Here are my 7 best intergenerational lessons that I have taught

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Movements of the Mass

There are 4 movements of the mass

1) Gathering-

We gather to pray with one another. How do we pray with others?

2) Storytelling

We listen as the Word of God is shared. How do we share our stories with one another?

3) Meal Sharing-

4) Sending Forth

We are commissioned by Christ to go and share with the world.

— 2 —

Table Comparison

We set two tables side by side to show the comparision of what we do in our Parish Church is mirrored in our homes…..

For the Parish Altar we use:

Altar Cloth, Priest Vestments, Chalice, Paten, Unconsecrated Host, Purificator, Lectionary, Candles

On  our Home Table we mirror the Altar with the following items:

Table Cloth, Apron, Cup, Plate, Bread, Napkin, Photo Album, Candles

— 3 —

Sacrament of Reconciliation with 4 stations

1) Forgiveness Wheel

2) Act of Contrition/Examination of Conscience

3) Story of Zaccheus

Have student reenact the scripture story

4) Parts of the Sacrament of Penance

— 4 —

Tour of the Church

We make stations throughout the Sanctuary. We have a station at each of the following places:

Baptismal Font

Stations of the Cross

Altar

Ambo

Tabernacle

Sacristy

Confessional

Families are then invited to take a tour around the church. At each station I have an adult present to discuss the station and answer any questions.

— 5 —

Sacraments of Initiation

I have 3 stations; one for each of the Sacraments of Initiation.

Baptism- along with the symbols of baptism

White garment, Baptismal Candle, Picture of a community, Holy Water, Oil, 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit

Eucharist- Unconsecrated bread and wine, wheat, grapes

Confirmation- oil, candle, 7 giftboxes with each of the gifts of the Holy Spirit on them. At each station there are a series of questions about what do you see, where else do you see them , what does this sacrament mean to you.

— 6 —

Overview of the Sacrtament of Reconciliation with the following stations

1) Tour of a confessional

2) Law of Love/Ten Commandment Activity- This activity shows how the ten commandments and the Law of Love is connected

3) Prodigal Son Game- Read the Scripture Story about the Prodigal Son and then play the file folder game.

4) Sin or Accident Game- Give students various scenarios of sins and accidents and students will hold up a red strip of construction paper if it is a sin and green if it is an accident.

— 7 —

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Go over what the 7 gifts are and what they mean. Then give them 7 bags with 1 item in each bag and they have to decide which gift it represents and why.

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Welcome to Mother’s Day Event, hosted by Little Inspiration & ShyBabies and sponsored by some lovely blogs! Mother’s day is around the corner and during this event you will have the chance to win a $50 Sephora & $35 1800Flowers.com Gift Cards. For your WIFE, MOM or pamper yourself to some makeup, flowers and/or chocolates -Your choice! Good Luck to all and Happy Mother’s Day!

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Patron Saints- Something about siants intrigues us. Perhaps it’s their special closeness to the mystery of the diviine, or their simplicity. Saints are special because they excelled at living their lives with great trust and confidence in God. As they opened their hearts to Christ God was able to work through them.

Patron Saints of

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 Actors: St. Genesius

Accountants: St. Matthew

Altar Servers: St. John Berchmans

Animals: St. Francis of Assisi

Arthritus Sufferers: St. Alphonsus Liguori

Artists: St.Catherine of Bologna

— 2 —

Bakers: St. Elizabeth of Hungary

Bicyclists: Madonna del Ghisallo

Booksellers: St. John of God

Builders: St. Vincent Ferrer

Butchers: St. ANthony of Egypt

— 3 —

Cab Drivers: St. Fiacre

Cancer Patients: St. Peregrine laziosi

Catechists: St. Charles Borromeo

Chastity: St. Thomas Aquinas

Children: St. Nicholas of Myra

Converts: St. Margaret Clitherow

Cooks: St. Lawrence

— 4 —

Lawyers: St. Thomas More

Leaders: Blessed John XXIII

Military: St. Joan of Arc

Missionaries: St. Therese of Lisieux

Mothers: St. Monica

Motorists: St. Frances of Rome

— 5 —

Priests: St. John Vianney

Retreats; St Ignatius of Loyola

Nurses: St. Catherine of Siena

Parents: St. Louis IX of France

Police Officders: St. Michael the Archangel

— 6 —

Schoolchildren: St. John Bosco

Scientists: St. Albert the Great

Searchers of Lost articles: St. Anthony of Padua

Teachers: St. John Baptist de la Salle

Throat Ailments: St. Blaise

— 7 —

Astronauts and aviators: St. Joseph of Cupertino

Astronomers: St. Dominic

Athletes; St. Sebastian

Authors: St. Francis de Sales

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Fr. Hater has a way of explaining things in very simple yet in depth ways.  I like the way the book was laid out. In chapter one we find an overview of our life of sacramentality and the sacraments.  We often hear that the Sacraments are the gateway to our faith but no one ever tells you why.  Then as this chapter ends, he leads you on a walk inward as he suggests many ways to reflect on God and the many roles you may find yourself and God engaged within your soul.

The next seven chapters cover each of the seven sacraments.  Each chapter begins with a story, and then explains the sacrament as a Gateway to God, followed by the History of that Sacrament, The Basic Church Teaching of the Sacrament, the Human Need of the Sacrament and finally Communal and Personal Implications of the sacrament.

The book concludes with yet another story.

I believe storytelling is so much, of who we are as Catholic People of God and when we can connect with one another’s stories then we can connect with ourselves and our God.  As the Director of Religious Education, I have used many of the stories, ideas, and information contained within the pages of this publication.  It is both informative and spiritual.  The implication sections of each chapter encourages the reader to not only have a better understanding of each of the sacraments but also encourages us to go inward and deeper in our understanding and celebration of each sacrament.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the implications of the Sacraments as well as grow deeper in their faith.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Gateways to God. They are also a great source for a baptism gifts or first communion gifts.

Writing and journaling is good therapy when you are grieving the loss of a loved one. In 1998 I lost my beloved husband and father to my two children. While I was healing I wrote some poetry. Here you will find 7 of those poems I wrote as I journeyed from Confusion to Balance.

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Dwellings

God,

You gave us so many things to consider when constructing your home. You always manage tos end us the talents we need each year to complete yet another project for your home.

Some of your homes are large some are small; but most are just the right size for their community of worshipers! Others are bright and full of stories from your stained glass windows, while some are darkened to allow our stories to fill your window panes.

Some have pews, while others are filled with chairs, but we can all sit and pray just the same each and every day.

Your dwellings-they come in various shapes and sizes.

Some are flat, some have stairs, but most are mixed giving each of us the right amount of space we need to pay you homage! I have seen square ones and round ones although each is unique in its own special way!

Your dwellings-are different yet they are the same. They are home to our most sacred possessions! From the pews we sit in to the altar we use to prepare the most sacred meal each day; we can find the time and space we need to be with you, O God in our very own special way!

Thank you dear God for one of my life’s many blessings, Your dwellings in which we can sit, listen, talk and pray each day!

— 2 —

The Fate of the Egyptians

You sent us a man called Moses;
to lead us from slavery and bondage.
He freed us from the hands of Pharaoh
into the unknown.

We were faced with freedom and strife,
while we longed to be by your side.
He freed us from Egypt
and brought us to the Promised Land.

We felt the exuberance of freedom
as we crossed the Sea of Reeds;
And watched the fate of the Egyptians
as they vanished beneath the sea!

We rejoiced and glorified
Your reign, will last forever!

How quickly we grumbled and complained,
as our journey took us afar;
Yet we waited and hoped to be fulfilled and blessed!

Into the desert we enter with Moses by our side!

When we are faced with temptation and sin,
we find ourselves
Questioning and wondering….
Is the Lord among us or has he vanished!

Suddenly Jethro has returned to guide
and direct Moses wisely;
We shall rejoice! New leaders are born
and a new covenant shall begin!

Amen!

— 3 —

Listening to the Silence of our Hearts

As we sit and listen to the silence
We can’t help but ponder what the
stillness might mean…..

It might remind us of the quietness of an empty stream
Or of the silence in our hearts after a bad dream.
It might make us think of the beauty of nature
that once flowed from the now empty stream.
Or it might remind us of the warmth the Spirit brings
To us each new day.

Silence is something different for each of us;
However it will never seem quite the same,
Once we can stop and listen to its beauty at the end of each day!

— 4 —

Missing

Often there are times when I feel as thought
Something is missing and I feel the pain

I feel the pain in my eyes
I feel the pain in my heart
I feel the pain in my throat
I feel the sorrows from my past
And I look toward God for peace.

Often my eyes will well up with tears
And I hope today will be the day
When the tears will cleanse my soul
And heal the brokenness I feel
Deep inside of me today!

— 5 —

 Emptiness

Deep inside of me lies many memories
Some happy some sad….
They try so very hard to fill the emptiness;
Yet they often remain hollow;
I often pray that I will continue to find the strength
To accept this emptiness and continue to move
Forward with you by my side.

— 6 —

Strength

We receive God’s strength through many……

In the people we meet….
The lessons we teach…..
The prayers we say…..

No matter where or how
all the graces we share are from God above!

— 7 —

A person in the crowd…..

As I sit and lie awake
I wonder and feel the ache
It hurts
to feel tossed aside
yet compelled to do something to help them move forward
Help me to be just a person in the crowd.

Not sure where I stand in this place
or what I am supposed to be doing
So I stay and stumble my way
through the darkness that I feel trapped inside
Help me Lord to know it’s okay to be a person in the crowd.

I know if I go and move forward
I will leave others behind with no place to turn
no friendly face to make them feel welcomed
no words of comfort,
no love and understanding
From a person in the crowd

It hurts…
it’s confusing…..
its lonely

Is it time to move on or simple a time to step back and just be?
Just be who you want me to be..
Just be a friend to the person you want me to touch
To receive instead of give
To be loved instead of love
And know that it is okay
to just be a person in the  crowd

Amen

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

I wrote a review for the Catholic Couponer at the link above on this easy to understand folktale about Easter. Best if used with those between the ages of 4 and 7

— 1 —

Here are 7 scripture passages that are good reflections during Lent.

Ruth 1:1-22  Consider why Ruth wanted to go with Naomi and how she changed spiritually because of her decision?

— 2 —

In Acts of the Apostles chapter 2 we read about the  Early Christian Communities and how they met in people’s homes… What can we learn from them? How can we follow their model in today’s busy society?

— 3 —

1 Kings 19:1-18… Consider your relationship with God… how does Kings help you to look at your relationship with God and allow you to handle your up and downs of your everyday life. 

— 4 —

Romans 8:10-27

Paul writes about being in obedience with God and being in an intimate relationship with God… How are they connected?

— 5 —

Isaiah 5:1-11.. We often think of fasting as a way of fasting from food. Fasting in the eyes of God don’t always have to be from food…. what can you fast from that is not food this Lenten season?

— 6 —

Acts 13-14

In what ways do Paul and Barnabas show in Luke’s account ..how do them imitate their master, Jesus Christ?

— 7 —

For more reflections and prayer see Kevin Perrotta’s book “Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving found on Amazon.Com

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!