eguidebook OCTOBER Find your lesson to send home the Forgive and Forget Mission Pack! Find your lesson to teach the virtue of FORGIVENESS in the classroom! Bulletin Board Ideas, Holy Hero of the month, and more! Find the latest information from K4J! MISSION OF THE MONTH: Forgive and Forget! K4J VIRTUE: Forgiveness I PARDON THOSE WHO HURT ME. I ASK FORGIVENESS WHEN I HAVE DONE WRONG All contents copyright Creative Catholics 2012 Nihil Obstat: Rev. Theodore R. Book, S.L.L. 16 July, 2009 Imprimatur: Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory, S.L.D., Archbishop of Atlanta, 17 July, 2009 The Nihil obstat and Imprimatur are a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free from doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
OCTOBER FORGIVE & FORGET MISSION Objectives: Teach the kids to learn about the virtue of forgiveness and to say, I m sorry when they have made mistakes. Teach the kids the October Forgive & Forget Mission of the Month to be lived within the family at home. Motivate the kids to give their parents the Parents Perspective letter that explains the virtue and at-home Mission. Say... Ready... You will need: October pre -K4J Mission Packs Make accordion folds along the dotted lines shown on a the Bedtime Picture Prayers booklet, found inside the pack, so it is ready to use in the demonstration. CD player and the October Mission song, Forgive & Forget Open up a pre-k4j Send-It-Home pack. Show the kids the pictures on the pre-k4j Mission poster. Make sure they know the difference between an accident and a deliberate mistake. (They choose to act a certain way when they deliberately do wrong; they do not choose accidents.) Talk about the definition of the virtue of forgiveness: I pardon those who hurt me. When I have done wrong, I say, I am sorry. Will you forgive me? As you show the kids the Mission Poster, help them understand the need to say, I am sorry when they have done wrong. Point out how happy we are when we say, I am sorry and the other person accepts our apology. pre-k4j Virtue: Forgiveness I pardon those who hurt me. I say, I am sorry. Will you forgive me? when I have done wrong. Go K4J! 1. Go through the accordion prayer booklet to the end. Guess who is always waiting for us when we are sorry we have made a mistake? Jesus! He loves us very much. When we have made a mistake, we jump into Jesus arms when we say, I am sorry. Will you forgive me? Explain how they may use the booklet to talk with Jesus each night to think about how they have practiced the October Forgive & Forget Mission that day.
ready to help me to try again! All contents copyright Catholic Kids Net 2008 - National Director Kathleen Conklin - New Memberships 1-877-KIDSNET Address- 6445 Shiloh Rd. Suite B, Alpharetta, GA 30004 - Website - www.k4j.org- Email: K4J@K4J.org OCTOBER FORGIVE & FORGET MISSION 2. Show the kids their Mission poster; explain that they are to look for times to say, I m sorry, then review their day with the Bedtime Picture Prayers booklet during night prayer before they go to bed. Show them the stickers they will use to mark off their mission success and where to put the stickers on the poster. Remind the kids to bring back their Mission posters at the end of the month for award recognition! NAME HERE: ForgIve & Forget! VIRTUE: ForgIveness 1 2 3 Oops! I pardon those who hurt me. I ask forgiveness when If you forgive I have done others, your heavenly Father will forgive you. -Mt 6:14 Sometimes I do wrong. That s MY jumprope! Then I say... I m Sorry. Will You Forgive me? wrong. 1 3 MIssION of the MONTH: When I do wrong I say, "I am sorry. WIll you forgive me?" 2 Fold your Bedtime Picture Prayers back and forth like an accordion! Use them each night to help you tell Jesus about your day. Then I jump Into Jesus' arms! Jesus Is always 3. Now sing the October Mission song, Forgive & Forget! Forgive & Forget October Mission Song When I forgive & forget (Make an angry face then pass a hand over it, changing to a smile) I pardon those who hurt me (Keep smiling and shake hands with the partner) When I forgive & forget (Make an angry face then pass a hand over it, changing to a smile) I ask forgiveness when I ve done wrong (One partner pleads on one knee, then stands, and both partners smile & shake hands) 4. Ask the kids to give the Parents Perspective letter to their parents. At the end of the month ask them: How did they live their mission well? Parents can also sign their kids up for K4J Family and complete the Mission of the Month online! (www.k4jfamily.com)
OCTOBER FORGIVE & FORGET MISSION We can begin to show children at an early age that their actions affect others. We can help build a loving world when we are willing to ask for forgiveness and forgive others. Jesus is always waiting with open arms whenever we make mistakes and ask his forgiveness. Objectives: Motivate the kids to live the virtue of Forgiveness by saying, I am sorry when they make mistakes and forgiving others when they make mistakes, too. Jesus is always ready to forgive us. We just have to say, I am sorry and Jump into Jesus arms! Ready Make a copy of the pre-k4j Pledge & Morning Prayer and the song, Jump to keep as a reference. Say... Today if one of us makes a mistake, we will say, I am sorry. Whenever we say, I am sorry, we jump into Jesus arms. I will be very proud of you if I hear you say, I am sorry to each other when you have made a mistake. When someone says, I am sorry, what should you say? We love the way Jesus helps us to love when we say, I forgive you. Jesus teaches us how to love and forgive. Let s say these words together: I am sorry. Will you forgive me? I forgive you!
OCTOBER FORGIVE & FORGET MISSION Go K4J! 10 11 12 1 2 9 3 After pre-k4j Pledge and Morning Prayer, sing the following song together to remind them to say they are sorry and forgive each other throughout the day. Jump each time you hear the word, JUMP! 8 7 a.m. 6 5 4 JUMP! Jump, Jump, Jump up high -- Jump into Jesus arms! I say that I am sorry, then I Jump into his arms! 10 11 12 1 2 9 3 8 7 P.M. 6 5 4 Each time the kids need to work on forgiveness, JUMP, start the song. They will know the song in no time and it will help difficult situations resolve quickly! 10 11 12 1 2 9 8 7 P.M. 6 5 4 3 After closing prayer, ask the kids if they thought to say, I am sorry during the day. Ask them if they remembered to say, I am sorry when they made a mistake and I forgive you if someone else made a mistake. Remind them to continue this Forgive & Forget Mission today when they are at home. Have the kids jump and cheer three times, Jump, jump, jump, K4J!
OCTOBER FORGIVE & FORGET MISSION Captains Campaign Don t Forget! Ribbons - Campaign and Contest This month s mission will be especially helpful for everyone. The kids wear a red ribbon as a visible reminder to learn to Forgive & Forget. Younger children can be encouraged to learn to say, I am sorry and the older kids can also be encouraged to visit the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This month s contest is to see which class is wearing their ribbons and remembering their mission. The first step is for Captains to run a Red Ribbon Campaign. Captains make a simple red ribbon with a safety pin for kids to wear. Then they post signs that say, Red ribbons mean: Forgive & Forget! Are You Wearing Your Ribbon? Wear A Ribbon Live Your Mission! Have you said, I m Sorry? etc. The Captains use all of their creativity to come up with ways to motivate the kids to wear ribbons. They can pass ribbons out as kids come out of mass, at dismissal, after the kids go to Reconciliation, whenever it s convenient. Host a Don t Forget Ribbon Day! -- Don t Forget to Wear Them! Let the month build with some excitement by allowing the Captains to give out K4J Bucks to kids who are wearing their ribbons one day and then selling treats to buy with the bucks the next. Captains can excite the kids by a surprise visit that gets everyone motivated. Don t Forget -- Forgive & Forget! Don t stay upset! Forgive & forget! Don t sweat! Forgive & forget! Ask the pastor if he will offer a special time for Reconciliation and have the Captains motivate and encourage others to go. (Let us know some of the ideas they came up with and we will share them with others in the Captains Area of our website. www.k4j.org ) Captains keep track of what they notice! The class with the most spirit for the mission and who most often were seen wearing their ribbons, wins! Ask a parent to help you create Bulletin Board Idea the classroom Jump into Jesus Arms! bulletin board Cover the board with your favorite color. Copy the Jump into Jesus Arms pattern and put it each month. Our in the center of the board. At the top of the board write, I say, I m Sorry and Across the studies show that bottom of the board, write: I Jump into Jesus Arms! when kids have this visual reminder, learning is For added fun: Give the kids paper hearts and help them write, Jump for Jesus! on them. They may draw a smile face and add their name. Place the hearts on the bulletin board. more successful! Add Forgiveness To the Classroom Center! Motivate the kids to live the virtue of forgiveness by adding this idea to your center. Forgiveness Faces Give each child a large cardstock circle. Have them draw a face on one side, or draw on large, simple facial characters for them to decorate. Give the children crayons, markers, yarn for hair, buttons for eyes and other fabrics, etc., to decorate the face. Turn the face over. Give them a copy of the Jump into Jesus Arms pattern and have them glue it on. Tape on a paint stick, ruler or large craft stick as a handle at the bottom of the face. Have the kids use the face side as puppets to practice saying, I am sorry and I forgive you. with each other. Then have them turn the stick around and sing JUMP!
OCTOBER FORGIVE & FORGET MISSION K4J Surprise! Knock out VICE! Here are some games you will recognize with an added K4J twist. Play them on the playground or use one as an award for a job well done! Remind the kids that VICE represents those BAD Habits we are trying to get rid of. Put a picture of VICE on three 2 liter bottles. Place them on a table and have the kids take turns throwing a bean bag or tennis ball to try to knock out VICE! Tape a picture of VICE on a ball and play a version of Hot Potato. Pass the ball to K4J music and when the music stops, the person holding VICE is OUT. Have the kids bring in a newspaper. Roll the newspaper and tape the edges to make a bat. Tape a picture of VICE onto a ball. Divide the kids into two teams and set up two soccer goals. The kids play a game of soccer except instead of using their feet, they try to swat VICE into prison (the goal) with their bats. Each time a team puts VICE in prison, they score a point. Scripture Scholars Father, Forgive Me If you forgive others, your heavenly Father will forgive you. Matthew 14:10. Give each child a piece of blue construction paper with the Scripture verse above written on it. Read the Scripture verse together and talk about it. We are forgiven by God each time we make a mistake. But first we must realize our mistake and tell God and others, I am sorry. Now give the kids cotton balls, glitter and other deco materials. Tell them to create a picture that shows God the Father in Heaven forgiving us. You will be surprised with the results! Holy Hero Blessed Imelda Lambertini: I want to be with Jesus! A little girl named Imelda was best friends with Jesus. Imelda loved Jesus very much. She knew that Jesus was God. He taught her how to love. This made Imelda very happy. And whenever Imelda had done something wrong, she went to Jesus in her heart. Jesus taught her to say, I am sorry. Will you forgive me? She said this to Jesus, and to anyone she had wronged. Imelda s parents gave her a beautiful rosary on her 5th birthday. Imelda loved to pray the rosary, but more than anything else, Imelda wanted to receive Jesus in the holy Eucharist at communion time during mass. She watched others receive holy communion, and she knew that the little white host was really Jesus! Imelda wanted to receive holy communion so she would be very, very close to Jesus. But Imelda was not yet old enough. Then one day, when Imelda was talking with Jesus in her heart after mass, something wonderful happened! A white Eucharistic host moved through the air and rested over Imelda s head! Jesus in the Eucharist had come to Imelda in a very special way! The priest took the host, and gave it to Imelda. Imelda received her first holy communion. Now she was perfectly happy. Jesus, help me learn to Forgive & Forget and ask for forgiveness when I have done wrong. Fill me with your love now as I learn to become ready to receive you in holy communion. I love you.
OCTOBER FORGIVE & FORGET MISSION October, Year 1 Dear K4J Educators, When I was a Director of Religious Education, I used to tell my religious ed kids a story about a little boy named Charlie. His dad picked him up from school and they had a wonderful night playing cards. Between games, Charlie snuck into the kitchen and ate cake after his dad had asked him not to. Charlie didn t know it, but the mischievous act resulted in chocolate frosting all over his face. Later, when Charlie went to brush his teeth he looked in the mirror and saw the frosting. He knew that his dad had known he disobeyed and yet he had not said anything. The little boy scrubbed his face but no matter how hard he rubbed, it felt like the chocolate was still there. He knew he had to go downstairs and see his Dad again. Should he tell him the truth? After all, his Dad already knew; since he had not said anything, maybe it didn t matter. Charlie knew that telling his dad would be hard, but he knew that it would be best, so he walked downstairs ready to confess. When Charlie told his Dad he was sorry for what he had done, his Dad opened up his arms and Charlie jumped in. This story reminds us that when we approach the sacrament of reconciliation, our expectations should not be what we as humans may expect or feel to be just. We should be reminded to instead focus on the love of our Father in heaven and the mercy that He offers us. It far surpasses our human expectations, and actually makes it a joy to confess and receive God s love and forgiveness. I am praying that your K4J programs will be able to offer sacramental opportunities to families. Consider asking your parish priest to offer confession at some of your events. If the sacrament of reconciliation were made more available, it would begin to seem more natural and not so scary for those wanting to return. People would begin to experience how this sacrament helps us in our daily lives. In Christ, Kathleen Conklin Owner of K4J
K4J Unity Prayer Jesus, thank you for calling me to your work in Catholic education. Thank you for calling others to work with me. Unite us in your will, Lord. Let our prayers storm heaven with one voice. Let our efforts be filled with your grace. Let our school work as one. Unite us in charity, Lord. Help me look beyond my feelings and love those who criticize. Help me forgive the moment I am hurt. Help my words reflect your thoughts. Unite us in our mission to serve these children, Lord. Give us a love for souls. Give us a zeal for souls. Give us the gifts that attract souls to you. Unite us in helping children hear your call, Lord. Call the children of our school to a greater love for you. I want to help them hear that call. Call more young people to the priesthood and religious life. I want to help them hear that call. Call our kids to live the mission you ve planned for each one. I want to help them hear that call. And when things get tough and I want to pretend you didn t call me, call me again. You are the reason my life is worth living. Mary, Mother of the Church, Pray for us! Amen.
Jump! and I Am Sorry pre-k4j songs JUMP! (Sing to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat) Jump, Jump, Jump up high. Jump into Jesus arms! I say that I am sorry then, I Jump into his arms. I Am Sorry! (Sing to the tune of Frere Jacques) I am sorry. (Hand over heart) I am sorry. (Hand over heart) Forgive me? (Bow) Forgive me? (Bow) When I make a mistake (shake finger) And I say, I m sorry. (Hand over heart) Forgive me. (Bow) Forgive me. (Bow)
JUMP INTO JESUS ARMS!
Pre-K4J Pledge I have a friend named Jesus. I love him every day. I do my special mission so all will know his name. My eyes look for ways to help. I listen and obey. My hands take care of others. Mary shows me the way. I m glad that Jesus has chosen me to love him through K4J! Morning Prayer Good morning, Jesus! Thank you for giving me all that is good. Thank you for being my friend. I want to give you my best today when I help other people and take time to pray. I love you! Amen.
VICE! Vice pattern