Keeping Lent

I am trying something new in my house this season of Lent and I wanted to share it with all of you in case you would like to try it to!

We are going to work on keeping track of all our good deeds during Lent, instead of giving something up. I am going to quote directly from this blog:  http://www.catholicallyear.com/2013/02/keeping-lent-guide-to-what-we-do-for.html?m=1

"The way we keep track of all the good deeds and small sacrifices we kids try to make during Lent is with our Lenten Sacrifice Beans.  My mom puts out a tin of dry purple kidney beans next to an empty jar.  Each time we do some small thing in a perfect way, like coming quickly when mom calls, or not fighting over who gets to spit first while we're brushing our teeth, we get to put a bean in.  When the Easter Bunny comes, he changes all the sacrifice beans that we've put in the jar into jelly beans.  Then, we keep up our good deeds and sacrifices during Easter season.  But instead of putting a sacrifice bean in, we get to take a jelly bean out and eat it."

You can see what else the family from "Catholic All Year" does for Lent, by clicking on the above link to their blog.  We (The Hollywood house) are going to keep it simple this year and just try the beans... and grow from there.  It is all about starting small and seeing what works for your family.

Happy Lent!

Review Catholic Faith Words

• Faith
• Peace
• Kingdom of God

What did we talk about & Scripture reference...

• Jesus includes everyone especially those often left out.
• Zacchaeus's faith and willingness to repent Luke 19:1-10
• Jesus had a great love for children - he welcomes them and all others into his Kingdom. Matthew19:13-15
• The Kingdom of God is the world of love, peace, and justice that God has in Heaven and wants for us on Earth.

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Homework (due 2/2/16)

Journal Writing

• To make Jesus feel welcome in my home I would say and do...

Trivia Question

• Who is welcome in God's Kingdom?

Chapters 10 & 11 & 12

Homework Due: Wednesday, January 27th

For anyone who needs to catch up on missed work... now is the time!

All those caught up... enjoy no homework! ;)

Unit 3: Chapter 9 ~ God's Mercy

Catholic Faith Words

• virtues
• temptation
• mercy

What did we talk about & Scripture reference...

• The prodigal son - the feelings of both the father and son
• People who help us make good choices (Luke 15:11-32)
• How can we share God's love and mercy
• The importance of forgiveness
• Advent, it's a journey

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Homework (due 12/16)

Journal Writing

• One way I showed and asked for forgiveness this week was...

Trivia Question

• Who is the Good Shephard?  Why?

Unit 3: Chapter 8 ~ Choose to Do Good

Catholic Faith Words

Free Will
Mortal Sin
Venial Sin
Conscience

What did we talk about & Scripture Reference

• Ways we can show we are sorry for something
• How Peter showed he was sorry (John 18:17-18; 25-27)
• How to choose right from wrong
• Making good choices

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Homework (due 12/9)

Journal Writing
I made a good choice this week when I...

Trivia Question
What is the Holy Trinity?
 (hint, you can look back to chapter 6)

Unit 3: Chapter 7 ~ God's Commandments

Catholic Faith Words

• Ten Commandments
• Great Commandment

What did we talk about? 
                             & Scripture Reference

• Ways to live the commandments
• The Great Commandment
• How to show love for God (Luke 10:29 -37)
• The Parable of the Good Samaritan (John 10:11-14)
• Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

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Homework

Journal Writing
I can follow the commandments by...

Trivia Question
Who was the Good Samaritan?

Journal Writing

In their notebook on the top of a new page, please have the kids write the date and sentence/prompt given in the weekly post and then fill in their answer in the blank.

Then, have them write a prayer, write about something on their mind, something that happened at school or with a friend, something they did great that week or something they may need help with, or they can draw a picture to God. These will be private writings and will not be shared in class, but I would like them to bring them to class so I can see that they are working on them.

More in depth instructions for journal writing are below.

I feel that it very important for kids to be able to talk to God, either through structured prayer (the ones we memorize) or unstructured prayer. In order to encourage unstructured prayer, I would like to provide the children with a starter sentence for them to complete and then allow them freely write or draw pictures to God.

In their notebook on the top of a new page, please have your child write the date and the starter sentence (I will have them write this in their nb at the beginning of each class and it will also be listed on the website each week) and then fill in their answer to complete the sentence. Then, have them write a prayer, write about something on their mind, something that happened at school or with a friend, something they did great that week or something they may need help with, or they can just draw a picture to God. This is completely up to them, let the Spirit be their guide. This project should only require a few minutes of your child’s time each week.

Each week we have class, I would like them to bring their notebook to class, along with their folder and any other papers they need to return for that week (including the trivia answer). These will be private writings and will NOT be shared in class, but I would like them to bring them to class so I can make sure that they are working on them.

If your child misses a class I would like them to still complete the journal writing assignment for that week.

In addition to having a wonderful book to remember their second grade year, they will learn the invaluable lesson of praying to God and depending on Him for the rest of their lives.