THE CATECHIST PLANNER CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE PARISH creativecommunications.com

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1 THE CATECHIST PLANNER CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE PARISH creativecommunications.com

2 August 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY 1 St. Alphonsus Liguori _ 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 6 7 Pope St. Sixtus II 8 The Transfiguration of the Lord and His Companions, martyrs St. Cajetan St. Dominic _ St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Holy Day of Obligation Pope St. Pius X 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary _ St. Augustine 27 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time The Passion of St. John the Baptist _ Notes: 4 The Creative Catechist Planner

3 August 2017 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY St. Eusebius of Vercelli St. Peter Julian Eymard St. John Mary Vianney The Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross St. Lawrence St. Clare St. Jane Frances de Chantal St. Stephen of Hungary St. John Eudes St. Rose of Lima St. Bartholomew St. Louis St. Joseph Calasanz SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST The Creative Catechist Planner

4 Week of October th Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday s Readings Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80 Philippians 4:6-9 Matthew 21:33-43 Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone...? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. Matthew 21:42, 43 Firm Up the Foundation Read Isaiah 5:5-6 (from First Reading) out loud with anger and frustration. It s a little like saying, All right, I ve done everything I can to protect my precious crops and for what? I didn t get back what I put in. Now they can fend for themselves I m finished! Spread Sunday s News Anyone who has ever spent time working in a garden will be able to relate to the characters in Sunday s First Reading (Isaiah) and the Gospel. We plant, cultivate, build protective barriers, hire professionals to help us, all in an effort to grow healthy vegetation. Instead, weeds and/or wild things eventually come up anyway. The landowner in the Gospel began his vineyard with the same care, doing his best to ensure a healthy harvest of grapes. After he had made sufficient preparations, he leased the vineyard to some tenants. Make sure students understand what a tenant is. Just Wondering Using bricks, blocks or cardboard (shoe) boxes, construct a two-sided wall. Use an extra large piece for the bottom corner that will support the wall. If possible, get the students to help you. When the wall is finished, knock out the corner piece, allowing the entire wall to collapse. Why did that happen? Buildings must be supported from the bottom up. Without a firm structure they will eventually collapse. Corners are also important and must be strong because they support two sides of the structure. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Who is the cornerstone? Just like a wall will fall in because we made the cornerstone weak, we will soon fall, too, if we do not allow Jesus to be a strong cornerstone of our lives. wall (continued in next column) Who Knew? Where do we go to receive the sanctifying grace we need to become holy? As we learned last week, grace is a special gift from God that allows us to participate in his life, putting us in touch with the Trinity. While this gift is available, we must do our part to receive it, ask for it. We do this each time we participate in one of the seven Sacraments of the Church. (continued from previous column) When a landlord leases or rents property to someone, he usually asks for references because he wants to make sure he can trust the tenant to take care of the property. Sometimes, in spite of all the references, a tenant will mistreat an owner s property. In the Gospel story, the mistreatment was not directed at the owner s property. The tenants seized and killed the landowner s son. (Could this also be the result of envy, which we discussed two weeks ago? Why would the tenants be envious of the landowner s son?) Jesus concludes the parable with a quote from Psalm 118: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. We hear this psalm frequently during the Easter Season. Jesus, the stone rejected by the builders, is now the cornerstone. (Be sure students understand the function of the cornerstone in a building.) The final statement in the parable gives us something to consider: Are WE the irresponsible and dishonest tenants in danger of being excluded from God s vineyard? Challenge When you are given something to care for by another person it means he or she trusts you. Take extra care of all things that belong to others. Fruits of Faith... Sometimes I do not want to listen to what older people have to say, even when I know they want to help me. I think I act this way because I hope to improve the way I listen to elders in my life by 26 The Creative Catechist Planner

5 Week of November rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday s Readings Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, Psalm Thessalonians 5:1-6 Matthew 25:14-30 [The master said to his servant,] Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master s joy. Matthew 25:21 Firm Up the Foundation Tell students they are about to go on an extended trip. Write down three things they absolutely need to do to get ready. List things (maybe from above list) they will need someone to care for. Why do these possessions need special care? Write the names of three people whom they trust to care for their possessions. What qualifications should these people have? Spread Sunday s News Asking someone to care for something very important to us shows we trust that caregiver. In the Gospel story, the landowner trusted servants who he thought would be faithful to him. The first two servants did what the landowner expected of them so they earned his praise: Well done, my good and faithful servant. The third heard the landowner say, Throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. What kind of image is conveyed by these words? Just Wondering Help students understand that FIRST, the landowner trusted the servants. In turn, they were faithful to him, did what was asked of them and more. When we are able to prove our ability to be trusted, we have taken large steps toward maturity. Once we become worthy of trust (faithful), we are ready for larger responsibilities. The same is true in our relationship with God. In the beginning of the school year (week of August 13) we talked about faith and how it would grow this year and throughout our lives. Faith is a two-way street: God puts faith in us and we must put our faith in God. Faithful means full of faith! Who Knew? When someone receives Baptism, he or she and/or parents and godparents are asked, What do you ask of God s Church? What is the correct answer? Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith needs the community of believers. It is only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe The catechumen or the godparent is asked: What do you ask of God s Church? The response is: Faith! [CCC 1253]. The Catechism goes on to say that this is just the beginning of new life, that by its nature, faith must grow. Although we receive the Sacrament only once, we are given opportunities during the Church Year to renew the promises we made (or someone else made in our name). This is especially important during the Easter Vigil and on Easter Sunday, and as the students grow in their own faith, they should be encouraged to answer for themselves. Challenge Make an effort to tell at least one person how much you admire one of his or her talents or abilities. Fruits of Faith... God has entrusted the following things to me to care for, protect and develop How do I plan on accomplishing this? If I had to tell three of my friends or classmates what talents I think God has given them, I would choose 40 The Creative Catechist Planner

6 Week of January nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday s Readings 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19 Psalm 40 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a,17-20 John 1:35-42 Jesus turned and saw [the two disciples of John following] and said to them, What are you looking for? They said to him, Rabbi, (which translated means Teacher), where are you staying? [Jesus] said to them, Come, and you will see. John 1:38-39 Firm Up the Foundation Just as the Lord was calling Samuel in Sunday s First Reading, repeating the call over and over until Samuel was able to recognize who was calling him. God calls each of us by name, and won t give up until we, too, are ready to recognize and answer, Speak, for your servant is listening. Spread Sunday s News In Sunday s Gospel, Jesus called the first disciples. Andrew was so enthusiastic about this man Jesus, he had to share the experience with his brother Simon. This seems so natural sharing good things with family first. As Jesus called Simon, he also changed Simon s name to Cephas, translated Peter. Sometimes the Bible associates name changes with major life changes (Abram and Sarai became Abraham and Sarah, etc.). s are important for they often tell much about who we are and our family history. Another Gospel story tells us that the name Peter means rock, and Jesus will build his Church upon that rock. In Sunday s Gospel story Jesus was referred to as Rabbi, and the story told us that means Teacher. What does it mean to be a teacher? Who Knew? Feast, Saturday, January 20 Pope St. Fabian, pope Just like St. Hilary (January 13), Fabian was not yet a priest when he was elected pope. It seems that this ordinary farmer just happened to be in Rome at the time when a successor to Pope St. Anterus was being chosen. According to Eusebius the historian, many men of high rank and distinction were being considered. Fabian was nearby watching when all of a sudden a dove flew over the crowd and landed on Fabian s head. The people took this to be a sign from God, a presence of the Holy Spirit. Fabian was unanimously chosen, and was immediately ordained. Just Wondering Read the story of Samuel in Sunday s First Reading. When God called Samuel, Samuel was surprised and intrigued. It took him a while to figure out what was happening to him. Today many people set their smartphones and computers to notify them when an incoming message is waiting. Sometimes these notifications include the name of the sender. God does not send those kinds of signals or instant messages. He speaks inside our hearts. When God calls us, we don t always hear or listen the first time. Once we understand he wants to get our attention, we are more likely to try harder to listen for the message. Fruits of Faith... Three things I hope will happen during 2018 are Challenge Martin Luther King Jr. said he had a dream. Think about your dreams and consider what you will do to make them come true. I will do my part to make these things happen by 54 The Creative Catechist Planner

7 Art, Jim Burrows; puzzles and games, Terry and Jim Burrows by Creative Communications for the Parish, 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO All rights reserved. The original purchaser of the Creative Catechist Planner from Creative Communications for the Parish is given permission to reproduce the material in this document as needed for classroom and parish use. Other uses are in violation of the copyright laws. ZSB13R 8 Art, Jim Burrows; puzzles and games, Terry and Jim Burrows by Creative Communications for the Parish, 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO All rights reserved. The original purchaser of the Creative Catechist Planner from Creative Communications for the Parish is given permission to reproduce the material in this document as needed for classroom and parish use. Other uses are in violation of the copyright laws. ZSB13R 23 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 24Th Sunday in Ordinary Time 25Th Sunday in Ordinary Time Art, Jim Burrows; puzzles and games, Terry and Jim Burrows by Creative Communications for the Parish, 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO All rights reserved. The original purchaser of the Creative Catechist Planner from Creative Communications for the Parish is given permission to reproduce the material in this document as needed for classroom and parish use. Other uses are in violation of the copyright laws. ZSB13R 16 Art, Jim Burrows; puzzles and games, Terry and Jim Burrows by Creative Communications for the Parish, 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO All rights reserved. The original purchaser of the Creative Catechist Planner from Creative Communications for the Parish is given permission to reproduce the material in this document as needed for classroom and parish use. Other uses are in violation of the copyright laws. ZSB13R 47 September 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY September 2017 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 3 4 Labor Day 5 St. Teresa of Calcutta The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9 St. Peter Claver Patriot Day The Most Holy of Mary 13 St. John Chrysostom 14 The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 15 Our Lady of Sorrows 16 Pope St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian St. Januarius Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-gðn, Paul Chðng St. Matthew Catechetical Sunday Ha-sang and Companions martyrs International Day of Peace St. Pius of Pietrelcina St. Cosmas and St. Damian 27 St. Vincent de Paul St. Michael, St. Gabriel 30 St. Raphael, archangels St. Jerome Notes: SEPTEMBER MARCH OCTOBER APRIL NOVEMBER MAY DECEMBER JUNE JANUARY JULY FEBRUARY AUGUST The Creative Catechist Planner The Creative Catechist Planner SPECIAL downloadable section full of background information and lots of activities Sunday s Good News is Reproducible Puzzles and Games No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon. Luke 16:13 Two Masters Two of these pictures are exactly alike. When you find them, color them so they match. Then color the rest of the pictures. People in the Bible Last week we learned about the books in the Bible. Your favorite book might have people who tell the story. The Bible has people, too. Many of these men, women and children tell the story of God and his people. Find their names in the puzzle. Monthly Calendars (August 2017-July 2018) plus PLAN AHEAD: Space to record important events REMEMBER: Sunday and weekday feasts and saint days RECOGNIZE and CELEBRATE student Baptism Birthdays each month PLUS monthly prayers just for Catechists! ADAM ELISHA EVE ISAIAH JESUS JOHN JOSEPH MARY MATTHEW MOSES PETER SARAH TIMOTHY I S A I A H E J T T J E S U S L W E J I M A R Y E J L O E M E A H S O I S V T O T D H H S E E A T T O A N H P S A R A H L M A H M O S E S Y E Q Sunday s Good News is The angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. Jesus Special Easter Message Matthew1:20ab Solving the code will help you remember what Jesus said to his friends on Easter morning. Advent Crossword The answers to the clues for the puzzle are found in the Gospel passage above. Sacraments Baptism Reconcilation Eucharist Confirmation Notes Attendance Student Information Week Student Information Guardian phone The Creative Catechist Planner creativecommunications.com The Creative Catechist Planner ACROSS 2. Who appeared to Joseph? 4. Joseph s wife-to-be 5. Joseph will take Mary 6. Joseph belonged to the family of DOWN 1. He had a dream 2. The angel told Joseph not to be 3. The angel appeared in a 18 The Creative Catechist Planner creativecommunications.com Keep track of student information, sacramental data and attendance. The Creative Catechist Planner

8 INCHES Garden Tomb Golgotha Antonia Fortress JERUSALEM at the Time of JESUS Temple Garden of Gethsemane Mediterranean Sea Tyre Sidon THE HOLY LAND at the Time of JESUS SYRIA Caesarea- Philippi Herod s Palace Mt. of Olives Upper Room House of Caiaphas Capernaum Gennesaret Cana GALILEE Nazareth Nain Magdala Bethsaida Sea of Galilee/ Sea of Tiberias DECAPOLIS On The Move With JESUS Caesarea Jordan River Mediterranean Sea Gaza Joppa SAMARIA JUDEA Emmaus JERUSALEM Bethlehem Bethphage Bethany Jericho Dead Sea PEREA IDUMEA Produced by Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, Inc.,1564 Fencorp Drive, Fenton, MO Toll-free creativecommunications.com 2017 Catechist Code CENTIMETERS