Introduction
Throughout November, but especially on the 2nd of November, we are invited to remember our relatives and friends who passed away. A good way to do this is by visiting them in the cemetery and putting flowers or lighting a candle on the grave.
Reflection
We, persons, depend on each other. The Saints we celebrate on the 1st of November pray to God for us people still living in the world. On the other hand, the souls of the faithful departed depend on our love, prayers and good deeds for the repose of their souls.
Let us sing together:
Activity / Game
Equipment – a candle for each class.
Light the candle. While doing this ask the children to think about a nice memory of a relative or friend of theirs who passed away.
The candles may, later on, be offered during the offering of the November mass celebrated in school, or a child from each class holds a candle and take part in the introductory procession of the mass and put them on the altar.
Video Clip
All Sould Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqstJiUzMs8
Prayer
O Lord, strengthen our hope that our departed relatives and friends will share in your resurrection. Amen.
On the 2nd of November, we celebrate the memory of the deceased. We are asked to think of them by cherishing their memories with us and to pray for their souls.
Reflection
Having a feast like this may sound a bit dismal or scary. But for the faithful, it should not be. This feast should serve as a valuable reminder of who we are and what we are made for. Celebrating All Souls’ Day is one way to never forget those who have gone before us. This feast was officially approved by Rome in the fourteenth century, and eventually, the whole month of November became the month to pray, especially for the faithful departed.
Activity
Students will write to names of two deceased persons they know. Then the animator collects them and will be part of the offerings during the mass celebrated at school for All Souls’ Day. (templated attached)
Video Clip
(one can show the video clip without sound too for personal meditation)
Prayer
Dear Lord, we pray for the souls of our families and friends who passed away. May they rest in peace, and may we see them again someday. Bless with your courage those people who are mourning loved ones at this time. Amen.
Introduction
Animator: Good morning/afternoon, dear students!
Welcome to today’s reflection on living love through the memory of others. As followers of Christ, we are called to remember and honour those who have gone before us, cherishing their lives, and embracing the love they shared. Today, we will explore the power of memory and how it can inspire us to live lives filled with love.
Video Clip
The animator tells the students to watch this short video clip entitled:
Stuff we did, Pixar’s Up
Animator: Wasn’t that a powerful video? It beautifully illustrates the memory of our dear deceased loved ones. Now, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we have just seen and discuss how we can apply these memories to our lives.
Reflection
In our life, we encounter many individuals who leave lasting imprints on our hearts. They may be family members, friends, or even saints who have gone before us. On the 2nd of November, we celebrate their memory and pray for their souls. As we cherish their lives, and embrace the love they shared and their wisdom, we continue to live love through their memories which inspire our lives to be filled with love.
1 minute of silence
The animator invites the students to make a minute of silence and think of family members, friends, or even saints who have gone before us.
The Bible encourages us to remember the faith of those who have come before us, as we read in Hebrews 13:7:
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of reflecting on the lives of those who have gone before us, learning from their examples, and allowing their memory to inspire us in our own journey of faith.
Activity
Memory Box
The animator invites the students to create a memory box to celebrate the memory of a dear deceased loved one.
Think of a dear deceased loved one and celebrate the beauty of his or her life by creating a memory box. One may gather meaningful items such as photographs, cards, tickets, drawings, trinkets, or souvenirs that hold sentimental value. One may also write quotes or phrases that this person used to say or tell a funny story in memory of them.
Questions
The animator asks these questions for students’ participation:
- How can we honour the memory of our loved ones or role models in our daily lives?
- In what ways can we pass on the lessons we have learned from them to future generations?
- Are there any specific saints or individuals from the Catholic tradition whose memory inspires you? How do they influence your faith and understanding of love?
The animator invites the students to either discuss these questions with another student or write down their thoughts for personal reflection.
The animator pauses for students’ participation.
Prayer
Animator: Let us now gather our thoughts and turn our hearts to God in prayer.
Dear God, as we remember family members, friends, or even saints who have gone before us, we thank you for the gift of memory. Help us to embrace their values and virtues, allowing their memory to inspire us to live lives filled with compassion, kindness, and selflessness.
Conclusion
Animator: Thank you, everyone, for joining us today in this reflection on living love through the memory of others. May we carry the love and wisdom of those who have gone before us in our hearts and allow their memory to inspire us to be vessels of God’s love in the world.
Have a blessed day!
Introduction
Animator: Good morning, dear Students!
Welcome to today’s reflection on living love through the memory of others. As followers of Christ, we are called to remember and honour those who have gone before us, cherishing their lives, and embracing the love they shared. Today, we will explore the power of memory and how it can inspire us to live lives filled with love.
Video Clip
The animator tells the students to watch this short video clip entitled:
The Speech That Brought This Entire School To Tears
Animator: Wasn’t that a powerful video? It beautifully illustrates the memory of our dear deceased loved ones. Now, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we have just seen and discuss how we can apply these memories to our lives.
Reflection
In our life, we encounter many individuals who leave lasting imprints on our hearts. They may be family members, friends, or even saints who have gone before us. On the 2nd of November, we celebrate their memory and pray for their souls. As we cherish their lives and embrace the love they shared and their wisdom, we continue to live love through their memories which inspire our lives to be filled with love.
1 minute of silence
The animator invites the students to make a minute of silence and think of family members, friends, or even saints who have gone before us.
The Bible encourages us to remember the faith of those who have come before us, as we read in Hebrews 13:7:
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of reflecting on the lives of those who have gone before us, learning from their examples, and allowing their memory to inspire us in our journey of faith.
Activity
Memory Box
The animator invites the students to create a memory box to celebrate the memory of a dear deceased loved one.
Think of a dear deceased loved one and celebrate the beauty of his or her life by creating a memory box. One may gather meaningful items such as photographs, cards, tickets, drawings, trinkets, or souvenirs that hold sentimental value. One may also write quotes or phrases that this person used to say or tell a funny story in memory of them.
Questions
The animator asks these questions for students’ participation:
- How can we honour the memory of our loved ones or role models in our daily lives?
- How can we pass on the lessons we have learned from them to future generations?
- Are there any specific saints or individuals from the Catholic tradition whose memory inspires you? How do they influence your faith and understanding of love?
The animator invites the students to discuss these questions with another student or write down their thoughts for personal reflection.
The animator pauses for students’ participation.
Prayer
Animator: Let us now gather our thoughts and turn our hearts to God in prayer.
Dear God, as we remember family members, friends, or even saints who have gone before us, we thank you for the gift of memory. Help us to embrace their values and virtues, allowing their memory to inspire us to live lives filled with compassion, kindness, and selflessness.
Conclusion
Animator: Thank you, everyone, for joining us today in this reflection on living love through the memory of others. May we carry the love and wisdom of those who have gone before us in our hearts and allow their memory to inspire us to be vessels of God’s love in the world.
Have a blessed day!