Lessons learned by the Baby Bottle Drive
We hope this resource is helpful to you and your family. It is intended for students 4th grade and up but may be appropriate for younger children. We encourage parents to preview the videos prior to showing them to the entire family. It will give you an opportunity to be better prepared to answer any questions that may come up. Each session will take between 10 and 20 minutes. We encourage you to begin each session with prayer. We would love to hear any feedback about the sessions. You can email Bob Perron at bobperron@jmjpc.org.
Love God, Love Each Other
We begin all things with prayer...
Pray a spontaneous prayer or begin with an Our Father or Hail Mary.
Who is your neighbor?
We are called to love God and love each other. That is the root of all Catholic social teaching. As a family read Luke 10:29-37 (The Good Samaritan) and use it as a template to answer the question, who is your neighbor. How does this relate to you and your family today? Encourage them to mentally walk through their day and “see” all their neighbors they have encountered:. When you have finished, watch the video below:
The video asks the question, "How you gonna love a God you can't see if you can't love the person you can?"
Set a timer for 3 minutes and as a family recalls everyone they can think of that is their neighbor.
How can we better love the people in our lives? Our friends, our family, our neighbors, our teachers, our co-workers, strangers and people in need?
Set a timer for 3 minutes and as a family recalls everyone they can think of that is their neighbor.
How can we better love the people in our lives? Our friends, our family, our neighbors, our teachers, our co-workers, strangers and people in need?
Closing Prayer
Have everyone in the family take five names from the list you made earlier and commit to praying for them for the next couple of days.
Background Information
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RELATED SCRIPTURE PASSAGES:
Mark 12:31; Luke 6:31, 35; Romans 12:9; Romans 13:10; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Ephesians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:7; Colossians 3:14 |
RELATED CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH REFERENCES:
1826-1829; 1844 |
RELATED YOUCAT REFERENCES:
Love of God: 2, 61, 127, 309, 339-340, 402 Love of Neighbor: 321-22, 373 |
The Video Catechism is used with permission. It was produced by ODB Films and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston to help young people fall in love with Jesus and the Church. All of the films can be viewed at www.vcat.org.
Made in the image and likeness
We begin all things with prayer...
Pray a spontaneous prayer or begin with an Our Father or Hail Mary.
What does it mean to be made in God's Image?
“God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.” - Genesis 1:27
male and female he created them.” - Genesis 1:27
For the first project every family member will need a blank sheet of paper. On the middle of the paper draw a picture of God. This might be challenging for some of your familiy members and that’s OK. It is actually quite profound to witness what the young children in your family draw. Let them be creative with what they draw.
Next, around the picture, have them list words and phrases that describe God. Parents may need to help the younger children with this part. Again, this may be challenging at first but no matter where they are in their faith journeys they have already picked up a certain idea of who God is.
Once everyone is done, turn the picture over and have everyone draw a picture of themselves on the other side.. Around the picture write words that describe themselves. When everyone is done, look at the two lists and see if any of the words are similar.
This can lead into a really good discussion on what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God. After a few moments of discussion watch the video below.
Bishop Don Hying, the Archbishop of Madison, WI shares about our Catholic belief that all life is valuable. The remarks are based upon the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2258).
Next, around the picture, have them list words and phrases that describe God. Parents may need to help the younger children with this part. Again, this may be challenging at first but no matter where they are in their faith journeys they have already picked up a certain idea of who God is.
Once everyone is done, turn the picture over and have everyone draw a picture of themselves on the other side.. Around the picture write words that describe themselves. When everyone is done, look at the two lists and see if any of the words are similar.
This can lead into a really good discussion on what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God. After a few moments of discussion watch the video below.
Bishop Don Hying, the Archbishop of Madison, WI shares about our Catholic belief that all life is valuable. The remarks are based upon the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2258).
This is an update on Dominic Pio Gundrum. He is now 6 years old and doing great. This video may not be appropriate for younger children. Please preview it before you share it with your family.
Generosity
Begin with Prayer
Lord, teach me to be generous,
to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to look for any reward,
save that of knowing that I do your holy will.
-St. Ignatius of Loyola
to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to look for any reward,
save that of knowing that I do your holy will.
-St. Ignatius of Loyola
Play the video below:
In Matthew 17:20, Jesus tells us if we have faith as small as a mustard seed we could move mountains. The problem is most of us don’t put our faith to use. In this video, Fr. Mike invites us to make use of the gifts God has already given us. In doing so, we may become so overjoyed by our natural gifts that we can’t help but share them with others.
Discussion Questions:
Take a few minutes and think about the gift God has given you. What are some practical ways you could better use those gifts?
Fr. Mike describes generosity as "love with feet". What do you think he means by that statement?
Take a few minutes and think about the gift God has given you. What are some practical ways you could better use those gifts?
Fr. Mike describes generosity as "love with feet". What do you think he means by that statement?
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Scripture References:
DEUTERONOMY 15:7–8 PSALM 41:1–3, GOD’S PROMISE TO THE GENEROUS PROVERBS 11:24–25, YOUR GENEROSITY DEFINES YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTHEW 10:42, GOD KEEPS TRACK OF OUR GIVING LUKE 21:1–4, JESUS’ ENTHUSIASM ABOUT GENEROSITY 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6–8, GOD DOESN’T WANT TO COERCE GENEROSITY |
References from the Catechism of the Church
1567; 1937; 1968; 2335; 2373; 2368; 2379; 3407 |
Joy story
We begin all things with prayer...
Pray a spontaneous prayer or begin with an Our Father or Hail Mary.
So what does Mary have to do with a Baby Bottle Drive? As you and your family generously give it is a great time to remember that God sent his son as an innocent baby. It is a great opportunity to talk about the incarnation and Mary's special role in salvation history. It reminds us that Mary's FIAT (her yes) is the perfect example for us. Mary always points the way to her Son and calls us into a deeper relationship with Him.
Begin by watching the video below:
Begin by watching the video below:
Discussion Questions:
Did you learn anything new about Mary from the video?
What is the difference between honoring Mary and worshiping Mary?
Does your family have any devotions or prayers you do on a regular basis?
Closing Prayer:
Pray a decade of a Rosary.
Did you learn anything new about Mary from the video?
What is the difference between honoring Mary and worshiping Mary?
Does your family have any devotions or prayers you do on a regular basis?
Closing Prayer:
Pray a decade of a Rosary.
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RELATED SCRIPTURE PASSAGES:
Finding the Hail Mary in Scripture: Luke 1:27; Luke 1:41-43; Luke 1:48 Mary’s Obedience: Luke 1:38 Mary’s Influence on Jesus: Luke 2:51; John 2:3-10 Why We Consider Her Our Mother: Revelation 12:17 |
RELATED CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH REFERENCES:
Mary as Our Mother: 967-970 Devotion to Mary: 971 Why Mary?: 488-489 Mary’s Obedience: 494 Mary’s Virginity: 496-501 Why “Ever-Virgin”?: 499-507 |
hope and mercy
Begin with Prayer
Heavenly Father, it was by your mercy that we were created, and by your mercy that you redeemed us by sending your Son. Your mercy is the light in which sinners find you and good people come back to you. We thank you and praise you for your mercy. AMEN.
Heavenly Father, it was by your mercy that we were created, and by your mercy that you redeemed us by sending your Son. Your mercy is the light in which sinners find you and good people come back to you. We thank you and praise you for your mercy. AMEN.
Play video:
Discussion Questions
1. What is the connection between Jesus’ love and his mercy?
2. Can we look Mercy like the transitional property in math?
Mercy = Love; Love = No Fear; therefore Mercy = No Fear
3. The narrator mentions a paradox: where sin abounds (exists in large amounts), grace abounds all the more (Romans 5:20). What does this mean?
Closing Prayer:
Pray a decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet (Click HERE).
1. What is the connection between Jesus’ love and his mercy?
2. Can we look Mercy like the transitional property in math?
Mercy = Love; Love = No Fear; therefore Mercy = No Fear
3. The narrator mentions a paradox: where sin abounds (exists in large amounts), grace abounds all the more (Romans 5:20). What does this mean?
Closing Prayer:
Pray a decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet (Click HERE).
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RELATED SCRIPTURE PASSAGES:
Grace: John 1:14; Acts 4:33; Acts 6:8; Acts 11:22-24; Acts 14: 1-3; Hebrews 12:15; 1 Peter 5:10 Mercy: Chronicles 30:9; Psalm 86:5; Nehemiah 9:28; Matthew 5:7; Matthew 9:13; Luke 6:36; Hebrews 4:16; Jude 1:22, 23 Fear: Proverbs 12:25; Romans 8:15; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18 |
RELATED CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH REFERENCES:
Mercy: 211; 270; 545; 1013; 1037; 1429; 1431; 1458 Grace: 35; 153-155; 158; 214; 308; 420; 678-679; 1013; 1084; 1431-1432 |
pro-life = pro-love
Begin with Prayer:
O Mary,
bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life
Look down, O Mother,
upon the vast numbers
of babies not allowed to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
of men and women
who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel
as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it
resolutely, in order to build,
together with all people of good will,
the civilization of truth and love,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life. AMEN
- Evangelium Vitae, The Gospel of Life, 105
O Mary,
bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life
Look down, O Mother,
upon the vast numbers
of babies not allowed to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
of men and women
who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel
as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it
resolutely, in order to build,
together with all people of good will,
the civilization of truth and love,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life. AMEN
- Evangelium Vitae, The Gospel of Life, 105
Play the video below:
Sr. Alicia Torres speaks about how her involvement in pro-life work led to a broader understanding of the value of every human life.
- What does it mean to be Pro-Life?
- Why does the Catholic Church believe that every life is precious?
- How did her involvement in the pro-life movement help to form Sr. Alicia’s view of the world?
- Do you see a connection between being pro-life and joining an order that serves the poor and destitute? What is it?
- What did Sr. Alicia come to realize about her own value during her illness?
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Closing Prayer:
JMJ Pregnancy Center Prayer Lord, we thank You for the gift of our lives. We offer up to You all of the women and families who are served by JMJ Pregnancy Center. Help JMJ live out its mission to support the God‑given right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every unborn child to be born. Give us the courage to protect every precious human life from conception to natural death. Please bless all of the volunteers, staff, and donors who so generously give of themselves for the ministry of JMJ. We ask these prayers through Christ, our Lord. Amen. |
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RELATED SCRIPTURE PASSAGES:
In Support of a Pro-Life Position: Psalm 22:10-11; Psalm 127:3; Psalm 139:13, 15; Jeremiah 1:5; Galatians 1:15 On the Value of Every Life: Genesis 1:27; Matthew 7:12; John 4:4-42; Romans 5:6-8; Colossians 4:1-18; 1 John 3:17 |
RELATED CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH REFERENCES:
2271-2272, 2322 |
The beginning of holiness
WE BEGIN ALL THINGS WITH PRAYER
Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. Amen.
- Blessed John Henry Newman
Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. Amen.
- Blessed John Henry Newman
Play video:
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
“God speaks to us in the silence of our heart.”
“God speaks to us in the silence of our heart.”
- What does this mean?
- Is your heart silent?
- How can you make your heart silent?
- Why would it be helpful to have silence in our hearts for God to speak to us?
- Have you ever felt you had so much in your heart that you HAD to speak to God about it?
- What happened when you did?
- What does she say we should do first?
- Is this how you pray – listen first?
- Why do you think she says to listen before we speak?
- How does prayer deepen our faith?
- Why would a deeper faith create more love in us?
- Why would love compel us to serve?
- How does service create peace in us?
- Why would we want to see God in others? Why is that important?
- Think of a person who is difficult for you to be patient with, care about, or love. How would
things change if you were able to see God in that person?
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Closing Prayer:
JMJ Pregnancy Center Prayer Lord, we thank You for the gift of our lives. We offer up to You all of the women and families who are served by JMJ Pregnancy Center. Help JMJ live out its mission to support the God‑given right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every unborn child to be born. Give us the courage to protect every precious human life from conception to natural death. Please bless all of the volunteers, staff, and donors who so generously give of themselves for the ministry of JMJ. We ask these prayers through Christ, our Lord. Amen. |
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RELATED SCRIPTURE PASSAGES:
Listening: Proverbs 8:32-34; Matthew 17:5; John 10:27; James 1:19 Serving: Mark 10:45; Romans 2:13; Philippians 2:5-7; James 1:22-24 |
RELATED CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH REFERENCES:
Contemplative Prayer: 2709, 2713, 2715-2717 |
Your mission if you choose to accept it
