Teaching Guide. Unit 1: We Are the Church. Contents. Unit 1

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For 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, October 11 • 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

pages 16–19

Lesson Plan, October 18 • 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

pages 20–23

Lesson Plan, October 25 • 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

pages 24–27

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

Grades 2, 3

25th–32nd Sundays in Ordinary Time September 20–November 8, 2020 Volume 39, Number 1

Teaching Guide

Unit

1

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

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For Catechists and Teachers

Jesus: Heart of Catechesis

Welcome to Good News, the Grades 2 and 3 level of the Pflaum Gospel

Weeklies, a liturgy-based approach to catechesis. Every Good News

lesson is built upon a theme drawn from the Sunday Gospel, so Jesus’ story forms the heart of every lesson.

Every week, Good News invites the children to meet Jesus in the Sunday Gospels and parish assembly. Good News 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 Good News 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 2020–21

Eucharist Quote

A 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.

QR Code for Parent Resources

We 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.

Unit Overview

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

•

God is generous to his people.

•

God makes us free to choose.

•

God created everything.

•

Jesus invites us to his feast.

Date/Sunday Sunday Gospels Bible Catholic Faith Word

Imprimatur: +Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, S.T.D., Bishop of Worcester, May 14, 2020.

Publisher: David Dziena; Theological Reviewer: Reverend Michael T. Martine, S.T.B., J.C.L.; Educational Consultant: Susan Taylor, M.A.T.; Editor: Joan McKamey; Designer: Jennifer Poferl. Page TG1-2 art: © Bayard, Inc. – Illustration: 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.

September 20, 2020 25th Sunday Ordinary September 27, 2020 26th Sunday Ordinary October 4, 2020 27th Sunday Ordinary October 11, 2020 28th Sunday Ordinary October 18, 2020 29th Sunday Ordinary October 25, 2020 30th Sunday Ordinary November 1, 2020 Solemnity of All Saints November 8, 2020 32nd Sunday Ordinary

Matthew 20:1–16a

Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard Matthew 21:28–32

Parable of Two Sons Matthew 21:33–43 Parable of the Vineyard Matthew 22:1–14 Parable of a Wedding Feast Matthew 22:15–21 Give to Caesar and God Matthew 22:34–40 The Great Commandment Matthew 5:1–12a The Beatitudes Matthew 25:1–13

Parable of Wise and Foolish Girls

Vineyard as symbol of the Church

Gospels as source of Jesus’ story Bible as source of Sunday readings; God as vineyard owner Third Commandment; Sabbath Eighth Commandment; Pharisees

Jesus’ Great Commandment: love Sermon on the Mount: Beatitudes Jesus’ parables Church Gospel Creation Eucharist Pharisees commandment Beatitudes conscience, sin Lo rd Jes us, yo

u are truly presen_{t. A}

me_n!

•

We follow Jesus’ example.

•

Jesus’ law is love.

•

Jesus leads us to happiness.

•

God helps us make wise choices.

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UNIT 1 OVERVIEW: We Are the Church

Creed Sacraments _{& Liturgy} Life in Christ Christian Prayer

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. This music can also be downloaded at giamusic.com/pgw.

Early Start Lessons

If your program begins before our September 20th lesson, use these introductory lessons. They are designed to build readiness for using Good News. Find them at gospelweeklies.com/good-news.

All numbers in parentheses refer to paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Liturgy of the Word recalls

God’s generous love. (1103, 1154) God gives us free will. (1704, 1711, 1731, 1853) God cares for Creation. (41, 239, 301, 421)

Jesus invites us to his table. (1396) Jesus leads us to truth. (1694, 2470, 2505)

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

Jesus leads us to happiness. (1716–1719)

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

Mass: Church as the People of God and Body of Christ

Mass: Gospel

Mass: Scripture readings; feast days of saints

Eucharist; Baptism; Sunday as the Lord’s Day

Sunday Mass: Creed Reconciliation

Sunday Mass: Creed; Communion of Saints; All Saints’ Day

Reconciliation

Acting with fairness and generosity Making loving choices; listening to Jesus

Saint: Francis; caring for Creation; finding Bible verses

Keeping the Lord’s Day holy; including others

Being honest; honoring God; following Jesus’ example

Following rules; loving God, neighbor, and self

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

Avoiding sin; using one’s conscience; making wise choices

We Are the People of God prayer service Prayers of intercession; Sign of the Cross Prayers of thanks for Creation Prayer of thanks

Our Father (Lord’s Prayer)

Prayer of petition; prayer of intercession Prayer to patron saints

Prayer of petition; Sign of the Cross; prayers of intercession

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:

l GROW Newsletter and Blog – Subscribe to our GROW blog for weekly reflections on Sunday’s Gospel,

activities, and a Calendar of Saints and Feasts.

l Lesson Updates provide corrections or additions to printed materials. l Seasonal Activities and Catholic Resources – Reproducible activities

can be used in a classroom or at home.

l Lesson Assessments – We offer pretests, lesson review templates, and

lesson, unit, and year-end assessments.

l Unit Overview Webinars – Editors present an overview of each unit. l User’s Guide – Learn about Teaching Guide features and the structure

and flow of the Gospel Weeklies lesson plans.

l Family Catechesis Resources

The 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.

l Scope & Sequence Chart 2020–2021: gospelweeklies.com/good-news

G

PFLAUM Gospel Resources of the Week

R

O

W

blog

Go to gospelweeklies.com

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.

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

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Sunday Readings: Isaiah 55:6–9; Philippians 1:20c–24, 27a; Matthew 20:1–16a

For Catechists and Teachers

Scripture Background

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 Doctrine

Sunday’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.

“In the Liturgy of the Word the Holy Spirit ‘recalls’ to the assembly all that Christ has done for us. . . . [T]he celebration ‘makes a remembrance’ of the marvelous works of God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1103).

Sharing the Lesson with Families

Encourage parents to read the Gospel with their child by taking parts. Suggest that they discuss what it means to be generous. Point out the new Eucharist Quote feature to parents. Encourage them to read and reflect on it every week.

September 20, 2020 • 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Materials

l Good News Student Lesson for 9/20

l Catechism handbook, page 12

l audio player & Promise/Good News CD-2

l pencils, crayons, Church Year calendar

l long sheet of butcher paper, stapler or tape

l multiple copies of recent parish bulletins

Suggested Music

l “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)

Lesson Resources l Good News Activity Book, Activity #10

l Lesson Assessment (gospelweeklies.com/assessment)

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

60-Minute Lesson

Share Experiences (20—25 minutes)

l Gathering Song l“Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26) l Gathering Prayer

l Cover Activity lWe Are the Church (page 1) l Story lWho Helped the Most? (page 2) l Discuss the Know questions related to the story.

Discover Gospel and Doctrine (20—25 minutes)

l Gospel Ritual l“Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)

l Sunday Gospel lGod Is Generous (page 3)

l Discuss the Gospel using the first Know question. l Connecting Gospel and Doctrine (page 4)

l Discuss the doctrine using the second Know question. l Catholic Faith Word lChurch (page 4)

Distribute the children’s What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks. Turn to page 12.

Live the Gospel (15—20 minutes)

l Activity l I Can Help God’s People (page 4)

l Closing Prayer lWe Are the People of God (page 4)

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

Take-Home

l Good News Activity Book, Activity #10

l Remind the children to share their lesson with their families and

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

Single-Session Lesson Pacing Guides

Note: These pacing guides are suggestions for how to present the lesson. Please adapt the lesson to suit your needs.

90-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song l“Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26) l Gathering Prayer

l Cover Activity lWe Are the Church (page 1) l Story lWho Helped the Most? (page 2) l Discuss the Know questions related to the story. l Activity lStretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)

l Discuss the Gospel using the first Know question. l Connecting Gospel and Doctrine (page 4)

l Activity lGood News Activity Book, Activity #10

l Closing Prayer lWe Are the People of God (page 4)

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

Take-Home

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

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

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Lesson Theme: God is generous to his people.

Day 1

Share Experiences

l Gathering Song l“Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26) l Gathering Prayer (see page TG1-6)

l Cover Activity lWe Are the Church (page 1) l Story lWho Helped the Most? (page 2) l Discuss the Know questions related to the story. l Activity lStretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6) l Closing Prayer lLoving God, thank you for the people who

welcome us. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

Discover Gospel and Doctrine

l Gathering Prayer lLoving God, thank you for the people who

welcome us. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Discuss the Gospel using the first Know question.

l Closing Prayer lLoving God, thank you for your generous love.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3

l Gathering Prayer lLoving God, thank you for your generous

love. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Connecting Gospel and Doctrine (page 4)

Distribute the students’ What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks. Turn to page 12.

l Closing Prayer lLoving God, thank you for welcoming us into

your family. Amen. (Repeat.)

Five-Day Lesson Pacing Guide

Note: This pacing guide suggests how to present the lesson over five days. Please adapt the lesson to suit your needs.

Day 4

Live the Gospel

l Gathering Prayer lLoving God, thank you for welcoming us

into your family. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Closing Prayer lLoving God, help us to be kind and generous to

others. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5

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

to others. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Weekly Lesson Assessment

l Closing Prayer (see page TG1-7) lWe Are the People of God

(page 4)

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

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.

Extending the Lesson

Curriculum Connections

l ELA: Ask the students to write a reflection expressing their

opinion of the landowner’s actions.

(CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.1 / CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1)

l Math: Have the students practice writing time on both analog

and digital clocks, including a.m. and p.m. (CCSS.Math.Content.2.MD.C.7)

Catholic Identity Project of the Week

Sometimes it is easy to overlook God’s generosity. To help the children appreciate God’s generosity, have them make a list of people who help them. Then ask each child to select one person from their list and to write a thank-you card to this person.

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.

Saints and Feast Days to Celebrate

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Share Experiences

Objectives lThe children will:

lRecognize that we all make up the Church.

lIdentify their thoughts and feelings about what is fair.

Gather in a circle and 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

Good News group.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Cover Activity l We Are the Church (page 1) Stay

in the large circle and distribute Good News. Read the title aloud.

Ask: Who are God’s people? We are. The Church. Ask: How is God

generous to you? To the Church? How should God’s people treat one another?

Move to the work area. Distribute pencils and direct the children to do the word search and then find the twelve hidden members of the Church in the picture.

Story l Who Helped the Most? (page 2) Return

to the story circle. Direct the children to turn to page 2 and fold their copies of Good News so only page 2 shows. Read the title aloud together. Ask: What do you think the story might be about? Read the story aloud, invite volunteers to read a section aloud, or go around the circle, directing the children to each take a line or paragraph. When you finish, invite the children to retell the story to check their comprehension.

Discuss the story using the Know questions.

Encourage thoughtful insight and discussion. This discussion prepares them for the Gospel.

Activity l Stretch and SingDirect the children to leave

their copies of Good News in the story circle. Gather and stand in the open space. Invite them to sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6). Enjoy the beat and add movements.

Discover Gospel and Doctrine

l Identify that God is generous.

l Identify the Church as the People of God.

Gospel Ritual Set aside an area where you can enthrone a

Bible and display Good News. 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 3)Direct

the children to turn Good News over so only page 3 is showing.

Ask: What are the two words at top left? Sunday Gospel. Ask: Who

knows what a Gospel is? A Gospel is the story of Jesus’ life on earth

as written down by a person of his time. We stand for the Gospel at Mass.

Read aloud the title of the Gospel. Ask: What does the word

generous mean? A generous person is one who give freely and isn’t selfish. Invite the children to name generous people they know.

Point out that the Gospel in Good News is like a play. This Gospel has parts for four people and a part for the Workers/First Hired that everyone can say. You may wish to take the part of Landowner. Read the Gospel through once, then have the children retell it to check their comprehension. Read it again. They will grasp it better the second time.

Ask the children the first Know question. Accept all

answers. Enjoy listening to the children’s reasons.

Connecting Gospel and Doctrine (page 4)

Read “We Are God’s People.” As members of the Church, we are called to love one another the way God loves us. You may wish to lead the children in the “Here’s the Church” fingerplay to illustrate the difference between Church and church.

Discuss the doctrine using the second Know

question.Use this question to get at the real meaning

of the Gospel story—God’s love for us is so generous that we all get as much as we need. Explain that God’s love is a gift to everyone—even people we don’t like or who don’t work as hard as we do. We can’t earn God’s love. God wants all people to go to Heaven someday.

Invite the children to remember the parents in the story they read. They had enough pizza for everyone, no matter how many pieces of wood each boy carried.

Catholic Faith Word l Church (page 4) Read aloud

the definition. Ask: What is the name of the Church we belong to?

Christian Church, Catholic Church, name of parish.

Teaching This Week’s Lesson

Lesson Theme: God is generous to his people.

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September 20, 2020 • 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Remind the children to share their Gospel

Weeklies with their families, do the Family Corner

activities and prayer, and read the Eucharist Quote together.

What the Church

Believes and

Teaches

Creed: I believe in . . . the holy catholic Church (page 12)

Directthe children to turn to page 12 in their handbooks. Explain that the words next to the blue diamonds are from the Apostles’ Creed. You may wish to have the children turn to page 6 to see the entire Creed.

Ask: What is a creed? A statement of what we believe. We

pray a creed—the Nicene Creed or Apostles’ Creed—at Sunday Mass.

Remind the children that Jesus taught in many ways—through his words, actions, stories, and miracles. Talk about how the Church continues the work of Jesus. Give the children recent copies of your parish bulletin. Help them find examples of how your parish does the work of Jesus.

Invite a volunteer to serve as the model for a human body that you will trace. Direct the volunteer to lie down on a long piece of butcher paper. Outline the volunteer’s body. On the head, print Jesus.

Invite the children to print their names on the body. Brainstorm names of everyone they know who belongs to the Body of Christ. Invite them to print the names of parents, godparents, family members, your pastor, the Pope, friends, neighbors—anyone they can think of who loves and follows Jesus.

November 22, 2020 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

© 2017 Pflaum Publishing Group, a division of Bayard, Inc., Dayton, OH (800-543-4383) gospelweeklies.com. Permission is granted to reproduce this page for use by parishes, schools, and families using Pflaum Gospel Weeklies.

Name:

Answer the following questions based on the lesson.

1. In the Sunday Gospel, what do we learn from the foolish girls’ mistake? 2. What is their consequence for getting more oil? 3. Name two ways we can prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming. 4. When do we pray psalms?

5. In the story “The Happy Dance,” why isn’t Juan prepared for the talent show?

Lesson Wrap-Up

Live the Gospel

l Commit to making a positive contribution.

l Begin their Good News year with prayer.

ActivitylI Can Help God’s People (page 4)

Return to the work area and distribute pencils or crayons and scissors. Direct the children to find the grape on page 4. On the grape, invite them to print their name and a way they will help make this a good class. Direct them to cut out the grape. When everyone is ready, gather for the prayer service.

Closing PrayerlWe Are the People of God (page 4) Celebrate the prayer service and create the class

grape cluster on a wall, bulletin board, or piece of poster board that can be displayed in the classroom, hallway, or church vestibule.

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

Visit gospelweeklies.com/assessment to download this week’s lesson assessment.

Use Activity #10 from the Good News Activity Book as a take-home activity or lesson wrap-up.

Distribute the children’s What the Church

Believes and Teaches handbooks.

Have the children close the What the Church Believes and

Teaches handbooks and return to Good News, page 4.

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Sunday Readings: Ezekiel 18:25–28; Philippians 2:1–11; Matthew 21:28–32

For Catechists and Teachers

The vineyard in Sunday’s Gospel symbolizes the people of Israel. Jesus tells 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 later changes his mind and does help. The second son agrees to help but doesn’t follow through. The parable challenges the chief priests and elders to do the Father’s will by caring for the people, especially those who are poor and sick.

God 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).

Encourage parents to offer their child choices and to praise their child when he or she makes a loving choice. Suggest that parents invite their child to retell the Gospel, using the pictures on page 3.

September 27, 2020 • 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Materials

l Catechism handbook, pages 27–29

l audio player & Promise/Good News CDs

l name tags (fill out in advance), ball

l pencils, crayons, Church Year calendar

Suggested Music

l “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)

Lesson Resources

l Good News Activity Book, Activity #24

l Lesson Assessment (gospelweeklies.

com/assessment)

l Video Links

(gospelweeklies.com/weekly-videos)

60-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song l “Yes, Lord, I Believe” (CD-2, #26) l Gathering Prayer

l Activity l Name Game

l Cover Activity l The Gospels Tell Jesus’ Story (page 1) l Story l Helping Miss Mason (page 2)

l Discuss the Know question related to the story.

l Gospel Ritual l “Gospel Acclamation” (CD-2, #24)

l Sunday Gospel l The Story of the Two Sons (page 3)

l Discuss the Know questions related to the Gospel. l Catholic Faith Word l Gospel (page 4)

l Activity l What Do I Choose to Do? (page 4)

l Closing Prayer

l Closing Song l “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)

Take-Home

Single-Session Lesson Pacing Guides

90-Minute Lesson

l Activity l Name Game

l Cover Activity l The Gospels Tell Jesus’ Story (page 1) l Story l Helping Miss Mason (page 2)

l Discuss the Know question related to the story. l Activity l Stretch and Move

l Sunday Gospel l The Story of the Two Sons (page 3)

l Discuss the Know questions related to the Gospel. l Catholic Faith Word l Gospel (page 4)

l Activity l Good News Activity Book, Activity #24

l Activity l What Do I Choose to Do? (page 4)

l Closing Prayer

l Closing Song l “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)

Take-Home

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Lesson Theme: God makes us free to choose.

Day 1

l Activity lName Game

l Cover Activity lThe Gospels Tell Jesus’ Story (page 1) l Story lHelping Miss Mason (page 2)

l Discuss the Know question related to the story. l Activity lStretch and Move

l Closing Prayer lLoving God, thank you for giving us choices.

Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

l Gathering Prayer lLoving God, thank you for giving us choices.

Amen. (Repeat).

l Sunday Gospel lThe Story of the Two Sons (page 3)

l Discuss the Know questions related to the Gospel.

l Closing Prayer lLoving God, thank you for sending Jesus who

teaches us about you. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 3

l Gathering Prayer lLoving God, thank you for sending Jesus who

teaches us about you. Amen. (Repeat.) l Catholic Faith Word lGospel (page 4)

Distribute the students’ What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks. Turn to page 27.

l Closing Prayer lLoving God, thank you for calling us to church to

worship you. Amen. (Repeat.)

Five-Day Lesson Pacing Guide

Day 4

Live the Gospel

l Gathering Prayer lLoving God, thank you for calling us to

church to worship you. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Activity lWhat Do I Choose to Do? (page 4)

l Closing Prayer lLoving God, help us to always choose to love

you. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5

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

you. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Weekly Lesson Assessment l Closing Prayer (see page TG1-11) l Closing Song l“CHOICES” (CD-1, #16)

Extending the Lesson

l ELA: Ask the students to explain how the two sons respond to

their father in the story. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.3)

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.Eco.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 Month

l 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?

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Share Experiences

l Recognize that the Gospels tell Jesus’ story.

l Identify the character who did what he was asked.

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

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.”

ActivitylName Game If the children do not know one

another well, play a game that uses their names. Sit on the floor in a big circle. You begin by rolling a ball to a child, saying, “I roll the ball to___.” That child repeats the action and words.

Cover ActivitylThe Gospels Tell Jesus’ Story

(page 1) Stay in the circle and distribute Good News. Ask:

What is a Gospel? The story of Jesus’ life on earth as written down

by people of his time. Ask: How many Gospels are there? Four: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.

Call the children’s attention to the four pictures and invite volunteers to describe them. The pictures show four different events in Jesus’ life—his birth, teaching and healing ministry, Death, and Resurrection.

Move to the work area. Distribute pencils and read aloud the first part of the directions. Answers: 1-birth, 2-teaching and

healing ministry, 3-Death, 4-Resurrection. Then invite them to find

Start and trace a path from Start to 1 to 2 to 3 to 4.

StorylHelping Miss Mason (page 2) Invite the

children to bring their copies of Good News to the story area, open to page 2, and guess from the pictures what the story might be about. Read the story aloud as a class with the children taking turns reading paragraphs.

Discuss the story using the Know question.Then Ask: How would you feel about Jeremy if you were Nicholas? How did Jeremy’s bad choice affect Nicholas?

ActivitylStretch and Move Give the children an

opportunity to work off some energy before they continue with the lesson. Move to the open area and play a game of Simon Says, using the following commands:

Touch your toes / Bend to the right / Stomp your feet / Bend to the left / Crouch down and jump up / Zoom like a bird / Stretch up to pick apples / Twirl around / Flap wings like a chicken / Fall asleep like a baby.

Discover Gospel and Doctrine

l Recognize that God wants them to make good choices.

l Identify a choice as something we decide to do.

Sunday Gospel l The Story of the Two Sons

(page 3) Invite the children to find the Gospel on page 3 of

Good News. Read the title aloud and identify Jesus at upper left.

Invite four volunteers to take the parts of Father, First Son, Second Son, and Narrator. You can read Jesus’ words.

Discuss the Gospel, responding first to Jesus’ question. Refer back to the story about Jeremy and Nicholas. Ask: Which boy was like the first son? Nicholas. Ask: Which boy was like the second son? Jeremy.

Discuss the Gospel using the two Know questions.

Encourage the children to wrestle with what the Gospel asks of them.

Catholic Faith Word l Gospel (page 4) Read aloud

the definition. Ask: What do we do at Mass before the Gospel?

Stand. Cross our foreheads, lips, and heart to show we want God’s Word to be on our minds and in our words and hearts. We stand

because we are going to hear about the teachings and actions of Jesus.

Connecting Gospel and Doctrine (page 3)

Read “We Can Choose.” This topic of making choices is covered some more in the next part of the lesson.

Teaching This Week’s Lesson

Lesson Theme: God makes us free to choose.

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September 27, 2020 • 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Name:

Lesson Wrap-Up

Live the Gospel

Objective The children will consider the kinds of choices they make.

ActivitylWhat Do I Choose to Do? (page 4)

Choose from the following options for using this activity:

l Complete the activity as a whole group, allowing plenty of time

for discussion.

l Have the children read the activity aloud to each other in pairs. l Make groups of five, having a different child read and answer

each dilemma.

No matter which option they choose, be sure to listen for the children’s reasoning. Encourage them respond to one another

What the Church

Believes and

Teaches

Making Choices (page 27), You Can Choose (page 28),

The Choice Is Yours (page 29)

Direct the children to turn to page 27 in their Catechism handbooks. Read aloud the story problem. You may wish to assign children to read the parts of Sam, Sabrina, and Molly. You can serve as the narrator. Invite the children to share how they would end the story. Point out that we make choices every day. Some are easy. Others are harder.

Invite a volunteer to read aloud the first paragraph on page 28. Ask: What is a soul? The soul is the human spirit

that God gave us. Our soul allows us to know, love, and serve God in a way the animals cannot do. Continue with the

second paragraph, stopping to make sure the children know that a choice is something we deliberately decide to do.

Remind the children of the story they just read about Sabrina and Sam. Read aloud the first two paragraphs on page 29. Read the six choices Sam could make and ask the children to raise their hand when they hear a choice they would make. Read the remainder of page 29. Discuss as time allows.

politely. Try to keep out of the discussion. You will learn a great

deal about the children by listening to their process in considering these situations.

If time allows, you may add this scenario: Mom asks you over and over to take your backpack to your room when you get home from school. You keep leaving it by the front door. Ask: Is this a good choice? What else can you do?

Ask: Which choices were easy to make and which were harder? Challenge them to tell you why.

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 the children in responding “Lord, hear our prayer” after each prayer. End with the Sign of the Cross.

End your prayer and gathering with the song “CHOICES” (CD-1, #16).

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Sunday Readings: Isaiah 5:1–7; Philippians 4:6–9; Matthew 21:33–43

For Catechists and Teachers

Sunday’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. Good News does not use this part of the parable but concentrates on God’s care for all Creation and our part in caring for it too.

God, 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.

“All creatures bear a certain resemblance to God, most especially man, created in the image and likeness of God” (CCC, 41). “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).

Encourage parents to practice looking up Bible passages with their child. Suggest that parents make a family activity out of using the blocks to build things God created.

October 4, 2020 • 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Materials

l Catechism handbook, pages 6–8

l audio player & Promise/Good News CD-2

l crayons, scissors, world map

l Bibles (one per two children)

l paper or copies of building blocks

l Church Year calendar

Suggested Music

l “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)

Lesson Resources l Good News Activity Book, Activity #5

com/assessment)

l Video Links

60-Minute Lesson

Share Experiences (20–25 minutes)

l Cover Activity l We Read the Bible at Mass (page 1) l Story l Saint Francis Finds God Everywhere (page 2) l Catholic Faith Word l Creation (page 2)

l Discuss the Know questions related to the story.

l Sunday Gospel l The Vineyard Owner (page 3)

l Discuss the Know questions related to the Gospel. l Connecting Gospel and Doctrine (page 4)

l Activity l Building God’s Creation (page 4)

l Closing Prayer

l Closing Song l “God’s Love Is . . . “ (CD-2, #6)

Take-Home

Single-Session Lesson Pacing Guides

90-Minute Lesson

l Cover Activity l We Read the Bible at Mass (page 1) l Story l Saint Francis Finds God Everywhere (page 2) l Catholic Faith Word l Creation (page 2)

l Discuss the Know questions related to the story. l Activity l Stretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)

Discover Gospel and Doctrine (40–45 minutes)

l Sunday Gospel l The Vineyard Owner (page 3)

l Discuss the Know questions related to the Gospel. l Connecting Gospel and Doctrine (page 4)

l Activity l Good News Activity Book, Activity #5

Live the Gospel (15–20 minutes)

l Activity l Building God’s Creation (page 4)

l Closing Prayer

l Closing Song l “God’s Love Is . . . “ (CD-2, #6)

Take-Home

Remind the students to share their lesson with their families and do the

Family Corner activities and prayer on page 3 together.

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Lesson Theme: God created everything.

Day 1

l Cover Activity lWe Read the Bible at Mass (page 1) l Story lSaint Francis Finds God Everywhere (page 2) l Catholic Faith Word lCreation (page 2)

l Discuss the Know questions related to the story. l Activity lStretch and Sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6)

l Closing Prayer lLoving God, thank you for all the things that help

us change and grow. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 2

l Gathering Prayer lLoving 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 lThe Vineyard Owner (page 3)

l Discuss the Know questions related to the Gospel.

l Closing Prayer lLoving God, thank you for Jesus’ stories that tell

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

Day 3

l Gathering Prayer lLoving God, thank you for Jesus’ stories that

tell us of your love for us. Amen. (Repeat.) l Connecting Gospel and Doctrine (page 4)

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

l Closing Prayer lLoving God, thank you for all the wonderful

things you created. Amen. (Repeat.)

Five-Day Lesson Pacing Guide

Day 4

Live the Gospel

l Gathering Prayer lLoving God, thank you for all the wonderful

things you created. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Activity lBuilding God’s Creation (page 4)

l Closing Prayer lLoving God, thank you for loving us and taking

care of us. Amen. (Repeat.)

Day 5

l Gathering Prayer: Loving God, thank you for loving us and

taking care of us. Amen. (Repeat.)

l Weekly Lesson Assessment l Closing Prayer (see page TG1-15)

l Closing Song l“God’s Love Is . . . “ (CD-2, #6)

Extending the Lesson

l ELA: Invite the children to write a paragraph that explains what

they understand about God as Creator. Direct them to state their ideas and information clearly. (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2).

l Sci: In pairs, have the students conduct an investigation to

determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow. (2-LS2-1)

October is Respect Life Month. Invite the children 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.

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Share Experiences

l Recognize the readings at Mass come from the Bible.

l Identify that Saint Francis found God in all of Creation.

Gathering Prayer Pray: “Loving God, we thank you for the

gift of all you created. Help us to take good care of ourselves and your wonderful world.” The children respond, “Amen.”

Cover Activity l We Read the Bible at Mass

(page 1) This activity will help the children recognize that we

hear stories from the Bible at every Mass. Ask: What is another word for the Mass? Eucharist. Print this word on the board. We sometimes call First Communion our First Eucharist, meaning the first time we received Jesus’ Body and Blood. Eucharist is a Greek word that means “thanksgiving.”

Ask: What does the word Bible mean? The book of writings

about God and Jesus.

Invite a volunteer to read the text at top left. Have a Bible ready to show the children the table of contents for the Old Testament. Explain that these books were already written down when Jesus was alive. He studied them, just as we read and study the Gospels.

Invite another volunteer to read the text at bottom left. Show the children where to find New Testament books in the Bible. Organize the class into pairs and give each pair a Bible. Go around the room, helping the children find the Isaiah passage. Then help them locate this Sunday’s Gospel. This will familiarize them with the Bible as the source of the Sunday readings.

Story l Saint Francis Finds God Everywhere

(page 2)Locate Assisi on a world map (75 miles northeast of

Rome). Ask: What do you know about Saint Francis? He loved all

of God’s Creation, is the patron saint of ecology, chose to serve God by living simply and depending on God to provide what he needed, shared the Good News of Jesus with the common people. We see his statue in gardens with birds and animals around him. We celebrate his feast day on October 4. Read the story aloud as a class, with

the children taking turns reading a paragraph. When finished, use the pictures to review the story. Distribute crayons and invite the children to color the picture of Saint Francis and the animals.

Catholic Faith Word l Creation (page 2) Read

this definition aloud together. Ask: What is a name for God who created everything? Creator. You will return to these words later in the lesson.

Discuss the story using the Know questions. In

response to the second question, challenge the children to name the many places that Francis found God. Prison,

church of San Damiano, people who helped him, people he taught, God’s Creation. Invite the children to respond individually to the

third question. First, share where you find God. Point out that God can be found in every thing, place, person, and experience. We just have to look for God. God is already there.

Play and sing “God’s Love Is…” (CD-2, #6). Lead them in gestures that fit the lyrics.

Discover Gospel and Doctrine

l Identify God as Creator.

l Recognize that God loves all of Creation.

Sunday Gospel l The Vineyard Owner (page 3)

Before proclaiming the Gospel, invite the children to stand and gather around a displayed Bible. Tell them that this Sunday, Jesus tells a story about a landowner who planted and took good care of a vineyard. Make sure they know what a vineyard is. Assign the five Jesus reading parts.

Discuss the two Know questions related to the

Gospel. 2. God loves and takes care of his Creation. God

wants us to grow and bear good fruit with our lives. Then

ask: How does God want us to be like the vineyard owner? Care for

God’s Creation, work hard.

Connecting Gospel and Doctrine

(page 4) Read together “God Is Our Creator.” Point out

that an important way God cares for Creation is through our caring actions.

Teaching This Week’s Lesson

Lesson Theme: God created everything.

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October 4, 2020 • 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Name:

Lesson Wrap-Up

What the Church

Believes and

Teaches

Creed: I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth

(pages 6–8)

Recitethe first few lines of the Creed your parish says at Sunday Mass. Ask: Who recognizes this? When do we say it? What is it called? Direct the children to find and read the definition of creed on page 52 in their Catechism handbooks. Then direct them to turn to page 6. Point out the Apostles’ Creed. Tell the children that you will be helping them understand important beliefs in the Creed this year.

Read aloud the first paragraph on page 7. Present the Trinity as a relationship of love. You might compare the Trinity to a family. A man and woman get married because they love each other. Their love brings forth a child. Without losing their love for each other, the husband and wife love their child, and their child loves each of them. Together, they are three persons in one family. (Note: All comparisons are insufficient since the Trinity is a mystery of faith. No human explanation will ever adequately explain it.)

Print G-O-D on the board. Three different letters make one word. The letters are not the same, but they are all needed in the word GOD. Erase one of the letters. Ask: Is it the same? Without any one of the letters, the word would not be GOD. There are three letters in one word. There are Three Persons in One God.

Read the three paragraphs under “…the Father Almighty…” Explain that when we call God Almighty, we mean there is no limit to God’s power. God uses his power for good.

Explain that God is the Creator of Heaven and earth. Everything God created is “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Remind them that every one of us is God’s loved Creation.

Live the Gospel

Objective The children will produce representations of God’s Creation.

ActivitylBuilding God’s Creation (page 4) Read

aloud the instructions for the activity on page 4. Invite the children to brainstorm other things God has made. Distribute scissors and paper to make more blocks. Go to gospelweeklies.com/

lesson-updates for a PDF of additional building blocks. Direct the

children to cut out the blocks and choose something to build. They may work individually or with others. Invite them to share with the class what they have made. For each project, ask: How can we help care for this part of God’s Creation?

Closing Prayer Gather in a prayer circle. Invite every child to

name something from Creation that he or she is thankful for. After each prayer offered, everyone responds, “Thank you, God.”

Play and sing “God’s Love Is . . . “ (CD-2, #6) to end your prayer and gathering.

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Sunday Readings: Isaiah 25:6–10a; Philippians 4:12–14,19–20; Matthew 22:1–14

For Catechists and Teachers

In 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. Good News stresses instead the desire of the king to share his happiness with everyone around him.

God 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.

“Those who receive the Eucharist are united more closely to Christ. Through it Christ unites them to all the faithful in one body—the Church” (CCC, 1396).

Encourage parents to look at their child’s Mass booklet and discuss how Sunday Mass is a celebration. Suggest that families recommit to keeping Sunday holy.

October 11, 2020 • 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Materials

l Catechism handbook, pages 20 and 22

l audio player & Promise/Good News CDs

l pencils or crayons

l scissors, Church Year calendar

Suggested Music

l “Come, Do This in Memory of Me” (CD-1, #20)

Lesson Resources

l Good News Activity Book, Activity #21

com/assessment)

l Video Links

60-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song l“Come, Do This in Memory of Me” (CD-1, #20) l Gathering Prayer

l Cover Activity lI Like to Be Invited (page 1) l Story lWho Can Belong? (page 2)

l Discuss the Know question related to the story.

l Sunday Gospel lThe Wedding Feast (page 3)

l Discuss the Know questions related to the Gospel. l Catholic Faith Word l Eucharist (page 4)

l Activity lCreative Drama

l Activity lThe Third Commandment (page 4)

l Activity lWe Go to Mass Booklet (pages 1–4)

l Closing Prayer

l Closing Song l“Come, Do This in Memory of Me” (CD-1, #20)

Take-Home

Single-Session Lesson Pacing Guides

90-Minute Lesson

l Gathering Song l“Come, Do This in Memory of Me” (CD-1, #20) l Gathering Prayer

l Cover Activity lI Like to Be Invited (page 1) l Story lWho Can Belong? (page 2)

l Discuss the Know question related to the story. l Activity lStretch and Move

Discover Gospel and Doctrine (40–45 minutes)

l Sunday Gospel lThe Wedding Feast (page 3)

l Discuss the Know questions related to the Gospel. l Catholic Faith Word l Eucharist (page 4)

l Activity lCreative Drama

Live the Gospel (15–20 minutes)

l Activity lThe Third Commandment (page 4)

l Activity lWe Go to Mass Booklet (pages 1–4)

l Closing Prayer

l Closing Song l“Come, Do This in Memory of Me” (CD-1, #20)

Take-Home