Children Program (6-12 years old) prepared by ĐH Tây Nam

Session III: How Inspired Are We?

Theme connection:

Explain that the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are concrete ways of showing our inspiration, our love for others.

Reflection Activity:  Works of Mercy Tree (adapted from ‘101 Crafts to help kids grow in their faith’ by Laurine M. Easton)

Materials: Coffee can, gift wrapping paper, glue, plaster of paris, yarn, paper punch, leafless tree branch.

Directions:  Each child will make their own Works of Mercy Tree

1.      Cover a coffee can with gift wrapping paper.

2.      Fill the coffee can with plaster of paris.  Set the branch down into the plaster of paris and hold the branch upright.

3.      Have each child make six little booklets from gift wrapping paper and write a promise to perform a work of mercy inside each booklet (one or two aides will be needed to help the younger children write their works)

4.      Write the Corporal and spiritual Works of Mercy on the board.

Corporal Works of Mercy		Spiritual Works of Mercy
Feeding the hungry		Instructing
Sheltering the homeless		Advising
Clothing the naked		Consoling
Visiting the sick and those in prison		Comforting
Giving alms to the poor		Forgiving
Burying the dead		Bearing wrongs with patience

5.      Punch a hole in each booklet.  Using yarn, tie each booklet to the tree.

6.      Invite children to show their works of mercy trees and share about them.

7.      Help children remember to do their works of mercy by suggesting they take this “promise” tree home and pick and do one work of mercy each day.

8.      This project can be brought to the liturgy and presented as the children’s gifts.

Theme connection:

Read aloud with the children Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world.  Your light must shine before others.”

Invite children to inspire other people with their good deeds.  This project “Let Your Light Shine Paper Candles” will remind them to let their light shine for others.

Activity:  Let Your Light Shine Paper Candles (adapted from ‘101 Crafts to help kids grow in their faith’ by Laurine M. Easton)

Materials: Cardboard tubes (such as toilet paper rolls, or paper towel rolls, 1 per child), aluminum foil, tissue paper in red, yellow, orange colors, Scripture verses:  You are the light of the world.  Matthew 5:14, Let your light shine. Matthew 5:16, glue or tape, optional:  cardboard or poster board.

Before session:

Prepare Scripture verses on the symbolism of light.

 Directions: 

1. Cover the tube with aluminum foil and tape or glue foil in place.
2. Insert tissue paper in the top of the tube to resemble a flame.  Glue or tape tissue into place if necessary.
3. Glue or tape a Scripture verse to the candle.

Optional:  Glue or tape the candle to a round piece of cardboard or poster board to make a base for the candle to stand.  The cardboard should be cut 2” to 3” larger than the tube.

Practice for “Dong Hanh by Night” show