Lessons and Activities

The cultural norms that we see constantly glorified on TV, in movies, in popular music, and on YouTube and the internet are not making our jobs for creating a Beatitude community (culture) any easier.

Hidden in the midst of March and surrounded by the purple of Lent is the feast of another Joe—St. Joseph. There is very little about St. Joseph in the Gospels. He is important to the Infancy Narratives—obviously. But much of the lore of St. Joseph comes from apocryphal writings and legend. We all have seen the statues and holy cards representing Joseph as an old man carrying a staff with lilies blooming from its top.

Prepare your prayer space with a table display that includes a Bible; a small flag of your country; a parish bulletin; a picture of St. Joseph or a hammer or other tool; a picture of the Holy Family; and a lighted candle. Divide your group into two. Group One will read the summary from Scripture, and Group Two will reflect on it. All will respond "St. Joseph, pray for us."

Picking a patron saint for your classroom can be a great way to engage students in learning and praying with the saints.

"Let's get away, just the two of us." "Great! Where are we going?" "We are going to get away from it all. No TV. No computer. It will be just the two of us." "I can hardly wait to spend the time together! But where are we going?" "It's very remote. No internet. No cell phone." "It sounds wonderful! But where are we going?" "We are going to the desert." "Are you crazy?"

Anne Marie was born in 1817. She was sad when her parents separated. She moved with her mother to Paris. When she was 15 years old, her mother died, and she went to live with relatives. It wasn't until a Catholic cousin invited her to church that she learned about living the gospel.

This Complete-A-Project Bible Search Activity is for teacher and students (grades 4-6) working together.

This Complete-A-Project Bible Search activity is for teacher and students (grades 4-6) working together. Use the Bible to answer the questions on the activity sheet. This Bible Search is based on John 2:13-25.

Brought Hope to Others; Feast day: March 12

Use this activity to teach children about the lives of saints.