Opening Prayer
God our loving Father,
grant wisdom to those who govern us,
compassion and courage
to those who work to defend human life,
and safety and care to every human being.
For you alone who formed us in our mothers’ wombs,
and who call us home to heaven,
are God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from the the USCCB website: A Holy Hour For Life: Prayers Before The Blessed Sacrament For The Gospel Of Life)

 

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 2: 13-23

If we are made in the Image of God,when does life begin? The following video offers us an understanding about the beginning of life.

Catechesis video questions:

K-6 grade

1. Did you know that before you were born you were a very tiny little person?
2. Do you know what adoption means? Do you know anyone who has been adopted?
3. What can you do to love and respect the life of each person you meet?

Domestic Church – the family

1. In “Horton Hears a Who” Horton says “a person’s a person no matter how small.” What do you think Horton means?
2. Raising a baby is not easy. Kid President says “being a person is hard sometimes.” What can we do to help moms and dads in our community who are having difficult times with a new baby on the way?

Witness video questions:

k-6 grade –

1. Moses’ mom was afraid something might happen to her and Moses if she kept him. How do you think Moses’ mom felt sending him down the river?
2. When Moses learned he had been adopted how do you think he felt?
3. What do you think Moses did after he found out he was adopted?

Domestic Church – the family

1. Moses’ mom was afraid something might happen to her and Moses if she kept him. How do you think Moses’ mom felt sending him down the river?
2. When Moses learned he had been adopted how do you think he felt?
3. What do you think Moses did after he found out he was adopted?

Action Steps:

k-6 Grade

1. Volunteer at a women’s pregnancy center or collect donations to give to a place where single mothers live to help them welcome their baby into the world.
2. Write cards of love and support to moms and dads who are worried about having another baby or are single moms who are pregnant.
3. Pray for God’s intervention in the lives of those who have found out they are having a baby and are scared or alone and for those who do the work of building a community of life by sharing God’s love with everyone – even babies!

Domestic Church – the family

1. If you or  someone in your family, or someone you know is adopted share with others the story of adoption, especially women who are not sure if they want or can keep their baby to make them feel better about how adoption can be a wonderful gift to all involved.
2. Consider adopting or being a foster family or offering support to a family that is going through an adoption or becoming a foster family. (Adoption Service Providers)
3. Help out someone who has discovered they are pregnant and are worried about how they might take care of their new child.

Closing Prayer

Angel of God
My guardian dear
To Whom His love
Commits me here
Ever this day
Be at my side
To light and guard
To rule and guide. Amen

(***Note to teachers leading discussion: avoid pressuring students who have been adopted or have family members who have been adopted/in foster care from sharing their story unless they volunteer. Privacy is important to families, especially when it comes to the topic of adoption and foster care***)

When Jesus was a little child King Herod, afraid of what Jesus might do when he grew up, ordered all of the children of Bethlehem to be killed. Thankfully, Jesus escaped to Egypt with his mom and dad. Let’s pray together and learn how we can love every person more, no matter how young or small they are.

Additional Resources for Session Leader:

Intercessory Prayers: Children – born and unborn

Adoption Intercessory Prayers (bilingüe)

Catechism 2327 to 2379 “The Gift of a Child”

Catechism 2270 to 2275 – Abortion

Compendium 246 – Adoption

Compendium 155, 233, 570