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 Unit Activities & Answer Key With Your Group Unit Resources  
Entries relate to BLEST ARE WE FAITH & Word Edition © 2008 and BENDECIDOS © 2008. Titles that refer only to BLEST ARE WE © 2002 and ©2004 are indicated in parentheses.    Catholic Social Teaching -- Option for the Poor and Vulnerable Our Church teaches that the need to promote and preserve the dignity of individuals is essential to justice. Catholic teaching calls us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. This raises an important issue that is often overlooked. Although the motivating principles underlying our system of helping others in the United States are for the most part admirable and seek to ensure that the neediest in our society receive the basic necessities, the administration of the various programs can sometimes be degrading and dehumanizing to its recipients. Sadly, this also is true in some instances in programs operated by religious and humanitarian organizations. Therefore, we should look to the Gospels and observe how Jesus treated the poor and sick. Jesus gives a clear example of the need to respect those to whom we minister. We should periodically review our charitable programs and actions and keep Jesus words in mind, "...whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40) Let's remember that we are ministering to the Lord himself. 
 Contact personnel at a nursing home or assisted living home in your area and ask if they can suggest a list of things residents might appreciate receiving from a group of third-graders. Many administrators are happy to contribute ideas. They might even supply the names of residents who do not receive many visitors or much mail and would enjoy either or both. Share with the children the list you receive. Work with them to help choose items from the list in which they are interested. For instance, one child may choose to write a letter, another to draw a picture, or a small group may decide to send photos of themselves along with cards of hello. Or, you may decide to arrange a "field trip" so that children could sing or put on a skit for the residents.  Invite the children to share if they have elderly family members living with, or near them, or elderly neighbors with whom they are friendly. Encourage the children to offer ways that these elderly folk could benefit from their help. Record on the board their ideas about ways to help. Then, ask the group to select one or two of the listed ideas and discuss how they might act on them individually or as a group. Links Sacrament Symbols - A Matching Game Catholic Campaign for Human Development Source of current issues relevant to issues of poverty Books 100 Fun Ways to Livelier Lessons by Maxine Inkel,SL Available through Twenty-Third Publications, 1995 A Teacher's Prayerbook, To Know and Love Your Students by Ginger Farry Available through Twenty-Third Publications, 1997 How to Be a Great Catechist Available through Twenty-Third Publications, 1995 Videos Sunday Morning (15 min.) Colorful multicultural images of Sunday worship come to life. Available through Oblate Media Communication Music "We Are One" Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36654-9 Blest Are We Song Book Words and melody for children; contains music for levels 1-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book Contains accompaniment music for levels 1-8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2 "Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo/We Are the Body of Christ" Gifts for a Lifetime CD ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36113-X Gifts for a Lifetime Song Book ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36103-2 Gifts for a Lifetime Accompaniment Book ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36104-0 |
