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