teaching guide unit 1

Grades K, 1

ContentsFor Catechists and Teachers page 2

Unit 1: Scope and Sequence pages 2–3

Lesson Plan, September 20 • 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time pages 4–7

Lesson Plan, September 27 • 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time pages 8–11

Lesson Plan, October 4 • 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time pages 12–15




Lesson Plan, November 1 • Solemnity of All Saints pages 28–31

Lesson Plan, November 8 • 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time pages 32–35

2020–2021 Scope & Sequence Chart page 36

Unit 1: We Are the Church

25th–32nd Sundays in Ordinary TimeSeptember 20–November 8, 2020

Volume 35, Number 1

Teaching Guide Unit1

P F L A U M G O S P E L W E E K L I E S F a i t h F o r m a t i o n P r o g r a m

Unit Overview Webinars and Teaching

Guides available in Spanish and English at gospelweeklies.com

TG1-2

Jesus: Heart of Catechesis Welcome to Promise, the K–1 level of the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies, a liturgy-based approach to catechesis. Every Promise lesson is built upon a theme drawn from the Sunday Gospel, so Jesus’ story forms the heart of every lesson.

Every week, Promise invites young children to meet Jesus in the Sunday Gospels and parish assembly. Promise lessons prepare the children to hear the Gospel message and help them to understand how the Gospel relates to their lives.

Following the lesson plans in this Teaching Guide will help you to link the Scripture and Catholic doctrine contained in each lesson. The What the Church Believes and Teaches handbook pages underscore and expand the doctrinal content of the Promise lessons.

We encourage you to create a prayer space in your classroom. Cover a low table or desk with a cloth. Add seasonal color and symbols, flowers, or religious items. At the beginning of every session, select a child to reverently place the Bible on the table. Use the prayer space for Gathering and Closing Prayers and for proclaiming the Gospel.

Invite a student to point to the current Sunday on a Church Year calendar as you begin every class. Order from bayardfaithresources.com (English: HTP-5591, Spanish: HTP-5592).

New Features for 2020–21Eucharist QuoteA recent Pew Research Center survey found that only one-third of U.S. Catholics believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ. The Gospel Weeklies naturally link

to the Sunday Mass and the Eucharist. Every lesson now also includes a quotation from Scripture, Church teaching, or a pope, saint, or other model of faithful living to promote belief in the Real Presence of Christ in Holy Communion. Find Eucharist Quotes, memes, and reflections to share with families and parishes at gospelweeklies.com/eucharist.

Word of the WeekSeeds and Promise lessons now offer a Word of the Week to help young children begin learning the language of the faith. These words are based on thirty-two doctrinal themes. The words appear in the student lessons; definitions are in the Teaching Guides and online at gospelweeklies.com/promise/wow. Catechists may choose to print the word on the board instead of having the children find the word in the lesson.

QR Code for Parent ResourcesWe have added a QR code to every lesson. Scanning the code with a smartphone will take parents to our online family resources at gospelweeklies.com/family.

Date/Sunday Sunday Gospels CreedSacraments

& Liturgy Life in ChristChristian

Prayer

September 20, 2020 25th Sunday Ordinary

Matthew 20:1–16a Workers in the Vineyard

Bible God abounds in love. (50, 214, 221) Gathering as a community of believers; Mass: readings from the Bible

Learning about Jesus together; showing love through actions

Praying with song and gesture


Matthew 21:28–32 Parable of Two Sons

Ten Commandments God gives us free will. (1704, 1711, 1731, 1853)

Celebrating as a community; Mass: Sign of the Cross

Making choices; choosing loving actions; belonging to a church family

Sign of the Cross; prayers of intercession

October 4, 2020 27th Sunday Ordinary

Matthew 21:33–43 Parable of the Vineyard

God God cares for Creation. (41, 239, 301, 421)

Caring for Creation Thanking God for Creation and for creating us


Matthew 22:1–14 Parable of a Wedding Feast

marriage Jesus invites us to his table. (1396) Eucharist; Baptism; Matrimony Celebrating friendship; going to Sunday Mass

Amen


Matthew 22:15–21 Give to Caesar and God

Old Testament Baptism welcomes us to God’s family. (265, 804, 985)

Baptism Baptized into Jesus’ family; belonging; trusting in God’s promises

Family prayer booklet


Matthew 22:34–40 Great Commandment

New Testament Jesus’ Great Commandment is love. (1970–1972)

Gathering as a community of love Loving and unloving actions; showing love to God and others

Thanking God for people in our lives; Short Prayer of Love

November 1, 2020 Solemnity of All Saints

Matthew 5:1–12a The Beatitudes

Beatitudes Jesus leads us to happiness. (1716–1719)

Sacramentals: images of saints; Mass: Lord’s Prayer

Living the Beatitudes—Jesus’ path to happiness; helping others

Praying to saints; Our Father (Lord’s Prayer)

November 8, 2020 32nd Sunday Ordinary

Matthew 25:1–13 Wise and Foolish Girls

neighbor God gives us freedom to choose. (1732–1734, 2612)

Mass: Prayer of the Faithful Making wise and loving choices; avoiding sin

Prayers of intercession; Sign of the Cross; prayer of thanks

For Catechists and Teachers

Imprimatur: =Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, S.T.D., Bishop of Worcester, April 28, 2020. PROMISE Teaching Guide (supplement to Pflaum Gospel Weeklies) copyright © 2020 by Pflaum Publishing Group, a division of Bayard, Inc., sponsored by the Augustinians of the Assumption. Publisher: David Dziena; Educational

Consultant: Susan Taylor, M.A.T.; Editor: Joan McKamey; Designer: Jennifer Poferl. Pages TG1-2 and TG1-3 art: © Bayard, Inc. – Illustrations: Jim Burrows. Printed in the USA. Material in this supplement may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or format without special permission from the publisher.

Lord

Jesus,

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Word of the Week

Unit 1: We Are the Church l TG1-3

Unit OverviewThe stories and activities in this unit will help the children follow the teachings of Jesus and the events in his life. They will learn the following lessons:

Date/Sunday Sunday Gospels CreedSacraments

& Liturgy Life in ChristChristian

Prayer


Matthew 20:1–16a Workers in the Vineyard

Bible God abounds in love. (50, 214, 221) Gathering as a community of believers; Mass: readings from the Bible

Learning about Jesus together; showing love through actions

Praying with song and gesture



Ten Commandments God gives us free will. (1704, 1711, 1731, 1853)

Celebrating as a community; Mass: Sign of the Cross

Making choices; choosing loving actions; belonging to a church family

Sign of the Cross; prayers of intercession



God God cares for Creation. (41, 239, 301, 421)

Caring for Creation Thanking God for Creation and for creating us


Matthew 22:1–14 Parable of a Wedding Feast

marriage Jesus invites us to his table. (1396) Eucharist; Baptism; Matrimony Celebrating friendship; going to Sunday Mass

Amen



Old Testament Baptism welcomes us to God’s family. (265, 804, 985)

Baptism Baptized into Jesus’ family; belonging; trusting in God’s promises

Family prayer booklet


Matthew 22:34–40 Great Commandment

New Testament Jesus’ Great Commandment is love. (1970–1972)

Gathering as a community of love Loving and unloving actions; showing love to God and others


November 1, 2020 Solemnity of All Saints


Beatitudes Jesus leads us to happiness. (1716–1719)

Sacramentals: images of saints; Mass: Lord’s Prayer

Living the Beatitudes—Jesus’ path to happiness; helping others

Praying to saints; Our Father (Lord’s Prayer)

November 8, 2020 32nd Sunday Ordinary

Matthew 25:1–13 Wise and Foolish Girls

neighbor God gives us freedom to choose. (1732–1734, 2612)

Mass: Prayer of the Faithful Making wise and loving choices; avoiding sin

Prayers of intercession; Sign of the Cross; prayer of thanks

UNIT 1 OVERVIEW: We Are the Church

Bayard supports Pope Francis’s call to care for our common home. Please recycle this teaching guide properly. Thank you.

Music CDs The Promise/Good News music two-CD set is available at gospelweeklies.com. This set contains songs by John Burland that correlate to the seasons of the Church Year. The songs are easy for the children to learn through listening and singing along. This music can also be downloaded at giamusic.com/pgw.

Early Start LessonsIf your program begins before our September 20th lesson, use these introductory lessons with your group of children. The lessons are designed to build readiness for using Promise. Find them at gospelweeklies.com/promise.

All numbers in parentheses refer to paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

l God’s love is generous.l God gives us choices.l God cares for all of Creation.l Jesus invites us to a holy meal.l We belong to God’s family.l Jesus teaches us to love.l Jesus leads us to happiness.l God help us make loving choices.

Facebook (@pflaumgroup) Instagram (#gospelweeklies) Twitter (@catechisthelp)

Additional Resources l Lesson Assessment (gospelweeklies.com/assessment)l Seasonal Resources (gospelweeklies.com/seasonal)l Video Links (gospelweeklies.com/weekly-videos)l Find resources at catholictv.org/masses/catholictv-mass

to support or enhance your lessons.

Go online to find helpful information to enhance your presentation of the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies in the classroom and support materials for parents. Visit our website to register and find:lGROW Newsletter and Blog – Subscribe to our

GROW blog for weekly reflections on Sunday’s Gospel, activities, and a Calendar of Saints and Feasts.

lLesson Updates provide corrections or helpful additions to printed materials.

lSeasonal Activities and Catholic Resources – Reproducible activities can be used in a classroom or at home.

lLesson Assessments – We offer pretests, lesson review templates, and lesson and year-end assessments.

lUnit Overview Webinars – Editors present an overview of each unit to help you prepare your lessons.

lUser’s Guide – Learn about Teaching Guide features and structure and flow of the Gospel Weeklies lesson plans.

lFamily Catechesis ResourcesThe Gospel at Home is a weekly guide for parents with a Gospel summary, discussion starters, and activities in English and Spanish.The Gospel for All Ages includes gathering rituals, discussion questions, and large-group sessions—all based on the Gospel Weeklies lessons. Includes a guide for planning four major seasonal events.

lScope & Sequence Chart 2020–2021: gospelweeklies.com/promise

GROWPFLAUM Gospel Resources of the Week

blog

Go to gospelweeklies.com

MUSIC FOR THE LITURGICAL YEARSongs for Grades K-3

The NEW

Gospel Weeklies

TG1-4 For monthly gatherings, family catechesis, RCIA, and summer intensive model pacing plans, visit gospelweeklies.com/pacingplans

September 20, 2020 • 25th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Isaiah 55:6–9;

Philippians 1:20c–24, 27a; Matthew 20:1–16a

For Catechists and Teachers Scripture BackgroundThis Sunday, Jesus tells the story of a vineyard owner who needs workers. He pays workers hired for only an hour’s work the same day’s wage as those hired at dawn. This story is not really about wages. It’s about God’s generous love, which abounds for all people.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrineSunday’s Gospel tells of God’s generous love for all people. We are part of the People of God, the Church. We can do nothing to merit or deserve God’s generous love.

”Through an utterly free decision, God has revealed himself and given himself to man. This he does by revealing the mystery, his plan of loving goodness, formed from all eternity in Christ, for the benefit of all men. God has fully revealed this plan by sending us his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 50). “In all his works God displays, not only his kindness, goodness, grace and steadfast love, but also his trustworthiness, constancy, faithfulness and truth” (CCC, 214).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesEncourage parents to talk with their child about this week’s Promise lesson. Suggest that they read the rebus story together and ask their child to use the illustrations to retell the Gospel. They may pray and sing the prayer together using the gestures. Point out the new Eucharist Quote feature to the parents. Encourage them to read and reflect on it every week.

Single-Session Lesson Pacing GuidesNote: These pacing guides are suggestions for how to present the lesson. Please adapt the lesson to suit your needs.

60-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l Gathering Prayerl Cover Activity l Our church family gathers at Mass. (page 1)l Story l Dad’s Birthday Dinner

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l God is generous. (page 2)

Distribute the children’s What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks. Turn to page 6.

l Word of the Week l Bible (page 4)

l Activity l I am a Promise child. (page 3)l Closing Prayer l We pray and sing. (page 4)

Take-Home l Promise Activity Book, Activity #1l Remind the children to share their lesson with their families and

do the Family Corner activities and prayer on page 4 together.

90-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l Gathering Prayerl Cover Activity l Our church family gathers at Mass. (page 1)l Story l Dad’s Birthday Dinnerl Activity l Stretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l God is generous. (page 2)


l Word of the Week l Bible (page 4)l Activity l Promise Activity Book, Activity #1

l Activity l I am a Promise child. (page 3)l Closing Prayer l We pray and sing. (page 4)

Take-Home Remind the children to share their lesson with their families and do the Family Corner activities and prayer on page 4 together.

Share Experiences (15–20 minutes)

Discover Gospel and Doctrine (20—25 minutes)

Live the Gospel (20–25 minutes)


Discover Gospel and Doctrine (40–45 minutes)


Materials l Promise Student Lesson for 9/20l Catechism handbook, page 6l audio player & Promise/Good News CD-2l pencils, crayons, or colored pencilsl story coloring page (one per child)l Church Year calendar, Bible, cloth

NOTE: Fill out lines 2 and 3 on inside cover of Catechism handbooks.

Suggested Musicl “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)

Lesson Resourcesl Promise Activity Book, Activity #1l Lesson Assessment (gospelweeklies.com/

assessment) l Video Links (gospelweeklies.com/weekly-

videos)


Lesson Theme: God’s love is generous.

Five-Day Lesson Pacing GuideNote: This pacing guide suggests how to present the lesson over five days. Please adapt the lesson to suit your needs.

Day 1

l Gathering Song l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-6)l Cover Activity l Our church family gathers at Mass. (page 1)l Story l Dad’s Birthday Dinnerl Activity l Stretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for the people who

welcome us. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for the people who welcome us. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l God is generous. (page 2)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for your generous love.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for your generous love.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Distribute the students’ What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks. Turn to page 6.

l Word of the Week l Bible (page 4)l Activity l Promise Activity Book, Activity #1l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for welcoming us into your

family. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for welcoming us into your family. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Activity l I am a Promise child. (page 3)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, help us to be kind and generous to

others. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, help us to be kind and generous to

others. Amen. (Repeat.)l Weekly Lesson Assessmentl Closing Prayer (see page TG1-7) l We pray and sing. (page 4)

Friday Take-Home Remind the students to share their lesson with their families and do the Family Corner activities and prayer on page 4 together.

Share Experiences

Discover Gospel and Doctrine

Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connectionsl ELA: Ask the students to write, draw, or dictate their reaction

to the story of the vineyard owner and his workers. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.1 / CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.1)

l Math: Have the students practice telling and writing time using both analog and digital clocks. (CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.B.3)

Extending the Lesson

Catholic Identity Project of the Week

One way children can appreciate God’s generosity is to express gratitude to the people in their lives. Guide the children in creating a banner or video saying thank you to members of their school or parish community.

l September 21: Saint Matthew – A former tax collector, Matthew was called by Jesus to become one of the Twelve Apostles (see Matthew 9:9–13). After Pentecost, Matthew preached the Good News of Jesus, possibly in Ethiopia and other parts of the African continent. He likely died as a martyr. He is the patron saint of accountants. Ask: With whom can you share the Good News today?

l September 23: Saint Pius of Pietrelcina – Also known as Padre Pio, this twentieth-century Capuchin friar was the first priest in Catholic history known to have the stigmata—the five wounds Christ endured at his Crucifixion. He built hospitals for people suffering in body and soul. Pray: Padre Pio, please pray that I may accept hardships with love. Amen.

Extending Activities (gospelweeklies.com/promise)

Saints and Feast Days to Celebrate

Teaching This Week’s Lesson

TG1-6

Lesson Theme: God’s love is generous.

Objectives l The children will:l Identify that they belong to a church family.l Infer that actions can show love.

Gather in a prayer circle. Invite a child to point to the current Sunday on a Church Year calendar. Play and sing

“Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26).

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Loving God, we gather as your followers. Bless our time together and bless each person in our Promise group.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Cover Activity l Our church family gathers at Mass. (page 1) Direct the children to sit in a circle. Distribute Promise. Invite them to describe the cover illustration. Some will notice the three hidden children first. Have them identify the priest, altar servers, choir, song leader, usher with the basket, and the people in the pews. Ask: How is the church family in the drawing like our own church family? How does our church family welcome and include others? How is our church family generous and loving to people? Conclude by singing “Yes, Lord, I Believe” again. Then move to the work area where each child can draw himself or herself in the picture.

Story l Dad’s Birthday Dinner A coloring page to accompany this story is available at gospelweeklies.com/lesson-updates. Move to the story circle. Tell the children you know of a family with a mom and dad and three kids. On their birthdays, everybody gets to choose whatever they want for dinner. This is what happened when Dad had a birthday. Listen to how every family member helped.

Today is Dad’s birthday. When Mom and the children asked him what he wanted for his special birthday supper, Dad said, “I would like to have spaghetti and meatballs.” Everyone laughed because this is what Dad asks for every year. “We will make spaghetti and meatballs for you,” Mom said. “Everyone can help.”

Mom got out Grandma’s recipe for meatballs and a big bowl. She put hamburger and Italian sausage into the bowl. “How can I help?” asked Grace. “You can measure the spices and put them in the bowl,” Mom said. “Read the recipe carefully and show me what you are adding.” Grace added spices one at a time. Mom nodded her approval each time.

“How can I help?” asked Charley. “As soon as we have mixed up the meatballs, you can use the little scoop to make perfect balls,” Mom told Charley. “That will be fun,” Charley said.

Just then Eddie came into the kitchen. He had been playing with the puppy in the backyard. When he saw Grace and Charley helping Mom, Eddie said, “I want to help too.”

Mom smiled and said, “Wash your hands. Then I will give you a job.” After Eddie had washed his hands, Mom pointed to a cupboard next to the sink. “Eddie, please get the big cookie sheet out of the cupboard.” Eddie found the cookie sheet and put it on the table next to Mom. “Now rub some shortening all over the cookie sheet so the meatballs won’t stick to it,” Mom said. “When you have finished, Charley will put the meatballs on the sheet and put them in the oven.”

Soon the kitchen was filled with the smell of meatballs baking. A pot of water for the spaghetti was ready on the stove. The pasta sauce was simmering. “Something smells good,” Dad said, peeking around the kitchen door.

“I put in all the spices,” Grace said. “I made the little meatballs,” Charley said. “I got the cookie sheet ready for Charley,” Eddie said. “We all helped,” said Mom. “There is a lot of love in this birthday dinner.”

Ask: Who helped make Dad’s birthday dinner? Why did everyone want to help? What did Mom mean about love in the food?

Activity l Stretch and Sing Leave Promise at the worktables and gather in a circle. Play and sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6). Enjoy the beat and add movements.

Objectives l The children will:l Recognize that God’s generous love is for everyone.l Identify the Bible as a holy book that tells about God’s love.

Gospel Ritual Set aside an area where you can enthrone a Bible and display Promise. When the children gather here, they know they will hear the Word of God. Repeat a ritual every week to prepare the children to hear the Gospel.

Stand and sing “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24) to prepare for the proclamation of the Gospel.

Sunday Gospel l God is generous. (page 2) Invite the children to put their Promise copies on the floor in front of them. The Gospels for this Sunday and for the next two Sundays are set in vineyards, an image for the Kingdom of God. The vineyard owner is God who wants the best for his workers, his children, and the vineyard. God is love—love enough for everyone and everything. Read this Gospel aloud or tell it in your own words.

Share Experiences


Lesson Wrap-UpVisit gospelweeklies.com/assessment to download this week’s lesson assessment.

Use Activity #1 from the Promise Activity Book as a take-home activity or lesson wrap-up.


Word of the Week l Bible (page 4) Help the children locate the Word of the Week on page 4. Share this definition with them: The Bible is a holy book that tells us about God’s love for us.

Objective The children will recognize and express that Jesus is with them in their Promise class.

Activity l I am a Promise child. (page 3) Open Promise to page 3 and read the title aloud. Read the rebus together, making sure every child understands how it works. Help the children print their names on the top line and trace Amen at the bottom. Count off to create pairs of children. Direct them to read the page aloud together.

Closing Prayer l We pray and sing. (page 4) Invite the children to bring their Promise lessons to the prayer circle. Sing the song-prayer on page 4 together. Then sing the words again and add gestures. The children point to themselves and to one another on the fourth line.


Jesus told his followers this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who owned a vineyard where grapes are grown. He went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He hired some workers and said he would pay them for a day’s work.

“At nine o’clock, the man needed more workers. He told them: ‘Please go and work in my vineyard. I will pay you what is fair.’ The man went out again at noon, three o’clock, and five o’clock to hire more workers.

“Soon evening came. The vineyard owner told his manager to pay the workers. He told him: ‘Begin by paying the ones I hired last. End with the ones I hired first.’

“The workers who started working at the end of the day were paid for a whole day’s work. The ones who worked all day were paid the same. The ones who worked all day were unhappy. They grumbled and said: ‘The last people you hired worked only one hour. You paid them the same as you paid us. We worked all day in the heat. It’s not fair!’

“The man who owned the vineyard said: ‘I am not cheating you. You agreed to work for a day’s pay. Can’t I do what I want with my money? Are you upset because I am generous?’”

Jesus said, “The last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Invite the children to turn to page 2 of Promise and retell the story, using the illustrations. Help them notice details—the height of the sun at each time, the clothes the workers are wearing, the vineyard, and the grapevines.

Ask: What does generous mean? Gives freely, not selfish. Ask: How was the vineyard owner generous? Ask: How is God like the vineyard owner? Conclude by saying that Jesus told this story to tell us how much God loves everyone. God is not stingy. God is generous. God’s love is for everyone.

What the Church Believes and Teaches

God Gives Us His Word (page 6)

Invite the children to print their names on the inside front cover of their Catechism handbooks. Tell them they will learn things about Jesus from this book. Point out that the name of this handbook and their weekly lessons is Promise. Ask: What is a promise? Why is it important to keep a promise? What does God promise us?

WHAT THE CHURCH BELIEVES AND TEACHES HANDBOOK

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September 20, 2020 • 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Live the Gospel

Distribute the children’s What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks.

Help the children find page 6 in their handbooks. Read the top three paragraphs. Distribute crayons or pencils. You may direct the children to complete the activity individually or work as a large group and write the answers on the board. Answer: Bible.

Explain that the Gospel stories you tell them every week and that they hear at Mass on Sundays come from the Bible. The Bible tells us about God’s promises to us. God wants us to open and read his words of love in the Bible!

Conclude by reading the final paragraph on page 6.

Have the children close the What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks and return to Promise, page 4.


September 27, 2020 • 26th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Ezekiel 18:25–28;

Philippians 2:1–11; Matthew 21:28–32

For Catechists and Teachers Scripture BackgroundThe vineyard in this Sunday’s Gospel symbolizes the people of Israel. Jesus tells the chief priests and elders a parable about a father who asks his two sons to work in his vineyard. Symbolically, this means to care for God’s people. The first son refuses to help but changes his mind and does. The second son agrees to help but doesn’t follow through. The parable challenges the chief priests and elders to follow through like the first son and care for the people, especially those poor and sick.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrineGod is our Father. He gives us choices. We do what God wants when we make loving choices. We do what we want when we make unloving choices. God gives us the freedom to choose.

“By free will one shapes one’s own life. Human freedom is a force for growth and maturity in truth and goodness; it attains its perfection when directed toward God, our beatitude” (CCC, 1731).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesEncourage parents to offer their child choices and to praise their child when he or she makes a loving choice. Parents may invite their child to retell the Gospel, using the pictures on page 4. Suggest that families play the Jesus Chooses Us game together.


60-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song & Prayer l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l Cover Activity l Which choices show love? (page 1)l Story l Just Five More Minutes!

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l The Story of Two Sons (page 4)l Word of the Week l Ten Commandments (page 4)


l Activity l Jesus Chooses Us (pages 2–3)l Closing Prayer



90-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song & Prayer l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l Cover Activity l Which choices show love? (page 1)l Story l Just Five More Minutes!l Activity l Stretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l The Story of Two Sons (page 4)l Word of the Week l Ten Commandments (page 4)


l Activity l Promise Activity Book, Activity #24

l Activity l Jesus Chooses Us (pages 2–3)l Closing Prayer








Materials l Promise Student Lesson for 9/27l Catechism handbook, page 15l audio player & Promise/Good News CD-2l pencils and crayonsl story coloring page (one per child)l Church Year calendarl coins and game markersl name tags (fill out in advance)

Suggested Musicl “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)


assessment)l Video Links (gospelweeklies.com/weekly-

videos)


Lesson Theme: God gives us choices.


Day 1

l Gathering Song l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-10)l Cover Activity l Which choices show love? (page 1)l Story l Just Five More Minutes!l Activity l Stretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for giving us choices.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for giving us choices. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l The Story of Two Sons (page 4)l Word of the Week l Ten Commandments (page 4)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for sending Jesus who

teaches us about you. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for sending Jesus who

teaches us about you. Amen. (Repeat.)


l Activity l Promise Activity Book, Activity #24l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for calling us to church to

worship you. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for calling us to church to worship you. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Activity l Jesus Chooses Us (pages 2–3)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, help us to always choose to love you.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, help us to always choose to love

you. Amen. (Repeat.)l Weekly Lesson Assessmentl Closing Prayer (see page TG1-11)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connectionsl ELA: While prompting them, ask the students to identify the

characters, setting, and major events in the Gospel story. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.3)

l SS: Have the students identify a time they acted like each of the sons by either doing or not doing what their parent/guardian asked of them. Then discuss the benefit and cost of each decision. (D2.EC.2.K-2)



As Christians, we are called to help those who ask, particularly our parents. Brainstorm with the children what they can do to help their parents at home. Ask each child to commit to helping their parents at least once this week.

l September 27: World Day of Migrants and Refugees

l September 29: Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael – Today we celebrate three archangels. One of them brought Mary a message from God, asking her to become the mother of Jesus (see Luke 1:26–35). Ask: Do you know which archangel visited Mary? Gabriel. Ask: Do you know what Mary’s answer

was? Yes. Pray: Loving God, help us to say yes to you like Mary did. Amen.

l October: Respect Life Monthl October 1: Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus

(Lisieux) – This popular saint called herself “God’s Little Flower.” She followed God in her “little way”—serving others through quiet acts of love. Ask: What quiet acts of love can you do today?



Lesson Theme: God gives us choices.


TG1-10

Objectives l The children will:l Distinguish between good and better choices.l Recognize their ability to make and change their choices.

Gathering Provide name tags for the children so you can welcome them and they can get to know each other. Put the name tags in a basket or on a bulletin board. The children find their tag when they come into the room. Any remaining tags will alert you to the children who are missing.

Gather in a prayer circle. Invite a child to point to the current Sunday on a Church Year calendar. Play and sing

“Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26) to begin your class session.

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Loving God, we gather as your followers. Bless our time together and help us to make good choices.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Cover Activity l Which choices show love? (page 1) Distribute Promise. Distribute crayons and direct the children to color the face that shows if something loving or unloving is happening in the picture. Then discuss the situations one by one, giving each child a time to talk. Make no judgments about their responses.

Story l Just Five More Minutes! A coloring page to accompany this story is available at gospelweeklies.com/lesson-updates. Move to the story circle. Tell the children you know of some boys and girls who had to make choices. Invite them to put down their Promise copies and listen to what the choices were.

Jenny and Paul were watching videos when Dad came in and said, “Bedtime!” “Oh, Dad,” the children said, “just five more minutes!” Dad left the room. Later, when Jenny and Paul were ready for bed, they said, “Dad, please tell us a story.” “Not tonight,” Dad said. “You used your story time watching videos.” Then he kissed them good night and turned out the light.

Ask: What choice did the children make? Do you think they will make the same choice tomorrow night? Why or why not?

Hector’s dad called, “Hurry, Hector. It’s time to get up. You’ll be late for school.” Hector turned over in bed and muttered, “Just five more minutes.” The next time his dad came to check on him, it was too late to catch the bus. Hector’s dad had to drive him to school, and Hector didn’t have time to bring his hamster along for show-and-tell.

Ask: What choice did Hector make? What happened because of his choice?

Mike and Kevin were playing basketball. “Supper’s ready,” Mom called. “Just five more minutes,” said the boys. When they came in, Mom was eating by herself. Mike and Kevin sat down. “My supper’s cold,” said Mike. Mom said, “It was hot five minutes ago.” Kevin took his plate over to the microwave to heat up his meal.

Ask: What choice did Mike and Kevin make? How did their choice make Mom feel?

Ask: Can the children make better choices next time? Yes. Our parents and God always let us try again.

Activity l Stretch and Sing Leave Promise at the worktables and gather in a circle. Play and sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6). Enjoy the beat and add movements.

Objectives l The children will:l Recognize that our actions must match our words.l Identify the Sign of the Cross as a promise to live as God’s child.


Sunday Gospel l The Story of Two Sons (page 4)Tell the children that Jesus told a story about two brothers—a story they will hear in church this Sunday. Have them put their Promise copies on the floor in front of them and listen to this story:

Jesus told this story: “What do you think about this? A father had two sons. One day, he came to the first son and said, ‘Son, I need you to work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I will not.’ But later, the son changed his mind and went to work in the vineyard.

“The man went to his other son and said, ‘Son, I want you to work in the vineyard today.’ The second son said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But the son never went to the vineyard.”

Jesus asked, “Which son did what the father asked?”

Ask: How would you answer Jesus’ question? Emphasize that the first son changed his mind and made a better choice. The children in the stories will probably make better choices the next time too. Invite the children to turn to page 4 of Promise. Read the voice balloons aloud together. Talk about the three questions. Conclude that Jesus told this story to remind us that saying yes isn’t enough. We need to make our actions match our words.

Share Experiences





September 27, 2020 • 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Objectives l The children will:l Identify people in their church family.l Infer that lots of people say yes to Jesus.l Recognize that Jesus is the reason we gather at church.

Gospel Activity l Jesus Chooses Us (pages 2–3) Show the children how to spread out their copies of Promise so pages 2–3 are showing. Read the name of the game together. Ask: If we are Jesus’ friends, what does he want us to to? Make loving choices, be kind to others, go to Mass, pray. Ask: Who are the people Jesus is inviting to be his friends? Altar server, boy, girl, priest, little child, grandpa, religion teacher, lots of children, a mom or another lady at church.

Call attention to the score cards. Notice that the same people are on both score cards. Invite the children to get up from their work places and gather around you. Tell them you will show them how to play the game; then they can play with each other.

Read the directions aloud and follow them, explaining to the children what you are doing. You do not need to make your marker go all the way to FINISH. Decide if your class is better playing alone or with partners. Distribute pencils, game markers, and coins. Give the children time to play one game. Discuss how they enjoyed it. If there is time, play a second game. If not, tell the children to show their families how to play at home.

Closing Prayer Gather in the prayer circle. Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Ask the children if there is anyone or anything they wish to pray for. Lead them in the response “Lord, hear our prayer” after each petition. End with the Sign of the Cross.


Live the Gospel

What the Church Believes and Teaches The Sign of the Cross (page 15)

Move to the work area. Direct the children to turn to page 15 in their Catechism handbooks. Read the title aloud. Practice making the Sign of the Cross. Distribute pencils or crayons and give the children time to connect the dots.

Ask: Have you ever said “Cross my heart” when you made a promise? What did you mean when you said this?

Read together the first three paragraphs on page 15. Invite the children to make the Sign of the Cross without words. Stop them when they reach for their left shoulder. They are literally crossing their heart. Encourage them to think about this whenever they make the Sign of the Cross. They are crossing their hearts to promise to live as children of God and do what he asks. Doing what God asks includes following the Ten Commandments.

Read together the fourth paragraph. Tell the children that anytime they enter or leave a church, they should bless themselves with holy water and make the Sign of the Cross as a reminder that they are children of God.


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Have the children close the What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks and return to Promise, pages 2–3.

Word of the Week l Ten Commandments (page 4) Help the children locate the Word of the Week on page 4. Share this definition with them: The Ten Commandments are laws from God that tell us how to live good lives. Explain that Jesus wants us to follow these rules with our words and actions.

Remind the children to share their Gospel Weeklies with their families, do the Family Corner activities and

prayer, and read the Eucharist Quote together.


October 4, 2020 • 27th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Isaiah 5:1–7;

Philippians 4:6–9; Matthew 21:33–43

For Catechists and Teachers Scripture BackgroundSunday’s Gospel continues with vineyard imagery. The story begins with a man who carefully plants a vineyard and then looks for help to tend it. The people he hires rebel against him. This parable points out the failure of Jesus’ own people to accept him. Promise does not use this part of the parable but concentrates instead on God’s care for all Creation and our part in caring for it too.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrineGod, the Creator, made everything. God is good, so everything he made is good too. God loves everything he has made. God cares for his people and all of Creation. Every person is created by God. We show God our love and thanks when we take care of his Creation.

“With creation, God does not abandon his creatures to themselves. He . . . upholds and sustains them in being, enables them to act and brings them to their final end” (CCC, 301). “We must protect human life and care for God’s creation as we advance authentic human freedom and foster human rights and solidarity” (National Directory for Catechesis, 10F).

Sharing the Lesson with Families Encourage parents to talk with their child about things the child already takes care of. Suggest that families commit to a new effort to care for God’s Creation.


60-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song & Prayer l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l Cover Activity l God cares for all of Creation. (page 1)l Story l Flowers aren’t for walking on. (page 2)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l A Man and His Vineyard


l Word of the Week l God (page 3)

l Activity l Who is helping? (page 3)l Activity l We care for Creation. (page 4)l Closing Prayer & Song l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)



90-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song & Prayer l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l Cover Activity l God cares for all of Creation. (page 1)l Story l Flowers aren’t for walking on. (page 2)l Activity l Stretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l A Man and His Vineyard


l Word of the Week l God (page 3)l Activity l Promise Activity Book, Activity #5

l Activity l Who is helping? (page 3)l Activity l We care for Creation. (page 4)l Closing Prayer & Song l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)








Materialsl Promise Student Lesson for 10/4l Catechism handbook, page 7l audio player & Promise/Good News CD-2l crayons, scissors, glue or tapel Church Year calendarl name tags that read “God made __ with love.”

NOTE: Separate pages 1–2 from 3–4.

Suggested Musicl “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)



videos)


Lesson Theme: God cares for all of Creation.


Day 1

l Gathering Song l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-14)l Cover Activity l God cares for all of Creation. (page 1)l Story l Flowers aren’t for walking on. (page 2)l Activity l Stretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for all the things that help

us change and grow. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for all the things that help us change and grow. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l A Man and His Vineyardl Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for Jesus’ stories that tell us

of your love for us. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for Jesus’ stories that

tell us of your love for us. Amen. (Repeat.)


l Word of the Week l God (page 3)l Activity l Promise Activity Book, Activity #5l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for all the wonderful

things you created. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for all the wonderful things you created. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Activity l Who is helping? (page 3)l Activity l We care for Creation. (page 4)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for loving us and taking

care of us. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for loving us and taking

care of us. Amen. (Repeat.)l Weekly Lesson Assessmentl Closing Prayer (see page TG1-15) l Closing Song l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connectionsl ELA: Invite the students to reflect on the steps the vineyard

owner took to care for his vineyard. Then instruct the students to write out the steps to planting and caring for a garden. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.3)

l Sci: Ask: What do people need to survive? Make a list of their responses. As a class, plant seeds in different containers and, over time, observe what the plants need to grow and survive. Have the students compare what plants need with what people need to survive. (K-ESS3-1)



October is Respect Life Month. Invite your students to collect baby items for a crisis pregnancy center or snacks for an after-school program.

l October 4: Respect Life Sunday – Act: Pray a decade of the Rosary for an increase in protections for all human life “from womb to tomb.”

l October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary – Once called the Feast of Our Lady of Victory, this day commemorates the sixteenth-century victory that saved Europe from Turkish invasion. It is said that sailors aboard ships prayed the

Rosary during the battle. Pray: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners. Amen.

l October 9: Saint John Leonardi – Father John’s work in prisons and hospitals inspired laymen to become priests. He founded the Order of the Mother of God and a seminary to train missionaries. He died from a disease contracted while tending to people stricken by the plague.



Lesson Theme: God cares for all of Creation.


TG1-14

Objectives l The children will:l Identify living things God has created.l Infer that tending to plants leads to caring more about them.

Play and sing “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26) as you gather. Invite a child to point to the current Sunday on a Church Year calendar.

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Loving God, we thank you for the gift of all you created. Help us to take good care of ourselves and our wonderful world.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Cover Activity l God cares for all of Creation. (page 1) Gather in a story circle. Hold up your copy of Promise and read aloud the title on the cover. Ask: What is God caring for? Children, apple tree, corn, squirrel, oak tree, oak seedling, plants. Distribute pages 1–2. Tell the children to place page 2 faceup on the floor in front of them. Have them fold and crease on the dotted line at the bottom of the page. Turn the page over and show them how to reverse the fold to show what is happening under the ground. The children will now be able to identify the two green plants as potatoes and carrots.

Story l Flowers aren’t for walking on. (page 2) Have the children put down Promise while you tell this story:

Sister Maureen came to the first-grade room to teach science. “This is October,” she said. “Now is the time to plant bulbs.” She taught them that bulbs are different from seeds. Bulbs store food inside them so they can bloom early in spring without waiting for the ground to warm up and give them food.

Sister Maureen gave the first graders tulip bulbs to plant. Sheila and Danny helped dig up the ground by the front steps of the school. They made holes in the dirt for their bulbs, planted them, and covered them with dirt. They watered the ground so the bulbs could put down roots and store up food for blooming in the spring.

During the fall and winter, the tulip bulbs lay asleep in the ground. Snow covered the ground. Children from other grades walked over the place where the tulips were planted when they came to school in the morning and after recess. Christmas came and went; then came spring rains and mud.

One day, the first graders came in from recess very upset. “Some of the big kids stepped on our flowers,” Sheila said. Sister Maureen went outside with the first graders. There beside the school, the tulips were coming up. Two of the green spikes had been smashed by kids’ feet. “We need a fence,” said Danny. “And a sign,” said Sheila.

The next day, Danny’s father brought pieces of fence to school. The first graders made a sign that said, “Flowers Aren’t for Walking On.” They watched their tulips every day and watered them when the ground was dry. In April, their tulips bloomed for everyone in the school to enjoy.

Direct the children to take Promise to their work area and use the drawings on page 2 to retell the story to a partner. Conclude by stressing how the first graders came to care about the flowers because they all helped plant and water them.

Activity l Stretch and Sing Move to an area where the children can stretch out their arms and not touch another child. Play and sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6). Lead the children in making gestures that go with the song.

Objectives l The children will:l Identify God as our Creator.l Recognize that God loves all of Creation.


Sunday Gospel l A Man and His Vineyard Tell this simplified adaptation of the Gospel:

Jesus said, “Listen to this parable. A man owned a rocky hillside. The man loosened the rocks and dug up the dirt with his shovel. He dug holes in the dirt. In each hole, he planted a grapevine. The man planted a hedge like a fence around the vineyard. He built a watchtower, where he could look out for robbers and animals. After all that work, the man felt tired and wanted to rent out his vineyard.”

Jesus asked, “Who will care for the vineyard the way the owner did? He will rent it to people who will make sure the grapevines grow good fruit.”

Let the children speculate about the jobs of the people who rented the vineyard: water the vines, keep birds and animals away from the grapes, pick the grapes when they are ready, give the grapes to the vineyard owner. Point out that the owner cared about his vines like the children cared about their tulips.

Invite the children to look at the Promise cover picture again and read aloud the words printed there. Ask: What are some examples of how God cares for you like the owner cared for his grapevines and the children cared for the tulips?

Share Experiences





October 4, 2020 • 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Objective The children will identify concrete ways they can help and care for others and for Creation.

Activity l Who is helping? (page 3) Gather in the work area and distribute pages 3–4. Recall the story of the first graders who worked together to make their schoolyard beautiful. Ask: What are the children on page 3 doing to make their yard beautiful? Point out the child behind the fence. Ask: What is this child thinking? What will she do to help? Stress that helping is part of belonging to a class or a family. Distribute crayons and invite them to color the children who are helping or want to help.

Activity l We care for Creation. (page 4) Call attention to page 4. Invite volunteers to describe each of the small pictures. Distribute scissors and tape or glue. Direct the children to cut off the four small pictures on page 2 and tape or glue them in the blank spaces to complete the pictures. When everyone has finished, discuss how the children are caring for Creation.

Closing Prayer Invite the children to stand and follow your gestures in this prayer:

Leader: Dear God, thank you for our beautiful world. Children: Thank you, God. (hold hands out waist high) Leader: Dear God, thank you for our families and friends. Children: Thank you, God. (raise palms to shoulder height) Leader: Dear God, thank you for loving us and caring for us. Children: Thank you, God, thank you. (raise hands over head)

Close your prayer and your gathering by singing “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14).


Live the Gospel

What the Church Believes and Teaches God Shows His Love (page 7)

Introduce this page by telling the children that when Jesus tells stories about God’s vineyard, he means not just grapes but everything God created, including you and me. This page will prepare the children for the thank-you prayer that concludes today’s class.

Read the rebus story together. Then read aloud the lines above the picture frame. Distribute crayons and give the children time to draw something God made. When the children have finished their drawings, read the text at the bottom of page 7. Invite the children to print their names on the blank lines.

Celebrate God’s Creation byl Including some gifts of Creation on your prayer tablel Taking a nature walk and looking for things God madel Inviting the children to show and tell about their drawingsl Sharing a snack that comes from a garden or orchard

Distribute name tags and invite the children to print their names on the tags. Emphasize that God loves all of Creation—including them!


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Remind the children to share their Gospel Weeklies with their families, do the Family Corner activities and prayer, and read the Eucharist

Quote together.

Word of the Week l God (page 3) Help the children locate the Word of the Week. Share this definition: God made the whole world. Everything God made is good. God made you and me. Emphasize that God loves all of Creation.


October 11, 2020 • 28th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Isaiah 25:6–10a;

Philippians 4:12–14, 19–20; Matthew 22:1–14

For Catechists and Teachers Scripture BackgroundIn Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells about a king who keeps inviting guests for his son’s wedding feast until he fills the hall. Matthew dwells on the fate of the guests who refused the king’s invitation. Promise stresses instead the desire of the king to share his happiness with everyone around him.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrineGod invites all people to belong to his family, the Church. He wants all people to share in the great feast of the Eucharist. Receiving Holy Communion at Mass prepares us to sit at God’s table in Heaven.

“Since the Eucharist is the ‘source and summit of the Christian life,’ catechesis for the Eucharist recognizes it as the heart of Christian life for the whole Church, for dioceses and parishes, and for each individual Christian” (NDC, 36.3, citing Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium), 11).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesEncourage parents to teach their child to think of Sunday Mass as a celebration. Suggest that parents help their child identify the celebration elements—people gathered, music, stories, special food.


60-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song l “Come, Do This in Memory of Me” (CD-1, #20)l Gathering Prayerl Cover Activity l I am invited. (pages 1 and 4)l Story l Steve’s Birthday Party

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l The Wedding Banquetl Word of the Week l marriage (page 3)


l Activity l We celebrate with friends and food. (pages 2–3)l Activity l God says, “Come to my house . . . “ (page 4)l Closing Prayer & Song l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)



90-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song l “Come, Do This in Memory of Me” (CD-1, #20)l Gathering Prayerl Cover Activity l I am invited. (pages 1 and 4)l Story l Steve’s Birthday Partyl Activity l Stretch and Move

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l The Wedding Banquetl Word of the Week l marriage (page 3)



l Activity l We celebrate with friends and food. (pages 2–3)l Activity l God says, “Come to my house . . . “ (page 4)l Closing Prayer & Song l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)








Materialsl Promise Student Lesson for 10/11l Catechism handbook, page 16l audio player & Promise/Good News CDsl pencils and crayonsl Church Year calendarl story coloring page (one per child)l juice, cookies, cups, plates, napkins

Suggested Musicl “Come, Do This in Memory” (CD-1, #20)l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)


assessment)l Video Links (gospelweeklies.com/

weekly-videos)


Lesson Theme: Jesus invites us to a holy meal.


Day 1

l Gathering Song l “Come, Do This in Memory of Me” (CD-1, #20)l Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-18)l Cover Activity l I am invited. (pages 1 and 4)l Story l Steve’s Birthday Partyl Activity l Stretch and Movel Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for our friends. Help us to

welcome them. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for our friends. Help us to welcome them. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l The Wedding Banquetl Word of the Week l marriage (page 3)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for welcoming and

including us in your family. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for welcoming and

including us in your family. Amen. (Repeat.)


l Activity l Promise Activity Book, Activity #21l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for celebrations of love.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for celebrations of love. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Activity l We celebrate with friends and food. (pages 2–3)l Activity l God says, “Come to my house . . . “ (page 4) l Closing Prayer l Loving God, help us to always accept your

invitations. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, help us to always accept your

invitations. Amen. (Repeat.)l Weekly Lesson Assessmentl Closing Prayer (see page TG1-19)l Closing Song l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connectionsl ELA: Invite the students to share a memory from one of their

favorite celebrations. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.4)l Tech: Explain to the students that people around the world

have different ways of celebrating events. Have the students research celebratory customs from a few different cultures. Then allow the students to make a collage of pictures of celebrations around the world. (ISTE2016.3a)



A party can be a great way to celebrate our life in Christ. Invite members of the community (such as the elderly or parish/school workers) to a party hosted by your children. Invite parents to assist with the party.

l October 11: Saint John XXIII – “Good Pope John” was an older man when he was elected pope, yet he called for the Second Vatican Council—a major event of renewal for the Catholic Church.

l October 15: Saint Teresa of Jesus – Teresa was born in Ávila, Spain, in 1515. A Carmelite nun, she prayed to strengthen her resolve to grow closer to Jesus. She helped reform the

Carmelite order and documented her journey with God. Pray: Jesus, help us to grow closer to you. Amen.

l October 17: Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr – Ignatius lived in a time when being a Christian was dangerous. He wrote letters to encourage other Christians to stay faithful to Jesus. Ask: Who can you encourage today?



Lesson Theme: Jesus invites us to a holy meal.


TG1-18

Objective The children will explore their experiences of going to celebrations.

Play and sing “Come Do This in Memory of Me” (CD-1, #20). Invite a child to point to the current Sunday on a

Church Year calendar.

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Jesus, you give us the Mass and Holy Communion so we can be part of you and you can be part of us. Thank you for giving us this gift. Bless us today so we can learn more about you and become better members of your Church.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Cover Activity l I am invited. (pages 1 and 4) Gather the children at their worktables. Ask: What are some special days or events that you’ve been invited to celebrate? Holidays, birthdays, weddings. Ask: What happens at these celebrations? Special food, games, prizes, gifts, clothes. Ask: What are your feelings are about these events? Love, excitement, happiness, sharing, belonging.

Distribute Promise. Invite the children to examine the photos and tell you where they were taken. In a church. At Mass. At a Baptism. Invite a volunteer to describe the first photo (a Baptism). Ask: When have you been at a Baptism? What happened? Where did you stand? Go on to the photos of children bringing up the gifts, receiving a blessing during Communion time, and praying the Lord’s Prayer. Remind the children that they are always invited to God’s house and to Mass. Read aloud the page title. Ask: What is the holy meal that Jesus invites us to? Mass, Holy Communion, the Eucharist.

Direct the children to open Promise so they can see pages 1 and 4 side by side. Ask: Which words and drawing go with each photo? Distribute pencils and direct them to draw lines from the words and drawings to the matching photos.

Story l Steve’s Birthday Party A coloring page to accompany this story is available at gospelweeklies.com/lesson-updates. Gather the children in a story circle and tell the following story:

Steve’s mom promised him that he could have a party on his seventh birthday and invite three friends. Steve helped his mom plan the food, games, and prizes. He made three invitations that said: “Come to my party this Saturday, 1 p.m.” Steve gave one invitation to John, one to Pedro, and one to Mary.

On Tuesday at school, Mike and Terry said to Steve, “Are you having a birthday party? Can we come too?” Steve said, “Yes.” That night he

made two more invitations and gave them to Mike and Terry on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Mark and Samantha ran up to Steve on the playground. “Can we come to your party?” they asked. “OK,” said Steve. He made two more invitations and gave them to Mark and Samantha on Friday.

On Saturday morning, Steve helped get ready for the birthday party. He set eight places at the table. “Steve,” said his mom, “you have set too many places.” Steve looked at his mom and said, “Mark, Samantha, Mike, and Terry wanted to come too, so I invited them.”

His mother laughed. “It’s a good thing I baked a big cake and bought extra hats and prizes. We have room for all of your friends, Steve. Next time, please tell me how many guests you have invited.” Then she gave Steve a big hug and said, “Happy Birthday!”

Ask: What kind of friend is Steve? Would you have invited all the children to your party? What kind of person is Steve’s mother? What is the most fun about a birthday party?

Activity l Stretch and Move Direct the children to leave their copies of Promise at their worktables and gather in a circle in the open area, holding hands. Have them take two steps back then drop their hands. Lead them in a stretching activity:

Stretch, stretch your hands up high.Now let your fingers fly.Stomp your feet, both left and right, left and right. Now stretch again—up, up, up high!

Repeat the verse and movements.

Objectives l The children will:l Recognize that Jesus invites all people to belong to God’s

family.l Identify Mass as the most special celebration of God’s family.


Sunday Gospel l The Wedding Feast Explain that Jesus told a story about a king who wanted to give a wedding celebration and meal for his son.

Jesus said, “Listen to this parable about what God’s kingdom is like. Once there was a king whose son was getting married. The king decided to throw a big wedding feast. The king said to his messengers, ‘Go out and tell the people I invited that the feast is ready.’

Share Experiences






Activity l God says, “Come to my house . . .” (page 4) Invite the children to turn to page 4 and trace the letters with a crayon or pencil. When everyone has finished, read the words together. Remind them that God invites us to a big celebration every week—Sunday Mass.

Closing Prayer Gather in a prayer circle. Ask: What word do we say at the end of a prayer? Amen. Explain that Amen means “I agree” or “I believe.” Ask: What does a person say when they receive Holy Communion? Amen. They are saying that they believe the host and the wine really are the Body and Blood of Jesus. Invite the children to think about the people from their families, neighborhood, and class with whom they celebrate the Mass on Sundays. Invite them to each choose one name they want to say as part of the prayer.Leader: God says, “Come to my house. Bring a friend.” Child: I will come with ____________.Leader: Jesus, we love you and believe in you. Children: Amen!

Close your gathering by playing and singing “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14).

Snack End class with a treat.


What the Church Believes and Teaches Our Church Family (page 16)

Ask: How does your family celebrate special days? What do you do at family gatherings? How do these things help a family grow closer? Make some comparisons to the church family gathering for Mass. We pray and sing together. We share family stories from the Bible. We eat a special meal.

Help the children find page 16 in their Catechism handbooks. Read aloud the title. Ask: What is in the picture? Read aloud the words on the top half of the page.

Distribute crayons and read aloud the directions in red. When the children have finished, ask: What is our church family’s special Sunday celebration called? Mass.


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“The messengers went out to share the message. They said, ‘Come and celebrate! Come to the king’s feast for his son who is getting married.’ But the people the king had invited would not come.

“The messengers went back to the king and said, ‘We went to the people you invited, but no one will come.’

“Then the king said, ‘The feast is ready. Go, invite everyone you see.’ The messengers went out and rounded up all kinds of people. They came to the feast to celebrate the wedding of the king’s son and his bride.”

Explain that the king is like Jesus’ Father, who wants people to belong to the family of God and keeps inviting more and more guests. Point out that the children on the cover are at the big celebration of God’s people—the Mass.

Word of the Week l marriage (page 3) Ask: What was the king celebrating? The wedding of his son, his son getting married. Help the children locate the Word of the Week. Share this definition: Marriage is when a man and a woman promise to love each other forever. Explain that like Baptism, a wedding happens in a church because it is a special celebration of God’s love called a sacrament. The name of this sacrament is Matrimony.

Objectives l The children will:l Celebrate friendship.l Recognize the meaning of Amen.

Activity l We celebrate with food and friends. (pages 2–3) Open Promise to the inside pages. Read aloud the words at the bottom of page 2. Ask: How many children are at the party? How many balloons are there? What are the party foods? Invite the children to circle those foods and drinks that they would like to have at a party. Invite them to draw in the faces of friends they would like at their party. Help them to print the names of their guests in the balloons.

Live the Gospel


October 18, 2020 • 29th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Isaiah 45:1, 4–6;

1 Thessalonians 1:1–5b; Matthew 22:15–21

For Catechists and Teachers Scripture BackgroundThe Pharisees in Sunday’s Gospel want to trap Jesus into taking sides on the question of paying Roman taxes. They believe that accepting Roman rule in their country means they are not loyal to God and God’s rules. Jesus’ answer, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s,” calls them and us to obey both civil and religious laws and to examine our allegiances when the two conflict.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrinePromise focuses on belonging, building on experiences of belonging to a family, parish, team, and country. We become members of God’s family through Baptism.

“One enters into the People of God by faith and Baptism” (CCC, 804). “Since the earliest times, Baptism has been administered to children, for it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized in the faith of the Church” (CCC, 1282).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesEncourage parents to share photos and stories of their child’s Baptism and tell their child why they chose to have him or her baptized. Suggest that they use the prayer booklet and pray daily as a family.


60-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song & Prayer l “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)l Cover Activity l Where Does Jennifer Belong? (page 1)l Story l A Home for Betseyl Story l Carlos tells about a Baptism. (page 2)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l We Belong to God’s Family


l Word of the Week l Old Testament (page 3)

l Activity l Our Family Prays Together Booklet (pages 3–4)l Closing Prayer & Song l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)



90-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song & Prayer l “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)l Cover Activity l Where Does Jennifer Belong? (page 1)l Story l A Home for Betseyl Story l Carlos tells about a Baptism. (page 2)l Activity l Stretch and Play

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l We Belong to God’s Family


l Word of the Week l Old Testament (page 3) l Activity l Promise Activity Book, Activity #3

l Activity l Our Family Prays Together Booklet (pages 3–4)l Closing Prayer & Song l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)








Materialsl Promise Student Lesson for 10/18l Catechism handbook, pages 5 and 12l audio player & Promise/Good News CD-2l scissors, dollar bill, Bible, yellow cardstockl star patterns, story coloring page (one per child)l pencils, crayons or colored pencilsl Church Year calendarl aide(s) to assist with cutting

NOTE: Separate pages 1–2 from 3–4. Complete one prayer booklet in advance.

Suggested Musicl “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)

Lesson Resourcesl Promise Activity Book, Activity #3l Lesson Assessment (gospelweeklies.com/assessment)l Video Links (gospelweeklies.com/weekly-videos)


Lesson Theme: We belong to God’s family.


Day 1

l Gathering Song l “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)l Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-22)l Cover Activity l Where Does Jennifer Belong? (page 1)l Story l A Home for Betseyl Story l Carlos tells about a Baptism. (page 2)l Activity l Stretch and Playl Closing Prayer l Loving God, help us to always be honest and fair.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, help us to always be honest and fair. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l We Belong to God’s Familyl Closing Prayer l Loving God, we are happy to belong to you. Amen.

Day 3l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, we are happy to belong to you.

Amen. (Repeat.)


l Word of the Week l Old Testament (page 3) l Activity l Promise Activity Book, Activity #3l Closing Prayer lLoving God, you are so good, and we are happy to

be your children. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, you are so good, and we are happy to be your children. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Activity l Our Family Prays Together Booklet (pages 3–4)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, we praise and thank you for your

great love. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, we praise and thank you for your

great love. Amen. (Repeat.)l Weekly Lesson Assessmentl Closing Prayer (see page TG1-23)l Closing Song l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connectionsl Math: Have the students classify money math manipulatives

into different categories and then count the quantity of the manipulatives in each category. (CCSS.Math.Content.K.MD.B.3)

l SS: Discuss what leaders do in a community. Then have the students brainstorm in small groups what roles other people have in a community. Ask the students to share their list with the class. (D2.Civ.2.K-2)



Brainstorm ways people can give to God what belongs to God. Invite each child to commit to giving something to God throughout the week (pray more, use one of their talents to praise God, do a kind deed for someone). Invite them to draw a picture of their experience.

l October 18: World Mission Sunday – The Church sets aside this day to renew its commitment to missionary work. Catholics donate funds to support more than 1,000 missionary churches around the world. Pray: Loving God, we pray for all who serve in the mission field. Amen.

l October 19: Saints Isaac Jogues, Jean de Brébeuf, and Companions (USA) – These missionaries worked to bring the Good

News to people in Canada and what is now Upstate New York.

l October 22: Saint John Paul II – This Polish saint was the pope for almost twenty-seven years. He traveled to visit Catholics all over the world. He cared about young people and started World Youth Day. Say a prayer today for our current pope, Pope Francis.

Saints and Feast Days to CelebrateExtending Activities (gospelweeklies.com/promise)

Lesson Theme: We belong to God’s family.


TG1-22

Objectives l The children will:l Identify groups to which they belong.l Identify that Baptism makes them part of God’s family.

Gather in a circle to sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6). Invite a child to point to the current Sunday on a Church

Year calendar.

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Loving God, we are all safe in your hands. We know you love each of us very much. We want to learn more about you and become better members of your family here on earth. Send your Holy Spirit to be with us today.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Cover Activity l Where Does Jennifer Belong? (page 1) Ask: What does it mean to belong? Having people to do things with, people to care about you, friends to have fun with. Distribute Promise. Invite the children to study the cover illustration closely. Ask: To what different groups does Jennifer belong? Answers: Family, skating group, softball team, Brownies, dance group or class, USA, St. Mary’s School, public library, parish. Give each child an opportunity to name one group to which he or she belongs. Keep the answers short.

Story l A Home for Betsey A coloring page to accompany this story is available at gospelweeklies.com/lesson-updates. Ask: Who has a pet? Invite volunteers to tell how they got their pets. After a few volunteers have spoken, tell the children you know a story about a boy who didn’t have a pet and a dog who didn’t have a family.

Jacob was a happy boy. His family loved and cared for him. He belonged to St. Patrick’s Church, where he and his family went to Mass every week. On his way home from school one day, Jacob saw a skinny dog. He tried to pet it, but it was scared and ran away.

Jacob walked home, and the dog followed him. The dog came into Jacob’s yard and hid under the bushes. Jacob ran inside and told his mom about the dog. He set a dish of food and a bowl of water outside near the bushes, but the dog wouldn’t come out. Jacob went inside and watched. The dog came and ate a little.

Day after day, Jacob put food and water out by the bushes for the dog. One day, he stayed outside on the steps instead of going into the house. The dog looked at him but decided to come out and eat.

A few days later, Jacob stayed quietly next to the dishes of food and water. The dog came slowly toward Jacob and let him pet her head. “I’m going to name you Betsey,” Jacob said. “You belong to our family now. You have a name and a home.” Betsey wagged her tail and licked Jacob’s nose.

Jacob took care of Betsey every day. His dad took care of Betsey when Jacob went to camp. His mother took care of Betsey when Jacob was at a friend’s house. Betsey became a happy dog in her new family.

Discuss the story. Ask: How did Jacob show the dog that she belongs to their family? How did his parents help care for Betsey?

Story l Carlos tells about a Baptism. (page 2) Ask: How do we become members of God’s family? Baptism. Read the story aloud as a group. Ask: What did Carlos see and hear at the Baptism? Invite the children to tell about Baptisms they have witnessed. Conclude by saying that Maria’s parents wanted her to be part of the Church and to follow Jesus.

Activity l Stretch and Play Move to the open area to give the children an opportunity to work off some energy before they continue with the lesson. Do a large muscle activity like Simon Says to keep the children stretching and moving.

Objectives l The children will:l Identify that they belong to God and country.l Recognize that God keeps his promises.


Sunday Gospel l We Belong to God’s Family Ask: Does anyone know what taxes are? What does the money people use to pay taxes look like? (Show a dollar bill. Point out the person pictured.) Share the Gospel:

In Jesus’ time, the people had to pay taxes to Caesar. He was the ruler. Some people thought that God’s Law said they should not pay these taxes. The coins for paying the tax had a picture of Caesar on them.

A man said to Jesus: “We know that you are honest and say only what is right and true. Does God’s Law say it is right to pay taxes to Caesar?”

Share Experiences






Objective The children will create a family prayer booklet.

Activity l Our Family Prays Together Booklet (pages 3–4) Distribute scissors, crayons, and Promise pages 3–4. Direct the children to cut on the heavy cutting line. Show them how to fold on the folding line so the title page is on top. Then fold the second piece so Morning Prayer is on top. Slip the Morning Prayer page inside the title page. Go through the booklet with the children. As time allows, invite them to complete the activities.

Send the booklets home and encourage the children to pray these prayers with their families. Keep your own booklet to bring out at the next few Promise lessons as a reminder to the children.

Closing Prayer Invite the children to stand and repeat this prayer after you: I belong to God. / I belong to God’s family. / I was baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. / Thank you, God. Amen.

Play and sing “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14) to close your prayer and your class session.


Live the Gospel

What the Church Believes and Teaches Promises (page 5), God’s Promises to His People (page 12, top and middle)

Help the children find page 5 in their Catechism handbooks. Distribute pencils or crayons. Read aloud the questions and possible answers, pausing to let them mark their answers.

Read the text at the bottom of the page when the children have completed the activity.

Direct the children to turn to page 12. Tell them that Abraham and his wife, Sarah, were the first people to follow our One God.

Read about God’s promise to Abraham. Distribute pencils or crayons and invite the children to circle the stars in the picture. Then give each child a piece of yellow or gold card stock and a star pattern to trace. Direct the children to trace and cut out their star and print their name in large letters on one side. You may display these on a bulletin board or hang them from the ceiling above your prayer space.

Read about God’s promise to Moses. Ask: What does it mean to be God’s people? How do God’s people act?


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Quote together.

Word of the Week l Old Testament (page 3) Help the children find the Word of the Week on page 3. Share this definition: The Old Testament is the first part of the Bible. It tells the story of God’s love for his people. Explain that we learn about God’s promises to Abraham and Moses from the Old Testament. You may wish to show the children a Bible and indicate which part is the Old Testament.

Jesus answered, “Show me the coin that people use to pay the tax.” One of them gave Jesus a small coin.

Jesus asked, “Whose face is on the coin?” The man answered, “Caesar’s.”

Jesus said: “If you have this coin, you should pay the taxes. Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God.”

Invite the children to retell the Gospel to check their comprehension. Conclude by saying that Jesus tells us that we belong to God first, but we belong to our country too.


October 25, 2020 • 30th Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Exodus 22:20–26;

1 Thessalonians 1:5c–10; Matthew 22:34–40

For Catechists and Teachers Scripture BackgroundThe Pharisees’ question in Sunday’s Gospel asks Jesus to sift through the 613 laws of the Law of Moses and identify the most important one. Jesus answers with the Great Commandment: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. In his life, Death, and Resurrection, Jesus shows us in action our own value as human beings and the importance of treating others with the respect and love they deserve.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrineThe Church helps us to follow God’s laws. Our Church leaders learn from what Jesus taught and how he lived. They give us rules that help us to follow Jesus’ Great Commandment and all of God’s commandments.

“The entire Law of the Gospel is contained in the ‘new commandment’ of Jesus, to love one another as he has loved us” (CCC, 1970). “The double commandment of love of God and neighbor [is] the centerpiece of Jesus’ moral teaching, summing up the Decalogue [Ten Commandments] and lived in the spirit of the Beatitudes” (NDC, 25G).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesEncourage parents to help their child recognize how he or she gives and receives love. Suggest that parents play the game on pages 2 and 3 with their child.


60-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song l “The Great Commandment” (CD-2, #18)l Gathering Prayerl Story l A Friend Helps (page 4)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l Jesus teaches us to love. (page 1)l Word of the Week l New Testament (page 2)


l Activity l What does Jesus want us to do? (pages 2–3)l Closing Prayer & Song l“Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)



90-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song l “The Great Commandment” (CD-2, #18)l Gathering Prayerl Story l A Friend Helps (page 4)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l Jesus teaches us to love. (page 1)l Word of the Week l New Testament (page 2)l Activity l Stretch and Move



l Activity l What does Jesus want us to do? (pages 2–3)l Closing Prayer & Song l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)








Materialsl Promise Student Lesson for 10/25l Catechism handbook, page 30l audio player & Promise/Good News CD-2l Church Year calendarl large paper heartsl crayons or colored pencilsl coins and game markers

Suggested Musicl “The Great Commandment” (CD-2, #18)l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)



videos)



Day 1

l Gathering Song l “The Great Commandment” (CD-2, #18)l Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-26)l Story l A Friend Helps (page 4)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for rules that keep us safe

and help us get along with others. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for rules that keep us safe and help us get along with others. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l Jesus teaches us to love. (page 1)

Word of the Week l New Testament (page 2)l Activity l Stretch and Movel Closing Prayer l Loving God, help us to love you and one another.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, help us to love you and one

another. Amen. (Repeat.)


l Activity l Promise Activity Book, Activity #4l Closing Prayer l Loving God, help us to treat others as we want to

be treated. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, help us to treat others as we want to be treated. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Activity l What does Jesus want us to do? (pages 2–3)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for the many ways we can

show love to others. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for the many ways we

can show love to others. Amen. (Repeat.)l Weekly Lesson Assessmentl Closing Prayer (see page TG1-27)

Closing Song l “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Lesson Theme: Jesus teaches us to love.

Curriculum Connectionsl ELA: Invite the students to write a prayer expressing their love

for God. (CCSSS.ELA.Literacy.W.1.2)l Tech: Explain to the students that in today’s world, our

neighbors are not always close by; we interact with some of our neighbors through technology. In pairs, have the students create a flyer with rules for communicating with people online. (ISTE2016.2d)



There are many ways that we can show our love for our neighbor. As a class, plan and complete a service project to show love to a needy person or group in your community.

l October 25: World Priest Day – We celebrate and affirm the men who commit their lives to Jesus Christ and the Church through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Act: Thank your pastor and other priests who serve your parish.

l October 28: Saints Simon and Jude – These men were two of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles. Many people in desperate situations pray to Saint

Jude. Pray: Saints Simon and Jude, help us to be good followers and friends of Jesus. Amen.

l October 31: All Hallow’s Eve – Celebrating Halloween can include reminders of holy living—living like the saints. Welcoming trick-or-treaters is an act of hospitality. Walking from door to door through neighborhoods is like our pilgrim journey to Heaven. Act: Dress as a saint or angel this Halloween.



Lesson Theme: Jesus teaches us to love.


TG1-26

Objective The children will identify ways that friends care for and help one another.

Gather in a circle to play and sing “The Great Commandment” (CD-2, #18). Invite a child to point to the

current Sunday on a Church Year calendar.

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Jesus, thank you for coming to live in our world. You had friends to play with just like us. Teach us how to be good friends to each other and to our brothers and sisters. We want to be like you.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Story l A Friend Helps (page 4) Remain in the circle. Ask: What are friends for? Friends are to play with, help, listen to you, go to school with, share treats with, and so on. Keep the discussion brief.

Distribute Promise and direct the children to turn to page 4. Read the story title aloud. Identify the two characters in the story—Tina and Jason. Then read the story aloud together. Ask: What kind of friends are Tina and Jason? Tina trusts Jason with her fish. Jason listens to Tina and learns how to take care of the fish. Ask: Will Jason ask Tina to help him sometime? Divide your group into pairs and have the children read the story together.

Objectives l The children will:l Identify love as the Great Commandment.l Repeat a Short Prayer of Love.


Sunday Gospel l Jesus teaches us to love. (page 1) Invite the children to look at the Promise cover drawing. Explain that Jesus taught people many wonderful things. Direct the children to find Jesus. Invite them to look at Jesus and the man he’s talking with as you share the Gospel.

A man asked Jesus, “Which of God’s laws is the most important one?”Jesus answered: “The greatest and first commandment is this:

Love God with all your heart and soul and mind. The second is like it: Love your neighbor the same way you love yourself.”

Ask: What are some of the ways people in the picture are showing love to God and one another?

l Man at bottom center is praying. Praying is a way of loving God. Ask: What might the man be saying to God?

l Man at bottom left is hoeing around the grapevines to earn a living for his family.

l Woman at bottom right is taking care of a child.l Girl at top left is helping a smaller child climb onto a wall.

Ask: What does Jesus say is the most important rule? Love God and love other people.

Decide as a class how you will show love for God and for one another today.

Word of the Week l New Testament (page 2) Help the children find the Word of the Week on page 2. Share this definition: The New Testament is the second part of the Bible. It tells us about Jesus’ life and teachings. Explain that all the Gospels are from the New Testament. You may wish to show the children a Bible and indicate which part is the New Testament.

Activity l Stretch and Move Gather the children in pairs or threes in the open area. Direct them to act out some things friends do together: Jump rope. / Play catch with a football. / Play soccer. / Take turns shooting baskets. / Play follow the leader. / Push younger kids in swings. / Get on ponies and ride around.

Share Experiences


What the Church Believes and Teaches Short Prayer of Love (page 30)

Help the children locate page 30 in their Catechism handbooks. Review the Sign of the Cross and other prayers the children have learned.

Direct them to find the Short Prayer of Love at the bottom of the page. Tell them this is a prayer they can use anytime they want to tell Jesus they love him. Work with the children to help them memorize this prayer.


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Objective The children will play a game and identify loving (and a few unloving) choices they make.

Activity l What does Jesus want us to do? (pages 2–3) Direct the children to turn to pages 2–3 in Promise. Take your time getting them acquainted with the page. Read the title aloud together. Find Jesus at the bottom of page 2 and read the conversation he has with the children.

Find START on the game board. Invite volunteers to tell, one at a time, what is happening in the picture squares in the bottom row. Read the direction that goes with the third picture square: Lose a turn. Ask: What would a child who lands on that square do? Follow the path to the second row and read the directions printed on the first two squares, making sure the children understand what to do if they land on those squares.

Call the children’s attention to the numbered directions on page 2. Tell them you will ask a volunteer to play part of a game with you to show how the game works. Play two rows of the game with a volunteer as the other children watch. Then have the children pair off and distribute one coin and two game markers to each pair. As they play, walk around the room and listen in on their interactions.

When all the pairs have played at least one round of the game, gather as a group. Ask: What did the game teach you about Jesus’ Law of Love?

Closing Prayer Make today’s prayer time a thank you to God for all the people who love us. Begin the prayer by naming someone you’re thankful for. Invite the children to add names. If there is time, let them each print a name in a heart shape you draw on the board. Conclude by thanking God for making all these people and putting them in our lives.

Live the Gospel

plastic

cans

End your prayer and class session by playing and singing “Come and Follow Me” (CD-2, #14).


Print the words of the prayer on the board. Distribute large paper hearts and crayons. Direct the children to print the words of the prayer on their paper hearts. When they have finished, pray this prayer together.


Quote together.


November 1, 2020 • Solemnity of All SaintsSunday Readings: Revelation 7:2–4, 9–14; 1 John 3:1–3;

Matthew 5:1–12a

For Catechists and TeachersScripture BackgroundIn the Beatitudes, Jesus gives us examples of how to live the Law of Love. To be poor in spirit, merciful, peacemaking, and even open to persecution makes us people of love. The Beatitudes don’t replace the commandments; they fulfill them. Jesus tells us that if we adopt these attitudes, we will be blessed, the same word in Greek for happy. Our happiness will not come fully in this life but will certainly come in Heaven.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrineJesus wants all people to have happiness that lasts. The Beatitudes are like a map that will lead us to real happiness. The saints are people who lived the Beatitudes and have received their reward in Heaven. Living the Beatitudes will help us get to Heaven too.

“The Beatitudes . . . purify our hearts in order to teach us to love God above all things” (CCC, 1728). “The beatitude of eternal life is a gratuitous gift of God. It is supernatural, as is the grace that leads us there” (CCC, 1727). “The Beatitudes . . . have begun in the lives of the Virgin Mary and all the saints” (CCC, 1717).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesEncourage parents to invite their child to share the folding activity and tell the stories of the six saints. Suggest that parents help their child memorize the Our Father and pray it together as a family.


60-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song & Prayer l “Saints” (CD-2, #22)l Cover Activity l Meeting the Saints (page 1)l Activity l March and Sing “When the Saints Go Marching In”l Activity l Saints Help One Another (pages 1–2)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l God Blesses Usl Word of the Week l Beatitudes (page 2)


l Activity l Our Father Booklet (pages 3–4)l Closing Prayer l Our Father



90-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song & Prayer l “Saints” (CD-2, #22)l Cover Activity l Meeting the Saints (page 1)l Activity l March and Sing “When the Saints Go Marching In”l Activity l Saints Help One Another (pages 1–2)l Activity l Sing and Move “Saints” (CD-2, #22)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l God Blesses Usl Word of the Week l Beatitudes (page 2)



l Activity l Our Father Booklet (pages 3–4)l Closing Prayer l Our Father








Materialsl Promise Student Lesson for 11/1l Catechism handbook, page 24l audio player & Promise/Good News CDsl scissors, crayons, Church Year calendarl recording of “When the Saints Go Marching In”

(YouTube)l statue or picture of Mary, flowersl aide(s) to assist with cutting and folding

NOTE: Separate pages 1–2 from 3–4. Prepare one Our Father booklet in advance.

Suggested Musicl “Saints” (CD-2, #22)l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)

Lesson Resourcesl Promise Activity Book, Activity #23l Lesson Assessment (gospelweeklies.com/assessment)l Video Links (gospelweeklies.com/weekly-videos)


Lesson Theme: Jesus leads us to happiness.


Day 1

l Gathering Song l “Saints” (CD-2, #22)l Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-30)l Cover Activity l Meeting the Saints (page 1)l Activity l March and Sing “When the Saints Go Marching In”l Activity l Saints Help One Another (pages 1–2)l Activity l Sing and Move “Saints” (CD-2, #22)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for people who teach us

how to follow you. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for people who teach us how to follow you. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l God Blesses Usl Word of the Week l Beatitudes (page 2)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for blessing us and leading

us to happiness. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for blessing us and

leading us to happiness. Amen. (Repeat.)


l Activity l Promise Activity Book, Activity #23l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for saintly role models.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, thank you for saintly role models. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Activity l Our Father Booklet (pages 3–4)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, help us to become saints someday.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, help us to become saints someday.

Amen. (Repeat.)l Weekly Lesson Assessmentl Closing Prayer (see page TG1-31) l Our Father


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connectionsl ELA: Guide the children to dictate letters to Jesus or draw

pictures for Jesus to tell him what they’re going to do to try to help others. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.1)

l Math: Write the words to John D. Becker’s “Litany of the Saints” on chart paper on an easel. On large post-its, write the names of the saints in the litany to post along the side of the chart. Ask the children to count the saints by ones and tens. Ask them to identify first, fifth, tenth, etc., in order. (CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.A.1)



Jesus wants us to share our wealth with others. Have the children bring in their extra Halloween candy to donate to a local shelter or food pantry or to send to the troops.

l November: Month of the Holy Soulsl November: Black Catholic History Month

(USA) – First celebrated in 1990, the Church honors black Catholics, such as Saint Martin de Porres, Augustus Tolton, Antona Ebo, and Thea Bowman. During Mass, listen for Saints Perpetua and Felicity in Eucharistic Prayer I.

l November 1–7: National Vocation Awareness Week (USA) – This week, we pray

for those who have answered God’s call to be priests, deacons, or consecrated religious sisters or brothers. We also pray for all those God is calling to a religious vocation.

l November 2: Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) – Today, we pray for those who have died. We pray that they will be welcomed by God into Heaven.

Saints and Feast Days to CelebrateExtending Activities (gospelweeklies.com/promise)

Lesson Theme: Jesus leads us to happiness.


TG1-30

Objective The children will identify saints who helped others and one another.

Gather the children in a circle. Print S-A-I-N-T-S on the board. Point to the letters as you sing “Saints” (CD-2, #22).Invite a child to point to the current Sunday on a Church

Year calendar. Explain that November 1 is All Saints’ Day, a special day when we celebrate all the saints in Heaven.

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Loving God, we thank you for people who teach about you and show us how to follow you. Help us all to become saints someday.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Cover Activity l Meeting the Saints (page 1) Invite the children to sit in the story circle. Ask: What is a saint? A holy person who loved and served God on earth and now enjoys a lifetime of happiness with God in Heaven. Explain that the Church names some people saints, but all people in Heaven are saints. God wants us all to be saints. Ask: Who wants to be a saint?

Distribute Promise pages 1–2. Invite the children to look at the cover pictures. Ask: Who knows the saint in the top row? Read aloud the sentence about Francis. Invite the children to share what they see in the picture. Explain that the angry man is Francis’s father. Francis gave all his rich clothes back to his father, so he could live like Jesus—a poor man who cared about everyone.

Ask: Who knows the saint in the middle row? Read aloud the two sentences about Father Damien. Tell the children that the sickness these people had is called leprosy. People with leprosy had to live apart from everyone else. Father Damien cared for the people and later died of the disease.

Direct the children to look at the bottom picture. Explain that the woman in blue is Saint Perpetua. She is in jail because she follows Jesus. Her parents and maid are worried about her. Read aloud the sentences about her.

Activity l March and Sing March to the work area to the song “When the Saints Go Marching In” (find on YouTube).

Activity l Saints Help One Another (pages 1–2) Invite the children to turn to page 2 in Promise. Point out the three cuts they will make. Make sure they know to cut only to the dotted line. Distribute scissors and help them make the cuts.

When everyone has finished cutting, direct the children to turn Promise over so the cover is faceup. Demonstrate how to fold the first picture row. Read aloud the sentences about Saint Clare.

Direct the children to fold over the second picture row to show Saint Marianne. Read aloud the sentence about her.

Direct the children to fold over the bottom picture row. Read aloud the sentences about Saint Felicity. When Saints Perpetua and Felicity were martyred (killed because of their faith), their parents took care of the children.

Assign pairs of children to tell the saint stories to each other. Encourage them to point out how the saints helped other people and one another.

Activity l Sing and Move Play and sing “Saints” (CD-2, #22). Point again to the letters on the board. Invite the children to move in place to the music.

Objectives l The children will:l Recognize that Jesus promises happiness to everyone.l Identify saints as followers of Jesus who are happy in

Heaven.

Invite the children to bring pages 1–2 of Promise to the Gospel area. Sing “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24).

Sunday Gospel l God Blesses Us Direct the children to look again at the saints on Promise pages 1–2. Ask: Who is with Saint Francis? What helped them be happy? Then ask: Who are Saint Damien and Saint Marianne helping? What made them happy? Then ask: Were Saints Perpetua and Felcity happy? What helped them be happy?

Knowing that God and Jesus love them will make them happy. The love of other people makes them happy too.

Listen to what Jesus says in the Gospel about those God blesses with happiness:

Jesus told his followers: “God blesses people who trust him. God blesses people who are sad when someone dies. God blesses people who know that everything they have is a gift from God. God blesses people who want things to be fair for everyone. God blesses people who are kind and forgiving. God blesses people whose hearts are clean. God blesses people who make peace. God blesses people who are treated badly for doing the right thing. God will bless my followers if people are not kind to them. Heaven will be your reward!”

Share Experiences





November 1, 2020 • Solemnity of All Saints

What the Church Believes and Teaches Saints Pray for Us (page 24)

Place a statue or picture of Mary on your prayer table along with some flowers.

Help the children identify saints as friends of God who helped others during their time on earth. Saints are now in Heaven with God. Ask again: Who wants to be a saint?

Help the children find page 24 in their handbooks. Read aloud or summarize the first three paragraphs. Emphasize that the saints in Heaven are happy. Jesus wants us to be happy forever in Heaven someday too. Ask: What did Jesus teach will help us get to Heaven? The Beatitudes.

Read aloud the activity directions. Distribute pencils or crayons and give the children time to find the answer: SAINTS.



Objective The children will identify the Our Father as the prayer for all of God’s family—in Heaven and on earth.

Activity l Our Father Booklet (pages 3–4) Distribute scissors, crayons, and pages 3–4 of Promise. Show the children your booklet and explain that they will be making a prayer booklet of the Our Father.

Direct the children to make the horizontal cut on the solid black line on page 3. Show them how to fold the top piece on the dotted line so the words Our Father are on the top. Direct them to fold the bottom piece so the foods are inside. Have them slip the pages together. Use page numbers to make sure the prayer follows in sequence.

Go through the booklet together, discussing the words and pictures. Give them time to complete the activity on booklet page 7. Emphasize that this is the prayer Jesus taught all of his followers to pray. It is the prayer of God’s family—in Heaven and on earth. Encourage the children to practice this prayer at home.

Closing Prayer l The Our Father Practice these gestures to the Our Father, then pray it with gestures:

Our Father… (stretch out and slightly raise arms)Thy kingdom… (make circle with arms in front)As it is in heaven… (stretch out arms wide)Give us this day… (stretch out hands to receive)Forgive us… (shake hands with child on either side)Lead us not… (cross hands on chest)But deliver us… (fold hands in prayer)Amen! (lift arms high)


Live the Gospel


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Word of the Week l Beatitudes (page 2) Help the children find the Word of the Week on page 2. Share this definition: The Beatitudes are Jesus’ list of attitudes and actions that will help his followers find real happiness. Explain that God wants all people to be happy. The Beatitudes that Jesus shared in the Gospel are our path to happiness.


Quote together.


November 8, 2020 • 32nd Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday Readings: Wisdom 6:12–16;

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Matthew 25:1–13

For Catechists and TeachersScripture BackgroundIn Sunday’s Gospel, ten maidens go to a wedding. Five come prepared with extra oil for their lamps; the other five don’t. In Jesus’ time, negotiating a dowry (money or property the bride’s family gives to the groom’s family) could make the groom’s arrival time unpredictable. Jesus teaches us to be prepared.

Connecting Scripture and DoctrineWe will be ready to meet Jesus if we make wise choices. A loving choice is a wise choice. An unloving choice is a sin. God will help us to make wise and loving choices.

“God created man a rational being, conferring on him the dignity of a person who can initiate and control his own actions” (CCC, 1730). Jesus “calls his hearers to conversion and faith, but also to watchfulness. In prayer the disciple keeps watch . . . in the hope of [Christ’s] second coming in glory” (CCC, 2612).

Sharing the Lesson with FamiliesEncourage parents to make a special point of giving their child choices this week. Point out that their child’s practice in making choices builds experience that grows slowly into wisdom.


60-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song & Prayer l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l Cover Activity l I Make Choices (page 1)l Story l Peyton and the Surprise Kitten (page 2)l Word of the Week l neighbor (page 2)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l Ten Girls Go to a Weddingl Activity l Creative Drama


l Story l The Little Red Henl Activity l Story Puppets (pages 3–4)l Closing Prayer & Song l “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)



90-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song & Prayer l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l Cover Activity l I Make Choices (page 1)l Story l Peyton and the Surprise Kitten (page 2)l Word of the Week l neighbor (page 2)l Activity l Stretch and Move

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l Ten Girls Go to a Weddingl Activity l Creative Drama



l Story l The Little Red Henl Activity l Story Puppets (pages 3–4)l Closing Prayer & Song l “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)








Materialsl Promise Student Lesson for 11/8l Catechism handbook, page 8l audio player & Promise/Good News CDsl scissors, tape or stapler, crayons, pencils or craft

sticks, children’s Adam and Eve storyl story of The Little Red Hen (library or YouTube)l Church Year calendar

NOTE: Prepare puppets on pages 3–4.

Suggested Musicl “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)


assessment)l Video Links (gospelweeklies.com/weekly-videos)


Lesson Theme: God helps us make loving choices.


Day 1

l Gathering Song l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26)l Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-34)l Cover Activity l I Make Choices (page 1)l Story l Peyton and the Surprise Kitten (page 2)l Word of the Week l neighbor (page 2)l Activity l Stretch and Movel Closing Prayer l Loving God, help us to be alert to all the things

going on around us. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, help us to be alert to all the things going on around us. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)l Sunday Gospel l Ten Girls Go to a Weddingl Activity l Creative Dramal Closing Prayer l Loving God, help us to pay attention, so we don’t

miss out. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, help us to pay attention, so we

don’t miss out. Amen. (Repeat.)


l Activity l Promise Activity Book, Activity #25l Closing Prayer l Loving God, help us to choose to share, play fair,

and be loving. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 4

l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, help us to choose to share, play fair, and be loving. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Story l The Little Red Henl Activity l Story Puppets (pages 3–4)l Closing Prayer l Loving God, thank you for all the things that make

us happy. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5l Gathering Prayer l Loving God, help us to be alert and make

choices that make us and others happy. Amen. (Repeat.)l Weekly Lesson Assessmentl Closing Prayer (see page TG1-35)l Closing Song l“CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)


Share Experiences


Live the Gospel

Curriculum Connectionsl SS: Discuss that there are people who make decisions for us

every day. Brainstorm a list of these people and the decisions they have to make. (D2.Civ.6.K-2)

l Sci: Discuss why light is important. Ask: What do you notice about the light at the end of the day at this time of year? Show the children a chart of sunset times and ask them to describe what they observe on the chart. (1-ESS1-1)

Extending the LessonCatholic Identity Project of the Week

We are all called to care for the environment. One way we can care for the environment is to be like the girls who conserved the oil for their lamps. This week, as a class, make a commitment to conserve energy by turning off lights when they are not being used.

l November 9: Dedication of the Lateran Basilica – The Lateran Basilica in Rome is the Pope’s church. Today, we celebrate the dedication of this church. Pray: Father in Heaven, please bless Pope Francis with great wisdom and good health. Amen.

l November 11: Saint Martin of Tours – Martin didn’t want to become a bishop, but the people of Tours, France, convinced him to become their

bishop. Ask: When have you been reluctant to do something good that you were asked to do?

l November 13: Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (USA) – Frances wanted to become a missionary in China but was asked to care for the poor in the United States instead. She took care of orphans and immigrants. Ask: How do you respond when you don’t get your way?


Lesson Theme: God helps us make loving choices.


TG1-34

Objectives l The children will:l Identify preference choices.l Identify loving and unloving choices.

Gather the children in a circle in the open area, holding hands. Lead them in singing “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26). Invite

a child to point to the current Sunday on a Church Year calendar.

Gathering Prayer Leader: Loving God, we thank you for giving us life. Children (one at a time): I am (Name). Thank you, God, for me! Leader: Please bless us today as we learn about Jesus. All: Amen.

Cover Activity l I Make Choices (page 1) Remain in the circle. Ask: How did you choose the clothes you are wearing today? Give everyone a chance to answer. Explain that many of the choices we make are about what we like best.

Distribute Promise. Look together at the pictures on the cover. Identify each picture in the first row. Distribute pencils or crayons and direct each child to circle the activity he or she likes best. Do the same with the other three rows. Summarize that all the choices are good choices.

Story l Peyton and the Surprise Kitten (page 2) Ask: When have you made unloving choices such as not taking care of a pet or not doing a chore? Invite the children to listen carefully for the choices a girl named Peyton makes.

Peyton could hardly wait. Her dad was coming home on Tuesday afternoon. Whenever he comes come from a work trip, he brings Peyton a surprise.

When her dad pulled into the driveway, Peyton raced to greet him. “Hi, Dad, I missed you!” “I missed you, too,” Dad said. “Have you been good while I was gone?” Peyton nodded yes.

Her dad began to search in his coat. Peyton giggled and jumped on her tiptoes. He pulled out a yellow kitten. Peyton hugged her dad, then ran inside to show her mom. Her mother said Peyton would have to feed and water her kitten and brush its fur.

For two days, Peyton took good care of her kitten. On Friday, Peyton had a playdate and didn’t think about her kitten. On Saturday morning, she asked her mom, “Where’s my kitty?” “When did you last feed her?” asked Mom. Peyton hung her head and said, “I don’t remember.”

Peyton ran outside, calling: “Here Kitty, Kitty. Here Kitty, Kitty.” She hunted up and down the street. She heard sounds coming from a

neighbor’s yard. She looked around the side of the house. A boy and girl were playing with her kitten. “That is my kitty,” Peyton said. “We thought it was lost,” they said. “She was thirsty and sad, so we gave her water and played with her.” Peyton thanked them for taking care of her kitten. She carried her kitten home. “I found my kitty!” she told her mom. “I will take very good care of her from now on.” And she did.

Ask: What choices does Peyton make about taking care of her kitty on Wednesday and Thursday? On Friday and Saturday? What happened because of her choices? Invite the children to retell the story by using the pictures on page 2. Ask: Which of Peyton’s choices were happy and loving? Which choices were unloving?

Word of the Week l neighbor (page 2) Help the children find the Word of the Week on page 2. Share this definition: A neighbor is a person who lives near someone. Jesus said we should love our neighbor like we love ourselves. Ask: How did Peyton’s neighbors care for her lost kitten? Encourage the children to listen for other examples of neighbors in the Gospel and The Little Red Hen story.

Activity l Stretch and Move This song shows some of the ways the children can help at home. Sing it to the tune of “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush.” Invite the children to make movements to match the helping activity:

This is the way we sweep the floor, sweep the floor, sweep the floor. This is the way we sweep the floor. Everyone helps at home.

Continue with other helping actions: wash the dishes, pick up clothes, put away toys, rock the baby, etc.

Objectives l The children will:l Recognize the meanings of wise and foolish.l Identify feelings that result from loving and unloving

choices.


Sunday Gospel l Ten Girls Go to a Wedding Ask: What kinds of choices does a foolish person make? What is an example of a foolish choice? What kinds of choices does a wise person make? What is an example of a wise choice? Tell this version of Sunday’s Gospel:

Share Experiences





November 8, 2020 • 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Objective The children will explore wise and foolish choices in a folktale.

Story l The Little Red Hen Find a version of the story of The Little Red Hen in your library or choose one to share from YouTube. (Adjust story characters to match those shown on pages 3–4: farmer, goat, and cat.) Share the story with the children. They will enjoy the repetition and will tell you what they think of friends who don’t help each other or forgive one another.

After the story, ask: What happened in the story? Invite the children to imagine how the hen felt eating her bread all by herself when her friends outside were hungry. Ask: Did that feel good to the hen? What would make her feel better? What foolish choices did the characters make? What wise choices would make them happier? Summarize by saying that friends usually help friends when they can, and friends forgive friends and make up with them.

Activity l Story Puppets (pages 3–4) Distribute scissors and direct the children to cut out the puppet shapes on pages 3–4. If your time is short, you may have them ready for the children to use. Tape or staple the pieces together, leaving a hole at the bottom for a pencil or craft-stick handle. Organize the children into groups of four to tell the story. Encourage the children to tell the story to their families.

Closing Prayer Gather in a prayer circle. Ask the children if there is anything or anyone they wish to pray for. After each child names a person or a concern, lead the children in responding: “Lord, hear our prayer.” Make the Sign of the Cross together.

End your prayer and gathering by playing and singing “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16).

Live the Gospel


What the Church Believes and Teaches God Makes Promises (page 8)

Read a children’s story of Adam and Eve. Invite the children to make a happy face when Adam and Eve are happy and a sad face when Adam and Eve are sad.

Invite the children to do the activity on page 8 in their Catechism handbooks. Then invite them to share their response to each situation with a smile or frown.

Direct the children to “vote” with their happy/sad faces as pairs of children act out the following:l One child shares a snack with another child.l One child yells at another.

Have the children close What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks and return to Promise.


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Jesus told this parable to his followers. He said: “The Kingdom of God will be like ten girls who took their lamps and went to a wedding to meet the groom. Five of the girls were foolish. The other five were wise. The foolish girls did not bring extra oil for their lamps. The wise girls did.

“When the bridegroom was late, all the girls fell asleep. At midnight, they heard a shout: ‘Wake up! The bridegroom is here. Come and welcome him.’ The girls woke up and got ready to light their lamps. The foolish girls said to the wise ones: ‘Let us have some of your oil. Our lamps are going out.’ But the wise girls said: ‘No, we do not have enough oil for all of us. Go and buy some oil for yourselves.’

“When the foolish girls were away buying oil, the groom came. The five wise girls went into the wedding feast. Then the door was closed. When the five foolish girls returned, they shouted, ‘Open the door!’ But the groom said, ‘I do not know you.’”

Jesus said: “Always be ready. You do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

Activity l Creative Drama Retell the Gospel story by having all the children take the part of the ten girls who were invited to the wedding. They all fall asleep; then all wake up. Ask: How did the girls with extra oil for their lamps feel when they woke up? How did the other girls feel? Invite all the children to be girls with oil in their lamps and join you in a circle dance. Move five steps to the right, stop and clap. Move five steps to the left. Stop and clap again.

l A child holds the door open for someone.l Two children push to be first in line.l Two children fold towels together.

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Grades K & 1 2020–2021 SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

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LITURGICAL YEAR DOCTRINAL CONTENTDate/Sunday Sunday Gospels Creed Sacraments & Liturgy Life in Christ Christian Prayer

Church as a community of believers; Mass: readings from the BibleCelebrating as a community; Mass: Sign of the Cross

Baptism

Eucharist; Baptism

Baptism

Gathering as a community of love

Saints; sacramentals: images of saints

Mass: Prayer of the Faithful

Church community

Church as Body of Christ

Church Year: Advent; Advent saints

Church Year: Advent

Church Year: Advent; Gaudete Sunday; Reconciliation

Church Year: Advent; Annunciation

Church Year: Christmas and Epiphany

Baptism; sacraments

Church as community; Mass: Sign of Peace

Using our senses in worship; Mass: listening

Mass: Liturgy of the Word

Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick; Church as universal, including all

Church Year: Lent; Lenten practices

Church Year: Lent

Church Year: Lent

Church Year: Lent; Reconciliation

Church Year: Lent; Eucharist; saints

Church Year: Holy Week; Mass as meal and sacrifice

Church Year: Easter

Mass: Sign of Peace

Parish as a community of caring

Mass; Church as community

Church Year: honoring Mary in May

Learning about Jesus together

Choosing loving actions

Caring for Creation

Celebrating friendship; going to Sunday MassBaptized into Jesus’ family; belonging; trusting in God’s promisesLoving and unloving actions; showing love to God and others

Following Jesus’ path to happiness

Making loving choices; avoiding sin

Sharing talents to bring happiness

Seeing Christ in our neighbor; doing Works of Mercy

Getting ready for Jesus’ coming

Changing and growing as followers of Jesus

Preparing for Christmas; forgiving and asking for God’s help

Saying yes to God

Telling the Christmas story

Living as members of Jesus’ family

Acting as Jesus’ followers; following good examples

Listening; following; praying

Following good teachers

Doing what Jesus says; helping

Showing we care; including others

Praying, doing loving actions

Making loving choices; growing; changing

Lent: making loving choices; asking for forgiveness

Forgiving; praying with others; praying to Jesus

Showing love

Remembering the life of Jesus

Noticing and celebrating the new life of spring and Easter

Bringing peace to others; making peace

Following Jesus; caring for Creation

Building church community; staying connected to Jesus

Showing love to others

Praying with song and gestures

Sign of the Cross

Thanking God for Creation and for creating us

Amen

Prayer booklet


Praying to saints; Lord’s Prayer

Prayers of petition; Sign of the Cross; thanking God for life

Thanking God for talents

Works of Mercy prayer

Advent wreath prayer

Advent wreath prayer; prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Advent wreath prayer—joy

Advent wreath prayer; Prayer to My Guardian Angel; Hail Mary

Singing our prayer; thanking God for Jesus

Sign of the Cross; Glory Be to the Father

Prayer of peace; prayer for help to follow Jesus

Prayer of thanksgiving

Jesus teaches me…

Praying for the sick

Thanking Jesus

Lenten Prayer Box; Sign of the Cross; Lord’s Prayer

Prayers of petition

Prayer for forgiveness; Lord’s Prayer

Lord’s Prayer; Prayer of Sorrow

Growing prayer

Blessing Before Meals; prayer of thanks

Alleluia

Sign of Peace; Lord’s Prayer

Good Shepherd prayer; Psalm 23

Vine and branches prayer

Hail Mary

God abounds in love. (50, 214, 221)

God gives us free will. (1704, 1711, 1731, 1853)

God cares for Creation. (41, 239, 301, 421)

Jesus invites us to his table. (1396)

Baptism welcomes us to God’s family. (265, 804, 985)

Jesus’ Great Commandment is love. (1970–1972)

Jesus leads us to happiness. (1716–1719)

God gives us freedom to choose. (1732–1734, 2612)

God gives us talents. (546, 1880, 2427)

God judges us on love. (678, 682)

Jesus promises to come again. (524, 681–682, 2612)

John announces the Good News. (718–719)

God sent Jesus, Emmanuel “God-with-us.” (463, 744)

Mary models surrender to God. (490, 973, 2617, 2674)

Jesus is born in Bethlehem. (525) & Jesus comes for all people. (528)

Baptism welcomes us into God’s family. (265, 536, 985)

Jesus gathers a community. (752, 805)

Jesus calls disciples. (542, 804–806)

Jesus heals and teaches. (156, 548–550, 581)

Jesus’ healings are signs of the Kingdom. (517, 1503, 1505)

Jesus’ healings return outcasts to community. (605, 1421, 1443, 2616, 2792)

Jesus is faithful to God. (538–540, 566, 2157)The Transfiguration is a promise of our own resurrection. (460, 556, 1000)

Jesus teaches us to pray. (576, 583, 584, 2750, 2765)

Jesus forgives our sins and saves us. (545, 620, 2839)

Who serves Jesus must follow him. (805, 2253, 2449, 2466)

Jesus suffers and dies for us. (478, 542, 618, 1329, 2305)

God raises Jesus from death to eternal life. (638, 989)

Jesus gives us peace. (624, 813, 2304–2305)

Jesus is our Good Shepherd. (754, 764, 2415–2418)

Jesus unites the Church. (736, 755, 820, 960, 2074)

Jesus’ rule is love. (459, 592, 1823, 1970, 2745)

OR

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September 20, 202025th Sunday Ordinary

September 27, 202026th Sunday Ordinary

October 4, 202027th Sunday Ordinary




November 1, 2020Solemnity of All Saints

November 8, 202032nd Sunday Ordinary

November 15, 202033rd Sunday Ordinary

November 22, 2020Solemnity of Christ the King

November 29, 20201st Sunday of Advent

December 6, 20202nd Sunday of Advent

December 13, 20203rd Sunday of Advent

December 20, 20204th Sunday of Advent

December 25, 2020 & January 3, 2021Christmas & Epiphany

January 10, 2021Baptism of the Lord

January 17, 20212nd Sunday Ordinary

January 24, 20213rd Sunday Ordinary

January 31, 20214th Sunday Ordinary

February 7, 20215th Sunday Ordinary

February 14, 20216th Sunday Ordinary

February 21, 20211st Sunday of Lent

February 28, 20212nd Sunday of Lent

March 7, 20213rd Sunday of Lent

March 14, 20214th Sunday of Lent

March 21, 20215th Sunday of Lent

March 28, 2021Palm/Passion Sunday

April 4 & April 11, 2021Easter Sunday & 2nd Sunday of Easter

April 18, 2021 3rd Sunday of Easter

April 25, 20214th Sunday of Easter

May 2, 20215th Sunday of Easter

May 9, 20216th Sunday of Easter

Matthew 20:1–16a Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard



Matthew 22:1–14 Parable of the Wedding Feast


Matthew 22:34–40 The Great Commandment


Matthew 25:1–13 Parable of Wise and Foolish GirlsMatthew 25:14–15, 19–21 Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:31–46 Jesus Teaches the Works of Mercy

Mark 13:33–37 Jesus Says, “Be Alert!”

Mark 1:1–8 Jesus Is the Good News

John 1:6–8, 19–28 John the Baptist Prepares Us for Jesus

Luke 1:26–38 Mary Says Yes to God

Luke 2:1–14 Jesus Is Born & Matthew 2:1–12 Visit of the Magi

Mark 1:7–11 Jesus Is Baptized

John 1:35–42 Jesus Calls His First Followers

Mark 1:14–20 Jesus Calls Four Fishermen

Mark 1:21–28 Jesus Teaches with Authority

Mark 1:29–39 Jesus Raises Up, Heals, and Frees People

Mark 1:40–45 Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

Mark 1:12–15 Jesus Is Tempted

Mark 9:2–10 Jesus’ Friends See Him TransfiguredJohn 2:13–25 Jesus Cleanses the Temple

John 3:14–21 Jesus Gives Us Light

John 12:20–33 Jesus Is Like a Grain of Wheat

Mark 15:1–39 Jesus’ Passion

John 20:1–9 & John 20:19–31 Jesus Is Risen and Greets His Friends

Luke 24:35–48 Jesus Appears to His Disciples

John 10:11–18 Jesus Is the Good ShepherdJohn 15:1–8 Jesus Is the Vine; We Are the BranchesJohn 15:9–17 Jesus’ Great Commandment: Love One Another

All numbers in parentheses refer to paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The topics included in this Scope and Sequence chart are subject to minor changes, which will be reflected in the Teaching Guides throughout the catechetical year. To print copies of this chart, visit gospelweeklies.com/promise.

Word of the Week

Bible

Ten Commandments

God

marriage

Old Testament

New Testament

Beatitudes

neighbor

service

saint

Church Year

Holy Spirit

Reconciliation

Mary

Jesus

Baptism

Sunday

mission

Gospel

anoint

respect

creed

Heaven

prayer

mercy

Church

Holy Week

Mass

Holy Communion

pastor

parish

Confirmation

2020–2021 Scope and SequenceGrades K, 1

teaching guide unit 1

Documents