including Zachariah, about God’s faithfulness and the need for God’s children to be faithful to the Covenant.  Why are the prophets and an understanding of the Old Testament important for an understanding of our Catholic faith?

An excellent resource to help teach #4 above, and to expand student’s understanding of the importance of the Old Testament, one of two parts of Sacred Scripture, is God’s Promise in the Old Testament, a teacher’s guide that also comes with a free e-book!

Mary Regina Morrell, mother of six and grandmother to nine, is a Catholic journalist, author, and syndicated columnist who has served the dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, New Jersey, and RENEW International in the areas of catechesis and communication.

 

 

by Mary Clifford Morrell

 

After two years of not being able to gather together, it was a joy, this year, to attend a Lenten morning of recollection led by renowned artist Oblate of St. Francis de Sales Brother Mickey McGrath. Brother Mickey took us through the Stations of the Cross, using his own inspired artwork, helping us connect the stations to our own experiences and what is happening in the world today.

He also shared his outreach to youth, providing them with occasions to join him in creating art as part of their spiritual journey, opportunities the youth acknowledge as powerful learning experiences in faith.

There are many ways in which children learn and come to faith. Among the most effective is engagement in the creative process, using their imaginations and their own experiences. This can be heightened by learning within a community, like the Catholic school classroom.

As we move through Lent and begin planning for Holy Week, there is a wealth of Catholic teaching, liturgies, devotions and celebrations that may be incorporated into a creative lesson that would lend itself to a mini-retreat in the classroom. Additional Activities and Enriching the Lesson sections from the Blest Are We Faith in Action teacher’s guides offer helpful ideas for engaging students, depending on their ages, in themes of forgiveness, charity, fasting and self-discipline, Stations of the Cross, Holy Thursday, especially as it relates to Mass, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

A Mini-Retreat

Begin and end with prayer: Refer to religion textbooks for appropriate prayers, or choose a favorite Psalm or prayer with which children are familiar.

Prepare music: A background of inspirational music is helpful in lending a prayerful element to the experience while children are working.

As Inspiration: Prepare a black or white board with words or symbols denoting Lenten practices, like forgiveness or charity, and invite students to add related words to fill the board, or if time is very limited, add additional words yourself. Students may use these words to portray their own understanding of a theme or topic in a chosen art form:

• God Letters – Children often feel like they are not being heard. Writing a letter to God gives them an opportunity to be honest before God about their joys, reasons for gratitude and their fears.
• Stained Glass “Windows” – These windows have an important history in the Church as a means of religious education for those who were not literate. The images enabled all the faithful to have a better understanding of the Gospel and the life of Christ. Have children draw a religious symbol or word of their choice (hearts included) in the center of drawing paper, outlining it in black and coloring; divide the rest of the page into random sections also outlined in black; color sections in bright colors.
• My Own Vespers – Vespers, or evening prayer, are part of the Liturgy of the Hours. They have been prayed for centuries, often by monks who prayed the Psalms of the Old Testament. It is helpful if children are familiar with the Psalms, but even if they are not, children may be encouraged to create their own evening prayer to be said before the end of every day.
• Poems of Faith – Among the saints of the Church are a good number of poets, including St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Hildegard of Bingen. Most classrooms also include a budding poet or two. Children who write poems may also want to illustrate the poems as meaningful for them.

Plan to display the work of children, if they are agreeable.

For additional ideas and information, visit RCL Benziger’s free, downloadable Lenten resources and Saints Resource.

Mary Regina Morrell, mother of six and grandmother to nine, is a Catholic journalist, author, and syndicated columnist who has served the dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, New Jersey, and RENEW International in the areas of catechesis and communication.

 

 

by Dr. Lauri Przybysz, D.Min

 

In the Church’s tradition, we have the practice of Lectio Divina, “divine reading,” where we read a short passage of Scripture or writings from the Saints, focusing on just one word that touches our hearts. That word becomes a “teacher” for us, opening our imaginations to what God wants us to learn.

A similar practice is called Visio Divina, “divine seeing,” where we use artwork instead of words to turn our minds to God’s message to us. You can lead students of any age or level in Visio Divina, allowing art to lead them into prayer.

Where can you find art for Visio Divina? Your faith formation textbooks are an excellent source! Invite students to select an illustration for themselves from the pages or even the cover. They will discover beautiful color artwork on almost every page. It is good to choose a picture in which something is happening, but any kind of image will do. This is a novel way to use the resources you have on hand.

Explain that the spiritual practice of Visio Divina is a way of using art to turn our minds and hearts to prayer.

Allow students to spend some time exploring their faith formation textbook for an image that they like or that catches their attention. Each student selects an illustration to use during their prayer. Teachers, you might also like to choose an image for yourself and experience your own Visio Divina during this prayer time.

Prepare your hearts for prayer. You can make this is a silent experience. Invite the children to ask God to be with them as they examine the picture more closely, focusing on just one detail or corner of the picture. After a minute or two, they should close their eyes and try to remember that part of the picture in their imagination.

Pause and reflect. Have students open their eyes and look at the whole picture. After a few minutes, have the children close their eyes again. Guide the students by posing some questions: “What do you like about this picture? What does this picture make you think of? With whom would you like to share this picture? What else do you wish you knew about this picture or the story it is telling? What do you want to tell God now? For whom do you want to pray?”

When you judge that the class is ready, have the children open their eyes. Provide slips of paper for everyone to write down their prayer intention privately. Collect the slips into a basket and close the prayer time: “Lord, hear our prayers.” Time spent in Visio Divina, and all types of prayer experiences, sets a calming tone for the learning – and teaching – the lesson you have planned for the day.

For more ideas for classroom prayer, visit Catholic Resources for classroom prayers. Also, see recent blog posts: “Prayer in Your Classroom” and “Beautiful Art Brings Stories to Life for Children”

Dr. Lauri Przybysz specializes in equipping families to live their vocation to be domestic churches and signs of God’s love. Lauri received the Doctor of Ministry from the Catholic University of America, and she has been both a Catholic middle school religion teacher and a faith formation coordinator at the archdiocesan and parish levels. She is the mother of six children and grandmother of 21

 

by Dr. Lauri Przybysz, D.Min

 

Lent is our greatest season of hope because it awaits the great mystery of Jesus resurrection on Easter morning. In the Catholic school classroom, we have an opportunity to bring extra focus to these benefits for our students.

During Lent, we can introduce or do again practices that will enrich the spiritual lives of the students while passing on our tradition of expectant and fruitful waiting for the triumph of Life over Death. Each of these ideas is accompanied by a related Scripture quotation. Encourage them to learn one quote by heart.

• Planting Seeds: Waiting for seeds to sprout into a living plant gives students an experience of waiting and celebrating new life. Supply marigold or bean seeds, little paper cups, and planting soil. You will need a big tray to hold all the cups and a sunny window sill. Provide a picture of what the plant and future flower will look like when it grows. Here is a plan for blessing the seeds from Catholic Resources:
• Scripture to Learn: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9.
• Egg Design – Easter is around the corner, and our traditional Easter eggs remind us that new life is coming. How will we decorate those eggs? Have children draw some egg shapes and plan some colors, symbols, and words that they want to put on the eggs they will decorate at home. Share some illustrations of decorated eggs by artists from other cultures.
• Scripture to Learn: “You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.” James 5:8.
• Waiting to be Kind – When children get in line at school, perhaps between classes or at dismissal, ask each person to think of a kind deed they will do when they get to their destination. Explain that time spent waiting can be a gift to us, allowing us to relax, get ready, and turn our hearts and minds to God in a prayer for others.
• Scripture to Learn: “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.” Romans 8:25.

              Christians are Easter people, people who have hope that life will conquer death, despite all evidence to the contrary. In your role as a Catholic school teacher, you cannot know exactly what the future will bring, but you can trust God to be with you in it.

More free resources for a fruitful Lent at school and in the home:RCL Benziger Catholic Resources

 

Dr. Lauri Przybysz specializes in equipping families to live their vocation to be domestic churches and signs of God’s love. Lauri received the Doctor of Ministry from the Catholic University of America, and she has been both a Catholic middle school religion teacher and a faith formation coordinator at the archdiocesan and parish levels. She is the mother of six children and grandmother of 21.