ecember, 2005 iami, lorida ear brothers and sisters: n the dvent season we should prepare our hearts to receive esus with prayers and little sacrifices and acts of love, together with the irgin ary, aint oseph and the shepherds. et us adore and love him, in this way ours hearts will be ready to receive him and live a true hristmas. nclosed you will find feast and saints of this month.: ecember 03 aint rancis Xavier ecember 25 hristmas ay ecember 06 aint icholas ecember 26 aint tephen ecember 08 he mmaculate onception ecember 27 aint ohn the postle ecember 09 aint uan iego ecember 28 he oly nnocents ecember 12 ur ady of uadalupe ecember 30 he oly amily ecember 13 aint ucy ecember 17 eaders Workshop nclosed aterials: 1) alendar of the month 2) eflection on unday ospel, and brief history and coloring of some feast of the month. 3) What can you give esus this hristmas? 4) esus is the reason for hristmas 5)he esse tree uggested ideos: (ll available at the ideo lub) 1. aint icholas 2. aint rancis Xavier 3. hristmas 4. essenger of uadalupe 5. he ngel song(querubin series) 6. he irth of esus(ccc) 7. aint ohn of the ross 8. everal videos for hristmas We want to thank you for your work with the children in your places and for the hard work with them and hope you will continue with it. We would like to know if you use the monthly packages and if you will like to continue receiving them. he next workshop will be held on ecember 17, 2005 at 10:00 am We are looking forward to be with you. We wish all a joyful hristmas and a happy new year. ay od less you always. riends of esus and ary. c.dec.letter.2005 9779.W. 72nd t. iami, lorida 33173 el: (305) 412-1700 ax: (305) 4121777 -mail: amigo_ijm_miami@fcpeace.com X 138 air venue an ntonio, exas 78223-1014 ax: (210) 533-7136 -mail: angelastj@aol.com Webpage: www.fcpeace.com
riends of esus and ary migos de esús y aría lorida enter for eace 9779.W. 72nd treet iami, lorida el : (305) 412-1700 ax: (305) 412-1777 ecember 2005 -mail: info@fcpeace.com -mail: amigo_jym_miami@fcpeace.com Webpage: www.fcpeace.com Y Y Y WY Y Y Y 1 2 3. rancis Xavier, r 4 5 6 7 econd unday of dvent t. icholas, / t mbrose, 8 Y 9 t. iego - / 10 11 12 hird unday of dvent ur ady of uadalupe 13 t ucy, ed 14 an ohn of the ross, r 15 16 17 eader s Workshop 18 19 our unday of dvent anta aría 20 21 an edro anisio 22 23 t ohn of Kanty, r 24 25 26 t tephen, irst artir ativity of the ord hristmas ay ed 27 t. ohn, p v 28 oly nnocents, ed 29 ifth ay within the ctave of hristmas t homas ecket, 30 oly amily of esus, ary, and oseph 31 eveth ay within the ctave of hristmas t. ylvester, p
esse ree rnaments Y
esse tree bible search he following people are ancestors of esus. ook up the cripture verses for each person in the ible and read them. ind out from each cripture passage the correct symbol for each individual and write in the blank next to the person s name. ll of the symbols are listed in the nswer ank at the bottom. enesis 22:15-18 xodus 32:15-16 enesis 28:10-22 enesis 37:3-4 Y enesis 3:1-6 enesis 6:14-22 1 amuel 16:14-23 uke 4:16-21 xodus 15:19-21 the aptist atthew 3:1-6 atthew 13:55 W K arp ambourine ruit tar ammer oat of fur croll oat/unic tone tablets adder oat hare these symbols with someone in your family esse ree ible earch tar, tone, ablets, ladder, tunic (coat), fruit, boat, harp, scroll, tambourine, coat of fur, hammer.
ere you have the story of hristmas. ll the pictures are mix up. olor the drawings, paste them in poster board and put them in the correct order. ow you are ready to tell your friends the true story of hristmas. W Y t is aby esus irthday! et us offer im our small sacrifices as birthday gift. ne night, three wise men saw a beautiful star shining in the sky. hey mounted their camels and went in a long journey following the star. n this stable esus was born. ary wrapped her child in swaddling clothes and laid im in a manger, where the cows and oxen were fed. oon after oseph and ary were married in azareth, they had to travel to ethlehem to fulfill an order of the emperor. t was a long journey. s quickly as they could, they went to ethlehem to see aby esus. hey drew close to im and offered their little gifts and grateful hearts. n the night some shepherds were tending their sheep in a field near ethlehem, and an angel appeared to them saying oday in the city of avid a avior is born, who is hrist the ord
oseph had a dream one day. e saw an angel from the ord standing beside him who said oseph, do not be afraid to take ary as your wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the oly pirit When oseph and ary arrived in ethlehem, they had trouble finding a place to stay. hey could only find shelter in a stable. When they entered and saw the little ne, they knew at once that e was the King. hey fell on their knees to worship im, and brought out gifts of gold, perfumes, incense and myrrh. When the angel left, ary went to see her cousin lizabeth, who said with great joy, lessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Years later, the ngel abriel was sent to ary and said, ail ary, full of grace! he ord is with you. You will have a on whom you shall call esus. ary said, e it done to me according to your word here was once a beautiful and very special girl called ary, who lived with her parents, t. oachim and t, nn. ary loved od with all her heart.
Was a bishop who loved little children and told them about esus. hildren believed that icholas would leave present in their shoes or stockings in ecember icholas is the great patron of children and of hristmas giving. e lived in the fourth century. anta laus is a short form of r. icholas. his famous saint was born in sia inor, which is modern-day urkey. fter his parents died, he gave all his money to charity. nce a certain poor man was about to abandon his daughters to a life of sin because they did not have the money for a dowry. icholas heard about his problem. e went to the man s house at night and tossed a little pouch of gold through a window. his was for the oldest daughter. e did the same thing for the second daughter. he grateful father kept watch to find out who was being so good to them. When t. icholas came a third time, the man recognized him. e thanked icholas over and over again. ater t. icholas became bishop. e loved justice. t is said that once he saved three men who had been falsely condemned to death. e then turned to their accuser. e made the man admit that he had been offered money to get rid of the three men. t. icholas died in yra, and a great basilica was built over his tomb. any churches were dedicated in his name. When his relics were brought to ari, taly, this city became a famous shrine for pilgrims form all over urope. icholas is the patron of sailors and prisoners. With t. ndrew, he is the patron of ussia. We can learn from t. icholas how to have generous, loving hearts. e went out of his way to be good and do good to people. e will teach us how to be the same kind of person if we ask him. y rayer. od of love, let me think of your loving when give or receive presents and wishes at hristmas time. men.
8th of ecember earn this prayer: lessed be your purity, for all eternity; od imself rejoices in such gracious beauty. What is meant by mmaculate onception? o you elestial rincess, oly irgin ary, offer this day my soul, my life, my heart. ook upon me with compassion; You are my other, never leave me. he irgin ary said these words when he appeared to t. ernadette in ourdes
Y K Y Y Y K Y t is not always easy to find the right gift for someone we love. What gift can you give to esus? K Y Y Y WY Y Your ood eeds of Welcome or esus ang this tree where you will see it. ach time you help someone, color a part of the hristmas ree branches green. When you say a prayer for someone, color a bulb. n hristmas day, after ass, color the star.
W veryone in the family can be involved in making an dvent Wreath for your home. xplain the symbolism of each part. ecide how each person will participate in preparing the wreath and in daily or weekly family devotions. he first time you gather to pray around the wreath, have some review the meaning of each part. ircular hape he dvent wreath is a circle. We cannot find the end or the beginning of a circle. he circular dvent wreath reminds us that esus came to give us a life that will never end, eternal life with od in heaven. vergreen ranches he evergreen branches used to make the circle do not change color as do the leaves on other kinds of trees. he evergreens in the dvent wreath remind us that od never changes: od always has loved us and always will. andles here are four candles o the dvent wreath, one for each week in dvent. hey remind us that the ewish people waited a long time for the avior to come. he burning candles remind us that hrist, the ight of the World, brightness the darkness around us. ach week we light one more candle, a sign that the more we let hrist into our lives, the brighter our lives will be. pening rayer od, bless this dvent wreath. ay it helps us prepare to welcome esus, your on, into our lives, letting the light of his love shine through us. men. Week 1 (ight 1 candle) ome to us, ord esus. Warm our hearts with your love. elp us to prepare for your coming. elp us to see the good things we can do. elp us to see the good things others do. ome, ord esus! (ause for silent prayer) Week 2 (ight 2 candles) We believe in you ord. We know that you can help us to love each other more. You are our light. ome or esus! (ause for silent prayer) Week 3 (ight 3 candles) esus, we want your coming to make a difference in how we live and love. pen our hearts to hear you telling us how we can bring peace and joy to others. ome, ord esus! (ause for silent prayer) Week 4 (ight 4 candles) Quiet the worries and fears in our hearts, ord. ive us your peace. hank you for the life you share with us. elp us to share that life with others. ome, ord esus! (ause for silent prayer) ake an dvent Wreath You can make an advent wreath for each child of your group aterials needed: 1) ne small paper plate 2) ne donut for each 3) our birthday candles three purple and one pink 4) small green doilet ow to prepare it: lace the donut in the paper plate over doilet. pen the holes for the candles on the donut. pray it to preserve it. When they are dry, place the candle on the donut and decorate it with a ribbon.
hild is born to us! on is given to us! saiah 9:6
ecember 4 econd unday in dvent ake a straight path for esus sa. 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 et. 3:8-14; ark 1:1-8 alk with the children about symbols of the way. ave they ever been on a long hike? Why is it good to follow a straight and level path? What are the everyday stones and obstacles they find in their way? ow can they remove some of those obstacles? ctivities and prayer. s the children express their commitments for the week, ask them to light their luminaries. hen light the second dvent candle. ll respond: esus, we want to prepare the way for you! ome! You are there What do you think about what ohn has to say? o you think that is easy or hard to do? esus, your friend, invites you: What problems do you see in your home? re the people in your family worried about something? ow can you make life for your family a little easier? What do you think your family would like you to do for them? What can you share with others? re you willing to share your toys, your time, your sense of humor, and your help? What am going to do? peak with esus and tell him about the worries you have at home or school. ell him what you would like to do this week: or example: will share my toys. or example: will tell the truth. W ind the following hidden words in panish and write a sentence using them: oy, ift, rophet, rooked, ruth, Way, World, elp, ove, etter Q Z K X Y K Y Z migos de esús is a weekly atechetical service shipped quarterly by the laretian issionaries. ext by armen guinaco and aime ascuñan. 2002 laretian ublications. or more information, call laretian ublications at 1-800-328-6515
ecember 11 hird unday in dvent et s get ready for hristmas joy asado e uan 1:6-8,19-28 sa. 61:1-2a; 10-11: 2 hess. 5:16-24; ohn 1:6-8, 19-28 alk about the story. alk with the children about the real meaning of joy. oes joy mean laughing a lot? What represent joy for them? What makes them happy? o gifts make them happy? re they anticipating hristmas just because they will be getting lots of presents? iscuss things that might make them happier than hristmas gifts: the end of quarrels at home, the return of their father after a trip, or an upcoming visit by their grandpa or grandma. esus speaks to us about the joy that comes from doing the right thing, praying, being grateful, and defending those who are treated unfairly. ave you ever felt such joy? ctivities. and out jingle bells to each child, explaining that the bells express joy. ime permitting, the children should work on the activities on their page. f not, they should take the page home. inal rayer. s each child expresses his or her commitment for the week, all answer: You give us joy, ord esus! while ringing their jingle bells. You are there What are the wrongs that ohn might be talking about? What problems to you see around you? s there anything you could do to help correct these wrongs? esus, your friend, invites you: What made you sad this week? What are you expecting this hristmas? Will certain gifts bring you joy? or how long? re you thankful for all the good things you receive? ow many times have you said hank you this week? What am going to do? alk with esus and tell him about those things that make you sad and those that make you happy. sk him for help with the wrongs you would like to make right. ell him what you would like to do this week: or example: will help someone who is treated unfairly in school. or example: will say hank you when someone gives me something or does something for me. W Q: Why do you think there are four candles on the dvent wreath? o you know what colors the candles are supposed to be? ind the following hidden words in panish and write a sentence using them: aptism, andle, oy, ift, in, orgiveness, hanks, ear, ray, pirit K W K Z X Y Q Z Q Z migos de esús is a weekly atechetical service shipped quarterly by the laretian issionaries. ext by armen guinaco and aime ascuñan. 2005 laretian ublications. or more information, call laretian ublications at 1-800-328-6515
ecember 12 ur ady of uadalupe Queen of the mericas Zech. 2:14-17; ev. 11:19a; 12:1-6a,10ab; uke 1:26-38 alk about the story. 1) iscuss with the children what seeing ary must have meant to uan iego. What would they do if they, too, saw her? 2) iscuss how ary wanted to show herself to uan iego to prove that all people and races are equal in od s eyes. ctivities. eave some time for the children to do the activities on their page. inal rayer. ring red roses or cut red roses out of construction paper for the children to present to ur ady of uadalupe. hey should express their resolution for this day. You are there What is your reaction to this story? esus, your friend, invites you: ur ady of uadalupe chose a poor and simple person to carry her message. o you feel too young to do the good things od asks of you? What am going to do? peak to esus and tell him that even if you are young, you want to do what he wants. ell him what you want to do this week: or example: will respect everyone, even those who seem to be less powerful or unimportant. or example: will thank ary for choosing uan iego to announce that od loves all people and races. W ind the following hidden words in panish and write a sentence using them: merica, epeyac, aith, hurch, oses, ishop, iego, ary, uadalupe, other Q W X Y Z Q W Y X K Y When he came to the presence of the ishop, he held out his ayate and just as the roses fell to the floor, the beloved image of the erfect irgin oly ary appeared in the form and figure which is now preserved in the emple of epeyac with the name of irgin of uadalupe, blessing all who go to see er, especially the children, whose other he is. migos de esús is a weekly atechetical service shipped quarterly by the laretian issionaries. ext by armen guinaco and aime ascuñan. 2002 laretian ublications. or more information, call laretian ublications at 1-800-328-6515
ecember 18 ourth unday in dvent Where does od live? 2 am. 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16; om. 16:25-27; uke 1:26-38 alk about the story. alk about houses and homes. What makes a house a home (decorations, comfortable furniture)? ell them how we can all be a dwelling place or home for od, since esus wants to come to each and every one of us. peak with the children about the importance of doors in a house. o we also have doors in our hearts? o whom do we open or close them? ow are we going open our doors and hearts to esus? ctivities. ive each child a little house cut out of cardboard. sk them to write their names on the door. ext, ask them to write some kind of welcome for esus on their doors. ime permitting, the children should work on the activities on their page. f not, they can take that page home. inal rayer. ight the last dvent candle. s the children express their commitment for the week, ask them to place their houses by a hristmas tree or nativity set that you have brought to class. s each child places his or her house by the tree or nativity set, all say: Yes, ord, want you to come to my house! You are there re you afraid when you see the angel? What would you say if the angel had asked you to do what od wanted of ary? esus, your friend, invites you: esus continues to come to the world every day. his is what celebrate at hristmas What would you have to do to make esus feel at home, to make a good dwelling place for the ord? re you excited about hristmas because esus is coming or because of the gift-giving? What am going to do? alk with esus and tell him how you are preparing for his coming at hristmas. ell him what you would like to do this week: or example: will help at home so that everything will be ready for hristmas and my parents won t have to do everything. or example: will say Yes to what my parents ask me to do this week. W : ind the following hidden words in panish and write a sentence using them: ouse, ary, eart, ngel, emple, romise, arth, ome, od, hristmas Z K Z Q X Q Z K X Y Years later, the ngel abriel was sent to ary and said, ail ary, full of grace! he ord is with you. You will have a on whom you shall call esus ary said, e it done to me according to your word migos de esús is a weekly atechetical service shipped quarterly by the laretian issionaries. ext by armen guinaco and aime ascuñan. 2002 laretian ublications. or more information, call laretian ublications at 1-800-328-6515
ecember 25 hristmas esus is the best gift sa. 52:7-10; eb. 1:1-6; ohn 1:1-18 alk about the story. peak with the children about the times when they have felt included or excluded. Why was that? ow did they feel? ave they ever excluded anyone? Why? What do they think of the story of ary and oseph asking for room at the inn? ow do they feel about the story of the birth of esus? o they think that because he was od, he should have had more comforts? ctivities. o a living nativity scene. istribute papers with different characters and objects in the scene, What would each one tell esus? ramatize the dialogue. inal rayer. ach child can express what they would like to give esus on his birth, ll answer: esus, you are the best gift You are there magine you have a house in ethlehem. Would you offer it to oseph and ary? esus, your friend, invites you: esus, who is the son of od, was born poor in a poor place. o you sometimes think that people are more important when they have more money? ary and oseph could not find a place to stay. o you know someone whom every one rejects (for instance, someone at school who has no one to play with, or someone who is never invited to parties)? What can you do? What am going to do? peak to esus and thank him for coming to stay with us. ell him what you would like to do this week: or example: will invite someone who seems to be lonely to play with me. or example: will offer some of what have to a child who less than. W : s quickly as they could, they went to ethlehem to see aby esus. hey drew close to im and offered their little gifts and grateful hearts. ind the following hidden words in panish and write a sentence using them: hristmas, esus, oseph, ary, nn, oom, irth, table, hepherds, ravel, ethlehem W X migos de esús is a weekly atechetical service shipped quarterly by the laretian issionaries. ext by armen guinaco and aime ascuñan. 2005 laretian ublications. or more information, call laretian ublications at 1-800-328-6515
ame: he amily ree of esus olor this family tree of esus. ere are the names of the people in esus family. & olor the leaves ut them out aste them to the tree. Y & Z & ZY o the eacher: ead the children in pronouncing these names. ell them the relationship each person had to esus: ary and oseph arents; oachim and nna grandparents; lizabeth and Zachary unt and ncle; ohn ousin ecember 30th he oly amily