So after being quite convinced that praying together as a family, using the prayer table as a focal point, was the best possible idea, the rivalry between my two boys has made that totally untenable.
I'm hoping we can get back to it one day, but in the meantime I'm doing separate prayer times with each of them around bedtime. Which is actually good, because they have quite different religious needs at the moment, one being 5 1/4 and a naturally loving and affectionate child who is all about the Good Shepherd, and the other being 6 3/4 and a naturally rule-orientated fellow with a tendency to ignore the spirit of the Law in favour of the letter (he gets that from me).
So just in case I have given the impression that you're doing it all wrong if you're not using a prayer table or whatever, please ignore said impression. I suspect I overstressed the outward form of the prayer time in a previous post. And the prayer table with all its accompaniments is a wonderful tool. But the really important thing is that you are praying with your children (every day if possible), and that they see you praying, and that you are trying to be aware of the themes most appropriate to their ages and personalities. The best thing about it all? We do our best and God will do the rest. (Thank goodness for that!)
Monday, 13 June 2016
11th Week of Ordinary Time, Tuesday (Cycle II)
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
I'm trying a different approach for a little while. My boys are 5 and 6 and have many wonderful ideas to share. I'm going to try just starting with a phrase and exploring it with them - often what I think will help them doesn't seem to hit to spot, so I'm going to try and be guided more by them. I invite you to try the same with your own children.
For younger children for this one, ask them about what they think it means to love as God loves - how He showed that love, and how they can do so in practical ways. See what else they think is important about this snippet. Don't focus on the commandment bit - save that for 6+ when we can talk about how Jesus gives us wonderful rules to help us be close to Him and have a wonderful relationship with Him and others. From 6ish, rules for life are becoming important (kids are focussing on other things before that).
For older children (unsure exactly which age - I wouldn't do it with my 6 3/4 year old and probably not till 8 or 9 at least) you could also look at the Gospel of the day and what Jesus might be trying to get across there: http://universalis.com/20160614/mass.htm
Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)
(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )
"Alleluia, alleluia!
I give you a new commandment:
love one another just as I have loved you,
says the Lord.
Alleluia!"
I give you a new commandment:
love one another just as I have loved you,
says the Lord.
Alleluia!"
(Gospel Acclamation)
(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)
(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)
For younger children for this one, ask them about what they think it means to love as God loves - how He showed that love, and how they can do so in practical ways. See what else they think is important about this snippet. Don't focus on the commandment bit - save that for 6+ when we can talk about how Jesus gives us wonderful rules to help us be close to Him and have a wonderful relationship with Him and others. From 6ish, rules for life are becoming important (kids are focussing on other things before that).
For older children (unsure exactly which age - I wouldn't do it with my 6 3/4 year old and probably not till 8 or 9 at least) you could also look at the Gospel of the day and what Jesus might be trying to get across there: http://universalis.com/20160614/mass.htm
Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)
(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Sunday, 12 June 2016
11th Week of Ordinary Time, Monday (Cycle II)
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
I'm trying a different approach for a little while. My boys are 5 and 6 and have many wonderful ideas to share. I'm going to try just starting with a phrase and exploring it with them - often what I think will help them doesn't seem to hit to spot, so I'm going to try and be guided more by them. I invite you to try the same with your own children.
Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)
(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )
"Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth."
(Response to the Psalm)
(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)
(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)
Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)
(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Saturday, 11 June 2016
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
What a beautiful prayer from Jesus.
He asks that we be one with Him, as He is one with the Father.
Can you imagine how Jesus and the Father are one?
What a wonderful thing, that Jesus wants us to be with Him and the Father so very closely. How much He must love us if He wants us to be one with Him!
Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so much. Thank you for wanting to share with us the oneness of You and the Father.
Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)
(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )
"Holy Father, keep in your name those you have given to me,
that they may be one as we are one, says the Lord."
that they may be one as we are one, says the Lord."
(Communion Antiphon)
(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)
(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)
He asks that we be one with Him, as He is one with the Father.
Can you imagine how Jesus and the Father are one?
What a wonderful thing, that Jesus wants us to be with Him and the Father so very closely. How much He must love us if He wants us to be one with Him!
Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so much. Thank you for wanting to share with us the oneness of You and the Father.
Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)
(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."11
Thursday, 9 June 2016
10th Week of Ordinary Time, Tuesday (Cycle II)
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
We have talked before about how Jesus is the light of the world. In today's Gospel He tells us that we are the light of the world!
What can this mean? How can both Jesus and us be the light of the world?
Remember that, when we were baptised, we received the light of Christ? We became part of His family; part of Him.
(For 6/7+: As long as we choose to keep that light shining in us, it is there, shining brightly for the world to see.)
(For 3-6: That light is still shining brightly in us, for all the world to see.)
That is how we are the light of the world, along with Jesus. His light is shining in us.
Thank you, Jesus, for being the light of the world. Thank you for giving us that light so that we can be the light of the world with You.
Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)
(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )
"you are the light of the world"
(From the Gospel)
(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)
(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)
What can this mean? How can both Jesus and us be the light of the world?
Remember that, when we were baptised, we received the light of Christ? We became part of His family; part of Him.
(For 6/7+: As long as we choose to keep that light shining in us, it is there, shining brightly for the world to see.)
(For 3-6: That light is still shining brightly in us, for all the world to see.)
That is how we are the light of the world, along with Jesus. His light is shining in us.
Thank you, Jesus, for being the light of the world. Thank you for giving us that light so that we can be the light of the world with You.
Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)
(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Monday, 6 June 2016
10th Week of Ordinary Time, Friday (Cycle II)
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
The other day we talked about how we, along with Jesus, are the light of the world. We have the light of Jesus, given to us as baptism, shining in us.
We "will shine in the world like bright stars" - this must be a very bright light! Imagine if we could see with our eyes the lights of all those who carry Christ's light within them. I wonder how much light we would all make together? Do you think it would be as bright as the sun? Brighter?
I wonder what it is like in Heaven, with so much of Christ's light shining?
Thank you, Jesus, for giving us Your bright light. Thank you that we can shine it in the world for everyone else, so they can find You and love You.
Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)
(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )
"You will shine in the world like bright stars
because you are offering it the word of life."
because you are offering it the word of life."
(From the Gospel)
(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)
(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)
We "will shine in the world like bright stars" - this must be a very bright light! Imagine if we could see with our eyes the lights of all those who carry Christ's light within them. I wonder how much light we would all make together? Do you think it would be as bright as the sun? Brighter?
I wonder what it is like in Heaven, with so much of Christ's light shining?
Thank you, Jesus, for giving us Your bright light. Thank you that we can shine it in the world for everyone else, so they can find You and love You.
Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)
(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Saturday, 4 June 2016
10th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Today we have a beautiful Gospel about how much Jesus cares for His people.
A woman with no other family had lost her only son. Jesus cared for her so much that He brought him back to life, so that she would not be alone.
If Jesus can bring the dead back to life, what can he not do? What would He not do to make sure we have what we need? His love is so very great and His power is too; He can and will do everything we ever need to help us.
Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so much. Thank you for always making sure we have whatever we need.
Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)
(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )
"a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople were with her. When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her. ‘Do not cry’ he said. Then he went up and put his hand on the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you to get up.’ And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and praised God saying, ‘A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.’"
(From the Psalm)
(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)
(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)
A woman with no other family had lost her only son. Jesus cared for her so much that He brought him back to life, so that she would not be alone.
If Jesus can bring the dead back to life, what can he not do? What would He not do to make sure we have what we need? His love is so very great and His power is too; He can and will do everything we ever need to help us.
Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so much. Thank you for always making sure we have whatever we need.
Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)
(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
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