Celebrate Children - Younger Child Lesson

Scripture
In the Bible, children are seen as gifts from God. Psalm 127 The psalms and Old Testament readings say this over and over.

In the Gospel of Mark, we read the story of the apostles trying to keep children away from Jesus. Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, do not keep them away, for the kingdom of God belongs to those who are just like them." Mark 10:14 Jesus wants you to be very close to him.

In his letter to the people of Ephesus, St. Paul wrote that they should, "Walk as children of light...and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." Ephesians 5:8,10-11. This is what we all must try to do.

Important writings of our Church
When John Paul II was Pope, he wrote a special letter just to children. He wrote about how important children are in the eyes of Jesus and said that the whole Gospel is filled with children. He asked all children to be very serious about their religion lessons and about receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. He said that people who want to go to heaven must be, "Simple like little children, full of trust, rich in goodness and pure." Letter of the Pope to Children in the Year of the Family. The letter was written by the Pope for all children of all time and that includes you and all your brothers and sisters and friends. Isn't it wonderful that you are so important to Jesus and our Church that the Pope would write a special letter just to you? Perhaps your mom or dad or teacher could read the whole letter to you. Perhaps someday you can read it for yourself.
John Paul II's letter, The Gospel of Life, which we have been learning about in our Life Lessons, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church both say that parents and all adults have the very important job of taking care of children and teaching them right from wrong according to God's law. They make it clear that adults must respect children. They also say that children should respect and obey their parents and their teachers and others who care for them in all that is right. If any adult tells a child to do something that is wrong though, he or she must not obey.

More about our lesson
Our society does not always take care of children as it should. Before they are born, some babies are killed by abortion. Other children are poor, hungry or neglected. Our Catholic Church says that every child is a precious gift from God that will never be repeated. You will always be a precious child of God. Even when you are struggling with school work, or with friends, or at home with your family, God loves you more than anything else he ever created. Sometimes you might not believe you are as good and lovable as you are. Sometimes you might not treat your family or friends like they are also good and lovable. Did you know that you can celebrate the goodness of children just by being kind and loving and doing your best to do what is right? Well, you can. And if everyone decided to celebrate life by being that way for just one day, can you imagine how peaceful things would be?
In the history of our Church there were many children who became saints. Remember, when you are being your best, kind and loving, honest and happy self, you become God's special model for how we all should live. Of course, no one is perfect, so remember too, that when you fail and then say you are sorry and really mean it, you show us how God wants us to make up and start again. When you think about it, you can see that you and all children are very important to God, and to our Church, and to our whole world. That is definitely something to celebrate!

Thinking and talking about our lesson
When do you feel most special and loved? If you could draw a picture of the gift you are, what would your picture look like? Do you think you are a good example to your family and friends? How? Do you know any stories about boys or girls who became saints? If so, share one. If not, ask someone to tell you one. If you were Pope today, what would you say to the children of the world to help them know how much they are loved? Write down your message and share it with your classmates or your family.

Something to do at home with your family
You might be getting an invitation soon to come to a special celebration in your honor. Even if you think that's a little silly, just go along with it and have fun. Don't forget that when you take time to play and pray with your family, you give them the gift of you. It's important for adults to laugh and have fun too and it is often much easier for them to do that when they do it with children. The good times you have with your family will become happy memories for all of you, so have a great time celebrating you and the life and love you share.

Prayer
The Prayer to the Guardian Angel is a favorite prayer of children of all ages. Many parents use this prayer to pray to their own guardian angels and to their children's angels too.

"Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Make this prayer a part of your family prayers this month and sign one another's heads with a cross before leaving the house for the day. This is a way of trusting each other to the care and protection of God. It is like saying, "God bless you and go with you throughout your day."

Also pray in a special way for all children, especially those who are poor, starving, ill and in countries where there is war.

Celebrate Children - Teen/Older Child Lesson

Scripture
"Children are a heritage from the Lord..." Psalm 127

"Let the children come to me, do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God." Mark 10:14

"The child grew up and matured in spirit.." Luke 1:80

"Walk as children of light...and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in unfruitful works of darkness." Ephesians 5:8, 10-11

Church documents - the important writings of our Church
"In children there is something that must never be missing in people who want to enter the kingdom of heaven. People who are destined to go to heaven are simple like children, and like children are full of trust, rich in goodness and pure. Only people of this sort can find in God a Father and, thanks to Jesus, can become in their own turn children of God."
Letter Of The Pope To Children In The Year Of The Family, John Paul II, December, 1994.

"In giving origin to a new life, parents recognize that the child, 'as the fruit of their mutual gift of love, is, in turn, a gift for both of them, a gift which flows from them.' It is above all in raising children that the family fulfills its mission to proclaim the Gospel of life...Christian parents must be concerned about their children's faith and help them to fulfill the vocation God has given them." Evangelium Vitae, paragraph 92, quoting John Paul II's address, "Contemporary Attitudes Towards Life and Death: a Challenge for Evangelization"

"Respect for parents derives from gratitude toward those who, by the gift of life, their love and their work, have brought their children into the world and enabled them to grow in stature, wisdom and grace...As long as a child lives at home with his (or her) parents the child should obey the parents in all that they ask when it is for his (or her) own good or that of the family. Children should also obey the reasonable directions of their teachers and all to whom their parents have entrusted them. But if a child is convinced in conscience that it would be morally wrong to obey a particular order, he (or she) must not do so....As they grow up, children should continue to respect their parents....Obedience toward parents ceases with the emancipation of the children; not so respect, which is always owed to them."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2215-2217

Some more thoughts about our theme
In a society that devalues the lives of innocent children to such an extent that it aborts them before birth and allows many who are born to suffer from poverty and neglect, the Church stands in defense of all children and sees them as wonderful gifts from God, not only to families, but also to the Church and all of society. The Church teaches us that every child should be cherished, loved and appreciated, not only by his or her own parents, but by teachers, mentors, and all adults as well. Every child, regardless of race, economic condition, physical or mental ability, or family situation, is a precious, unique and unrepeatable creation of God. This is true not only of an innocent, dependent infant but also of a child who may struggle in school, search for identity as an adolescent, or go through difficult times as a young adult.
At every stage of your life you are both gifted and gift to those whom God has given you in your life. Sometimes it might be difficult to believe that of yourself. That kind of belief takes a decision to believe that, even though you may not always feel wonderful, you are loved by God, your parents and many others. It also may take many decisions to act in ways that are deserving of love and respect and many decisions to see younger siblings, peers and the adults in your life as deserving of the same love and respect. As you learn to celebrate your own goodness and that of others, surround yourself with good friends and supportive adults, those who give you room to be yourself and at the same time offer you clear guidance and support in making choices that are good and right before God.
Once again, remember the words of Pope John Paul II when he spoke to young people. He said, "It has been the young people themselves who have taught me to have ever new and ever greater confidence...so many young people in all societies refuse to descend into selfishness and superficiality. They refuse to relinquish responsibility. That refusal is a beacon of hope." Quoting the words of St. Paul to the Corinthians, he also said, "I have great confidence in you, I have great pride in you; I am filled with encouragement, I am overflowing with joy." Please believe that just sincerely trying your best is definitely good enough for those who love you and remember that you will never be alone in a Church family who thanks God for the gift of life you are.

Reflection and group discussion
Is there anything in this Life Lesson that challenges you regarding your personal attitude toward yourself or toward others? What are the qualities of a child you would like to keep alive in you as you continue to mature? When do you feel best about yourself? What are some of the gifts or qualities you have that others might celebrate in you? Who are the good friends and supportive adults in your life?

Do you see yourself as a model for younger children? If so, who and how? If not, would you like to be? How might that be possible?

Faith-building at home
You might be receiving an invitation to a special celebration in your honor. If so, please attend willingly, even if it means making time or changing plans. Enter fully into the celebration. Remember that adults need children, including teens, in their lives. They also need to play and laugh and have fun because the world can be all too serious. Your willingness to spend time with your family is a gift of yourself. Good times together will be among the happiest memories of your life. These times usually become less possible as children grow older but they are still important, so, if you're invited, go and enjoy. Celebrate you and accept the love you're bound to experience.

Prayer
The following Prayer to the Guardian Angel is a traditional favorite of children of all ages. Many parents use this prayer to pray not only to their own guardian angels but to those of their children as well.

"Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen."

Make this prayer a part of your family prayers this month and combine it with the beautiful tradition of signing one another's foreheads with a cross before leaving the house for the day. This tradition trusts each other to the care and protection of God. It says, "God bless you and go with you throughout your day."

Also pray in a special way for all children, especially those who are poor, starving, ill and in the midst of war.

Celebrate Children - Adult Lesson

Scripture
"Children are a heritage from the Lord..." Psalm 127

"Let the children come to me, do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God." Mark 10:14

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for them to have a great millstone fastened round their necks and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6

"Walk as children of light...and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in unfruitful works of darkness." Ephesians 5:8, 10-11

Church documents
"In children there is something that must never be missing in people who want to enter the kingdom of heaven. People who are destined to go to heaven are simple like children, and like children are full of trust, rich in goodness and pure. Only people of this sort can find in God a Father and, thanks to Jesus, can become in their own turn children of God."
Letter Of The Pope To Children In The Year Of The Family, John Paul II, December, 1994.

"In giving origin to a new life, parents recognize that the child, 'as the fruit of their mutual gift of love, is, in turn, a gift for both of them, a gift which flows from them.' It is above all in raising children that the family fulfills its mission to proclaim the Gospel of life...Christian parents must be concerned about their children's faith and help them to fulfill the vocation God has given them." Evangelium Vitae, paragraph 92, quoting John Paul II's address, "Contemporary Attitudes Towards Life and Death: a Challenge for Evangelization"

"The fecundity of conjugal love cannot be reduced solely to the procreation of children, but must extend to their moral education and their spiritual formation. 'The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute.'... Parents must regard their children as children of God and respect them as human persons. Showing themselves obedient to the will of the Father in heaven, they educate their children to fulfill God's law. Parents have the first reaponsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues. This requires an apprenticeship in self-denial, sound judgement, and self-mastery - the preconditions of all true freedom. Parents should teach their children to subordinate the material and instinctual dimensions to interior and spiritual ones. Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children. By knowing how to acknowledge their own failings to their children, parents will be better able to guide and correct them..." Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2221-2223

Further development
In a society that devalues the lives of innocent children to such an extent that it aborts them before birth and allows many who are born to suffer from poverty and neglect, the Church stands in defense of all children and sees them as a wonderful gift from God, not only to families, but also to the Church and all of society.

Economic and political expedience at times seem to dictate that children are somehow a burden, that they are to be tolerated until they become adults, that only those who excel and those who win should be rewarded. In fact, every child should be loved and appreciated not only by his or her own parents, but by teachers, mentors and all adults as well. Children who are so respected will respect themselves and others. Children who are carefully disciplined with genuine and gentle kindness will learn peace, and violence will diminish.
The Church teaches us that every child, regardless of race, economic condition, physical or mental ability, or family situation, is a precious, unique and unrepeatable creation of God. This is true not only of an innocent, dependent infant but also of a child who may struggle in school, rebel as an adolescent, or make mistakes as a young adult. It is up to the adults in the life of any child to find the goodness worthy of praise and to believe in and celebrate life in those children whom God has given to them. The Church calls parents and all of society to respond with joy, enthusiasm and dedicated consistency to this most important of tasks, for, as John Paul II wrote in his encyclical, Familiaris Consortio, "In the Christian view, our treatment of children becomes a measure of our fidelity to the Lord himself."

Reflection and group discussion
Is there anything in this Life Lesson that challenges you regarding your personal attitude toward the children in your life, those in your home or in your work? When and in what situations do you find it most difficult to celebrate children in your life? When is it the easiest? Are there any changes you might be able to make in behavior or attitude that would make a spirit of celebration more a part of your relationship with the children in your life?

How are the children in your life a model for how you would like to grow spiritually?

Faith-building at home
Adults invite the children (including teens) in your home to a special celebration in their honor. Make special invitations. Plan a favorite meal or desert. Decorate festively with paper curls or balloons, ribbon or confetti. Make a cardboard heart for each child. Decorate the edges with colorful beads or ribbon. On one side write the child's name and the words, "You are wonderfully made." cf Psalm 139. Then list words or phrases that describe the goodness, wonder and gifts of the child. On the other side of the heart write the words, "This heart is good for one (or more) special outing, time of play or heart to heart talk between you and me. It is redeemable at a time of your choosing." Feel free to adapt this to fit your family. The point is for you to celebrate your child's goodness and to allow your child to claim the gifts of your time and love.

Prayer
The following Prayer to the Guardian Angel is a traditional favorite of children. Many parents use it to pray not only to their own guardian angels but to those of their children as well.

"Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen."

Make this prayer a part of your family prayers this month and combine it with the beautiful tradition of signing one another's foreheads with a cross before leaving the house for the day. This tradition trusts each other to the care and protection of God. It says, "God bless you and go with you throughout your day."

Also pray in a special way for all children, especially those who are poor, starving, ill and in the midst of war.