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Last week, the older students spent time in the kitchen baking dog biscuits to sell at the Calvary Bazaar while the Confirmation class helped set up for Coffee Hour.  Miss Elsa's class prepared for Advent by learning about the geography of where Jesus lived. They began with a quick review of the liturgical calendar and the upcoming color change to purple, symbolizing the Advent season and the anticipation of Jesus’ birth. Miss Elsa emphasized that Jesus was a real person, living on earth just like them. The class examined a globe, learning about its purpose, and located Israel to see where Jesus walked. Using a topographical map, they placed small flags on key locations like Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem, learning about the significance of each place in Jesus' life. As a closing activity, the students worked together on a puzzle map, coloring, and tracing outlines of the land where Jesus lived. They finished by potting Spider plants, which will be sold at the upcoming Calvary Bazaar to support local charities. Through these activities, the students not only deepened their understanding of Jesus’ life and ministry but also strengthened their sense of community and service in preparation for the Advent season.
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Last Sunday, the younger students explored the beauty and significance of colors in the Church through the theme of "God Gives Us Color." The lesson focused on the Liturgical Calendar, helping the students understand how the Church marks time just as nature does. They learned about the meanings behind the colors—white for celebrations like Christmas and Easter, purple for preparation during Advent and Lent, green for growth in Ordinary Time, and red for the Holy Spirit. They also had fun making leaf rubbings with the liturgical colors and arranging flowers for the prayer table. They reflected on how both nature and the Church use colors to help us feel God's love and understand His presence in the world around us. The older students gave a brief presentation to the adult Gospel and Breakfast group, explaining the Church’s Liturgical Year and how it helps us "keep sacred time." They talked about how the Liturgical Year is divided into two main cycles: the Christmas Cycle, which starts with Advent and leads to Christmas and Epiphany, and the Easter Cycle, beginning with Lent and culminating in Easter and Pentecost. Through these seasons, the Church remembers key moments in Jesus' life, from His birth to His Resurrection. The students also highlighted that we are currently in Ordinary Time, a "growing season" symbolized by green and that Advent will mark the beginning of a new Liturgical Year. Last Sunday, the Faith Formation classes continued exploring the life of Saint Francis with a follow-up lesson, "All Creatures Great and Small”. After a brief prayer and discussion, the students had the opportunity to meet Beau, a therapy dog from Animal Friends. The volunteer, Joan Lacomis, explained the vital role therapy dogs play in bringing comfort and healing to people in need. A special thank you to Joan and Animal Friends for generously spending time with our students and sharing the inspiring work of therapy animals! Last week, the Faith Formation students celebrated the life of Saint Francis of Assisi with activities that highlighted his compassion for others and his deep love for all of God's creation. The younger students in Miss Elsa's and Miss Wendy's classes read about Saint Francis and crafted simple bird feeders, which they hung in the trees near the Swan Garden. They also enjoyed a nature scavenger hunt, taking advantage of the beautiful fall weather. The older students talked about how they could follow Saint Francis' example and make a positive impact in the community. They also spent time decorating wooden birdhouses and then headed outside to harvest the remaining vegetables in our community garden. In reflecting on the life of Saint Francis, we are reminded that through small acts of kindness, love for others, and care for creation, we too can follow his example and strive to be saints in our everyday lives. Students in Miss Elsa’s and Miss Wendy’s groups joyfully received and reflected on the core message of our faith: God's love, experienced through Jesus, the Good Shepherd. They learned how Jesus, who died and is risen, calls each of his sheep by name, and how the sheep recognize and follow his voice. The children explored their own special relationship with Jesus by imagining themselves as the beloved sheep in the sheepfold. As a follow-on activity, they decorated wooden sheep cutouts and wrote their names on them, a reminder that they are personally known and loved by the Good Shepherd. The older students explored how science can inspire worship, focusing on the deep connections between awe, wonder, and faith. They began by reflecting on Psalm 8 and sharing personal experiences of awe in nature. They also watched a short video that highlighted how scientific discoveries evoke a sense of wonder. This led to a discussion about how both science and faith can serve as pathways to worship. The class concluded with a walk through the church in celebration of the Feast of St. Michael, during which they learned about Calvary’s patron saint and discovered images of him throughout the church.
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