Childrens Liturgy September 13 2020 24 th Sunday

Children’s Liturgy September 13, 2020 24 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Forgiveness Endures Focus: To become people of compassion.

CONTEXT “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. ” This is one of the most challenging sentences in the beautiful Lord’s Prayer. Jesus gives us an example of what it looks like to forgive others as we ourselves are forgiven. It is not always easy, but it is what we are called to as Christians.

FOCUS The Church is commissioned by Christ to preach to all the forgiveness of sins (CCC, 982). Forgiveness is the fruit of prayer; it bears witness to the world that love is stronger than sin (CCC, 2844). God’s forgiveness has no limit (CCC, 2845); we are always in debt to God for his forgiveness; we can repay only by offering forgiveness to others. Forgiveness is particularly important in family life, promoting mutual affection and teaching children to grow in this virtue (CCC, 2227).

Did You Know? The Rite of Penance actually has three different forms. They are the Rite of Reconciliation of Individual Penitents, the Rite of Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution, and the Rite of Reconciliation of Several Penitents with General Confession and Absolution (which is only used in extreme cases). In all of these forms, the penitent comes before God in hope, examines his or her conscience, asks to be welcomed back into the “fold, ” and prays in sorrow for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and for God’s compassion and mercy.

Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer Lord our God, Just as the rain comes down to water the earth and make it fruitful, So you send forth your word to do your will in the world. May this wisdom from heaven take root in our hearts and bear fruit in holy words and loving deeds. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Acclamation I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.

Gospel Matthew 18: 21 -35 Peter came up to the Lord and asked, “How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven times enough? Jesus answered: “Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Saint: John Chrysostom - September 13 th https: //www. loyolapress. com/catholic-resources/saints-stories-for-allages/saint-john-chrysostom/ https: //www. catholic. org/saints/saint. php? saint_id=64 https: //www. franciscanmedia. org/saint-john-chrysostom/ Read about St. John Chrysostom and discuss how he lived as Jesus wanted him to.

Family Conversation Questions: Pre. K - 5 th Grade 1. Why is it so hard to forgive sometimes? 1. Are there any grudges between members of our family? What must we do to let go of them?

Individual Examination of Conscience: 6 th - 8 th Grade 1. Who has hurt me? How can I take my painful experiences to prayer, asking God to help me in offering forgiveness? How can I open my heart to those who have hurt me? 1. From whom do I need to seek forgiveness, compassion, and mercy? How might I begin to reach out to the person I have hurt?

Faith in Action: Pre. K - 1 st Grade As a family, say a prayer together each day for those who have hurt any of you and for those whom you may have hurt. Together, talk about ways that you can bring peace to those situations. If there are people in your lives who you have a hard time treating with kindness, you might resolve to say one nice thing to them everyday. Little things, such as saying “Good Morning” instead of ignoring someone can help change our attitude and theirs. With God’s help through prayer, we can work on forgiving people, just as God always forgives us.

Faith in Action: 2 nd - 3 rd Grade Using paper and markers (and chenille wire, if you have it) do this simple art project with your child. Have him or her draw large flowers with seven petals. Then write the letters F-O-R-G-I-V-E in each of the petals. Color the flowers and use them to adorn your prayer table this week. Let the flowers of forgiveness remind your family members to show pity or compassion or kindness this week.

Faith in Action: 4 th - 5 th Grade Help your child with an examination of conscience. Are there people he or she has not truly forgiven or people toward whom he or she still bears a grudge or feels resentment or anger? Make this week a time to “forgive again” by planning an activity to show the other person of your efforts to forgive. Can you try calling them on the phone? writing an e-mail or letter? Put your attempts in God’s hands and ask him to help you let go of negative feelings.

Faith in Action: 6 th - 8 th Grade The readings for this week call us to forgiveness and compassion. In everyday living of family life, we can sometimes forget to be patient, generous, and understanding. When the family comes together this week, talk about what has been hurtful or a source of miscommunication. Most of the time it happens because we have been thoughtless or forgetful. Be forgiving to one another at home and allow that to spread out to others in your lives.

© 2019 Liturgy Training Publications. 800 -933 -1800. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago, on May 7, 2019.

Activities Worksheets for Pre. K – 2 nd Worksheets for 3 rd – 5 th Reflective Questions for 6 th - 8 th Think of a time when someone did something or said something to hurt you. Was it easy to forgive them? Why? Think of a time you did something or said something that hurt someone else. What did you do to ask forgiveness?

And More Activities The Act of Contrition Video https: //www. thereligionteacher. com/videos/actofcontrition-prayer/ Review this booklet and reflect on a few entries in your journal http: //www. 4 catholiceducators. com/7 words/forgive. htm Coloring Pages Puzzles