Welcome to our December Generations session! I'm so glad you made time for some faith experiences with your family today. Remember that all things we do together as families are sacred.
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Start by checking out this intro video which will explain what's in your family kit for this month: "Our Journey to Bethlehem" As always, I'm looking forward to #learningfaithtogether.
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Kits for this month's session can be picked up at St. Michael Parish at the GOF doors on: Tuesday, December 15th or Wednesday, December 16th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM or, in the parish office anytime after Tuesday, December 15th.
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Don't forget to join us LIVE for an introduction to this month's theme on Facebook:
Sunday, December 13th at 12:30 PM
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The live presentation video will be uploaded to our website 24 hours after it occurs.
Opening Prayer
What's in the Kit?
Exploring Faith Together
Welcome to our playlists! Each list is geared with activities, games and more for different ages of kids.
Feel free to have older siblings help younger siblings - we learn from teaching and doing together too. :D
Feel free to work through the playlist at your own pace, you do not need to complete it all at once.
Take a picture or two along the way and e-mail them to Nicky at or send them to me on our Remind app. It will be a great way for us to stay connected!
Grades K-1:
Read
"Mary, Mother of Jesus"
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Listen in to Mrs. Holecko read this fun Echo Story about Advent.
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Get ready to do some motions!
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Watch
Learn more about Advent and what the season means with Brother Francis!
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Of note - the advent calendar that Brother Francis talks about in the video is paid - but if you want a cool free one - click below!
Work on making the wreath and find a special place for it during this Advent Season.
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Pray
Pray this special Advent prayer with your family this month:
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God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.
Amen.
Additional K-1 Resources:
Watch this 5 minute clip from "The Star" to remember who we find at the end of our Journey to Bethlehem.
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After you read the story, wonder about these together:
Who are we waiting for during Advent?
How does your family celebrate Advent?
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First Reconciliation Preparation:
Read
This month, we will be focusing on how the Holy Spirit teaches us.
Read this story from Gospel of St. John to learn more.​
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Watch
You read a story about a special promise from Jesus to receive the Holy Spirit.
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Now, watch a video to learn a little more about what that means.
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Do
Find the piece of construction paper in your kit and fold it in half.
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You can decorate the outside however you would like. On the inside write a special card to Jesus talking about how you are feeling about celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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Bring it with you on the night of our celebration.
Pray
The Holy Spirit helps us prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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The Holy Spirit can help us remember the times we did things we are sorry for and need to ask for forgiveness from. This is called and Examination of Conscience.
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Let's practice this together this month.
Grades 3-5:
Read
During Advent, we prepare for Jesus to come in many different ways. We remember that he came at Christmas as a baby. We prepare for him to come to us in our hearts, and we prepare for the day he will come again to our earth.
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Read more about his 2nd coming to earth in this short passage from Jared Dees.
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Watch
What is the season of Advent about?
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What are we waiting for?
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Learn the basics in this 1 minute video all about Advent.
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Do
Our session is entitled, "The Journey to Bethlehem." Mary rode a donkey all the way there!
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Find the craft kit in your materials and make a donkey ornament to remember The Holy Family's journey to Bethlehem.
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While our journey to Jesus' coming in our hearts, and his 2nd coming looks different, may the Holy Family guide us on our way.
Pray
Pray this special Advent prayer with your family this month:
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God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.
Amen.
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Additional Resources:
Hear what these kids have to say about Reconciliation:
At our parish, we celebrate Advent by lighting the Advent wreath each week, singing Advent songs, participating in the Giving Tree project, and praying Evening Prayer together once a week.
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Read more about how different cultures around the world celebrate Advent and Christmas below.
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Watch
Advent is a time of waiting, hope, and anticipation. This video, made by our Lutheran brothers and sisters, explores the meaning of the Season of Advent.
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Please note, as Catholics, we decorate the church in purple, rather than blue, but the meaning of the season is the same for us.
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Do
Let's see what you all know about the Season of Advent with this Jeopardy! game.
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You can play as a competition by selecting a number of teams, or by yourself, "no teams."
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The space bar reveals the correct answer and the "ESC" button takes you back to the categories for selection.
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Pray
Pray this special Advent prayer with your family this month:
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God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.
Amen.
Adults
Read
Advent is a season for all of us to prepare for the coming of Jesus, our Lord!
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Check out these "5 Ways to Nourish Your Faith" during the Advent Season.
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Special thanks to St. Mary's Press for this great resource!
Watch
Advent is all about waiting in joyful hope. But, as a culture, we tend not to be so good at waiting.
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Listen in to Bishop Barron's 5 minute reflection on a Spirituality of Advent.
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Do
Check out this family advent and Christmas Calendar for St. Mary's Press about Journeying Joyfully.
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The calendar will help you celebrate both the Advent and Christmas seasons.
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Pray
Choose an Advent Hymn to pray with over the course of this month. Let the words take root in your heart as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior!
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Can't think of one? Check out "Breath of Heaven" linked below.
Additional 6-8 Resources:
Advent explained in 60 seconds with Lego:
Additional Adult Resources:
A brief overview of the Advent Season:
Praying Together
Sharing Together
Don't forget to send a picture of yourself working on our projects for the month of October to: or on Remind. Thanks!
