Grade 6
-
-
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
DAY 1:
Dear Grade 6 Families,We had a great start to our 6th Grade Summer Program. We ask the students to open
their hearts this week, so they really feel God’s love for them.
Following prayers and introductions, Maureen McKeown, a Sacristan from St. Agnes, talked to the students about the liturgy, and her role in preparing the church and altar before and after each Mass.Following Maureen’s presentation, I introduced the children to breaking open the Word of God. In today’s reading, from the Gospel of John, http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072219.cfm . Mary Magdalene came to Jesus’ tomb to discover it empty. Jesus appears to Mary and tells her to spread the Good News. Mary was one of our first evangelists.
We joined fellow parishioners for the 9 am Mass with Father Victor presiding. Please join us Wednesday and Friday if you are available! Our student volunteers enrich the Mass experience for everyone.
A couple of reminders: Ever mindful of the needs in our greater community, we are asking the children to please bring an item(s) for the Reading Food Pantry on Wed., 7/24. On Friday, 7/26 we will collect donations for the Liturgy Donation Walk-a-thon.
Thank you to those who brought snacks and water for this week’s program. We still need additional snacks, particularly gluten-free items, water, and popsicles. Please go the Sign-Up Genius link to see what we need and thank-you for your support: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054ea4ae28a0fa7-snacks2
Students covered three lessons today. Take a moment to discuss what they learned.
Lesson 1: Lesson 1 – The Bible God’s Story
When we read the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Church, we learn the meaning of God’s revelation for our lives.
Lesson 2: God Creates the World
First God created every part of the world and it was good. In the second creation story God created man and woman. God created the human family in his image and likeness.
Lesson 3: Sin & Salvation
The disobedience of Adman and Eve resulted in original sin, but God did not give up on people.
Spend a few minutes tonight asking your child what they learned; we had a great time reviewing the chapters at our closing group gathering today!
Yours in Christ,
Paula Colpitts and Reading Catholic Summer Program Team
(to the top)
DAY 2Hello 6th Grade Families,
Yesterday we asked the kids to open their hearts to God this week—and they are! We are grateful that your children are eager to get to know and listen to God.
A reminder: We are asking the children to please bring an item(s) for the Reading Food Pantry tomorrow.
Thank you to those who brought snacks and water for this week’s program. We still need additional items, such as snack packs of chips, pretzels, etc. Please go the Sign-Up Genius link to see what we need and thank you for your support: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054ea4ae28a0fa7-snacks2
Today’s Gospel reading is from Matthew, http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072319.cfm. In today’s reading Jesus is preaching to a crowd. Someone tells Him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you." Jesus tells us we are all part of His family and treat each other how we would treat our own family. Be kind and caring to everyone including people we don’t know.
Father Malone gave a Ministry Snapshot on the history and story of Mary and Joseph, based on a book not in the Bible. The First Gospel of James, the Brother of the Lord was written around 65 AD. Mary’s parents could not have a child. They prayed to God for a child who they would dedicate to God. When Mary was 13 she was brought to the temple to be dedicated. It is believed she wove tapestry veils at the temple. When she became of age she was asked by Joseph, a widower with five children, to be his wife. The couple came from devout families and were also devout. God prepared Mary and Joseph. God has a plan for us, and He prepares us too. We need to listen to God through quiet reflection and prayer and find ways to get to know God.
Please talk with your children about their experience today. Our students covered five lessons today.
Lesson 4: Abraham Listens to God
God asks Abraham to kill his only son, Isaac. As Abraham is about to kill Isaac God sends an angel to stop him. We learn from this story to always be obedient, like Abraham and his wife Sarah, and have faith, trusting in the Lord.
Lesson 6: God is Faithful
Even when we make mistakes God still guides us to get on the right path. Divine Providence is the way God’s wisdom and love influence all He has created.
Lesson 7: Passover & the Eucharist
Through the story of Moses we learn Jewish people celebrate Passover as a memorial to God for freeing them from slavery. The Last Supper was a Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples in which He gave up His body and blood. Jesus is truly present when we celebrate the Eucharist.
Lesson 8: God Leads His People
God renewed his Covenant with Abraham by freeing the Hebrews from slavery, protecting and providing for them throughout their Exodus from Egypt.
Lesson 9 – Being Faithful to God
Stories of moral choices in the Bible teach us how decisions can affect relationships with God and with other people in both positive and negative ways.
After lunch, we had a spirited Jeopardy!-style review of the morning’s lessons. We reviewed our roster of ministry participants for tomorrow’s Mass. The Sixth Grade is fully committed to actively engaging in the Liturgy. The Spirit is alive in them!
Thank you for your support this week!
Yours in Christ,
Paula Colpitts and the Reading Catholic Summer Program Team
(to the top)
DAY 3Happy Wednesday,
It is hard to believe we are over half-way through the 6th grade summer program. We have had an excellent week so far.
Thank you to all who brought in water and snacks today! It was a big help in keeping the kids focused in this hot and humid weather. We will continue to take donations of popsicles (so important on these hot days), assorted chips, pretzels and goldfish. Thank you for your generosity! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054ea4ae28a0fa7-snacks2
Thank you to everyone who brought in donations for the Reading Food Pantry! We will continue to take donations through Friday.
Reminder: Don’t forget to bring in donations for the Liturgy Donation Walk-a-thon on Friday, 7/26. Monies raised will benefit liturgical needs (e.g., offertory baskets and Chasubles) of both parishes.Today’s Reading was from the Gospel from Matthew, http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072419.cfm Again we see Jesus teaching to the crowds using parables. Jesus told the story about seeds falling on rocky ground and on fertile ground. Like the seeds we can only grow in our relationship with Jesus by opening our hearts to God, going to Mass, praying, and following God’s laws.
This morning Deacon Neil spoke about his role as a deacon in the church. A deacon serves the Lord like we are all called to do, but in a bigger capacity in the church. Deacons assist at Mass, reading the Gospel and giving homilies. Deacons also can perform baptisms, marriages, and funerals. They visit the sick and homebound, offering communion and encouragement to parishioners. Like Deacon Neil, we are all called to serve and live the Word of God in our Reading community.
We attended Mass with our fellow parishioners today. Your children actively participated in the Mass, greeting others, serving at the altar, proclaiming the Word of the Lord, bringing the gifts, singing in the choir, and washing the Communion vessels after Mass. The students love to be involved in the Mass and they enrich our experience. Please join us on Friday for our final summer program Mass.
Today’s Lessons:
Lesson 11: God’s Presence in the Temple
The Temple in Jerusalem was a place where people could experience God’s presence. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to gather a new People of God, the Church, where God is present today.
Lesson 12: Psalms & Prayers – Book of Wisdom
The Book of Psalms and the Wisdom Literature contain prayers that help us express the real problems and joys in life. Sometimes we pray with others, through communal prayer, and sometimes we pray alone, through personal prayer.
Lesson 13: The Mission of the Church
Jesus calls us to be members of the Church—sign of God’s communion with humanity. The mission of the Church is to proclaim Christ’s presence today.
Lesson 14: The Marks of the Church
The four Marks of the Church—that it is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic—are symbols of the Church’s mission. Through this unity we continue to grow closer to Christ and follow his example of love.
Thanks for your support this week. We are blessed to have your children with us.
Yours in Christ,
Paula Colpitts and Reading Catholic Summer Program Team
(to the top)
DAY 4Hello Grade 6 Families,
We can’t thank you enough for your generosity providing water and snacks for the program this week. Also please don’t forget to bring in donations for the Liturgy Walk-a-thon tomorrow. Money raised will help to purchase offertory baskets and vestments for the parishes.
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew, http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072519.cfm. In today’s Gospel we learn that we should come freely to God to love him and honor him. Only God will judge who will be with him in heaven.
Thursday’s Ministry Snapshot was provided by Janet Davidson-Dee, a Lector at St. Agnes. Janet explained the importance of understanding the text in order to proclaim the Word of God clearly and with meaning to the congregation. We reviewed Lector “Do’s” and “Don’ts” as a group.
Today Lessons:
Lesson 16: Prophets Challenge the People
God’s prophets were called to remind people of God’s message. These messages brought encouragement during hard times and reminded people of the consequences of sin.
Lesson 17: Prophets Give Hope
Isaiah’s message to exiled Jews was to remain hopeful by remembering God’s promise. Early Christians believed Isaiah had foretold the coming of Jesus.
Lesson 18: The Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation are Sacraments of Initiation. Each Sacrament is an outward sign of God’s love for us. The celebration of these Sacraments brings us closer to Christ and to our Catholic community.
Lesson 19: The Sacraments of Healing
The Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick , provide us an opportunity to experience God’s mercy and love.
Please allow your child to share what they learned today. Open a dialogue about the importance of living your Catholic Faith.
Blessings,
Paul Colpitts and the Reading Catholic Summer Program Team
(to the top)
DAY 5Dear Grade 6 Families,
I cannot believe we are at the end of our week. And, what a wonderful week we had. We asked the children to open their hearts to God and they did.
A big thank you to all who donated to the Reading Food Pantry, brought in donations for our Walk-a-thon, and kept the children energized with water, snacks and popsicles. We are grateful for your generosity. On behalf of the Reading Food Pantry and the Reading Catholic Community —Thank You!
We owe a debt of gratitude to the 14 dedicated teachers, including 12 Confirmed teenagers, who gave so much of their time this week, sharing their faith with your children. We also thank our “refreshment” team of high schoolers who kept your children fed and hydrated.
This morning we started our day in the lower church with Maureen McKeown, a dedicated Sacristan and Eucharistic Minister, who talked about Extraordinary Ministers of Communion. Marie Kleponis, a faith-filled member of St. Agnes parish, talked to the students about Adoration and spending quiet time with Jesus.
During Mass, we were excited to witness the commissioning of two Confirmed teens as Eucharistic Ministers. Christina and Rachel distributed Communion at Mass today.
We were thrilled that the sixth-grade students filled all available ministry roles this week at the Masses. They were really enthused and recognized their value in the Liturgy.
Today’s Lessons
Lesson 22: The Sacraments of Service
Although every person is called to the vocation of a holy life, some people are called to holiness through Holy Orders or Matrimony. These Sacraments are celebrations of people who have chosen to make a life-long commitment to service.
Lesson 23: Caring for the Earth
Pope John Paul II wrote an encyclical that calls us to remember that all of creation is a gift from God. We have a responsibility to use the gifts of the earth in ways that honor God. By increasing our solidarity with people all over the world, we can work to bring about environmental and social justice.
Lesson 24: Jesus’ Call for Justice
God calls us to treat everyone with respect and justice. By following the example of Jesus, we help the global community by showing compassion for others and by working for justice.
To celebrate our great week, we ended our day with pizza and ice cream, enjoying the company of Father Steve, Father Victor, and Father Ed.
We pray that your children, through their participation in the Liturgy this week, continue to seek a deeper relationship with Christ and his Church on earth.
Reading Catholic Community
Sunday Mass Schedule
4:00 pm Saturday, St. Athanasius
7:30 am Sunday, St. Agnes
9:00 am Sunday, St. Agnes
10:00am Sunday, St. Athanasius
11:00 am Sunday, St. Agnes
Daily Mass at 9:00 am: M, W, F at St. Agnes; T, Th at St. Athanasius
May you all have a safe and blessed summer,
Paula Colpitts and the Reading Catholic Summer Program Team
(to the top)
-