Materials: Green = provided by CRE / Blue = on website / Purple = Optional, catechists provide

Unit: Morality2nd Grade Week 13: Welcome in the KingdomCatechist Preparation:Alive in Christ Catechist Edition: Chapter 13: Jesus Welcomes Us pp. 189A-198

Objectives: Identify how Jesus included those often left out and showed that God welcomes everyone Recognize Jesus’ great love for children and how He welcomes them and all others into His Kingdom

Catholic Faith Words: Faith, peace, Kingdom of GodBible Verses: Luke 18:15-17, Luke 19:1-10, Matthew 19:13-15

Classroom Lesson:Welcome(as children arrive) Story of Zacchaeus sheet

Remind students and parents that next Monday, January 29, is the First Reconciliation Group Service for those who have attended the Sunday workshop and have prepared for the sacrament.

Invite(Prayer Space)

Let Us Pray p. 189God’ WordWhat Do You Wonder?

DiscoverShow children the Bible and tell them you are going to tell them a story from the Gospel of Luke.

Tell the story of Zacchaeus the Tax Collector pp. 90,91

Act out the story with puppets (have several groups present, or do as a whole group)

Talk about how others didn’t like Zacchaeus because he was a tax collector (explain), but that Jesus loves everyone no matter who they are or what they’ve done. Jesus invites everyone to come to His table and experience his love. We must do the same!

Practice for 1st Reconciliation

Write an invitation (see p. 195 for example). Talk about who you might invite to Jesus’ house. Have children make a colorful invitation to invite someone to Mass this weekend. Practice saying and writing the name of our church, St. Ann.

Live Chapter 13 Activity Master: Have Faith!

Song: “Loving Others”

People of Faith Saint Brigid of Kildare

Going Forth Prayer of Welcome p. 196

Save Jesus Invites Us and Ch.13 activity master for next week

2nd Grade Lesson 13: Supplemental:As students arrive

*hang new vocab word cards on board*write First Reconciliation Service this Monday January 29th 6pm* get big construction paper & markersZacchaeus word search & color sheet

Prayer time Line up and sing Our God is Here as we process to prayer table.Read Luke 18:15-17p. 189: Read Let Us Pray & ask What Do You Wonder questions

Activity / Discuss

Finish watching The Prodigal Son videoWhy did Jesus tell this story?

Activity Let’s practice for Reconciliation – review program then every other person is the priest, other is child – have each practice. (See last 2 lessons for program and practice sheets)

Activity Ask for volunteers to be Apostle, Angel, Jesus, & Zacchaeus, rest are crowdGive each student copy of script (line up students to act out story)Have the students act out the Zacchaeus story (script follows)

Discuss: This story shows us that Jesus invited everyone to repent and share in God’s love. Who did Jesus welcome? People didn’t like Zacchaeus because he was a tax collector (explain), but Jesus loves everyone no matter who they are or what they’ve done. Jesus invites everyone to come to His table and experience his love. We must do the same!Our laws expect people like Zacchaeus to repay what they steal. What’s the 7th commandment? (Do not steal.) But if we just follow the 10 commandments and don’t steal or kill, will we go to heaven?Jesus expects more than just not stealing, you must share what you have and help others. Christians to care for those in need -the poor and oppressed.

Activity(set up chairs in front of class like church pews on “stage”)

God wants us to be welcomers. Let’s practice. (have volunteers act out:) A new family is visiting our parish. The pews are quite full. What can you do to welcome them?  (move over; give one of them my seat + find another seat) After mass, people are talking in small groups in the courtyard. A family comes out of church and stands nervously on the edges. They don't know anybody. You are standing with your friends talking about school. What can you do to welcome them? (go over and say hi!; show them where the donuts are; ask your family members to invite them to your table.) Someone who is mean to you at school, sits in front of you at mass. When the speaker asks us to greet each other at the beginning of mass, what do you do? (Shake their hand, smile at them) It’s Christmas day and although you go to mass every week with your family, there are a bunch of people at mass who you know never attend. You can’t find a seat because of all of these extra people. What do you do? (Pray that they attend more often, welcome them)

Discuss: The fish sign (Hold up a banner or piece of art which displays the fish symbol) has been a symbol for Christians since the early days of the Church. It still is today. The early Christians placed this sign on their doors and shops and meeting places to let people know who they were. A fish became a sign that Christians were coming together, or gathering to share in the Good News of Christ.A welcome mat in front of a door or on a porch means that the people in that house like to welcome friends, relatives and neighbors.

Craft Make Fish Sign Welcome sign to bring home as a reminder we need to welcome others in our homes.Using large pieces of construction paper, show students how to draw the fish symbol on it and write WELCOME with markers. (decorate if time)

Discuss Show children vocab word cards (print double sided) and explain

People of Faith Saint Brigid of Kildare (read card on prayer table)Closing Read Prayer p. 196 (read all parts & song and lead children to repeat “all”)

“Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” Luke 19:5

You are invited!

Jesus invites

To the Kingdom of _________

Join us this Sunday at

_______________________________________

You are invited!

Jesus invites

To the Kingdom of _________

Join us this Sunday at

_______________________________________

Zacchaeus Word Search

Faith Peace

Kingdom of God

When things are calm and Believing in God and all

People get along with one that He helps us understand

another. About himself. Faith leads

us to obey God.

The world of love, peace and

justice that is in Heaven and

is still being built on Earth.

(Ask for volunteers to be Apostle, Angel, Jesus, & Zacchaeus, rest are crowd)

Apostle: We feel happy when someone invites us to join a group. Being included makes us feel welcome. Jesus showed us that God welcomes everyone by what he said and how he acted.

Angel: The news went uphill and downThat Jesus was coming to Jericho town.Zacchaeus you know, was too short to see,So he scurried right up a sycamore tree.

Zacchaeus: (climb on top of a chair carrying money)

Jesus: Zacchaeus, come down, come down, I say,Let’s have dinner at your house today.(Help Zacchaeus down from chair and walk across room

Angel: Jesus and Zacchaeus walked by the crowdWho grumbled and mumbled and said out loud

Crowd: (point to Zacchaeus)He is a sinner and he is a snitchHe took our money, that is why he is rich!

Angel: Zacchaeus proclaimed in a loud clear tone

Zacchaeus: To the poor I will give half of all that I own.(Throw money to the crowd)

Jesus: God’s love has no end.My friend Zacchaeus is also God’s friend.Put away your frowns. Be full of cheer.God’s love and kindness are truly here.God calls everyone, the small and the great.So come gather around. Come celebrate!

Apostle: Jesus saw that Zacchaeus had faith.Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus into his life, promising to share what he had with those who were poor and to make up for his sins. In return, Jesus promised him heaven. 

Everyone: Jesus welcomes everyone into the Kingdom of God.