Monthly Archives: April 2013

Volleyball

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Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team’s court. Taking this concept into a classroom of 1st graders needs some improvising. So, I decided that our colorful rug would be the court, and having them sit in their chairs facing each other could work. Let me not forget, the use of a beach ball is very beneficial, especially when it’s the boys vs. the girls!

Ready to play on the girls’ team was, Elizabeth, Ashley, Charlotte, Paula, Mary, and Ally. The boys’ team had Jack, Ben, Ewan, Aidan M, Patrick, Gianluca, Aidan S, Nikolaus. The hands of Emma, and Salvatore were used for our score board. A beautiful part of our religious experience is the sense of belonging. There are lots of benefits to being a member of a community. We feel more secure knowing that we have others around us who share our same values. As a team, we can work together, developing, bonding, and helping others.

During our class lesson, we talked about how families share life and love. How we all belong to a family and how everyone in our family is special. We spoke about Jesus and the family He belonged to, and that we are now part of that family through our baptism. When I asked them, “What are some of the things we do as a parish family?” Their answers were, “We help people, we give food and clothes to the poor.” However, what really touched me, was when Ally said, “We pray for each other!”

In the game of volleyball, or any team sport, kids can benefit both physically and socially. Being part of a family or group is probably why Jesus called the twelve (Disciples) to Himself, and began to send them out two by two. (Mark 6:7) The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18) This is the awesome love of God…

Having help and support, making memories, and of course some normal disagreements at times (because nothing is perfect here on earth, except for God’s grace) is all part life. Often, I think about this really nice quote, “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”― Mother Teresa

Have a blessed day!
Deanna

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You’re in My Heart

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All the classes piled into the auditorium. The Haiti orphan project and tee shirt drive has all the kids excited. In learning about acts of charity for others, all the children decorated a foam heart that they wrapped with their tee shirt donation. Kids helping kids – – what a beautiful site to see!

In the church, for the prayer service, Ben pointed to the confession booth and asked, “What’s behind those doors?” I explained, “That is where you go for confession.” He continued with a very serious face, “Is Jesus in there?” A few of the other kids heard what he asked, and they started asking, with curious faces, “Is Jesus in there?” With a smile, I whispered, “No, He’s in your heart.” At that moment, Kristen whispered to me, “Gianluca isn’t feeling very well.” One look as his sad little face broke my heart. All in a days work as a teacher…

Back in class, we started off praying for each other, family and friends. We asked God to bless Gianluca and Paula, and give them perfect health. I shared a story with them that began with Adam and Eve. Patrick played the part of Adam, and Emma played the part of Eve. I shared how they walked and talked with God. How God gave them the privilege of naming all the animals, and enjoying all the land. Also, how God warned them to stay away from the one tree that would harm them, and that if they ate of it, they would surely die (Genesis 2:17). I told them that even though they ate of the tree, and could not see God face to face anymore, He was still there with them. I asked Ally to stand up while I covered Patrick’s eyes. I asked him if he knew who was in front of him, and he said, “No” I asked the class, “ Does this mean she is not there because he doesn’t see her?” I continued with, “She is there, and in the same way, God is there too! Even though we can’t see Him with our eyes, we know He is there through our faith, and we can feel Him in our heart, and through all He has blessed us with.”

I went over some of the things they learned. Things like how many parts of the Bible there are, and what those two parts are… They are so smart. They all know, and it’s like the choirs singing, as they all answer together. I shared how the Bible is the living Word of God, because it guides us through life. B.I.B.L.E, basic instructions before leaving earth. I told them a true story of a mom whose ten-month-old little boy had a bump on his brain (a tumor). How the doctor told her things did not look good. However, she trusted God more then the words of the doctor. Picking up her Bible, she read Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” She put this prayer in his crib, and said it every time she’d pick him up or put him down. She believed for a miracle, and she received one! Her little boy is now 8 years old and healthy! That is the power of God’s Word. It shows us that we are in the heart of our God at all times.

Many years ago, a very special nun said to me, “There are so many people to pray for, and I want to pray for all of them. So, I put them in my heart and when I pray, I lift my heart up to God and ask Him to bless every one in there. Always know, you are in my heart!”

So, I conclude with this, “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 and always know you’re in my heart!

Have a great day!

Deanna

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A Day of Discovery

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The stone was rolled away so that everyone could see… The angel announced to the women that Jesus, who was crucified, was no longer in the tomb. “He is risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He was lying.” Matthew 28:5

We started class with a picture of The Last Supper to color. Ally asked, “Did they get haircuts back then?”  Since I’m a hair stylist myself, I am sure she figured who better to ask. Knowing that 490 B.C. was the first time Greek men chose short haircuts, I replied with a smile and answered, “Yes they did!” ”Then why was Jesus’ hair so long?” she asked. Sometimes a smile is all you can give to answer the innocence of their questions. My best was, “If He didn’t get a haircut, His hair would be way down to here!” pointing to my side. She just smiled. Questions are a wonderful  way to discover so many new things. They give us a deeper understanding of the people and world around us. Questions also bring us closer to knowing more about ourselves and our God.

With such a beautiful day outside, I felt too guilty keeping them in the classroom. So, after we finished a chapter in our workbooks, we headed out to the garden of the Blessed Mother. There I read them a book from one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado, Because I Love You. It’s a story about a wise and loving man named Shaddai, who builds a wonderful village for his children.  With his own hands, he built a protective wall around the village, rock by rock. One day Paladin, the most curious child in the village, discovers something troubling about the wall, something that made him doubt  Shaddai’s love. Through the hole he found in the wall, he chose to go out into the dangerous wilderness. Shaddai does not abandon him.  It’s here that Paladin realizes the great love Shaddai has for him. When I asked our class, “What does this story mean to you?” I was amazed at how they all reflected on the love of their parents, teaching them to do what is right and safe.

Back indoors, we concluded our class with wooden popsicle sticks. Placing them on top of each other to make a cross. They decorated them with markers, flowers and love, knowing that  Jesus has risen, just as He said. As we celebrate the Easter season, may we look at the cross and reflect on the greatest love anyone could ever know. May we take this moment and make it a a day of discovery, seeking the questions that help us to grow, and go deeper into the knowledge of God’s everlasting love for us all!

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28-19

“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”. Acts 2:37-38

May you be blessed abundantly today and forever,
Deanna

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