Lessons and Activities

People in Cupertino, Italy, just shook their heads when Joseph was around because he had difficulty completing tasks. Much of the time he forgot what he was supposed do. He often stared off into space. Other children made fun of him. Everyone thought he was clumsy and forgetful.

A group activity for the family at home or your class family.

Saint Philip Neri, Joyful Person

The beautiful feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on May 31, just as the school year ends. Is there some way to incorporate it into our lessons as we whisk the class out the door for the summer? We reflect on this biblical event in preparation for Christmas and in teaching the Second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, but seldom do we get a chance to teach about it in depth.

The last session of the learning year can reveal a disconnect between what you are ready to offer as a concluding review and what your students seem most interested in doing—daydreaming about their summertime fun. Connecting faith and summertime fun becomes less of a challenge—and can even be fun—when you meet your students where they are by using their summertime dreaming as a backdrop for your final class session.

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 [CLICK HERE]. This Bible Search is based on John 20:19-23.

This Palm Sunday, we hear the story of Jesus' Passion and Death from the Gospel of Mark (14:1—15:47). A few days later, on Good Friday, we hear the account from the Gospel of John (18:1—19:42). To help enter more deeply into Jesus' experience during his last hours, join him on his journey to Calvary by tracing the path he most likely took. Number each stop along the way, and mark the path as you go from place to place. At each stop, reflect on the Bible passage given.

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."

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.

"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?"