Family Rosary Curriculum

Video: Overview of The Family Rosary Way of Grace & Family Rosary Curriculum

- Handout: Overview of The Family Rosary Curriculum

Dear Parents,

We are excited that you have chosen to use the Family Rosary Curriculum in your home.  The following information is a brief overview of the program and some instructions for its use each week.  The Family Rosary Curriculum is a great way for families to grow together in their faith, especially for those who have children preparing to receive Sacraments this coming year.  The goal of the program is to increase family prayer and to have family members share their faith with one another.  

“The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.” This quote by St. Francis De Sales (the patron saint of the Diocese of Baker) highlights the importance of and power of the Holy Rosary.  With this in mind we have created a simple and profound program for families to use in their homes, centered on the Rosary.  Each week for 26 weeks families will be given insights into one of the specific prayers of the Rosary, or one of the Mysteries.  Through praying the Rosary and reflecting on its mysteries we find in it the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  These mysteries will then help us to understand a different aspect of our faith and help prepare some children to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, 1st Holy Communion, and Confirmation.  It is our hope and prayer that all families will be brought closer to Him, through his Mother, and through this beautiful prayer that is such a rich tradition in the Holy Catholic Church.

Important Notes:

THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY- We are instructed to meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary.  While we pray each decade it is important to draw our mind and heart deeper into each mystery while we pray.  It takes practice to remain focused on the mystery while reciting the Hail Mary.  Don’t get discouraged, when you or your children become distracted, give a simple reminder to turn back to the mystery.  If it helps, several written meditations are available online.

PRAY TOGETHER- Pray and share as a family each week. You are also encouraged to pray each day.  Be intentional about praying at meals together, and before bed or in the morning.  Pray together the prayer for the week, or a decade of the Rosary.  If you choose, increase your family prayer time as you become more comfortable. At sometime during this year, your family may even want to start praying the whole Rosary as a family once, three times, or even every night of the week.

GOOD RESOURCES- For more information on the Rosary go to these websites.

https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/rosary/how-to-pray-the-rosary.html 

https://www.usccb.org/how-to-pray-the-rosary

https://www.rosarycenter.org/homepage-2/rosary/how-to-pray-the-rosary/

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

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Family Rosary Curriculum (FRC)
Evangelizing Catechesis - Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation

Overview

“The cycles of meditation proposed by the Holy Rosary…bring to mind what is essential and they awaken in the soul a thirst for a knowledge of Christ continually nourished by the pure source of the Gospel”  
~ Pope St. John Paul II.

Description: In-home faith formation led by parents for young people preparing to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Using the rosary as a guide, parents and children will come to better understand many of the traditional prayers of the Catholic faith, and through discussion and prayer, as a family will enter deeper into the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon 

Print-Ready Copy of the Overview for the Year

“The cycles of meditation proposed by the Holy Rosary…bring to mind what is essential and they awaken in the soul a thirst for a knowledge of Christ continually nourished by the pure source of the Gospel”  
~ Pope St. John Paul II. 

Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a moment by yourself, or together as a couple, to read the scripture listed below. Take a few minutes to reflect on the passage, and read through the discussion questions.
    Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). When you have finished reading through the lesson, discuss a couple of the questions below. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:19-20

Virtue: Prayer. 

“For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of
recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” ~ St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Theme: The Holy Trinity 

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

     “As Catholics, we make the Sign of the Cross often. Sometimes we might even forget what it means. The sign of the cross is actually a prayer. This prayer reminds us that we belong to a God who loves us very much. Our God is a Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 3 in 1.” 

     “When we pray, ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’, we enter into a loving family - the never-ending love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our Church community is also our loving family. In the scripture we just read, Jesus tells us to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we were baptized, we became part of the family of God. Together we became sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. We are brothers and sisters of the Son (Jesus). We have the life of the Holy Spirit within us!”

     “The Sign of the Cross is one of our easiest and most powerful prayers. Every time we PRAY it and trace the shape of the cross of Jesus on ourselves, let us remember how we, as a family of God, are being drawn into God’s all-powerful, life-changing love - from now to eternity.”  

Discussion Questions: (To help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) Questions - (& 1st Reconciliation - 1st Communion Students)

          1. What are some prayers you know of - even if you do not have them memorized? 
          2. When you pray the sign of the cross from now on, what are you going to try to think about?

     Older Child(ren) Questions - (& Confirmation Students)

          1. What do you think about the above quote from St. Thérèse of Lisieux?
                   How is this similar or different from the way you normally think about prayer?
          2. What is your favorite way to pray? Would you like to learn about different styles of prayer? 

Prayer: Each day this week, please intentionally & slowly pray together the Sign of the Cross.

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a moment by yourself, or together as a couple, to read the scripture listed below. Take a few minutes to reflect on the passage, and read through the discussion questions.
    Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). When you have finished reading through the lesson, discuss a couple of the questions below. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:5-15

Virtue: Trust

“Lay all your cares about the future trustingly in God’s hands, and let yourself be guided by the Lord just like a little child.” ~ Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)

Theme: Calling out to God, and trusting in his love for us.

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

The Our Father, also called the Lord’s Prayer, is the prayer Jesus himself teaches the people to pray.  Because Jesus taught it to us it should be considered one of the most important and powerful prayers we have. It is a short and very powerful prayer.  When we pray the Our Father, we trust in God’s plan and love for us.

When a small child needs their mom or dad they will often call out to them, babies cry loudly to be heard when they are not old enough to speak.  When we say, “Our Father who art in heaven” we are calling out to God our Father in the same way, trusting that he will hear us.

When we say, “Thy Will be done” we are asking God to help us follow him.  He has a plan for us and for our families.  We trust that God’s plan is the best and we want to follow it.

God loves us more than we could possibly know, and when we trust in him he gives us everything we need.  That is what we ask - “Give us this day our daily bread”.  We know he will take care of us.

Sins are the things that God does not want us to do, so in the Our Father we ask God to “Forgive us our trespasses”. Then we promise to be loving and kind, like him, when we say “as we forgive those who trespass against us”. 

To finish the prayer we put all of our trust in God the Father to protect us and keep us close to him as we pray “Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil”.  God is great, when we love him completely there is no temptation we can’t overcome, and no matter what happens in life he will always be there to save us.   

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation):

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. What do you think is the most important part of this prayer? 

          2. How can you trust in God more?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. We pray that God’s Will be done.  What do you think God wants for you?

          2. How can we be more forgiving like God?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray the Our Father. Encourage your children and spouse to pray slowly and intentionally, and to think about what they are saying. Let them know they can trust that our loving God will hear them.

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

https://watch.formed.org/the-lord-s-prayer-praying-as-christ-taught-us

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p4s2.htm

Printable Copy

Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:28 & Luke 1:41-42

Virtue/Fruit: Faithful Family

“What a joy to remember that she is our mother!
Since she loves us and knows our weakness, what have we to fear?”
~ St. Therese of Lisieux 

Theme: Mary: Mother of Jesus - Mother of God - Mother of Us All.

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

“Hopefully you recognize the Bible verses we just read. Together they make up the first part of the Hail Mary. Let’s take a deeper look at what a gift this ancient prayer is to us.

'Hail [Mary], full of grace, the Lord is with you.' As we pray the words the Angel Gabriel spoke to Mary, it reminds us that Mary of Nazareth was chosen and blessed by God in a very special way. To prepare Mary to be the mother of Jesus, God gave her a precious gift - the gift of His grace; His very self.

'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! [Jesus].' As we pray the words of Mary’s cousin Elizabeth, we remember how her son, John the Baptist, jumped in Elizabeth’s womb when she heard the voice of Mary. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. By the power of the same Holy Spirit, our hearts leap within us when we pray.   

'Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death. Amen.' Mary is the mother of Jesus. Jesus is fully human and fully God. That is why we call Mary the Mother of God. Jesus gives us Mary to be our mother as well. In her love for us, she is willing to pray for us, for the rest of our lives.”  

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. How do moms show their love for their children?

          2. How does our Blessed Mother Mary love us as her children?  

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. Why do we ask Mary and the other Saints in heaven to pray for/with us to God? 

          2. What would you like to ask Mary to pray for?

Prayer: Please pray the Hail Mary, at least once each day this week, as a family. 

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

Additional Resources:

https://watch.formed.org/videos/mary-the-saints-our-spiritual-mother-the-communion-of-saints 

https://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p4s1c2a2.htm#2676 

Printable Version (PDF)

Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Psalm 117: 1-2 (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/117)

Virtue: Awe and Reverence

“The highest form of prayer is to stand silently in awe before God” ~ St. Isaac the Syrian 

Theme: Eyes on Heaven

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

When we pray the words “Glory be” we are only saying two words.  Those two words are short and simple, but they have an amazing amount of meaning. When we say “Glory be”, we are saying how great God is.  God deserves all the glory we can give and more.  All good things come from God, and he has given them to us.  For that he deserves all of our reverence and praise. 

We give glory to our one God who is three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  All good things come from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The greatness of God causes us to be in awe of him.  

We conclude the prayer by saying “as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.” God is the one that created everything in the beginning.  He blesses each and every day of our lives, and he will continue to be great for eternity.  Our goal as children of God is to get to Heaven, where we will praise God with the Angels and give him endless glory. Heaven is God’s world that does not end.  God is so incredible, when we think about all the great things he has done, and will do for us, we can only be amazed by him, and give him thanks. 

After the “Glory Be” we pray what is called the Fatima Prayer. God created, so that we could one day join him in Heaven.  To join God in heaven we must first be free from all sin.  In the Fatima Prayer we ask God the Son, Jesus Christ, for his mercy and forgiveness.  With God’s great mercy, we can be forgiven our Sins, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession).  We should always keep our eyes on Heaven, and God will lead us there to his world, without end. 

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. What do you think is the greatest thing God created?

          2. What does it mean to give God glory?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. What great gift(s) has God given you?

          2. Why do you think God wants us to join him in Heaven?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray the Glory Be & Fatima Prayer. 

     Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;

     as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

     O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. 

     Lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

Additional Resources:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/glory-be-doxology

https://watch.formed.org/walking-with-jesus-the-rosary-prayers-in-song

Printable Copy

Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: John 17:22-23

Virtue: Seeking Unity

“...One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.” ~ Ephesians 4:5-6 

Theme: The Unity of Church

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

“Our Church is made up of many people, with many different opinions and ways of thinking about things. It’s been this way since the beginning. As you can see from these two scripture quotes, it is very important to Jesus that we try our hardest to be united. Although we are many parts, we are called to be one body. Like the Trinity, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct, yet one. 

After Jesus went to heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us as a Church. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles, and the Bishops who came after them, help keep us together. They help us to understand when a teaching goes against what Jesus taught. The Apostles’ Creed was created to clarify, and help us remember, the truth of who God is and who we are in Him. 

The word Creed comes from the Latin word Credo, which means, I Believe. When we pray the Apostles’ Creed, we are proclaiming what we believe as individuals, and as a Church. As we pray these truths we are united to millions of Catholics around the world. In order to stay united, we must continue to seek Truth in Love. As you pray the Apostles’ Creed each day this week, try to listen carefully and notice what we believe about God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and how we are to live as Christians.”

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. What does the Apostles’ Creed teach us about Jesus Christ?

          2. Why is it important for a team to have the same goal and follow the same rules to the game? 

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. Why is it important that we understand (as best we can) what we say we believe? 

          2. What parts of the Apostles’ Creed are confusing to you? 

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray the Apostles’ Creed (see below). 

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

Additional Resources: https://watch.formed.org/videos/the-creed 

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God,

the Father almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried;

he descended into hell;

on the third day he rose again from the dead;

he ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;

from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and life everlasting.

Amen.

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:18-24

Virtue: Openness to Being Guided by Holy People in Your Life

“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.” ~ Proverbs 19:20

Theme: Contrition (Being truly sorry for our sins and trying to not sin again)

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

“In today’s Scripture reading we hear about a son who disrespected his father in a most serious way. He told his father that, in essence, he wished he were dead. Then he selfishly spent all the money his father gave him trying to please himself. When he was very poor and had no other options he came back to his father feeling very sorry for what he had done. ‘While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.’

This is how God, our Father in Heaven, looks at us and treats us - even when we have sinned in very serious ways. Our Heavenly Father is always seeking us. He always loves us! He longs to be united with us. The word ‘compassion' comes from a word meaning 'suffers with'. When we make bad choices that hurt ourselves and others (sins) God weeps with us. He 'suffers with' us in our suffering. He wants us to always live in Love, Peace and Joy. That is why he gave us Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Church so that we will know how to live in ways that will be truly best for us and for all people. 

When we sin we are called to be 'reconciled' - brought back together - with God, our community and our true selves. The 'act of contrition' is our way of telling God that we are truly sorry for disrespecting his love for us by committing sins. And with the help of God’s power living inside of us (grace) we will try our very hardest to not sin again. Living in God’s love is the best way to have a life full of joy!”

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. Who in your life seems to truly know how much God loves them and loves God in return? 

          2. How do they live out that love in their daily lives?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. What experiences in your life have made it hard to remember God’s great love for you?

          2. What could we do as a family to make it easier to live in God’s love (make good choices)?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray an Act of Contrition (see below, or use another). 

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.

OR

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.

Printable Copy

Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Virtue: Humility

“Humility means seeing ourselves as God sees us: knowing every good we have
comes from Him as pure gift.” ~ St. Thomas Aquinas 

Theme: Love of God and Free Will

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

The First Joyful Mystery is the Annunciation of the Lord to Mary.  In this mystery, the Angel Gabriel comes to Mary and announces to her that she has been specially chosen by God.  God chose her from the very beginning to be special, to bring his Son, Jesus into the world.  Mary responded to God by saying yes.

In this mystery, we learn that God speaks to us, and that God has a plan for us. Just like God chose Mary, and had a special plan for her, God also has plans for each and every one of us. We are special to God, and God has very special plans for every one of us.  Some of us he has asked to be moms or dads, and others he has called to be priests, or religious sisters (nuns) and religious brothers (monks).  Most importantly God calls all of us to follow him, to be his children, and to trust him.

Mary trusted in God completely, and because she did, Jesus came into the world through her. We can choose to listen to God, and follow his plan.  Just like Mary, when we say yes to God great things can happen. Mary is the perfect example of the virtue of Humility. 

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. How can we be like Mary and trust God?

          2. In what ways do you think God has made you special?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. Is there anything you feel like God has asked you to do?

          2. Why do you think the Mystery of the Annunciation is a part of the Joyful Mysteries?

Prayer: Please pray one Hail Mary as a Family each day this week. Also, please make time this week, as a family, to pray together 1 decade of the Rosary while meditating on this first Joyful Mystery - “The Annunciation of the Lord to Mary”. (1 Decade = 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s, 1 Glory Be & the Fatima (Oh My Jesus) Prayer - Click Here for help). Focusing on the image below can be helpful during this prayer.

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:39-56

Virtue/Fruit: Joy

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” 
~ Mary (Luke 1:46-47)

Theme: Glory in the Lord’s Presence

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren):

In this Gospel reading both Mary and Elizabeth are pregnant. Mary is carrying Jesus in her womb, and Elizabeth is carrying John the Baptist.

Shortly after Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel, who told her she would carry Jesus in her womb and give birth to him, she left to go visit her cousin Elizabeth. When Mary greets Elizabeth two great things happen. The baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy and Elizabeth says “Most Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb”; words we remember and pray in the Hail Mary.  

Mary also experiences a wonderful joy. The only thing Mary wants to do is give glory to God. Right after Elizabeth greets her, Mary offers a beautiful prayer of praise to God. Mary’s prayer is called the Magnificat and is a prayer we still use today. Just like Jesus taught us the Our Father, Mary teaches us the Magnificat.

Mary, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist in his mother’s womb all found great joy and gave glory to God in this Gospel story. Even though Jesus had not been born yet, they all knew he was present. God wants us to recognize him everywhere in our lives as well, even when he is not easy to see. When we recognize God in our lives we find joy and happiness, and when we find that joy and happiness we should always thank God for it and give him Glory.   

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Younger Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. Where do you see God in your life?

          2. What would you like to thank God for today?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. Where would you like to see God in your life (where is it sometimes hard to see him)?

          2. God deserves all our glory. Do we sometimes give glory to things that are not from God?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray a Hail Mary and the Magnificat. If you would like, also talk about what you think Mary is saying in the Magnificat.  

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him 
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, 
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, 
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, 
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel 
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, 
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Print-Ready Copy

Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-21

Virtue: Detachment

“I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” ~ St. Paul (Phil 4:12-13) 

Theme: You Can Trust God

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

“The third Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary is the birth of our Lord Jesus. As we pray this decade of the rosary we imagine what it must have been like when Jesus was born. When we say “decade of the Rosary” we mean, set of 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s, 1 Glory Be, and 1 O My Jesus prayer. As our mouths are praying these words over and over, our minds are freed up to think about the mystery. 

Joseph and Mary had to leave their home. The government was telling them they had to travel a long way to Bethlehem and at one of the worst times! Mary was very far along in her pregnancy and she had to travel rough, dangerous roads and not in a comfortable car or train! Joseph and Mary were poor travelers. They did not have much to protect or comfort them from the heat and cold of the desert. And when they arrived where they were told to go, there was nowhere to sleep! Finally, someone let them stay in a stable with the animals. Jesus was born safely and there was much rejoicing! 

An angel even told nearby shepherds about this amazing event and told them the words we all need to hear and remember: “Do not be afraid...I proclaim to you good news of great joy…”. Our God always loves and cares for us. Sometimes when we have more than we need, we forget about God. Sometimes when we don’t have enough, we don’t trust God. He blesses us with what we need, even if it is not everything we want. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us! And this truly is Good News of Great Joy!”

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. Share 10 things you want to thank God for, even the ones that seem little or silly. 

          2. When is it hard for you to trust God? What will help you remember to trust Him next time?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. Share a time when you were afraid. Can you see how God was present in that situation? 

          2. Try to think of how you might share with a friend that Jesus truly is “Good News of Great Joy”.

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray 1 Our Father. Also, please make time this week, as a family, to pray together 1 decade of the Rosary while meditating on this third Joyful Mystery - “The Birth of our Lord”. Focusing on the image below can be helpful during this prayer.
(1 Decade = 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s, 1 Glory Be & the Fatima (O My Jesus) Prayer - Click Here for help). 

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:22-38

Virtue: Obedience

“It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey.”
-St. Ignatius of Loyola

Theme: Why we need the Church

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

It was the custom in Jesus’ time for parents to bring their children to the temple and present them to God. In this “presentation”, they were making a commitment to raise their children to know, love and serve God. Today, parents bring their children to the Church to be baptized. As baptized children of God we are also called to know, love, and serve God. The Church instructed Joseph and Mary to do this, just like the Church today instructs parents to bring their children to be baptized. 

Also in this Gospel reading, we hear about two people who loved God very much. The first was Simeon. Simeon was an old man who had been told by the Holy Spirit that before he died he would see Jesus. The second person is Anna. Anna loved the Church very much and prayed always. Because they were both holy and committed to God, they recognized who Jesus really was, even though most people could not.   

Our goal on earth is to love and serve God with our whole heart so that someday we can live forever with Him in heaven. Joseph and Mary followed the customs of the Church. The Church is here to support and guide us as we come to know and live in God’s love. Simeon and Anna were both very obedient to God. Because they were obedient, they were some of the first people to get to see Jesus and know he was the Savior of the World. Being obedient to God does not make us unhappy. Being obedient to God brings us great joy, the kind of joy Simeon had when he met Jesus!

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. When is it hard to obey your parents? Why does God ask us to obey our parents?

          2. How is the Church similar to our family?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. What does it mean to be obedient to God?

          2. How can we be more like Simeon and Anna?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray the Glory be. Also, one day this week, as a family, pray together 1 decade of the Rosary while meditating on this fourth Joyful Mystery - “The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple”. Focusing on the image below can be helpful during this prayer.
(1 Decade = 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s, 1 Glory Be & the Fatima (O My Jesus) Prayer - Click Here for help). 

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:41-52

Virtue/Fruit: Piety

By turning your eyes on God in meditation, your whole soul will be filled with God.
Begin all your prayers in the presence of God. ~ St. Francis De Sales

Theme: Listening to the Word of God

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren):

In Jesus’ time, it was the custom for each Jewish family to come to the Temple in Jerusalem and offer sacrifice to God. When Jesus was 12 years old, he and his parents Mary and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem from Nazareth. After celebrating the Passover, Mary and Joseph were on their way back to Nazareth, traveling with a large group of people. Jesus was not with the group, when Mary and Joseph realized he wasn’t there they went back to Jerusalem to find him. They found him in the Temple asking questions and talking with the teachers. 

When they found Jesus, Mary asked him where he had been. He answered by saying, “Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?”. Jesus is telling Mary and Joseph that the most important thing in this world is to be with God. God is so great, he is the one that created everything, whenever we have the chance we should be spending time with him. We should always put God first in our lives. God deserves a very special kind of respect. We call that respect “piety”. 

When we go to Mass, we stop before going into the pew and genuflect. Genuflecting is when we stop and touch our knee to the ground, and make the sign of the cross. Just like people bow to a king or queen, to show respect. When we genuflect we are showing piety, respect for God, the King of kings. Another form of piety is to be quiet when we are in the Church. When we are in Church we are in God’s house, and we always want to be respectful in God’s house.

Jesus was only 12 when he stayed behind in the Temple to spend time with God the Father, to pray, and to learn. Even as children we can grow closer to God and learn by spending time with him.

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

   Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

     1. What are some ways, in our family, we show respect for God?

     2. What is your favorite part of going to Church?

   Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

     1. Do we give enough time to God each day/week?

     2. What is your favorite way to pray?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray the Our Father. Also one day this week pray one Decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of the Finding of Our Lord in the Temple.

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Mt 3:13-16

Virtue: Openness to the Holy Spirit

“God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.”
~ Romans 5:5 

Theme: Living as the Beloved

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

Today we hear about Jesus getting baptized. This may seem a little odd to us, as it did to John the Baptist. Jesus is free from sin, why would he need to be baptized? Jesus chose to be baptized to become the model for us. When we are baptized, we are baptized INTO the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and this changes everything! 

When Jesus comes up from the water, all three persons of the Trinity make themselves known. The voice of the Father is heard and the Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove, revealing the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. This moment becomes our model for baptism, confirmation, and the Christian life. We too receive the Holy Spirit when we are baptized and when we are confirmed he is stirred up and made even more powerful within us! 

Because we have become the brothers and sisters of Jesus, the words of God the Father spoken to Jesus are also spoken to us. God says to us, “This is my BELOVED [child] with whom I am well PLEASED.” God is pleased with us! We are his beloved! So many people in our world forget this. Each day we should take a moment to receive God’s love. Then respond to that love by loving God and ourselves as God loves us. And as we spend time living in this love we have received, let’s try to truly become that love for the world! 

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. Why is it important that we see ourselves as beloved children of God? 

          2. What one thing can you do tomorrow to live more fully as the beloved? 

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. How can knowing that we are the beloved children of God protect us from fear and anger? 

          2. What does it mean to become the love that we have received?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray the Hail Mary. Also one day this week pray one Decade of the Rosary reflecting on this Mystery of Light: The Baptism of Our Lord in the Jordan River.

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: John 2:1-11

Virtue: To Jesus through Mary

“By means of the Mother of Mercy one reaches Mercy itself.” 
~ St.Odo of Canterbury 

Theme: Have Life More Abundantly

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

In this mystery of the Rosary (and story in Scripture) we hear about the first miracle of Jesus. This miracle happened as a response to a need as well as a request made by his mother Mary. At first, Jesus seems hesitant, telling his mother that his “hour has not yet come”. Mary responds to this by telling the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do. Then Jesus decides to perform an amazing miracle! 

In this story, we see two very important things. First, the power of asking those close to Jesus to pray with us and for us. For some reason, God doesn’t want us to live this life on our own. He doesn’t want us to live our faith lives alone either. There have been so many miracles connected to people on earth asking people in heaven (the saints) to pray for us. This is especially true with the Mother of Jesus. As we see in this story, Mary does not force Jesus to do anything. She makes the need known and lets Jesus decide what He wants to do. And the loving request of His mother touches the mind and heart of Jesus.

The second important thing is that we can see how Jesus pours out His superabundant grace upon us. In this story, the families throwing the party were about to be terribly embarrassed because they ran out of wine. However, Jesus didn’t just provide “enough” wine, or a “good enough” wine. He provided an abundance (way more than enough) of a really good wine. God does this for us today as well. God’s grace allows us to participate in the very life of God! As Jesus said in John 10:10: “I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly”. This is the beautiful and powerful call of being a Christian. Let’s keep asking our Blessed Mother to help us live more abundantly in Jesus!

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. Why does God encourage us to ask the saints to pray for us? 

          2. Share a few little (or big) ways that God provides what we need. 

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. Why does God desire Church? (Why do we need faith communities?) 

          2. What is one change we can make in our family to live more abundantly in Jesus?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray the Glory Be & O My Jesus Prayer. Also one day this week pray one Decade of the Rosary reflecting on this Mystery of Light: The Wedding at Cana. 

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:14-15

Virtue: Repentance & Trust in God

“Turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.” Isaiah 55:7 

Theme: “Sacrament” & Reconciliation

“The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel”, we hear Jesus say as he begins his public ministry. This is an incredible and new thing! In Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God is here, now! (And fully experienced in heaven.) How do we live our lives here and now in the kingdom of God? Jesus gives us a plan and tools to accomplish the plan. He tells us to “repent and believe in the gospel”. To repent we must first notice and admit that we have sinned. There are times in our lives when we do not love God, our neighbor, or ourselves as God loves us. We then ask for forgiveness, trust in God’s mercy and grace, and commit to living our lives in union with His great love. The Sacrament of Reconciliation helps us with this. 

Jesus gave us the gift of the sacraments and a family we call the Church, to help us “repent and believe in the gospel”. The sacraments are amazing gifts that allow us to experience God’s love in ways that we can see, touch, hear, smell, and taste! In the sacraments, we are able to receive God’s very life into us and be changed to be more like Jesus Christ! This is not a one-time thing. Repentance and conversion are something we are called to experience over and over again. 

Jesus asks us to “repent and believe in the gospel”. The word gospel means “good news”. Remember a few weeks ago we talked about the angel telling the shepherds, “Do not be afraid...I proclaim to you good news of great joy...for all the people” (Luke 2:10). So after we repent we are called to believe and live the Good News of great joy and courageously share it with all people, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. Parents please share what it’s like to experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation (even if you don’t remember all the steps or parts).

          2. What are some creative ways we can remind ourselves each day that, because of our baptism, God is living and loving, in and through us? 

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. Why is it important to repent in order to fully believe and live the Good News?

          2. How do we show God’s mercy to one another? Is there someone God is calling you to forgive? 

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be & O My Jesus Prayer. Also one day this week pray one Decade of the Rosary reflecting on this Mystery of Light: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. 

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:1-8

Virtue/Fruit: Desire for Holiness

“For he alone is the way that is worth following, the light that is worth lighting, the life that is worth living, and the love that is worth loving.” ~ St. Teresa of Calcutta

Theme: True Happiness - Living Moral Lives

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren):

Jesus went up the mountain with his closest followers. What they saw amazed them. The Scriptures tell us Jesus’ face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. What they were seeing was Jesus in all his glory. They were seeing Jesus as he really is. They were seeing him perfect. 

There were two men there talking with Jesus. They were Moses and Elijah, two of the most well-known characters in the Old Testament of the Bible. The disciples of Jesus saw them talking even though Moses and Elijah lived a long time ago. The disciple Peter was so amazed by what he had seen, he didn’t want to leave. He told Jesus he would build tents for all of them so that they could stay there. Peter was seeing Jesus in perfect holiness. Peter desired to be holy too. He desired it so much he wanted to stay as long as he could. 

In the midst of all of this, God the Father spoke to them from heaven. He told them “this is my beloved Son... listen to him”. At first, the disciples were afraid, but soon after, Jesus comforted them and told them to not be afraid. They heard God’s voice coming from heaven, and they saw the face of Jesus. The disciples continued to follow Jesus and listen to him. Because they followed him and listened they found true happiness. We can also be truly happy if we seek to be holy; following and listening to Jesus. 

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)
           1. What do you think it means to be holy?
           2. Why does God the Father want us to listen to Jesus?
     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)
           1. What is one thing you can do to become more holy?
           2. In what ways has Jesus led you to happiness?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray one decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of the Transfiguration of Our Lord.

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:26-29

Virtue: Adoration of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist

“Good friends find pleasure in one another’s company. Let us know pleasure in the company of our best Friend, a Friend who can do everything for us, a friend who loves us beyond measure. Here in the Blessed Sacrament we can talk to him straight from the heart.” ~ St Alphonsus de Liguori

Theme: The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

We are so blessed to be Catholic! As Catholic Christians, we hold on tightly to the belief that 2,000 years ago, at His last supper on earth, Jesus asked us to “do this in remembrance of me”. And although we so often mess up and do not do what Jesus asks us to do, the Church continues to bring us Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist! Every hour of every day, somewhere in the world, the Holy Mass is celebrated and Jesus is truly present on that altar! This is amazing if we take a moment to think about it. 

The God who created the entire universe and everything within it - every star, planet, animal, rock, plant, and person - decided that He wanted to be intimately WITH you and me! God did this by becoming a human, like us. Then, to become even more of a gift to us, He gave us a way to receive Him WITHIN our very selves! In His last supper, Jesus set the model for every Mass we will ever attend. During the Holy Mass, as the priest speaks the words Jesus gave him, the Holy Spirit comes down and changes the bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ! Our God becomes our food! When we eat and drink these things that still appear to be bread and wine, our God is choosing to enter into us in a powerfully personal way that unites us to Him and nourishes us for our daily lives. The God that is bigger than we can ever imagine, chooses to enter our little bodies and change our very lives. 

This is why we are asked to attend Holy Mass every weekend. It is not because the Church wants to boss us around. It is because our Church is so excited to give us the Bread of Life, which will lead us to eternal life. Even here and now Jesus will help us live this life filled with love, joy, and peace! What a beautiful gift. 

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. How can we prepare our hearts and minds before we receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist? 

          2. How could we as a family share this beautiful gift with others?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. What does “full and active participation” mean? (For example, in Soccer.)

          2. How can we help our participation in Mass be more “full & active”?  

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray one decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of The Institution of the Holy Eucharist during the Last Supper. 

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:36-46

Virtue/Fruit: Contrition and Conversion 

“After a fall, stand up again right away! Do not leave sin in your heart for even a moment!”
~ St. John Vianney

Theme: Temptation and Conscience

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren):

Jesus knows that he is going to be arrested and eventually crucified. Before all of this happens he goes to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus takes a few of his disciples with him, and asks them to keep watch. Jesus knows what is about to happen to him and goes to pray for strength and to do what he knows is best. It is not always easy to do what we know is right or best. It is easy for us to be tempted to do something else. That is what Jesus means when he says that “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. 

While Jesus is praying in the Garden he says he wants to do God’s Will, not his own. Doing God’s Will, means doing what God would want us to do. We can know what God’s Will is when we follow our conscience. Our conscience is a gift from God. Jesus knows that he is going to be put through a lot of pain, and suffering.  He knows it is going to be hard, but he also knows that he is doing it so all people can be forgiven of their sins and be close to God. And God wants all of us to be close to him.  

Jesus is completely free from sin and goes through the agony in the garden for our good. When we know what Jesus went through in the garden and on the cross, it should cause us to feel sorry for the sins we have committed. This is called contrition. When we go away from sin and towards God, we call this conversion. God wants all of us to move away from sin and follow him. God wants our lives to be lifelong journeys of conversion toward him. This journey allows us to live fully in God’s love, joy and peace!

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. What kind of things tempt us?

          2. How do we know what is right and what is wrong?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. What is a tough decision between right and wrong that you have had to make?

          2. Give an example of conversion towards God?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray one Decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of The Agony in the Garden. 

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Mark 15:15

Virtue: Purity

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” ~ Jesus (Mathew 5:8) 

Theme: Sin leads to destruction

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

Our short scripture passage today shows us how Pilate decides to do what will please the crowd, instead of what is right. Often we too are tempted to do what will please others, or even ourselves, instead of what is right. This is especially hard for us because we live in a world where people often disagree on what is right and what is wrong. Thankfully we have the gift of Jesus. Through the loving words and actions of Jesus we see the value of doing what is right. We see that being with God forever in heaven is truly the BEST thing we could ever imagine! It is so good that Jesus chose to suffer and die so that we would be able to live with our loving God forever in heaven and experience His love, joy, and peace here and now!  

We have been given great freedom. We have the freedom to look where we want, think, say, and do what we want. These choices have natural consequences. When Jesus teaches us the difference between right and wrong, He is revealing to us the truth about how we are made. Some choices are right because they are truly good for us. Some choices are wrong because they are truly bad for us (we call these sins).

The choices we make become habits. When we choose to think, say and do things that are right, holy, and good, this becomes our habit; a habit of living in God’s love, joy, and peace. The opposite is true as well. Making selfish, disrespectful choices can become a habit of darkness and hardness of heart. God desires what is truly best for us, now and forever! If we listen and follow the guidance of our God, our parents, and our church family we will have pure hearts and will live abundant lives in Christ. 

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. Why is it sometimes difficult to do the right thing?

          2. How can we support each other so that we can make good choices more often?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. Name some of the ways the media tries to trick us into thinking we should do whatever we want.

          2. What are some safeguards we can put into place in order to live with pure hearts?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray one decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of Our Lord Being Scourged at the Pillar.

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:27-31

Virtue/Fruit: Fortitude 

“The LORD is my strength and my shield, in him my heart trusts.
I am helped, so my heart rejoices…” ~ Psalm 28:7

Theme: Continuous Conversion 

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren):

Fortitude is the virtue of making the right choices and staying strong when we are faced with a scary or challenging situation. When Jesus is crowned with thorns he remains strong and does not fight back, even though he was being mistreated. Jesus chooses to go through all of this to save us from our sins. They crowned Jesus with thorns and dressed him in a scarlet cloak and mocked him. They did all of this to make fun of him. Just like Jesus, sometimes people make fun of us too. When people make fun of us we are tempted to do or say things to get them to stop, even if what we say is a lie. Sometimes doing the right thing is very hard. Doing the right thing even when it is hard is acting with fortitude. 

Even though Jesus is the Son of God, he still faced many difficulties. Jesus was able to get through his challenges by always turning to God the Father. When we go through difficult times in our lives we can do what the people around us think is best, or we can do what God knows is best. We face many challenges in our lives, there are many times that we can choose what the world wants, or what God wants. We want to always choose what God wants. 

We are all in need of continuous conversion. This means we don’t just choose God once, but that we choose him over and over again. God has chosen us and he gives us the strength to choose him. When we choose God it might not always be easy, but it truly is the best thing for us. 

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. Talk about a time it was hard to do the right thing?

          2. Why do you think people sometimes make the wrong choice?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. Talk about a time you acted with fortitude?

          2. What was a time you had to persevere through a challenge, how did you feel after?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray one Decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of The Crowning of Thorns. 

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:31-32

Virtue: Perseverance in Trials

“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance...because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” ~ St. Paul (Rom 5: 3,5)

Theme: Grace

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

In today’s scripture verse we remember how Jesus was treated on his way to his crucifixion. Jesus was insulted, humiliated, and made fun of. After being beaten and crowned with thorns he was forced to carry his cross; a punishment for a crime he did not commit. Along the way, a man named Simon was forced to help Jesus carry his cross. 

There will be times in each of our lives that we are accused of doing something we did not do. There will also be times when we are treated unkindly and are embarrassed because of something someone else does or says. Even after seeking help and guidance from trusted adults in our lives, these times can be painful. Jesus shows us how to persevere during challenging times. He not only gives us a perfect model of perseverance, he also gives you and me a special gift. As Christians, we are given the gift of grace! Grace is a free, undeserved gift of God’s very self. God shares His life with us in a special way that empowers us to live in His love. This gift of grace is offered to us in every sacrament we receive (Baptism, Reconciliation (Penance), Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders). This gift of God is strengthened when we live in His love and helps us to live the life we were meant to live. God’s gift of grace becomes like Simon of Cyrene, helping us to carry the crosses in our lives.  

It is also important to remember that many people around us are enduring hard situations that are even more challenging than our own. Although we cannot always understand why they carry the crosses they do, we can sometimes be like Simon the Cyrene for them. A prayer, a kind word, and a helping hand can make a big difference in the life of someone who is suffering. 

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. Share a challenging situation that God helped you through? (Parents please share first.)

          2. Think of someone in our lives (home, school, work, community) God may be calling us to help.

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. What could be our plan for seeking God’s grace during challenging situations? 

          2. How can we help make this world a more just place where people are treated fairly? 

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray one decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of the Our Lord Carrying the Cross to Calvary.

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:33-56

Virtue/Fruit: Forgiveness 

“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” ~ Jesus (Mathew 5:44-45)

Theme: Forgiving Others

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren):

Everything that Jesus did during his life was to lead others to God. Since the original sin of Adam and Eve, sin has gotten in the way of people having a perfect relationship with God. We were created by God so that we could love God, and God could love us. 

Sin gets in the way of us loving God as much as we can. The punishment for sin is death. Jesus came to free us from sin. Jesus is the Son of God, and because of that, he is completely free from sin. Jesus was crucified even though he had never sinned. Because Jesus had never sinned he took on our punishment. When he was crucified Jesus took on our sins, and God offers us forgiveness through him.  

When Jesus was still with his disciples he instructed them to “take up their cross and follow him”. Jesus came to forgive us of our sins and to provide us an example of how to live. Jesus gives himself completely for us. If Jesus forgives our sins, we should forgive others for the things they have done to us.  

Many people didn’t think Jesus was the Son of God. When Jesus was hung on the cross the sky went dark in the middle of the day, and later when Jesus died, there was an earthquake. After witnessing everything that happened that day one of the soldiers said “Truly, this was the Son of God”. Many of the people who witnessed his crucifixion became believers in Jesus as the true Messiah and Savior.  

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. When you do something wrong do you want to be forgiven?

          2. How can we thank God for his forgiveness?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. Is it hard for you to forgive others sometimes?

          2. How can we better follow the examples Jesus gave us?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray one Decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of The Crucifixion of Our Lord. 

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: John 20:1-29

Virtue: Faith

“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.”
~ Saint Augustine

Theme: Power of Prayer

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

Today we hear about the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. This moment changes everything! It was at this moment that true freedom was released into our world. As Jesus said to Martha before he brought her brother Lazurus back to life, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). Jesus is offering something brand new to the world!

When we live our lives in the freedom of faith, we are able to bring our moments of sadness, pain, and struggle to Jesus. Our God loves us so much that He became one with us and chose to suffer worse than we could ever imagine. Now, when we suffer, we know that our God truly understands what we are going through. Our God is compassionate; He truly suffers with us. And today we celebrate that He also brings new life from our suffering! When we join our suffering to His, we join in His redemption of the world. And when Jesus rises from the dead, we are able to join in His resurrection from our suffering and death. Our lives on earth have more meaning, love, joy, and peace and we are invited to live with God forever! 

When we live faith-filled lives we live and we pray differently. We live trusting in our loving God. When we pray, we pray frequently, fervently, and expectantly. This means we pray often, with great enthusiasm, trusting that God hears our prayers and truly wants what is best for us all.

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. How do you think His apostles felt when they saw Jesus after he had risen from the dead?

          2. How will you pray this week more often, enthusiastically, and with greater trust? 

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. How can we connect our suffering with the suffering of Christ?

          2. What does new-life and resurrection joy look like here on earth during our struggles?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray one decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of The Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord.

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:36-53

Virtue/Fruit: Hope

“Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.”
~ St. Paul (Romans 12:12)

Theme: Gratitude

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren):

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples several times. In many of his appearances, he wished them peace, ate with them, and taught them. Because Jesus was completely free from sin, he conquered death and rose from the dead. So when Jesus appeared to his disciples it was not as a ghost or a spirit. He spent time with them fully alive. Seeing Jesus fully alive gives us all hope that there truly is life after death.  

Jesus came to save us all from our sins so that we might live with him, The Father, and The Holy Spirit in Heaven forever. When Jesus ascended into heaven He was not trying to leave the disciples behind. He ascended into heaven so that they would be able to live in the hope of joining Him someday. We should all live in the hope of joining Jesus in heaven. Jesus taught us the path to heaven. We are called to follow His example, follow God’s commandments and remember His promise of forgiveness. We should live in gratitude for this gift.  

After seeing Jesus ascend into heaven the disciples were thankful for the time they had with Him. When they returned to Jerusalem, they spent much of their time in the Temple area praising God. We too offer thanks and gratitude to God. When we go to Mass every Sunday we should take time to offer God our gratitude. There are many good times to offer God thanks throughout the day as well. We can give thanks when we wake up, before our meals, and before we go to sleep. We should always give thanks to God and hope to be with him in Heaven someday.  

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. What are some things in your life you hope for?

          2. What is your favorite way to thank God?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. Do you think hope is necessary in our world? Why or why not?

          2. What does it mean to “owe thanks to God”?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray one Decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of The Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven. 

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-41

Virtue/Fruit: Gifts of the Holy Spirit

"Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire." ~ St. Catherine of Siena

Theme: The Holy Spirit in Your Life

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren):

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. Together, Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit are our one God. In the Gospel of John, Jesus promised that God the Father would send the disciples The Advocate. The Advocate he was talking about is The Holy Spirit. An advocate is someone who is on our side. It is someone who will always be there to help and support us. The Holy Spirit is the best and most powerful advocate anyone could ever have.

Everyone has special gifts and talents that are given to them by God. Some people are good athletes, some are good artists, some are funny, and some are very good in school. We all have things that we are good at. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us use our gifts and talents from God. When we were Baptized we all received the Holy Spirit into our lives. The Holy Spirit is always with us. 

When we were Baptized we were welcomed into the Church. When we receive the Eucharist we are given the nourishment we need to live fully in Christ, and when we receive the sacrament of Confirmation we are made ready to tell everyone the Good News of Jesus Christ.  

The Holy Spirit gives us many gifts. When we are Confirmed, the Holy Spirit gives us seven special gifts so that we can tell the whole world about Jesus. These gifts are Wisdom, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude, Understanding, Piety, and Awe and Reverence of God. Once we receive these gifts, the Holy Spirit strengthens us and helps us grow in order to put them to good use.    

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. What talent do you have that is a gift from God?

          2. When you think of the Holy Spirit, what do you see?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. How can we put the gifts God has given us to good use?

          2. In what way do you want to ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen you?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray at least one Decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of The Descent of the Holy Spirit.

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

Other Resources:

https://youtu.be/Lu3MoT_egFI  (Great little movie for the whole family)

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-seven-gifts-of-the-holy-spirit

https://watch.formed.org/the-holy-spirit-third-person-of-the-trinity-by-fr-shannon-collins

https://watch.formed.org/videos/the-holy-spirit-and-the-life-of-grace
 

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-2

Virtue/Fruit: Devotion to Our Lady

“We never give more honor to Jesus than when we honor his Mother, and we honor her simply and solely to honor him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek -
Jesus, her Son.” ~ St. Louis Marie de Montfort

Theme: Communion of the Saints

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren):

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is our greatest example of the Christian Life. Mary said “yes” to God and served Him her whole life long. Just like Jesus, when her time on earth was complete, Mary was taken up into heaven, just as she was. God made Mary very special and kept her free from all sin. Because Mary never sinned, she is the greatest of all the Saints and was welcomed into Heaven, body and soul.

As a Church, we often celebrate when saints died and where they are buried. Groups of Christians often celebrated Mass and built church buildings over the tombs of saints. Yet, we have no report of a grave for Mary, the Holy Mother of God. This is because God brought her directly to Heaven. She is there with her Son, Jesus. She is also there with all of the saints.

We should always try to be like Mary and the saints who have gone before us. We should always try to say “yes” to God and stay away from sin. If we do these two things, we will become saints and spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. God created us to be with Him. We have been given the gift of a family on earth and in heaven. We can ask Mary and the saints to pray with us and for us. The saints want to join us in prayer, that by God’s grace, we will more fully live in God’s love. He wants us to join him in Heaven. We are all called to be Saints.      

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. Do you want to be a Saint? 

          2. What’s one way, in this coming week, we can better say yes to God, as Mary did?

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. What great example did Mary set for us?

          2. Do you have a favorite saint that you admire, or want to be like? Who is it, and why?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray one Decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of The Assumption of Mary into Heaven. 

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

Other Resources:
https://watch.formed.org/the-woman-1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNFcfY11k78

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Parents - Instructions: Before beginning this lesson, please take a few minutes together as a couple, or by yourself, to read and reflect on the “Scripture Reading” and “Discussion Questions”. Next, read the Scripture passage and the lesson to/with your child(ren). Then, as a family, discuss a few of the questions. Parents, please be sure to share your answers, thoughts, and questions with your child(ren) as well. It’s ok to not know everything about our faith. Your parish leadership is happy to help you find answers. 

Scripture Reading: Revelation 12:1 & John 19:26-27

Virtue: Eternal Happiness

“I shall do everything for Heaven, my true home.”
~ St. Bernadette Soubirous 

Theme: Living as Church in the World – “You Are Sent!”

Parents - Read to/with Child(ren): 

In our readings today we hear a little more about the gift we have received in Holy Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The Blessed Mother is a saint (a person fully alive with God in Heaven). She is not God, yet she is the highest of saints because of the gifts God has chosen to pour out upon her. God chose her to be the mother of His only begotten Son. To prepare her for this role God filled her with grace (remember from Luke 1:28? “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”). Grace is the gift of God’s life within us which helps us to live according to His love. 

Because Mary was filled with God’s grace she was able to live fully in God’s love. When she was assumed into Heaven she was given the great honor of the “Queen of Heaven and Earth”. In the times of the Old Testament, the “Queen” was the mother (not the wife) of the earthly King. Since Mary was the mother of Jesus, the True King, it makes sense that Mary would be the “Queen Mother” of Heaven and earth. Remember too when Jesus gave Mary to the beloved disciple to be his mother and asked the beloved disciple to be her son, Jesus was speaking also to you and me. As Christians, the Mother of Jesus becomes our mother as well. We are encouraged to ask our Holy Mother Mary to pray with us and for us to her Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. 

Jesus tells us He came that we “might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). This abundant life is what it’s all about. This whole Christian journey is about living in the love of God, who desires to be with us now and forever. This is the secret to an abundant life - both on earth and in Heaven - and this truly is Good News. This Good News of abundant life in God’s love is worth sharing. May the Lord God empower each of us, by His Holy Spirit, through the prayers and examples of His saints, our family in Heaven, to courageously share with others the glory of God and the joy of living in His Love!

Discussion Questions (to help start the family conversation)

     Young Child(ren) (& 1st Reconciliation/1st Communion Students)

          1. How is the Mother of God like our mothers on earth? 

          2. What can we do as a family to honor our Heavenly Mother? 

     Older Child(ren) (& Confirmation Students)

          1. Is Heaven our true goal and our true home? 

          2. If so, how should we be living our lives differently here on earth?

Prayer: Each day this week, as a family, please pray one decade of the Rosary reflecting on the mystery of The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon

Other Resources: 
https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/q/queen-mother-in-old-testament.php 
https://watch.formed.org/lectio-mary-with-dr-brant-pitre/season:1/videos/the-queen-mother 

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En Español - Haga Clic Aquí: 
https://dioceseofbaker.org/plan-de-estudios-del-rosario-familiar