Family At-Home Mission Activity
This month we are learning about the first three Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, the Annunciation, Visitation and Nativity. These mysteries are found at the beginning of the New Testament in the first four books that are called the Gospels, which means “Good News.”
Your Family At-Home Mission is to review the resources below, to learn more about the Gospel (the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ) and the four Gospels in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), to pray a decade of the Rosary meditating on the Second Joyful Mystery, the Visitation, together around your home altar/prayer space to and to (optionally) enjoy making Full of Grace Ice Cream Floats.
Step 1: Watch one or all of the Gospel videos below to prepare for next session. Take notes to share. Links will also be sent via our Flocknotes email.
For younger children: The Four Gospels | Jesus is the Good News! | What’s in the Bible? | DVD 10 1:48 (Tweens & teens)
For tweens & teens: Gospels | Catholic Central
For tweens & teens: The Four Gospels
Step 2: Gather your family together around your home altar, and from your family’s bible read Luke 1:39-55 The Visitation to prepare for next session.
Step 3: Invite each member to share intentions for which he/she would like the family to pray.
Step 4: Using the guide or video link below, pray a decade of the Rosary together while meditating on Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth.
Step 5: Watch LIHM posts: Mary’s Yes The Annunciation (For younger children only) and then (optional) follow the instructions to make your Full of Grace Ice Cream floats. You will need: vanilla ice cream, blue food coloring, lemon-lime soda.
Step 6: Optional: Watch: The Witnesses Trilogy: God With Us | Full Movie or specifically 1:00-8:28.
Step 7: Be prepared to share about what the Gospel is and what you learned about the four Gospel writers at the Week 3 gathering.
Did You Know?
The importance of the Gospels and the New Testament in the Bible:
“The Gospels are the heart of all the Scriptures ‘because they are our principal source for the life and teaching of the Incarnate Word, our Savior’” (CCC, no. 125). The writings of the New Testament “hand on the ultimate truth of God’s Revelation. Their central object is Jesus Christ, God’s incarnate Son: his acts, teachings, Passion and glorification, and his Church’s beginnings under the Spirit’s guidance” (CCC, no. 124).
Also, Mary’s Birthday is September 8th! The Church celebrates on that day the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. How can your family celebrate Mother Mary’s birthday? (If it’s past Sept. 8, consider a belated-birthday celebration…)
Links For Parents:
10 Tips for Praying the Rosary With Kids Catholic Icing (for parents)
To Pray the First Decade of the Rosary:
Begin by making the Sign of the Cross and praying the Apostle’s Creed. Then, say the Our Father prayer. After that, recite 3 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be. Next, announce the 1st Mystery and pray an Our Father. Finally, recite 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be to complete one decade of the rosary.
For subsequent decades, Announce the next Mystery, pray an Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be.
(The optional Fatima Prayer can also be prayed after the Glory Be also concludes a decade.)
Or follow along to this youtube video
(modified from Families Forming Disciples Archdiocese of Atlanta)
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