Visit our church… We saw the Stations of the Cross, the Tabernacle,the Sanctuary Lamp, the Baptismal Font and the Holy Oils: (Oil of Catechumens which is used to bless and strengthen those preparing for baptism; the Oil of the Sick with which the priest brings Jesus’ strength and healing to those who are joined with the suffering Christ in serious illness; and the Sacred Chrism which is used in celebrating the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders) We looked behind the sanctuary at the vesting room, at the altar stone under the altar cloth and inside the confessionals.
Baptism in our Church:
We visit the Baptismal Font in the Sanctuary
The Pascal candle and the Sacramental Chrism oils are store in the Ambry—
(the special glass cabinet on the wall).
Holy Water (Symbol of the Holy Spirit)is kept on the left and poured over the catechumenate (person to be baptized) into the basin on the right. The center drain leads right to the ground so the holy water will not be dumped into the septic. The baptized person receives a Candle–“Receive the Light of Christ” and puts on a White Garment–“Putting on Christ”
The people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”After all the people had been baptized
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him
in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven,
“You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased.”
Jesus includes us in His family, if we do what God asks of us… That is our Baptismal promises:
V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
We look at the nativity, talked about the wise men coming from other countries. The 3 wise men (3 kings) were some of the first people to worship Jesus. They were from different countries and didn’t speak the Hebrew language. God opened salvation to all peoples not just the Jewish people!
We had a prayer service for the Epiphany and lit a candle for our intentions (friends and family who may be sick, grieving or rejoicing) We stood in front of the altar near the Tabernacle, Baptism font, and the Ambry (Blest Are We p.120)
A votive candle or prayer candle is a candle, typically white or beeswax yellow, intended to be burnt as a votive offering in an act of Christian prayer
Presentation of Jesus
Presentation of Jesus in the temple 8 days after his birth. That is when His name was given. There he was greeted by Simeon and Anna.
After the wise men left, Herod was searching for the Christ child. Mary , Joseph and Jesus flee to Egypt until Herod died…for he wanted the “Baby King” dead.
A long time ago, in the town of Nazareth, lived a young woman named Mary. She was engaged to be married to Joseph, who was a carpenter.
One day, while Mary was at home, an angel suddenly appeared. Before Mary could say anything the angel told Mary that she was favored by God, and that God was with her.
Mary was surprised. She was trying not to be afraid, but she had never seen an angel before.
The angel quickly tried to reassure Mary. “Do not be afraid!” the angel said. “God has found favor with you. You will have a baby boy, and are to give him the name Jesus.”
Mary was confused; she was not yet married to Joseph, so how could she have a baby? The angel thought that this might concern Mary so he said, “The Holy Spirit will perform a miracle, and because of this your baby will be called the Son of God.”
To Mary’s surprise, the angel had more exciting news: “Even your cousin Elizabeth is going to have a son in her old age. Many thought that she couldn’t have children, but she is already pregnant. Nothing is impossible with God.”
Mary couldn’t believe what she was hearing; she didn’t know what to say. She realized that she was trembling, and knelt down. When she was finally able to speak she said, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I hope everything you have said will come true.”
Then the angel disappeared, and Mary was left alone.
Soon after, Joseph found out that Mary was going to have a baby. Joseph was confused and upset by this, but an angel came to him in a dream and said, “Joseph do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The child Mary is going to have is God’s son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”
When Joseph woke up he remembered what the angel had said. He knew that everything was okay, and he wasn’t upset anymore.
In those days, the government decided that they should count everyone that lived in that area of the world. So Joseph had to take Mary to his town of Bethlehem to register.
It took Mary and Joseph a long time to get to Bethlehem. They didn’t have cars back then, so it probably took them a lot longer to get there. This was very tiring for Mary because she was soon going to have a baby.
When they reached the town, all the hotels were full and there was nowhere that they could stay. Finally, someone felt bad for them and offered them a place to stay.
The Bible doesn’t say for sure where they stayed but most people think that they stayed in a small barn where animals were kept. In any case, doesn’t it seem strange that Jesus, the King of the Jews wasn’t born in a fancy palace or even a hospital?
Mary and Joseph were thankful that they at least had a place to lie down. It was warm, and there was plenty of straw to lay on.
That night an exciting, wonderful thing happened: Mary and Joseph had a baby! But this wasn’t just any baby, he was Baby Jesus! The creator of the whole world, the King of Kings, and the one who would save the world.
The little baby boy fell asleep in Mary’s arms. She wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger on some clean straw.
Joseph was searching for a place to stay in Bethlehem…
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE BIRTH OF CHRIST!
Two different interpretation of the Manager Scene:
The Birth of Christ
https://youtu.be/Q8WgNUrwk_E
Christmas
page 245 “Blest Are We”
Time to remember: Jesus is the promised Savior, He is the Light of the World!
We remember Jesus in the Christmas candles and Christmas lights.
God promised a savior from the Family of King David, (the Old Testament). David was from Bethlehem. Read the Story of David from “Bible Stories” by Sister Anna Louise
Time to believe: Jesus is the third person in the Trinity and he is God’s Son!
Time to celebrate: Holy Birthday Party!
BLESS THE BABY JESUS
Weekend Mass: December 16/17
Parishioners are all asked to bring to one of the Masses on this weekend their statue of the Baby Jesus that is to be placed in their family Nativity crèche. At the end of Mass the priest will extend a blessing over the images of the Infant Christ Child as a sign of Christ’s central place in our homes.
Advent page 244 in “Blest Are We”
Advent—a celebration of the three comings of Christ:
1. History – Birth of Jesus 2016 years ago.
2. Present – Mystery-
a. In our families, in our church, in our teachers, etc.
b. In Sacraments through the Holy Spirit: Eucharist, Reconciliation, Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony and Holy Orders
3. Future—Majesty- The second coming at the end of time as a King
(referenced in the Book of Revelations)
Jesus’ comings in history, mystery, and majesty!
Dec. 6 is the Penance service. We went over the procedure for the confessions and Act of Contrition.
“Blest are We” grade 4 chapter 14 pp.163-166, 168- 169
Because there is sin in the world, we live on earth and someday we will die. But God provides us a way to save ourselves/our souls. In the Old Testament, they sacrificed an animal or food on an altar for a person’s sins. In the New Testament, Jesus is our sacrifice on the cross. We also offer the ”sacrifice of the Mass” for the forgiveness of sins.
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
Moses’s childhood and calling.
We are beginning Moses’s Life and the ten Commandments.
“Four hundred years ago, the first American colony was settled at Jamestown. Think of how much has changed since then! Four hundred years is a long time, and that’s how long the Hebrew people remained in Egypt after Joseph. Over time a new Pharaoh came to power who did not know Joseph. He made the Hebrew (Jewish people) into slaves. Because the Hebrew population have increased so much, Pharaoh decided every male Hebrew infant should be killed, so slaves would stay weak and afraid. The God began to reveal a plan to deliver his people.” -My Big Book of Catholic Bible stories.
Moses fled from Pharaoh’s court because he had killed a Egyptian for mistreating a Hebrew slave. He lived in the wilderness of Sinai as a shepherd of sheep.
I am the Lord, your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.
Second Commandment:
You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.
Third Commandment
Remember to keep the Sabbath day.
Biblical Maps
Moses and the Plagues
Moses was instructed by God to go to Pharaoh to free the Jewish(Hebrew) people. Moses had to convince Pharaoh to “Let His People Go!”
We will read about how Moses warned the Egyptians of God’s will to free the Hebrew Slaves. There were 10 Plagues that tormented the Egyptians.
We will learn about the Passover. The Lamb is the sacrifice for the Passover meal. The passover meal allows the Jewish Hebrews to be free.
Jesus celebrated the last supper during the Feast of the Passover. We call Jesus the “Lamb of God.” Is Jesus the sacrifice for our sins? Does Jesus allow us to be free? Free from what?
During Mass we celebrate the Eucharist. The unleavened bread that is offered up. In the Mass there are many prayers and ceremonies that are from the Jewish Passover meal .
“Blest are We” grade 4 page 263 bottom of page: “Eucharist”
More about the Passover (parents): New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia “Pasch or Passover”In class we will look at some Jewish Passover customs, games, Seder plate and Kiddush Cup-
Contrast the first “Passover Covenant” and the “Renewed Covenant” we celebrate at Mass.
Moses’ mother saves Moses life by hiding in a basket and floating him downstream.
God speaks to Moses through the Burning Bush
One of the plagues on Egypt is the Hail of Fire
The Last Plague was the Passover. They are saved by the Blood of the Lamb
God leads Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt by a pillar of fire at night
Parting of the Red Sea
We cut out the prayers on the handouts “Our Prayers”(below) and pasted them to the inside covers of our books and folders. We will refer to them often.
To home-schooled students: We are behind in the class work due to fire drills, projects and prayer time…Take time to pray for your loved ones, light a candle of remembrance if you want. We are learning and worshiping our Holy Lord God!
We talked about the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) a Mexican Celebration of all the souls that died. They set up an “altar” with a statue of Mary, flowers, and pictures of loved ones that have passed. We did the prayer service above and each student remembered someone from his or her family that has died.
Handout for Halloween, All Saints and All Souls Days:
We just came back from the Missionaries of the Poor.
Review:
A couple of weeks ago, we talked about Noah and the flood, Abram and Sarah and their son Issac.
God made a covenant(a sacred promise) with Noah:
Genesis 9:15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and every living creature—every mortal being—so that the waters will never again become a flood to destroy every mortal being.
God made a covenant with Abram and changed his name to Abraham:
Abraham and Issac
Genesis 17:5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a multitude of nations.
Genesis17:7 I will maintain my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting covenant, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you…. and I will be their God.
“I will be your God if you will be my people”
God still makes that covenant with us today.
Abraham’s son, Issac married Rebbecca. The had two sons Esau and Jacob. Esau was a hunter and good cook, Jacob was a Shepherd of Sheep. Jacob inherited the land and rights of his father Isaac.
Jacob, (also known as “Israel”), had 12 sons. They would be the 12 tribes of the nation Israel.
Jacob married Leah and Rachel. Their sons were: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Asher
