Celebrating St. Joseph Lessons of Faith & Virtue

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16 Lesson Plan Materials Year of St. Joseph

Lesson One Who is St. Joseph?

Section One: Foundations for the Year of St. Joseph

1. On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis, with his Apostolic Letter Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”), in honor of the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, proclaimed 2021 as the “Year of Saint Joseph.” Read Patris corde here:https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa- francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html

2. Saint Joseph is a model of holiness for each and every member of the Church, as Pope Saint John Paul II reminded us in his apostolic exhortation, Redemptoris Custos: “Besides trusting in Joseph’s sure protection, the Church also trusts in his noble example, which transcends all individual states of life and serves as a model for the entire Christian community, whatever the condition and duties of each of its members may be.” Read Redemptoris Custos here: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul- ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_15081989_redemptoris-custos.html

3. Facts about St Joseph (Linked Activity: St Joseph Color sheet) [SEE APPENDIX]

• Feast Day is March 19 • Pope Pius IX added May 1 as the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, as St. Joseph is the as the patron saint of workers.

• Symbols associated with Joseph o the carpenter's square symbolizing Joseph’s trade and the concept of truth o the lily represents purity and Joseph’s celibate marriage to the Virgin Mary.

• St. Joseph is the patron saint of: o the Universal Church o families o fathers o expectant mothers o travelers o immigrants o house sellers and buyers o craftsmen o engineers o working people o a happy death

• St. Joseph is patron saint of: o the Americas o Austria o Belgium o Canada o China o Croatia o Indonesia o Mexico o Korea o Peru o the Philippines o Vietnam, o several cities and dioceses, including the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

Lesson Two A Biblical Journey with St. Joseph

Section One: General scriptural descriptions of Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew

o Joseph, Son of David, Son of Abraham o Joseph, Betrothed "Just Man," Husband of Mary o Joseph, Father and Protector of Jesus o Joseph, the Man of Dreams o Joseph, the Carpenter of Nazareth

Section Two: St. Joseph in the Gospel of St. Matthew (Linked activity: Holy Family Cube)

[SEE APPENDIX]

o 1:1-17 Genealogy: Abraham to Joseph (Royal Lineage of King David) o 1:18-25 Parentage (Birth of Jesus) Joseph’s Vocation, Luke 2:4-5 o 2:1-12 The Visit of the Magi and King Herod o 2:13-15 Flight into Egypt o 2:16-18 Massacre of Innocents o 2:19-23 The Return from Egypt to Nazareth

Section Three: St. Joseph in the Gospel of St. Luke (Linked Activity: St Joseph the Worker Chore chart and prayer)

[SEE APPENDIX]

o 2:1-14 Birth Narrative o 2:15-20 Visit of the Shepherds o 2:21 Circumcision and Naming of Jesus o 2:22-38 Presentation in the Temple o 2:39-40 Return to Nazareth o 2:41-52 Jesus in the Temple, age 12.

• What is scripture teaching us about the person of Joseph? • List the virtues of St Joseph. • What can we do to live like St. Joseph, following his virtues?

Lesson Three Devotions & Traditions Dedicated to St. Joseph

Section One Devotions (Linked Activity: St Joseph Puzzle)

[SEE APPENDIX]

1. Novena to St. Joseph a. https://www.usccb.org/resources/novena-saint-joseph-english.pdf b. https://www.usccb.org/resources/novena-san-jose-espanol.pdf

2. St. Joseph Altars a. New Orleans Tradition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdpeDToP-pc b. Interview with Archbishop Aymond and others. Excellent c. How to set up a St. Joseph Altar https://www.catholicicing.com/st-joseph-altar-for-beginners/ d. Written History https://yearofstjoseph.org/devotions/st-joseph-table/

3. Pray the Litany to St. Joseph [SEE APPENDIX]

Section Two St. Joseph: Heart of a Father

Diocese of Baton Rouge Video Series, St. Joseph: Heart of a Father, uncovers the life of the foster father of Jesus in sacred scripture with reflections on his virtues as a beacon of faithfulness. St. Joseph, Heart of a Father, is viewed on Catholic Life Television media outlets: • Cox Ch 15 (Baton Rouge) • Roku • FireTv • YouTube

Catholic Life Television YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXDTkS0skdSy19Lnb2BB8CpKD2kWe3Lne

Episode 1 St. Joseph in Scripture, Renowned Offspring of David, Light of the Patriarchs with Bishop Duca Episode 2 Spouse of the Mother of God & Chaste Guardian of the Virgin with Fr. Todd Lloyd Episode 3 Head of the Holy Family, Foster-father & Diligent Protector with Fr. Todd Lloyd Episode 4 Joseph Most Just and Most Chaste with Scott Smith (September 19 release) Episode 5 Joseph Most Prudent and Strong with Sr. Joan LaPlace, CSJ (October 17 release) Episode 6 Joseph Most Obedient, Faithful & Mirror of Patience with Dcn. Alfred Adams (Nov. 14 release) Episode 7 Lover of Poverty and Model of Artisans (December 12 release date) Episode 8 Hope of the Sick and Patron of the Dying (January 9 release date) Episode 9 Terror of Demons (February 6 release date) Episode 10 Pillar of Families and Protector of the Holy Church, with Bishop Duca (March 6 release date)

Supplemental Resources

Online Videos for Children

• Holy Kids! Holy Friends: St. Joseph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88kYqe3SVGE [4 minutes] • On Formed.org Lukas Storyteller: St Joseph Season 10, Episode 10 [12 minutes] • Story of Saint Joseph| https://youtu.be/K4NBV840xTc [13 [13 minutes] • St. Joseph (of Bethlehem) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnPHfXOfDzQ [22 minutes] • Storytime with the Sisters: Joseph: Guardian of the Holy Family https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT2HGQ4xgaw [6 minutes]

Online Videos for Older Students and Adults

The Staircase https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjokO41yjq4

St. Joseph: A Hidden Life with Dr. Peter Brown (1 hour, 13 mins) https://instituteofcatholicculture.org/events/st-joseph

Go to Joseph: A Biblical Reflection for the Year of St. Joseph with Dr. John Cuddeback (1 hour, 11 mins) https://instituteofcatholicculture.org/events/go-to-joseph

Ascension Press, Advent Meditations with Joseph https://ascensionpress.com/collections/rejoice-advent-meditations-with-joseph

Video on the Formed.org Platform (for Parish/School/Individual subscribers) https://watch.formed.org/search?q=st+joseph

• Joseph of Nazareth (Movie: 1 hour 37 minutes) • Novena to St. Joseph • St. Joseph (4 Part Series) • St. Joseph: Patron of the Universal Church (audio presentation) • Litany of St. Joseph • Lukas Storyteller: St Joseph Season 10, Episode 10 [12 minutes] (children)

Books, Articles and Crafts

Books Children • Good Saint Joseph by Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik, ages 3-7 • Guardian of the Holy Family by Sister Marlyn Evangelina Monge, FSP, board book for ages 2-5. • Father and Son by Geraldine McCaughrean, ages 4-8 • Staircase for the Sisters by Pamela Love, ages 4-7 (a miracle story) • Joseph’s Heart: A Story of Adoption by Mary Clare Evans, ages 5 and up • The Story of St. Joseph by Brother Ernest, C.S.C, Grades 2-3

Crafts for Children • St. Joseph Mini-Book https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Catholic-Saint-Joseph- 3061671 • Crafts to Celebrate St Joseph https://thekennedyadventures.com/celebrate-saint-joseph/ • St. Joseph Activities Pack https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2021/02/saint-joseph- activities-pack/

Books & Articles for Older Students and Adults

• Consecration to St. Joseph, by Fr. Donald Calloway's o Includes a guide for making the 33-day preparation and consecration as a group. o It includes the basic format for each meeting as well as discussion questions found in Appendix A. o Makes for a good group study.

• St. Joseph: His life, his miracles, and his legacy https://aleteia.org/2021/03/19/st-joseph-his-life-his- miracles-and-his-legacy/

• The Miracle of the Staircase https://devotiontoourlady.com/miraculous-staircase-of-st-joseph.html

Audio Stories From The Heart series (Ave Maria Radio)

• The Three Lilies of St Joseph https://avemariaradio.net/stories-from-the-heart-05-19-21/ • St. Joseph’s Basket https://avemariaradio.net/stories-from-the-heart-03-19-21/ • The Month of St Joseph https://avemariaradio.net/stories-from-the-heart-03-18-21/

Additional Sources

Diocese of Baton Rouge. History. [Online] https://diobr.org/history .

Statistical Data of The Diocese of Baton Rouge. Diocese of Baton Rouge Directory. 2021

Year of St. Joseph/60th Anniversary Celebration Committee for Catechesis

Rev. Ryan P. Hallford, Secretary for Evangelization, Pastor: Holy Family Church, Port Allen

Dina D. Dow, MTS., Director, Office of Evangelization and Catechesis

West Giffin, Associate Director, Youth & Young Adult Ministry

Julia Scarnato, Executive Director, Hispanic Apostolate

RESOURCE PERSONNEL

Shannon Baldridge, MA, Coordinator of Catechesis & Certification

Ann T. Boltin, Chancellor, Office of the Chancellor; Diocesan Archivist

Very Rev. Paul D. Counce, J.C.L., Judicial Vicar

Rev. Christopher J. Decker, Secretary for Communications, Pastor: St. Mary of False River, New Roads

Amy Jones, Associate Archivist, Archives

Nicole Jones, Coordinator of Events, Office of Youth & Yong Adult Ministry

Stephen Lee, Station Manager, Catholic Life TV

Richard Meek, Executive Editor/General Manager: The Catholic Commentator

Dr. Melanie B. Palmisano, Superintendent, Catholic Schools Office

Danielle Van Haute, MATh., Associate Director Office of Evangelization and Catechesis

APPENDIX

Instructions: Make the cube and share the life of the Holy Family

Inspired Catholic

St. Joseph the Worker Dear God, Sometimes I have trouble doing the chores and other jobs I'm asked to do. Help me to remember how St. Joseph worked hard each and every day. Protect me from the temptation to be lazy and disobedient. Give me the grace to be a humble servant to my family and the world just as St. Joseph did. Amen.

Responsibilities Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1

Often, kids have a hard time stopping from playtime to do chores, but chores are very important for kids to do. It helps them to learn responsibility and consequence. Chores can also teach children important life skills that will help them to care for themselves in the future. If each child helps and does his or her tasks it will help to bring peace and order to the home and family life. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This chore chart has a section for writing the names of jobs/chores/responsibilities. Then, there is a section to check off that the job was done properly. A completed chart can be an opportunity to reward the child with something special, like a treat, an allowance, a night out with Mom or Dad, a loving hug and kiss, or whatever your family feels is appropriate. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This chart will work best if it is laminated. You can write in the responsibilities before you laminate it or use a wet-erase marker to write them on after it's laminated. (Using a wet erase marker will allow you to change the list occasionally.) Use removable stickers or a wet-erase marker to check off when the chore is done. You can also add magnets to the back of the laminated chore chart to stick it to the fridge. If you can't laminate: clear, smooth shipping tape or contact paper are a fair substitute for laminating.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. Illustrious son of David, pray for us. Light of patriarchs, pray for us. Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us. Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us. Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us. Watchful defender of Christ, pray for us. Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.

Joseph most just, pray for us. Joseph most chaste, pray for us. Joseph most prudent, pray for us. Joseph most valiant, pray for us. Joseph most obedient, pray for us. Joseph most faithful, pray for us. Mirror of patience, pray for us. Lover of poverty, pray for us. Model of workmen, pray for us. Glory of home life, pray for us. Guardian of virgins, pray for us. Pillar of families, pray for us. Solace of the afflicted, pray for us. Hope of the sick, pray for us. Patron of the dying, pray for us. Terror of demons, pray for us. Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.

Let Us Pray O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.