Reflect

Scriptural Prayer and Reflection:
Among the many ways to pray, scriptural prayer is one of the best for children. The stories, images, characters, and words of the Bible are an excellent starting point for a child’s prayer. Using Scripture as a foundation for prayer helps children to engage their imagination and, in turn, express their feelings, thoughts, and concerns. When you first start praying with the children, explain that praying is talking and listening to God.

How to find a Bible Passage
The Gospel of Matthew is in the New Testament of the Bible. Let’s look at the first reading Matthew 5: 9.
  • “Matthew” is the book of the Bible. You can use the table of contents to find where the Gospel of Matthew begins.
  • The number ‘5’ stands for the chapter. Look for the bold number ‘5’ in the Gospel of Matthew.
  • The number ‘9’ directs you to read the verses one through three.
Read Aloud Matthew 5: 9 The Beatitudes
In scriptural prayer, we listen to God’s voice by doing the following:
  • Did something in the reading catch my attention? Did someone seem to be talking to me?
  • Did the Scripture story give me an idea or make me think about a particular person or situation in my life?
  • How did the reading make me feel? What do the feelings tell me?

For Parents

Listen to the Formation of Conscience from The Catechism in a Year by Fr. Mike Schmitz.

Focus

This week we will focus on the seventh Beatitude.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

What It Means:
God doesn’t want us to be quiet all the time. He’s not talking about that kind of peace. He wants us to be at peace with others – not fighting, arguing, or hurting peoples’ feelings. Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker, and we should be too.

Now Try:
Try to go all day without fighting with your brother or sister. Or if you’re up for a challenge, see if you can be helpful around the house to keep the peace, doing things like cleaning up after yourself.

Watch

Watch these videos with your child. They are short! (Click on the [  ] symbol to watch the video in full screen.)
Forgiveness and Healing
Saints devoted their lives to God. They show us how to live holy lives, just as Jesus taught us. Learn about Saint Cecilia. Her feast day is November 22nd. ​St. Cecilia is the patron saint of Church music and musicians. Cecilia preached to anyone willing to listen about Jesus and converted many to Christianity.  

Pray

The Apostles’ Creed
Pray The Apostles’ Creed as a family. As Catholics, this is what we believe.
Return to First Communion page.