Children’s Liturgy
SOURCE: 52 Sundays
SOURCE: Adorers of the Blood of Christ
Videos for Children
Animated Bible Stories (Saddleback Kids)
Bible Crafts (Ministry to Children)
Object Lesson Sermons (Ministry to Children)
13th Sunday of Year A
YouTube 
Focus on Jesus
Invite family members to silently think about how they can make Jesus the most important relationship in the lives. Then ask everyone to look around the house for something that can serve as a reminder to focus their life on Jesus. Provide time for each person to explain their choice.
Brainstorm as a family to come up with a service project you can work on together. Talk about how serving others shows that Jesus is the focus of your lives.
SOURCE: OSV Lifelong Catechesis
Welcome
OBJECT SUGGESTED: A fresh pineapple. (Cut and share with the children if appropriate.)
In many parts of the world a pineapple is a sign of welcome. Some people have a pineapple carved into the entry of their home; others have brass door knockers in the shape of a pineapple attached to their doors. Pineapples are sometimes carved into the design of tables and beds.
Long ago, before there were airplanes, pineapple, which grew in tropical climates, was not available to most people in the world. Explorers returning from a voyage sometimes brought a pineapple to their king and sailors fastened a pineapple to their gate post when they returned from sea. As a result of these customs the pineapple became a sign of welcome.
SOURCE: Sermon Writer
A Sign of Friendship
Object suggested: Map showing Hawaiian Islands or pictures of Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands are a beautiful string of islands far out in the Pacific Ocean. The temperature there is warm and the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers.
Hawaiians have a wonderful custom of giving a flower lei to visitors as a sign of friendship and to make them feel welcome. (Show picture of lei.) Can you imagine how welcome you would feel if someone greeted you, with a big smile, and hung a circle of fragrant flowers around your neck?
The Hawaiian people having been doing this for a thousand years, starting when ancient people first traveled long distances in sailing canoes and followed the stars to get to the islands. The early leis were made from flowers, but also from feathers, seeds, shells, or leaves.
Today leis are given to welcome guests at special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and graduations.
SOURCE: Sermon Writer
13th Sunday of Year A
SOURCE: SDC
CATHOLIC
Gospel Based Word Search
RESOURCES
SOURCE: Catholic Kids Bullein
CHRISTIAN
SOURCE: Sermons4kids.com
13th Sunday of Year A
Build.
Plant.
Grow.
Santa Clara University
Sunday Index for children ages 5-13
Using each lesson plan, directors of religious education, school teachers, and parents can:
- Use the recommended key discussion points when reading weekly messages with your children.
- Read aloud a classic picture storybook linked to the moral virtue in the weekly readings.
- Manage creative activities including arts and crafts, games, and gardening projects.
- End with a reflection activity using a case study and a prayer.
THE WORD THIS WEEK
Inclusiveness
SUNDAY READ ALOUD
This beautifully illustrated story is reminiscent of one of the Grimm Fairytales and discusses how we exclude others based on our fear of things that are different. The primary character of the story is a young girl named Shiraz who is treated badly by her stepmother and stepsister. One day, Shiraz encounters an old woman who has been isolated from the world by her own choosing. Through the graciousness and kindness of Shiraz, the woman grants Shiraz some wonderful gifts that change her life. Shiraz’s inclusion of the old woman allows life to change for the both of them.
SUNDAY CORRELATIONS
SOURCE: Teaching Catholic Kids
Jimmy Wants to Help
How can you help others in need? How can you help others who live outside our country?
Jimmy watched a television news report on refugees in a war torn county. “This family walks home behind their grandfather’s tractor,” the news reporter stated. “In spite of the mines and unexploded bombs, in spite of the hardships ahead, many families like this one want to go home. This family, like many others, say they will rebuild their homes and their lives.” Jimmy’s heart wanted to reach out and hug the family in their rags.
“Dad,” Jimmy asked, “is there any way we can help?”
“How can we help?” Jimmy’s dad responded. “They live thousands of miles away. We can’t give them clothes or food.”
“But, isn’t there some way we can help?” Jimmy asked again. His father said nothing.
The next days in Jimmy’s house were quiet. The family sat numb in front of the television when the news started. The images of the refugees played over and over.
SOURCE: Word-Sunday.com – All materials found in word-sunday.com are the property of Larry Broding (Copyright 1999-2022). Viewers may copy any material found in these pages for their personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.
My Fourth of July
“My Fourth of July” by Jerry Spinelli, illustrated by Larry Day
Holiday House, New York, 2019, 40 pages, Grades 1-3
The Fourth of July is a national celebration with family picnics and community fireworks in the evening. It is an unmistakably noisy day as well. Bands parade through city streets, patriotic speeches are given and many people shoot off fireworks. Jerry Spinelli writes about this famous day and the many events occurring on the holiday. It is an uplifting story by a master storyteller. The name of this fine book is “My Fourth of July.”
A young boy wakes up on July 4th and wonders if he has missed the morning parade. Fortunately, it begins when he looks out the window. Quickly putting on some clothes, he joins the jubilation of singing, banging drums, and greeting bystanders. He leaves the parade and hurries home. His mother is baking a secret pie. It is a game his mother plays with him, to keep him guessing about dessert and building up his excitement.
SOURCE: Southern Nebraska Register, Catholic Diocese of Lincoln (The image and link to the video embedded above are not part of Terrence Nollen’s review.)
13th Sunday of Year A
Young Catholics SOURCE: Young Catholics
SOURCE: PFLAUM Gospel Resources
Teaching Catholic Kids SOURCE: Teaching Catholic Kids
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