Embracing Friendship and
Valuing Differences

In Sunday school, we read a story from the Bible, Genesis 2:18-24, and it was really interesting! God saw that Adam, the first man, was alone, so he decided to make a partner for him. He made all the animals first, and Adam gave them names. But none of these animals were a good partner for Adam because they were so different.

I know what it’s like when you can’t find someone to play with. You feel lonely, and it isn’t fun. And it’s not the same when you play with someone who doesn’t like the same games as you.

So, God made Adam fall asleep, and he took one of Adam’s ribs to create a woman. God brought her to Adam, and Adam was very happy! He named her Eve.

This story shows us how God cares about us and knows what we need. God saw that Adam was lonely, and he made someone who was just right for him. That’s like when we’re feeling lonely or left out, and we find a friend who likes us just the way we are. It’s always great to find someone who shares our interests and understands us.

Another important lesson is that we need other people. Adam needed someone like him to talk to and share things with. In the same way, we need friends and family. Sometimes, I think we try to do things on our own, but it’s okay to ask for help or just spend time with people we like.

I think the story also teaches us to appreciate differences. Adam couldn’t find a good partner among the animals because they were different. But when God made Eve, she was similar to Adam but also different. And Adam liked that! She was made from his rib, but she was her own person. So maybe when we see people who are different from us, we can try to understand them and find ways to get along.

This story shows that God loves us and provides what we need, just like he did with Adam and Eve. He wants us to be happy and have friends and family who love us. It’s important to remember this, especially when we’re feeling lonely or having trouble getting along with others.

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ST. NICHOLAS NEW HAMBURG (9:55)

Word of the Week

ONENESS/UNITY

Old Turtle

This beautiful book is one of the best stories for helping children understand how all of God’s creation is interconnected. The story begins with an argument between the mountains and the rivers, the ants and the stars, the lions and the bears—all regarding the nature of God. A terrible noise of quarreling voices rings out until wise Old Turtle quiets the argument, explaining that God is all that we dream of, and all that we seek…all that we come from and all that we can find. This silences the creatures of the world, except for humans. The disagreement is heard again when people raise their voices and their fists and harm each other and the natural order given to them by God. The story makes the plea for unity and oneness clear for humans and for all of creation.

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SOURCE: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

LISTENER KIDS (2:04)

Jesus Loves Me w/ Lyrics

The children’s song “Jesus Loves Me” connects well with the Scripture passage Mk 10:2-16, as both emphasize the love and welcoming nature of Jesus.

In Mk 10:2-16, Jesus teaches about the importance of love within families and communities, and he demonstrates his love by welcoming and blessing children. This passage shows that Jesus values and cares for everyone, regardless of their age or social status.

Similarly, the song “Jesus Loves Me” communicates the message that Jesus loves and cares for all children, emphasizing his unconditional love and acceptance. The song’s simple yet powerful lyrics reassure children that they are loved by Jesus and that they belong in his family.

By singing “Jesus Loves Me” alongside the reading of Mk 10:2-16, children can better understand and internalize the message of Jesus’ love and welcoming nature. This pairing offers an engaging and memorable way for young children to connect with these important themes from the Gospel.

TRUEWAY KIDS (0:52)

Genesis 2

A long time ago God made the heavens and the earth. When God had finished making all things He said, “Let us make man in our own image.” He made man just like Him, out of the dust. The man was called Adam.

Adam took great care of all the things God made. God gave Adam a job to name all the animals He made. But Adam was alone, and God saw that was not good. God knew what to do.

God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. While Adam slept, God took out one of his ribs. God used Adam’s rib to create a beautiful woman. Her name was Eve.

When Adam woke up, he saw Eve. Adam was happy to see her. Adam and Eve lived in the garden God had created. They enjoyed a relationship with God and with each other.

Here are key words and topics appropriate for young children related to the Sunday readings:

Gn 2:18-24

• Adam and Eve: Talk about God creating Adam and then creating Eve as a helper and partner for Adam.
• Friendship: Discuss the importance of having friends and people who help us, like God made Eve to help Adam.
• Garden of Eden: Describe the beautiful garden God made for Adam and Eve to live in.
• God’s love: Explain how God loved Adam and wanted him to have a friend, just like God loves us and wants us to have friends too.

Heb 2:9-11

• Jesus: Talk about Jesus being both God and human, and how he became like us to help us.
• Family: Discuss how Jesus has a family in heaven, and how we are part of God’s family too.
• Love and kindness: Explain that Jesus showed love and kindness to everyone and wants us to do the same.

Mk 10:2-16

• Love: Discuss how Jesus wants us to love and care for each other, just like he loves and cares for us.
• Family: Talk about how Jesus teaches us to take care of our families and treat each other with love and respect.
• Children: Mention that Jesus loves and welcomes all children, and wants them to be close to him.

In the Gospel reading from Mark 10:2-16, people bring children to Jesus so that he could bless them, highlighting the importance of Jesus’ love and care for all, especially the young and vulnerable. During Mass, we continue to experience the blessings of Jesus in various ways, such as:

1. Blessing through the proclamation of the Word: As the Scripture readings are proclaimed, we are blessed with the opportunity to listen to God’s Word and learn from Jesus’ teachings. This helps us to grow in our faith and deepen our understanding of Jesus’ message.
2. Blessing through the homily: The homily provides an opportunity for the priest or deacon to reflect on the Scripture readings and offer insights that can inspire and challenge us in our daily lives. This helps us to connect the Gospel message with our own experiences and to grow in our relationship with Jesus.
3. Blessing through the Eucharist: The Eucharist is the central part of the Mass, during which the bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Jesus. As we receive Holy Communion, we are blessed with the real presence of Jesus, which nourishes and strengthens us on our spiritual journey.
4. Blessing through the community: As we gather together for Mass, we are blessed by the presence and support of our fellow believers. The community of faith helps us to grow in love and compassion, as we share our joys, sorrows, and prayers with one another.
5. Blessing through prayer: Throughout the Mass, we engage in various prayers, such as the Lord’s Prayer and the prayers of the faithful. These prayers bless us by offering opportunities to communicate with God, express our gratitude, and ask for guidance and strength in our daily lives.

These blessings, experienced during Mass, remind us of Jesus’ love and presence in our lives and inspire us to share that love with others, just as he welcomed and blessed the children brought to him in today’s Gospel.

Engaging in good deeds, prayer, and worship, despite imperfections and sacrifices, is essential for spiritual growth and alignment with Jesus’ teachings.

SOURCE: Mary Jo Cole

Jesus emphasizes the importance of children and their voices, teaching us to embrace childlike qualities, trust in God, and spread kindness and love to all, especially those who feel marginalized.

SOURCE: Uganda Catholic Television

October is a month dedicated to the rosary and missions, inviting children to spiritually unite with Jesus through prayer, reflect on the sacredness of marriage, and embrace their role in evangelization and caring for creation.

SOURCE: Redemptorist Publications / Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph

The Gospel emphasizes the sanctity of marriage, the importance of unconditional love, and the value of childlike dependence on Jesus, encouraging us to embrace God’s transformative power and welcome everyone with love.

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S.D.C. is a Catholic Society that works in the field of Catechesis and the spreading of the Word of God in different ways.  READ MORE

SOURCE: SDC Sunday Liturgy Resources

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The Kids’ Bulletins are a resource for Catholic kids who would like to have some fun while learning about the readings from the Sunday Mass every week. (Ordinary Form)  They are made by a mom in Canada who is happy to share them with anyone who can use them to help learn or teach about the truth and beauty of the Faith.

SOURCE: Catholic Kids Bulletin

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Enjoy Catholic coloring pages, lesson plans, Mass worksheets, puzzles, and more to help you prepare for Sunday Mass. These activities, prepared by the Catholic Mom Sunday Gospel Team, are free for you to print and share with your family, classroom, or parish.

SOURCE: Catholic Mom

SOURCE: Ministry to Children

Made for One Another

We are not made to be alone, and we cannot live on our own. God created us to rely on and help one another and designed us to be in relationships with others.

Relationships and God’s Design

God created humans for companionship and collaboration, as exemplified by the creation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

We are designed to rely on and support each other, even when capable of independent action, to fulfill God’s plan for human relationships.

Types of Relationships

God intends for us to form various relationships, including those with family, friends, and partners, all of which serve to strengthen our connection to Him.

Our relationship with God is emphasized as the most crucial among all relationships we form.

Purpose of Relationships

Relationships are presented as a divine gift, meant to enrich our earthly lives and facilitate our service to God.

The purpose of human relationships extends beyond personal fulfillment, serving to build us up spiritually and draw us closer to God.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

OBJECTS: Pictures of families and children at the parish—in the church, at social events, etc.

I thought we might just pause today and think a little bit about what we’re doing here. Why is it important that we come to church? (Solicit children’s answers)

That’s right. Church is a place that we come to worship God and to learn about Jesus’ teachings. We could do those things on our own, but there’s something kind of special about coming to church and worshiping with others, isn’t there? Our church is like a family.

But think for a minute about your own family. You know, most of you began coming to church even before you were old enough to really understand what it was. (As appropriate, you may wish to acknowledge the presence of infants at your own service.) Why do you think your parents thought it was important to start bringing you to church when you were very little? (Solicit children’s answers.)

That’s right. Being a Christian is something that begins learning very early – and while you might not have understood everything at first, even as very little children we begin to understand what a special, loving place church is.

SERMON CONTINUES

SOURCE: Sermon Writer

The Honored Child

OBJECTS: Different kinds of toys

What’s the best thing about being a kid?

You play. That is definitely a wonderful thing about being a kid. We, as adults, could learn from you about how to do that well.

You have parents and grandparents who love you and take care of you. You live in a home where there is food, clothes to wear, and a place to sleep.

You have time to read, draw pictures, and listen to music.

You have toys.

Do you sometimes splash in mud puddles? That may be another good thing that kids enjoy, but adults, most often, don’t.

SERMON CONTINUES

SOURCE: Sermon Writer