Welcome St John the Baptist Family!

6th, 7th, & 8th Grade

September 3

Parents,

We thank you as you continue to encourage and participate as a family during this significant time as a family activity in coordination with St. John the Baptist Faith Formation classes. The At Home Family Lessons are a short lesson for parents and their children to learn together. One week they will study the lesson presented by the Diocese. The next online class will be an introduction to one of the many facets of our Catholic traditions, faith, or prayers. They are a great way to share your faith together for a better understanding.

Opening Prayer

Blessed are You, Lord God, Creator of body, mind, and heart.

You have sent the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge to guide Your people in all their ways.

As we begin this new school year, we implore Your mercy:

Bless our students, teachers, and staff of Faith Formation.

May we grow together in faith, hope, and love,

Learning from You and one another how to follow Your Son, Jesus.

Expand the horizons of our minds, that we may grow in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.

Deepen our commitment to seek the truth of Your ways.

Enliven our faith to reach out to those in need.

Glory and praise to You, Lord God, in the Church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen

Theme

Works of Mercy

The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, and comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.

Shared Questions

1.What is the first thing you would do if you got a deep scrape while playing around?

2. Who would you go to first if you were hurt at school - teacher, nurse, friend, coach, nurse?

3. What supplies do you think should be in a good first aid kit?

4. If you saw someone else fall and get hurt, what would you do?

5. What's more important- being tough or being smart when you're hurt?

6. How do you feel when you get hurt in front of others?

7. What would you say to a friend who got hurt and was scared or crying?

8. Do you think it's okay to cry when you're hurt? Why or why not?

Scripture

Matthew 9: 9-13

Discussion Questions

Matthew was cheating the people by overcharging them taxes. Why or why not do you think that was fair?
Give some examples of times when you were not treated fairly. How did you feel?
What work do you do to help support your family? [chores, responsibilities, etc.]
Matthew became a member of the family of Apostles. How did you become a member of the Church family?
What things do you do to help you grow as a member of your Church family?

Activity

This is the list of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Choose one and complete the activity. Describe how it felt to fulfill the work of Mercy.

Summary

In his encyclical letter On Care for Our Common Home, Pope Francis wrote: “Work should be the setting for this rich personal growth, where many aspects of life enter into play: creativity, planning for the future, developing our talents, living out our values, relating to others, giving glory to God.

Closing Prayer

Prayer for Those Who Labor

Bless, O God, all those who labor. Whether they are compensated by paycheck or pride, let them know their true worth in your eyes. May all workers be gifted with a sense of service to the common good, and graced with the satisfaction of a job well done. Thank you for those whose work provides protection, comfort, healing, and relief from suffering and stress. May all of our labors be for your goodness and glory, O God. Amen

Share with your classmates the Corporal or Spiritual Work of Mercy that you fulfilled at your next class.

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