Objective: to inspire students to learn from the wisdom and experiences of their own parents and grandparents, fostering a sense of hope and appreciation passed down through generations.
Welcome
Hello, everyone! I’m so happy to see you all here today. Look at this picture. Who can you see? A grandad, a dad and a son.
We’re going to talk about something very special – how much we can learn from our parents and grandparents. They are very important in our lives and can teach us many wonderful things.
Reflection
Our parents and grandparents are like our first teachers. They love us very much and show us how to be kind and helpful. When we are babies, they take care of us, feed us, and make sure we are safe. This teaches us about love and taking care of others.
Our grandparents tell us stories about their lives and about our family. These stories help us know where we come from and make us feel connected to our family. We learn about our culture and traditions, like special holidays and family recipes, which are very fun and important. SHARING: Ask the children if they want to share stories their grandparents tell them.
Our parents and grandparents also teach us practical things. For example, they might show us how to tie our shoes, ride a bike or bake cookies. These lessons are useful and help us become more independent. SHARING : Ask the children to share things they have learnt from their parents/grandparents.
They also teach us important values, like telling the truth, sharing with others, and being respectful. These values help us become good people and make good choices.
Video
Family Education Series – Caring For My Family – https://youtu.be/VaIce3-6RAI
Discuss the part where it says showing respect and giving time to your elderly family members.
Activity – Candles for my family
Resources needed: A5 paper OR a handout with candle templates (one candle for each student), coloured pencils, scissors)
Instructions:
Draw a candle for each family member or cut out a candle from the template provided. Draw or write the names of family members, even those who have passed away. Include family members who might be living in another country if you want. Write your name on the paper. Colour your candle. When everybody is finished we can all say the following prayer while holding up the colourful candles in our hands.
Prayer
Dear God, Thank you for our parents and grandparents. Thank you for their love, their stories, and the things they teach us. Help us to listen to them and learn from them. Bless our families and keep us all safe and happy. Amen
Prayer for the departed
Eternal rest grant unto them, (students can mention a relative of theirs who passed away), O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
(Explain that it is important that during mass or other moments of prayer we remember those people who passed away and pray for them.)
Objective: to inspire students to learn from the wisdom and experiences of saints and their parents and grandparents, fostering a sense of hope and appreciation passed down through generations.
Introduction
Begin with a warm welcome and a brief discussion on learning from those who have come before us. Introduce the theme: “Sowing Hope – Learning from the Wise.”
Mention the events of All Saints Day and St. Martin Feast, highlighting their significance. Just like a seed grows into a strong tree because of the care it receives, we grow strong and hopeful by learning from those who came before us.
Story/Video: Carlo Acutis Animation
Discuss: What do we learn from St Carlo Acutis? (We can all become saints because Carlo was like you and me. He made use of the internet as a means to bring people closer to God. The importance of prayer is to stay connected with God.)
Activity: “Family Wisdom Tree”
Resources: template with leaves (one leaf per student), scissors, pencil colours.
Instructions:
- Provide each student with a paper leaf or ask the students to cut the shape of a leaf out of a paper. (or print template attached)
- Ask them to write or draw a piece of advice or a lesson they have learnt from their parents or grandparents. (They can then colour their leaf green).
- Collect the leaves and attach them to a large paper tree displayed in the classroom.
Reflection
Before collecting the leaves, ask those students who want to share what they wrote or drew to read/show it to the class and explain how it has helped them. Reflect on important messages that may arise. (You can suggest that the students can pray for the deceased family members or friends during Holy Mass or other moments of prayer.)
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the saints and their inspiring lives. Thank you to our parents and grandparents, who teach us valuable lessons every day. Please help us to always appreciate their wisdom and to grow into hopeful and kind people. Amen.
Objective: Cultivating a sense of appreciation for the memory of older/wiser people and the Saints who teach us through their success stories and example
Welcome (2 min.)
- The animator greets students and then reminds them about the year theme, Sowing Hope and the importance of being like the “good soil” – open for what God wants to do in and through us this year.
- The animator leads students to quiet down, starting with the sign of the cross and a simple thanksgiving prayer.
Sharing (5 min.)
- The animator intrigues us that after the last session, we can better appreciate that fruit comes from planted seeds, the origin of the seed itself remains a mystery to many – and listen to some reactions, especially from those who are unsure.
- The animator sustains through visuals in the background that the seed comes from previous fruit and asks where we would get the seed of hope we‘d like to sow this year.
- The animator suggests that it comes from the fruit (the success stories and good examples) of those who are older or wiser, including persons who love us or inspire us (even the departed – we are in November),
Video (8 min.)
- The animator states that by speaking of success stories and good examples, we, as Christians, must especially learn from the Saints.
- The animator shows the following without explanation:
Bl. Carlo Acutis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oJyA6r-l9Y
St Martin de Porres https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ_kxvorjRQ
St Teresa of Calcutta https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpNGcR48JtQ
St Kateri Tekakwitha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkt9oFQvIP8
Reflection (3 mins)
- The animator hands a halved fruit template to the students.
- The animator leads students to reflect on the saint with the most relatable story.
- The animator invites 2 volunteers to share their thoughts.
Prayer (2 mins)
- The animator asks students to write a prayer to God, asking him to grant them the strength they need to be like their models.
- The animator prays the following or similar:
Dear God, thank you for the saints you’ve given us as models and those who help/ed us sow the seed of hope – be it parents, teachers, loved ones, including the deceased. Strengthen us as we follow them so that through our success stories and examples, we can touch the lives of others and give you Glory. Amen.
Objective: Cultivating a sense of appreciation for the memory of older/wiser people and the Saints who teach us through their success stories and example
Introduction (2 min.)
- The animator greets students and then reminds them about the year’s theme, Sowing Hope, and the importance of being like the “good soil” – open to what God wants to do in us and through us this year.
- The animator leads students to quiet down, starting with the sign of the cross and a simple thanksgiving prayer.
Sharing (5 min.)
- The animator intrigues us that after the last session, we can better appreciate that fruit comes from planted seeds, the origin of the seed itself remains a mystery to many – and listen to some reactions, especially from those who are unsure.
- The animator sustains through visuals in the background that the seed comes from previous fruit and asks where we would get the seed of hope we‘d like to sow this year.
- The animator suggests that it comes from the fruit (the success stories and good examples) of those who are older or wiser, including persons who love us or inspire us (even the departed – we are in November),
Video (7 min.)
- The animator states that by speaking of success stories and good examples, we, as Christians, must especially learn from the Saints.
- The animator shows the following without explanation:
St Augustine of Hippo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSnOWMKeBlE
St Oscar Romero https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHkpN6b2IU4
St Edith Stein https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUaDHBkk3x8
St Josephine Bakhita https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFccYcenT6Y
Reflection (4 mins)
- The animator hands a halved fruit template to the students.
- The animator leads students to reflect on the saint with the most relatable story.
- The animator invites 2 volunteers to share their thoughts.
Prayer (2 mins)
- The animator asks students to write a prayer to God, asking him to grant them the strength they need to be like their models.
- The animator prays the following or similar:
Dear God, thank you for the saints you’ve given us as models and those who help/ed us sow the seed of hope – be it parents, teachers, loved ones, including the deceased. Strengthen us as we follow them so that through our success stories and examples, we can touch the lives of others and give you Glory. Amen.