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December 13-19 December 20-26 December 27-January 2 March 27-April 2 June 12-18 June 19-25 Week of Dec. 13-19 Sunday’s Readings Zephaniah 3:14-18a Philippians 4:4-7 Third Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 12 Luke 3:10-18 Gaudete Sunday Exhorting them in many other ways, [John] preached good news to the people. Luke 3:18

Spread Sunday’s News seems to have been a very Who knew? charismatic person, able to draw people to listen and follow him even when it meant a For you alone are the ______, drastic change in their lifestyles. Sunday’s passage about John was just as relevant today you alone are the ___, you alone are the as when it happened. We all need to be reminded to share what we ______Jesus , with the ______, in have. A cloak may not mean much to us, but in John’s time when people didn’t walk into a store to buy a coat, having two garments the glory of ____ the ___. Amen. was quite a luxury. Tax collectors were known for being dishonest, yet they, too, were drawn to John. All they had to do was practice fairness, collecting For you alone are the HOLY ONE, you alone are the exactly what people owed the government and no more. The pres- LORD, you alone are the MOST HIGH Christ, with ence of soldiers in the streets of cities must have been common. The the HOLY SPIRIT, in the glory of GOD the FATHER. Amen. government wanted a visual presence to remind people, especially the Jews, that if the civil law was broken, punishment would follow. In some countries today people live with the constant presence of soldiers in the streets. John told the soldiers to do their jobs with integrity, not to intimidate people unnecessarily. Like the people in the Gospel, we are filled with expectation, especially at this time of the year. We know Jesus is coming soon, so we should ask ourselves the same questions the characters in Sunday’s Gospel are asking and give some serious thought to the answers.

Just Wondering … Challenge Look around your house for something that needs a Christmas cleaning. Quietly clean it without being asked. What would John say to us today? • Give students copies of Sunday’s Gospel, or put the Scripture citation on the board and let them use their to find the passage. • Their challenge is to rewrite each of John’s answers as to what should be done in modern, concrete terms. • The Gospel also says John preached in many ways. How many Disciples ... ways will students come up with? If you had a chance like the crowds did, to ask John the Baptist what you should do to get ready for the , what would you expect him to tell you? What do you think you need to do?

The Creative Catechist Planner 2015-2016 www.creativecommunications.com Week of Dec. 13-19 REVIEW PLUS NEW ACTIVITY/MATERIALS FAMILY FOLLOW-UP

Saint Story for the Weekly Prayer Time Week • Gather in your Prayer Space. Begin a discussion: Monday, December 21 • Is it easy to be a preacher or a teacher? Why or why not? St. Peter Canisius, 1521-1597 • What makes a preacher interesting to listen to? • Spend a few minutes praying for those who preach and teach, St. Peter’s 76 years of life were characterized by cheerfulness as he especially those who preach and teach the Gospel. went about doing the dozens of tasks God placed before him. His German homeland was deeply involved in the Reformation and the • Remind students that in some places in the world, believing in Counter Reformation. Many Germans were attracted to the new reli- Jesus can be dangerous. Pray for all people who suffer persecution gions which the Reformation brought about. In order to bring Catholi- for Jesus. cism back into the lives of her members, the Church, after undergoing • Pray also that those of us who listen and learn from our preachers many reforms within, made great efforts to attract and invigorate its and teachers will receive their words with open ears and hearts. members. Peter was deeply involved with the spreading and renewal of Catholicism in Germany and other surrounding countries. Lord Jesus, waiting and preparing for your birth. May you A man of education, Peter received a Master’s Degree when he find me ready to receive you with a heart full of love. Amen. was only 19. He joined the newly formed Society of Jesus (Jesuits). St. Ignatius of Loyola, one of the founders of the Jesuits was one of Peter’s teachers. The Jesuits and other religious communities were (and are) Next Sunday’s Good News indispensable as teachers and missionaries in Europe and America. Peter was a prolific writer and preacher who also encouraged others [Elizabeth said to Mary], “Blessed are you to write. He is credited with the founding of the Catholic Press. Peter who believed that what was spoken to you wanted all people to have access to the teachings of the Church, so he by would be fulfilled.” wrote teaching documents (catechisms) for their instruction. (Named :45 a Doctor of the Church in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.) Think about … How do you think Mary felt when she realized Elizabeth already knew that she was going to have a baby?

1.800.325.9414 The Creative Catechist Planner 2015-2016 Sunday’s Readings Week of Dec. 20-26 Micah 5:1-4a Hebrews 10:5-10 Fourth Sunday of Advent Psalm 80 Luke 1:39-45

[Elizabeth said to Mary], “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Luke 1:45

Spread Sunday’s News In Luke’s Gospel, the story of the Visita- tion follows immediately after the story of Fact of the Week the . As soon as Mary found out Elizabeth was expecting a child (remember, the Gabriel told her!), she went “in haste” to be with her cousin. Mary may have St. Luke wrote the only Gospel that tells us made the long journey just to help Elizabeth with the new baby, or the story of Mary visiting Elizabeth, and maybe Mary realized the so-called impossible pregnancy of Eliza- beth was so much like her own, she wanted to be near someone the birth of Jesus. with whom she could share her joy. Remind students there were no computers, cell phones, e-mail, IM, Facebook, Twitter or phone communication. Mary’s visit may have been a surprise to Elizabeth. Imagine Mary’s surprise when Elizabeth already knew about Mary’s baby! How did she know? The reality of Mary being an unwed mother would have been shocking to everyone. Even Joseph was ready to divorce her until he learned through a dream what was going to happen to him as well as to his young wife. Like Mary, Joseph willingly accepted his responsibility in God’s plan. • Discuss the word fulfilled, asking students to remember the words of the prophets. When Jesus was born, the words of the prophets came true; they were fulfilled in the person of Jesus.

Just Wondering … Challenge

As Mary and Elizabeth were together preparing for the births of Put some money aside during the Christmas season and their children, what would they do? give it to one of your parish Christmas collections or donate it to a charity that helps little babies and their parents. • Discuss preparations for a new baby. What are things students have done in their own families to prepare for such an event? • How will Mary’s and Elizabeth’s lives change? Anyone who has had a new baby come into the family will understand how much Mary and Joseph’s life must have changed. • Imagine a baby shower for Jesus! • What kinds of things would your students bring to the shower? Disciples ... • (Remind students that most of the things Mary and Joseph needed were probably quite different than what new parents need today. The angel told Mary God needed her to do On the other hand, some of their needs were similar.) something special that would also be hard. I admire Mary’s obedience and courage because …

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Saint Story for the Weekly Prayer Time Week • Gather in your Prayer Space. • Put the refrain for “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” Sunday, December 27 on the board or on a poster for all to see. The words could be read, or even better, sing them together. “Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel! St. John, Evangelist, first century To thee shall come Emmanuel.” St. John was the son of and , and the brother of St. • Why should Israel rejoice? James the Greater. Jesus called both John and James in the first year • Use several short readings from one or more of the Scripture pas- of his public ministry. Along with his brother and Peter, they were the sages for Advent (found in a missalette). only witnesses of several miracles, the Transfiguration and the . He is known as “the beloved ” in the Fourth • After each reading, and at the end of your prayer time, repeat the Gospel which bears his name. John was also the only disciple who refrain. did not abandon Jesus during the passion. John knelt at the foot of the cross along with Jesus’ mother, Mary, and the other women. Jesus asked John to care for his mother. After the resurrection, John lived mainly in and at Ephe- sus. Tradition says he was brought to Rome, by order of Emperor Dometian. John was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil but came forth Next Sunday's Good News unhurt and was banished to the island of Patmos for a year. He lived is... to an extreme old age, surviving all his fellow apostles, and died at [Mary said to Jesus], “Your father and I have Ephesus about the year 100. been looking for you with great anxiety.” And [Jesus] said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:48b‐49 Think about … Reproducible activity available. www.goodnewsplanners.com/create/ How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when they realized d Jesus was not with them?

1.800.325.9414 The Creative Catechist Planner 2015-2016 Readings Week of Dec. 27, 2015- 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28 or 1 :1-2, 21-24 Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Luke 2:41-52 Jan. 2, 2016 Psalm 84 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph [Mary said to Jesus], “Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And [Jesus] said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:48b‐49 Spread Sunday’s News All too often we hear stories of children being taken from their homes. Worse still, we hear many of these children are later found dead. The story in the Gospel begins like one of these stories—there is a missing Fast Fact child. WE know how it will end, but Mary and Joseph had no idea where their son was. Imagine their panic. Tradition says God worked The Gospel tell us Jesus was twelve years old. Although we many miracles through St. Stephen whose picture him as a child who did nothing but pray all the time, we also need to remember he was a real human almost-teenager who feast day was December 26. needed to test his independence. Like any adolescent, he did not fully realize the impact of his actions, but simply got involved in what he wanted to do! During Passover, the temple in Jerusalem was crowded with Jews from all over. Jesus was probably mesmerized by all the activity, all the discussions about his Jewish faith and the Scriptures. It may have been a rare opportunity for him to share his own knowledge The Season of Christmas with rabbis and other Jewish scholars. Remember, the Holy Family Hopefully when you return to class after the holidays, the Church did not live in a big city with access to all this activity. will still be in the midst of these festive days. We can assume Jesus was a gifted child because the Gospel says Contrary to what we experience in society, the Christmas Season the adults were listening and learning from him as much as he was does not begin in the Church until Christmas Mass is celebrated. It learning from them. Ordinarily, children did not presume to be the continues into January through the Feast of Epiphany. teachers, but something about Jesus’ wisdom attracted the adults. Singing Christmas songs and carols is appropriate all through the Picture Mary and Joseph walking into the temple looking for Jesus. Christmas Season. Use Christmas hymns, songs and carols as part When they first walked in, they may have been just as amazed at of your classroom prayers. what Jesus was saying as the other adults were. It is not too far- fetched to imagine they found a different Jesus than the son they The liturgical color will change from the penitential violet to the knew so well. joyful color of white (or maybe gold). Just Wondering … Challenge (Notice that the Gospel says they looked for Jesus for THREE days, the same amount of time Jesus was to spend The Gloria we say during Mass includes the message of in his tomb.) the to the shepherds on Christmas. Learn this prayer during the Christmas Season. Mary’s question is very natural: ”Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxi- ety.” Any parent would ask the same question, and certainly your students have heard something like, “Where have you been?” from their own parents. Jesus’ answer is much like any twelve-year-old’s: “Why are you looking for me?” Children this age feel independent of their parents. They think they are ready and prepared to be out in the world on their own! Mary and Joseph did not understand the rest of Jesus’ Disciples ... answer. Why? I don’t like to feel anxious because … • Have students describe the way Joseph and Mary might have felt about this whole episode! The story ends by telling us Jesus was obedient to his parents, as if to say, his little episode of freedom was finished and he learned a lesson!

The Creative Catechist Planner 2015-2016 www.creativecommunications.com Week of Dec. 27, 2015-Jan. 2, 2016 REVIEW PLUS NEW ACTIVITY/MATERIALS FAMILY FOLLOW-UP

Saint Story for the Weekly Prayer Time If possible, to help acquaint students with the Week Magi’s gift of frankincense, use incense this week Tuesday, January 5 during your gathering in the Prayer Space. (Make sure students have no allergies to these fragrances.) Use this response (from Psalm 141) to your petitions: St. John Neumann, 1811-1860 Let my prayer, O Lord, rise before you like incense. St. John was born in Bohemia, part of the Czech Republic. He stud- • Pray for babies, children and families around the world who are ied for ordination, but on the day he was to be ordained, the bishop hungry, homeless or sick. was sick and unable to confer Holy Orders on him. The ordination was • Pray for children who do not have a real home, who are waiting never rescheduled because at the time there were too many priests! to be adopted, or are living in foster care. John did not give up. Realizing he could be ordained a priest in • Pray for families who are separated from one another during the America, he made the long, difficult journey to New York. The bishop year to enjoy family gatherings during this season. there ordained him and he was assigned parishes in Buffalo, a rural area at the time. He was very popular with the Germans because he • Pray for peace in the world and in families. knew their language so well. He continued this missionary work in • Pray for those serving our country in the armed forces and for Maryland, Virginia and Ohio. John wanted to live as part of a religious their families. community, so he joined the Order of Redemptorists. John was appointed bishop of Philadelphia in 1852. At the time, Philadelphia was the largest diocese in America. He was responsible Next Sunday’s Good News for setting up the Catholic School System there, where it grew to Assembling all the chief priests and the involve thousands of children. He also wrote many articles and two scribes of the people, [Herod] inquired of catechisms in German. them where the Christ was to be born. They Readings for the Solemnity of Mary (Jan. 1) said to him, “In of , for thus Numbers 6:22-27 Psalm 67 it has been written through the prophet.” Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21 :4‐5 Think about … Why was Herod so angry and afraid when he heard about the birth of Jesus?

1.800.325.9414 The Creative Catechist Planner 2015-2016 Mar. 27-April 2 Sunday’s Readings Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Easter Sequence Easter Sunday of the Psalm 118 :1-9 or the Gospel Resurrection of the Lord Colossians 3:1-4 or from the Easter Vigil 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8

When Simon Peter arrived after [the other disciple], he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. John 20:6‐7 Spread Sunday’s News Luke’s Easter Gospel tells us that Mary Mag- dalene, Joanna, Mary, the mother of James and others came to Jesus’ tomb bringing spices to Good News! anoint his body. Remember the Magi’s gift of myrrh? We looked at the symbolism of each of these gifts, referring to the myrrh as a The story of the greatest of foreshadowing of Jesus’ death. a body was part of Jew- all miracles is told in ALL the ish custom, and it was their desire to fulfill this ritual that brought . Can you guess which one it is? the women to the tomb on Easter morning. It was then that they discovered Jesus had risen from the dead. The RESURRECTION

Fact of the Week Did you know? When Jesus was born, Mary wrapped him in swaddling clothes. According to Jewish tradition, Jesus’ body was carefully wrapped in white burial cloths before he was placed in the tomb.

Jesus’ shroud or burial cloth was wrapped tightly around him, just like the swaddling clothes Mary wrapped him in Challenge when he was a baby. The burial cloths were tight so they Place a white cloth on all the crucifixes in your house to would not come off. Imagine how surprised the women who remind yourself and your family that Jesus has risen and is had wrapped them around him were to find them in a pile alive! Leave the cloth in place until Pentecost. on the floor when they came to the tomb on Easter morning.

Disciples ...

Each time I hear the story of how Jesus suffered and died for me I am … I feel this way because …

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Weekly Prayer Time

• Decide on a short prayer ritual you can do during your class time this week, such as ringing a bell each hour (bring a bell to use in your classroom or ring the school bell) so all can pause The Easter Season for some quiet reflection. The octave of Easter lasts eight days, ending this Sunday. Each day this week is referred to as “Easter,” which shows the significance of • After the reflection time, sing “Alleluia” using one of your parish’s the feast. All Readings for daily Masses are treated like Sunday Read- favorite/familiar musical settings. ings—they may NOT be changed for any reason, including weddings and funerals. In the past, those who were baptized during Easter Vigil liturgies remained clothed in their white garments for the entire octave. They also continued their instruction in the Church, a period called “mysta- gogia,” when the mysteries of the Eucharist were revealed to these newly “initiated” members of the Church who now had the fullness of Christ’s life and were part of the community. Next Sunday’s Good News • The Easter Season lasts for the next 50 days. Lent was only 40 days, so what does this say about the Church’s focus on Easter? On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the Like Christmas, Easter is a season, not just a one-day feast. disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus Notice that there are no saints’ feast days this week because the days came and stood in their midst … of the Easter Octave take precedence. The Easter Sequence should be sung or recited daily this week. This would be a good prayer to use in John 20:19 the classroom each day. Consider using the Responsorial Psalm from Think about … Easter Sunday for daily prayer. Do you remember a time you were totally surprised when something happened suddenly without a warning? Was this how the disciples felt when they first saw Jesus?

1.800.325.9414 The Creative Catechist Planner 2015-2016 Week of June 12-18 Sunday’s Readings 2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13 Galatians 2:16, 19-21 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Psalm 32 :36—8:3

The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But [Jesus] said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:49‐50 Spread Sunday’s News • What is the peace OF God? What is peace WITH God? • Are they the same thing? By the time these words of Jesus were recorded in the Gospels, the Christian world was not peaceful. Although there are many stories of individuals falling at Jesus’ Do you know what to say? feet, asking forgiveness for their sins, few are as well known or dramatic as the story of the penitent woman. Like so many other I believe … stories about Jesus granting forgiveness, he broke Jewish and soci- etal practices to accomplish his purpose. … in the ______, the holy ______, … In Jewish society, women and men did not mix socially. Other than acting as servants at the table, women would not have been present or welcome during mealtime. … in the HOLY SPIRIT, the holy CATHOLIC CHURCH, … Where did this woman come from? How did a person with such a reputation have the nerve to enter the house of a Pharisee? She must have really wanted to see Jesus, or she would not have risked humiliation and rejection to get close to him. Jesus broke another custom when he allowed the woman to touch him. The incident was made worse by the fact that she was a known sinner, an outcast. Yet she was the only one who actually followed standard hospitality by kissing a guest and washing his feet. The anointing of feet was special. The ointment in the alabaster flask was expensive, saved for special occasions. Some see this as a preparation for the anointing of Jesus after his death. Scholars now know this woman was not . Who- ever she was, it appears she joined the entourage of Jesus’ disciples and was an eyewitness to the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

Challenge Just Wondering … Is there someone who owes you money, a favor or an- The woman was obviously troubled. other kind of debt? Tell him or her you forgive the debt. Her behavior shows she was desperate, crying enough tears to make it necessary to dry Jesus’ feet. It is no wonder that after she felt forgiven, she experienced real inner peace. Ask students to think quietly about something they have done that required them to ask another person for forgiveness. When we know we have done something that hurts another person, we feel ashamed. It definitely affects our inner peace. That inner turmoil is sometimes worse when we know we have to ask the person’s forgive- Disciples ... ness face to face. What will the person say to us? What will we say? I think the woman did not feel peaceful After students have thought about this for a few minutes, let them recall how it felt when the other person actually forgave them. before Jesus forgave her sins, because … How did they experience forgiveness? Sometimes we just KNOW After Jesus forgave her sins, I think the woman felt peaceful we have been forgiven by the unspoken words and actions of the other person. because … The point Jesus makes is easy for us to relate to. The more we real- ize our faults and sins, the more real the experience of forgiveness is.

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Saint Story for the Weekly Prayer Time Week • Have a Prayer Service letting children share prayers for peace. Wednesday, June 22 • Include symbols of our country, especially our St. John Fisher, 1469-1535 flag. • Pray for peace everywhere, but especially in our country, our St. Thomas More, 1478-1535 cities, neighborhoods and families. Both of these great men lived and worked in England during the • Pray for those serving our country in the armed forces and also reign of Henry VIII. Henry respected John and Thomas as his close for their families. friends and advisors, which may have proved to be their downfall. • Close with a patriotic song. John Fisher was a teacher and later chancellor at Cambridge University. After 30 years at Cambridge he was appointed bishop Grant us peace, O Lord. of Rochester. While serving as Henry’s tutor, he and Henry became close friends. In fact, Henry thought of John as a kind of father figure. Dona nobis pacem. Dona nobis pacem. Amen. Thomas More has come to be known as the “man for all seasons.” He, too, had tutored Henry and had become a trusted member of the English government. Before the turmoil began, Thomas and his family were living a comfortable life. Next Sunday’s Good News When Henry wanted to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon, in [Jesus] said to [the disciples], “If anyone order to marry Anne Boleyn, the pope refused to grant the divorce. wishes to come after me, he must deny Henry decided to separate the Church in England from the Church himself and take up his cross daily and in Rome and declared himself head of the new church. He expected follow me. For whoever wishes to save his all his high government officials to sign an oath of allegiance to him life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will as head of the Church of England. Both John and Thomas refused and save it.” were imprisoned in the Tower of London. Conditions in the Tower Luke 9:23‐24 were horrible. They were denied any comforts including instruments Think about … for writing. What do you think about each time you hear Jesus telling us to By this time, John was old and suffering from very poor health. He was executed first, followed two weeks later by Thomas. deny ourselves and take up our crosses?

1.800.325.9414 The Creative Catechist Planner 2015-2016 Sunday’s Readings Week of June 19-25 Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1 Galatians 3:26-29 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Psalm 63 Luke 9:18-24

[Jesus] said to [the disciples], “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Luke 9:23‐24

Spread Sunday’s News Sunday’s Gospel story described Jesus praying in solitude. Imagine that, Jesus must take time to pray! Do you know what to say? We don’t really think about/notice how much time Jesus spent in I believe … prayer. It might seem strange to think about God praying to God, yet just like us, Jesus needed to pray, to communicate with his Father. … [in] the communion of ____, Some stories find Jesus praying in the temple or synagogue with the _____ of sins … his fellow Jews, but we also have numerous instances of Jesus want- ing/needing to be by himself. • What are some of these instances? (The Agony in the Garden, … [in] the communion of SAINTS, the The 40-day fast in the desert, etc.) FORGIVENESS of sins … No doubt one of the most dramatic of these stories of prayer is Jesus all alone in the garden immediately following the and before his death. Although his disciples were near, Jesus went off alone and his experience was deep prayer, communication with the Father. We, too, need that personal communication with God in order to develop our spiritual lives. God listens; we speak. But sometimes we need to try the opposite of that. Just as human relationships grow through healthy communica- tion, our relationship with God relies heavily on the speaking/ listening process. • Review ways we speak to God and the ways God speaks to us.

Just Wondering … Challenge … Do at least one helpful thing for someone each day this The story in the Gospel is not that different from the way we summer. Place a star or another symbol on the calendar sometimes ask others what people are saying about us. It can be a for each thing you do. hard question to face because sometimes the person we think we are and the person others think we are are two different individuals. • It is also a question we may need to ask at times—what DO others think about me? • Is that what I want them to think? • How can I (or do I want to) change their impressions of me? • Did Jesus know the answer to his question before he asked it? Disciples ... • Did he want or need to make sure the disciples were on the right What is the hardest thing I must deny track in their knowledge of who he was and his role? every day in order to follow Jesus? After questioning his disciples, Jesus went on to direct them not How do you answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say to tell anyone about the conversation. • Why would Jesus ask them not to tell? that I am?”

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Weekly Prayer Time Saint Story for the • Gather in the Prayer Space Week • Make a list on the board of all the people in your Wednesday, June 29 Religious Education Program and parish commu- nities who have participated in some way to help your students this year. (Just make the list. Don’t St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles share stories or reasons yet.) Peter was designated by Jesus himself to be the first head of the • When your list is complete ask students to share stories and spe- Church. Jesus gave Peter and his successors the “keys to the kingdom” cific times when each of these individuals played a role in their so that they might guide the Church in good and bad times. Legend has lives. it that when Peter was crucified, he requested that he die upside down • End each “story” with a prayer (e.g., Lord Jesus, thank you for because he was not worthy of the same kind of death Jesus faced. [name]). Pray that everyone will remain safe and healthy during • Who is Peter’s successor today? the summer. • What qualifications do popes usually have that make them worthy Lord Jesus, thank you for being with me during this school year. successors to Peter? Thank you for all the people who worked to help me learn about Though not one of Jesus’ original twelve apostles, Paul is still you and the world around me. Amen. considered an apostle. He was a staunch Jew, maybe even a Pharisee, who had studied to be a rabbi. This gave him vast knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. Next Sunday’s Good News He was a feared persecutor of the early Christians, until the mo- When the days for [Jesus’] being taken up ment Jesus called him. After this experience, he became a strong were fulfilled, he resolutely determined leader in the Church. to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent Paul’s writings in the are the earliest, written before messengers ahead of him. the Gospels. From these letters we have an accurate account of what happened shortly after Jesus’ Death, Resurrection and Ascension. As Luke 9:51 a Roman citizen Paul was executed, but not crucified. Think about … The feast of Sts. Peter and Paul is celebrated with joy and dignity all around Rome, and in the whole Church. Jesus wants us to look forward to what is in the future, especially for ways to follow him. What are you looking forward to?

1.800.325.9414 The Creative Catechist Planner 2015-2016