2023

31st Sunday of Year A

CHILDRENHANDOUTSSTORIESTEENS

Santa Clara University

Sunday Index for children ages 5-13

Using each lesson plan, directors of religious education, school teachers, and parents can:

Use the recommended key discussion points when reading weekly messages with your children.
Read aloud a classic picture storybook linked to the moral virtue in the weekly readings.
Manage creative activities including arts and crafts, games, and gardening projects.
End with a reflection activity using a case study and a prayer.

THE WORD THIS WEEK

Integrity

Stand Tall

Stand Tall is told in the first person by a girl who loves to stand tall in many ways. She is proud of her heritage, her ability to learn from others, and how she sets goals and achieves them. Her greatest “stand tall” moments are when she does the right thing and makes good choices. The conclusion of the book provides comprehensive questions and activities to help the reader gain a greater appreciation for an understanding ofintegrity.

FIRST READING

Malachi 1: 14b- 2: 2b, 8-10

As is true for all the prophets of the Old Testament, Malachi is calling God’s people to be faithful and to have integrity. He is specifically calling on the priests to be accountable for their lack of faithfulness to the covenant of “life and peace” that God made with the Levitical priesthood in the days of Moses. If the priests had been people of integrity and remained faithful in word and deed to the covenant, there would have been great blessings. However, despite their faithlessness, Malachi proclaims that God still loves them, but that God was calling them to be honorable, respectful, and faithful—to be integrated.

SECOND READING

1 Thessalonians 2: 7b-9, 13

Although integrity is not directly spoken of in Saint Paul’s First letter to the Thessalonians, he reminds them that he was sent to them as God’s messenger and worked for them so they might come to their faith in Jesus Christ. There is a similarity between Saint Paul’s words and actions and the idea of what it means to be a person of integrity. Saint Paul is pleased to work tirelessly for the Thessalonians and Christ, as his mission is to encourage those who believe in Christ.

GOSPEL

Matthew 23: 1-12

In this section of Saint Matthew’s Gospel, we encounter Jesus speaking to the importance of being people of integrity. Jesus is saying that we are called to act as we speak and to be accountable to the Law. Living a virtuous life calls each of us to believe to bring the words of the Gospel to life through our words and actions.

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SOURCE: Teaching Catholic Kids

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by Larry Broding

Index

NOTE: Photos are for illustration only and do not constitute part of the original content.

SUMMARY: Max is wrongly accused of a robbery at a toy store. Despite being innocent, rumors spread and he becomes isolated. Eventually, the truth emerges, highlighting the harm caused by half-truths and the importance of telling the whole truth.

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SUMMARY: Dusty takes his Halloween prank too far and becomes mean to others. As a result, people no longer trust or like him. The lesson learned is that being selfish and mean leads to loneliness and loss of trust.

Closing Question: How can you treat others like you treat yourself? How can you have fun this Halloween with everyone else?

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Closing Question: How can you treat others like you treat yourself? How can you have fun this Halloween with everyone else?

SOURCE: Word-Sunday.com – All materials found in word-sunday.com are the property of Larry Broding (Copyright 1999-2022). Viewers may copy any material found in these pages for their personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.

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Reviews by Terrence
Nollen

Diocese of Lincoln

Index

One cannot compliment Patricia Polacco highly enough for her many wonderful stories. Though she doesn’t shy away from writing about the painful parts of life, she is so positive that you will fall in love with her characters. At this time in history, when so many problematic events are happening, this book reminds us of the loving possibilities we can create. Then like Mrs. Katz, we can say: “Such a person.”

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