Set the atmosphere for a faith-filled Thanksgiving by sending children home with a Thanksgiving prayer placemat. Fun for kids of all ages (even adults!), the center of the placemat includes a child’s prayer of gratitude next to a cornucopia to color. Surrounding the prayer are several activities for children to do in the classroom during a discussion on the holiday or while waiting for the family to sit down to dinner: a question to prompt […]
Create a saints mobile with children to explore the lives of holy men and women of God. From Our Lady, Mother of Africa to Saint Joan of Arc and Saint Sebastian, the saints represented in this downloadable activity are all featured in Loyola Kids Book of Seasons, Feasts, and Celebrations by Amy Welborn. Each medallion for the mobile includes a picture of a saint on one side and room for facts about the saint or […]
Explore saints stories associated with animals, weather, and the produce of the land. Our patron saints match sheet and online game can help. From protection against storms to the protection of bees and gardeners, the patronages of the featured saints are great to learn about in a lesson on care for creation or All Saints Day. Challenge fellow catechists to test their knowledge of the saints too! Learn about the featured saints and many more […]
What does the Bible say about work and rest? Explore Scripture passages related to labor and God’s command and promises of rest. The downloadable activities invite young people to look up Scripture verses and then express what they learn in creative ways. This activity is inspired by the 2023 Catechetical Sunday theme of “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened.” (Matthew 11:28) In our driven and often anxious world, let’s remember to […]
In the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. When we celebrate the Eucharist, we join in communion with the family of the Church. Help children deepen their understanding of the Eucharist and the Mass with a fun matching game, People and Things at Mass. The game—with images from God’s Gift: Eucharist—will help children identify the liturgical roles and sacred objects common to all churches. The game can be […]
Grab the crayons, and complete a color-by-number activity with children to find that Jesus shared bread and wine with his friends. While designed for use with primary grades, the sheet can also provide a relaxing coloring break for older students. Explain that Jesus is present in the consecrated Bread and Wine at Mass. Extend this activity in the classroom using some of these ideas. Read aloud Luke 22:14–20, the Last Supper. For the story adapted […]
Practice vocabulary related to the Catholic Mass with a crossword puzzle and word search. The word search includes words related to the Order of the Mass, and the crossword puzzle invites exploration of what we see and what is happening when we go to Mass. The puzzles are available as printable worksheets and as online games. Use them in sacramental preparation classes or as a review in faith formation sessions across grade levels. Explore more […]
Lead an activity about Eucharistic hymns to reach young people who are musically inclined, tapping into their musical/rhythmic intelligence. This activity is great for the National Eucharistic Revival or a sacraments review session for older children. Catechists may choose to make this an ongoing activity by recording findings on a chart throughout the year. Extend young people’s learning about Jesus as the Bread of Life by leading a Bible study with Six Weeks with the […]
Encourage families preparing a child to receive First Eucharist with a novena-style prayer to pray at home. Download the First Holy Communion Novena and make copies for parents, instructing them to begin praying 10 days before the day of First Holy Communion. Each day’s prayer time includes parts for children and parents, as well as a suggestion for a family practice for the next day. The text for the novena is from Christ Our Life, […]
The Anima Christi, also known as the “Soul of Christ” prayer, appears at the beginning of The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. Many people pray it as a prayer after Communion, making it a great prayer to explore during the National Eucharistic Revival. The text of the prayer is also appropriate for reflection during Holy Week or any time of Eucharistic Adoration. Help older students or adults reflect on this prayer by downloading a fill-in-the-blanks […]
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