Choosing To Do Good – session

November 2022

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Malti

Presentation

Introduction

Sign of the Cross

How are you, dear children?

October is over and a new month has just started. In which month are we now? We are during the month of November. On the 11^th of November, we celebrate the feast of a saint who was a young boy like you, who used to attend school and obey all those who used to take care of him.

Show this image to the children

Short Questions with regard to the image

Which of the persons is St Martin?
What is he wearing?
What colour is the cloak?
What is he holding in his hand?
What do you think he will be doing?
What else can you see in the picture?

Video

Moral Message

Saint Martin teaches us to be at peace and to love everyone.

Maltese Traditional Song

Presentation

Introduction

Let’s make the sign of the Cross

During the month of November, the church celebrates these three feasts.

All Saints Day
We remember the souls of our relatives who are resting in peace
The famous feast of St Martin of Tours

Game – Find Your Saint

On their tablets, the students will search for a saint that starts with the same letter as their names.

Everyone, in turn, mention the saint they found. (It’s like the litany of Saints)

Saint Martin

Mime

After watching and listening to the relation of the story the students present a mime.

Student 1 – St Martin

Student 2 – The poor man

Student 3 – The narrator

Discussion – What does Saint Martin teach us?

In the end, the animator will deliver this message:

Wherever we are, and whatever we are doing, like St Martin who in a similar way as you was a boy and a student, he grew up, became a priest like me, and then a bishop. In all his roles, he loved Jesus by showing mercy to everyone, and through his weapon, a sword, what did he do? He changed it into a weapon of peace with the poor man.

Song

Other Activities and Resources

All Souls

All Souls Day which is celebrated on the 2^nd of November originated in ancient times. We find a reference also in the Bible, in the Old Testament, in the Book of Maccabees. This feast was approved in the Church in the fourteenth century.

Now, in a quiet moment, let us think of a departed person we know.

A minute of silence.

Let us pray together:

Eternal rest, grant unto the Departed O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Presentation

Time

30 minutes

Aim

To reflect that we find inner peace when we discover our Purpose in life.

Learning Outcomes

The students understand the importance of silence, prayer, discernment, and spiritual guidance to find purpose in life in a world full of distractions.
They understand that God walks with us in life and shows us His love in daily circumstances and with the people we meet.
The students understand that when we experience God’s love we can choose to do good and love others as God has loved us.

Resources

Powerpoint, interactive whiteboard

Introduction

Step 1

(Slide 1-2) The animator starts by telling the students they are going to watch a video clip showing a short vox pop in which people of different ages and beliefs are asked this question: What is the purpose of life?

(Use subtitles in English so that the students can follow.

Show footage from 00:32-01:46 only)

Lesson development

Step 2

(Slide 3) The animator asks the students the following questions to get feedback from them.

Which answer did you agree with? Why?
Was there an answer you did not agree with? Why?
How would you answer this question?

The animator encourages the students to write their answers to the question on the interactive whiteboard or on a large sheet of paper in the middle of the classroom. The students can also express themselves through drawing if they want to.

Step 3

(Slide 4) The animator then uses the pictures on this slide for discussion and feedback with the students. Some of the following questions may be used to encourage the students to express themselves.

What can distract me from finding true purpose in life?

Lack of reflective moments, Constant activities/events, materialism, busy life, consumerism, digital technology, and social media, escape from silence.How can spiritual guidance and prayer help us find purpose?(Suggested answer: Understanding how God works in our life, interpreting God’s plan through everyday circumstances, our history, and the people in our life)

2. What makes life purposeful?

3. How can I discover God’s plan in everyday circumstances?

personal prayer and reflection, spiritual journaling, retreats, spiritual direction or companionship

Step 5

(Slide 5) The animator shows the students a short clip with the timeline of these projects and discuss his life briefly.

The animator uses the example of Bjorn Formosa to help the students reflect on people who found purpose in life by choosing to do good and encouraging others to do so as well. Out of a difficult situation, Bjorn saw God’s plan and used the circumstances to do good to others and encourage others to do good as well.

If the animator needs information about Bjorn Formosa and his projects the animator can use this website. https://www.darbjorn.com/ .

Step 6

(Slide 6) The animator uses the bible verse in slide 6 to make reflections about the purpose of life which God gives us.

(Slide 7)

Prayer

Oh God, you created me with a purpose, to experience your love and to love others as you have loved us. Help me to discover your plan for my life in the daily circumstances and events of my life. Amen.

Optional follow-up resources

Arms Wide Open

In this prayer space one thinks of people who deserve a warm welcome and to pray so one puts love and compassion into practice.

Be Still: Chapel

In the space just be. Be at peace in a place where one becomes aware of God.

Being Brave

This space is to help one think of the situation where bravery is needed and to ask God for courage.

Be Merciful

In connection with the Pope Francis’ visit to the Malta, in this Prayer Space one is asked to think about acts of love he/she can carry out in his/her life, and to thank God for his mercy towards him/her.

References and other optional resources for the animator

The Depth of God’s Love for Me

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-09/pope-general-audience-discernment-ignatius-loyola.html

You Have No Purpose (In the Way that You Think)

Presentation

Time

30 minutes

Aim

To reflect that we find inner peace when we discover our Purpose in life.

Learning Outcomes

The students understand the importance of silence, prayer, discernment, and spiritual guidance to find purpose in life in a world full of distractions.
They understand that God walks with us in life and shows us His love in daily circumstances and with the people we meet.
The students understand that when we experience God’s love we can choose to do good and love others as God has loved us.

Resources

Powerpoint, interactive whiteboard

Introduction

Step 1

(Slide 1-2) The animator starts by telling the students they are going to watch a video clip showing a short vox pop in which people of different ages and beliefs are asked this question: What is the purpose of life?

(Use subtitles in English so that the students can follow.

Show footage from 00:32-01:46 only)

Lesson development

Step 2

(Slide 3) The animator asks the students the following questions to get feedback from them.

Which answer did you agree with? Why?
Was there an answer you did not agree with? Why?
How would you answer this question?

The animator encourages the students to write their answers to the question on the interactive whiteboard or on a large sheet of paper in the middle of the classroom. The students can also express themselves through drawing if they want to.

Step 3

(Slide 4) The animator then uses the pictures on this slide for discussion and feedback with the students. Some of the following questions may be used to encourage the students to express themselves.

1. What can distract me from finding true purpose in life?

Lack of reflective moments, Constant activities/events, materialism, busy life, consumerism, digital technology, and social media, escape from silence.

2. How can spiritual guidance and prayer help us find purpose?

(Suggested answer: Understanding how God works in our life, interpreting God’s plan through everyday circumstances, our history, and the people in our life)

3. What makes life purposeful?

4. How can I discover God’s plan in everyday circumstances?

personal prayer and reflection, spiritual journaling, retreats, spiritual direction or companionship

Step 5

(Slide 5) The animator shows the students a short clip with the timeline of these projects and discuss his life briefly.

The animator uses the example of Bjorn Formosa to help the students reflect on people who found purpose in life by choosing to do good and encouraging others to do so as well. Out of a difficult situation, Bjorn saw God’s plan and used the circumstances to do good to others and encourage others to do good as well.

If the animator needs information about Bjorn Formosa and his projects the animator can use this website. https://www.darbjorn.com/ .

Step 6

(Slide 6) The animator uses the bible verse in slide 6 to make reflections about the purpose of life which God gives us.

(Slide 7)

Prayer

Oh God, you created me with a purpose, to experience your love and to love others as you have loved us. Help me to discover your plan for my life in the daily circumstances and events of my life. Amen.

Optional follow-up resources