Sign of Peace (to shake hands or not shake hands, that is the question)

In the United States, when the priest or deacon invites us to share the Lord’s peace with one another, the usual way this is done is by a handshake. The Catholic Church leaves this up to local custom and some places people hug you or even kiss you on the cheek. Some even refuse to give the Sign of Peace and will stare straight ahead. Recently I was informed that some young parishioners rather “fist bump” instead of shaking hands. I don’t know about you, but I find this kind of exchange during Mass as rather odd and not respectful. It is not peaceful and not a good way to spread the Lord’s peace and to show in action that we are a unity of His Presence.


What are your thoughts?


cuf.org- At the Rite of Peace all are to make an appropriate sign of peace, according to local custom. The Conference of Bishops in each country is to establish the manner of the sign of peace to be given, in accordance with the culture and customs of the peoples (cf. GIRM, no. 82). The sign should express peace, communion, and charity (cf. GIRM, no. 154). “It is, however, appropriate that each person offer the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner” (GIRM, no. 82).

Joseph and His Life Activities

A friend wanted some activities about Joseph and his life and this is what I found:



Activities

biblewise.com- Projects & Activities, Puzzles, Mazes, & Coloring, etc., Listen to the Bible Stories (online), Bible Stories and Discussion Questions



Lessons

ministry-to-children.com- Joseph and His Brothers – Families (Preschool Bible Lesson)

daniellesplace.com- Joseph- A Very Colorful Story (lesson with activities)

hennypenny.ourjunction.com- Joseph (scroll down to several lessons for Joseph with activities for 2 to 5 year olds)

dltk-bible.com- The Story of Joseph (lesson with activities)

The Catholic Toolbox- Joseph and His Wonderful Coat Pre K – K Lesson with: Objectives, Word Wall, Bible Story with questions, Songs and/or Finger Plays, Activities, Crafts, Games, Snacks, Coloring/Puzzles, etc.

The Catholic Toolbox- Joseph and His Wonderful Coat 1st Grade On Up Lesson with: Objectives, Review, Vocabulary Words, Bible Story with questions, Activities, Crafts, Games, Snacks, Puzzles/Mazes/Worksheets, etc.

kirkofkildair.org- Joseph: Forgiveness and Redemption (lesson)

sermons4kids.com- Joseph and His Brothers object lesson with group activities, coloring, puzzles, Power Point Presentation, worship bulletin

calvarycurriculum.com- 6 lessons with memory verses, circle the correct words, true or false, fill in the blanks, puzzles, and color sheets.

- Joseph Is Sold By His Brothers
- Joseph and Potiphar
- Joseph in Prison
- Joseph Tests His Brothers
- Joseph Reveals Himself To His Brothers
- Jacob Moves To Egypt


baptistwaypress.texasbaptist.org- Joseph- A Person Who Honored God (lesson with activities)



Coloring

calvarywilliamsport.com- Joseph, son of Jacob coloring pages (several posted!)

calvarycurriculum.com- 6 lessons with coloring sheets

- Joseph Is Sold By His Brothers
- Joseph and Potiphar
- Joseph in Prison
- Joseph Tests His Brothers
- Joseph Reveals Himself To His Brothers
- Jacob Moves To Egypt



Crafts

ehow.com- Craft Ideas for the Bible Story of Joseph

gospelhall.org- Joseph- The Man of Many Dreams (Story Wheel)

*Check Lessons above for more crafts.



Games

christianpreschoolprintables.com- This is a file folder game for children who are working on color matching skills. These coats have multiple colors to match so children should be able to easily match single colors before playing this game. Mount the game boards to the file folder and cut out the rest of the coats for playing pieces.

You’re Forgiven Tag- This game will help your kids discover the need for forgiveness in their lives. (The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry by Group Publishing, page 29).

sundayschoolsources.com- Joseph and His Brothers Game Board Use this game board with questions of your own to play the game.

The Catholic Toolbox- Joseph And His Coat Of Many Colors (card game)
This is a variation on the popular game of UNO with cards depicting the colored coat of Joseph. Players are trying to empty their hands of cards by playing them to a common pile, matching cards by color, number, or action. The deck is made up of 4 sets of differently colored cards with numbers from 1 to 8. There are also 4 Wild cards, 4 Draw 2 cards, 4 Skip cards, and 4 Reverse. (I wanted to buy this game, but could not find it so I made one.)

The Catholic Toolbox- Joseph and His Brothers (file folder game)
Answer questions about Joseph & His Brothers and receive a bag of grain. The first person to collect 7 bags of grain (representing the 7 years of plenty), wins.



Mini Books

lambsongs.co.nz- Scroll down to these mini books to print out in black/white or color for free.

Joseph Gets A New Coat
Joseph Is Kind To His Brothers



Puzzles & Worksheets

gospelhall.org- Review puzzle for the story of Joseph and his betrayal by his brothers. Students must assemble a group of puzzle pieces with clues written on their sides. Use the questions and answers included in this puzzle or create your own.

More 365 Activities for Kids (do any of the Daniel puzzles, mazes, dot-to-dot, spot the difference, etc. from February 11 - 26)

Joseph’s Amazing Coat (maze)- Amazing Bible Mazes by Anita Reith Stohs, page 6. (Click on Sample and go to page 6.)

The Great Bible Big Fun Activity Book: From the Old and New Testaments by Toni Lind
A Special Coat- Joseph had a special coat. Find the coat that does not have a twin.

Joseph and His Brothers (find the hidden pictures)- Hidden Pictures Explore Hidden Treasures in God’s Word: PK – K by Linda Standke page 5

dltk-bible.com- Joseph puzzles (anagrams, crosswords, cryptogram, mazes, word-mining sheets, word searches)

biblewise.com- Joseph puzzles, mazes, worksheets

sermons4kids.com- Joseph and His Brothers (word search)

spielemitderbibel.net- Joseph (crossword)

sermons4kids.com- Joseph and His Brothers (crossword)

sermons4kids.com-Joseph and His Brothers (decoder puzzle)

gardenofpraise.com- Joseph (fill in the blanks with word bank)

gardenofpraise.com- Ten Brothers (fill in the blanks with word bank)



The following activities are from: 365 Activities for Kids by Kregel Publications

Can You Find- Here is Joseph in his special coat. Can you find 12 black headed sheep in this picture? (365 Activities for Kids by Kregel Publications, page February 18.)

Find the Difference- Here is Joseph showing off his special coat. Can you discover 10 differences between the two pictures? (365 Activities for Kids by Kregel Publications, page February 19.)

Find the Mistakes- In this picture of Joseph and his coat, the artist made lots of deliberate mistakes. Find at least 10. (365 Activities for Kids by Kregel Publications, page February 20.)

Find the Mistakes- Find at least 10 deliberate mistakes in this picture of Joseph being sold to the Midianites. (365 Activities for Kids by Kregel Publications, page February 22.)

Joseph (maze)- The traders took Joseph across the desert to Egypt. Find the path that takes them to the pyramids of Egypt without climbing over any trees. (365 Activities for Kids by Kregel Publications, page February 23.)

Which is Different?- Here is Joseph in prison in Egypt. Which picture is the odd one out? (365 Activities for Kids by Kregel Publications, page February 25.)

Find the Difference- Joseph was taken out of prison to explain the dreams of the pharaoh. Find at least 10 differences between these two pictures. (365 Activities for Kids by Kregel Publications, page February 26.)

Find the Mistakes- In this picture of Joseph explaining Pharaoh’s dreams, the artist has made lots of deliberate mistakes. Circle them all. There are at least 10. (365 Activities for Kids by Kregel Publications, page February 27.)

FREE Christian Printables & File Folder Games

Need some FREE Christian printables & file folder games? Well, head on over to armyfamilyok.wordpress.com and check out what they have that you can download for FREE! Lots to choose from!

Sequence the Creation (file folder game) by Elaine

Glory Be (trace & color) by Elaine

Church Potluck Recipe: Key Lime Coconut Angel Cake

Here is a fun cake to make for the month of November to remind us who told Mary that she was going to have a baby and he was going to be the son of God. It’s great for Church Potluck.

Key Lime Coconut Angel Cake

Ingredients:

1 box Betty Crocker® white angel food cake mix
1 1/4 cups cold water
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup key lime or regular lime juice
1 teaspoon grated lime peel
1 container (12 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup flaked coconut
Sliced kiwifruit and strawberries, if desired



Directions:

1. Make cake mix as directed on package, using cold water. Cool cake completely. Cut cake horizontally into 3 layers. Place bottom layer, cut side up, on serving plate.

2. In large bowl, beat milk, lime juice and lime peel with wire whisk until smooth and thickened. Fold in whipped topping.

3. Spread 1 cup lime mixture evenly over top of first layer of cake. Place second layer of cake carefully on bottom layer; spread evenly with 1 cup lime mixture. Top with remaining layer of cake.

4. Frost top and side of cake with remaining lime mixture. Sprinkle with coconut. Garnish cake with kiwi fruit and strawberries.



Tips:

• Use a flexible metal or plastic spatula and a light touch when frosting the cake.

• An electric knife works great for cutting this cake into layers.

• Another way to cut an angel food cake is to use a serrated nice and wipe it clean after you slice each layer.

FREE Catholic Games

Need some FREE Catholic games to supplement your lesson or to review certain topics? I have made over 100 games during the past few years that you might be interested in. They consist of Bible stories, prayers, Mass, liturgical objects and people at Mass, Bible timelines, Commandments, Books of the Bible, religious holidays, Sacraments, Stations of the Cross, Tithing, Disciples, Emotions, Holy Spirit, Proper Manners, Holy Trinity, Homework, Bible Story Review, making the proper choices, Sin, Rosary, Pro Life, Virtues, good manners in church, etc.

The Catholic Toolbox- FREE Catholic Games

FREE Educational Catholic File Folder Games

Need some FREE educational Catholic file folder games? Well, head on over to sanctussimplicitus.com and check out what they have that you can download for FREE!


File Folder Games Include:

• Preschool/Other

• Math

• Phonics



*Lots of other great things to check out at the blog! Coloring pages, posters, calendars & bulletin boards, crafts & activities, etc.

sanctussimplicitus.com

Crafty Crafters: Advent Wreath

So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite religious craft you make for Advent?


Here is a craft I make with my students using their handprints:

catholicmom.com- Advent Wreath Craft~ No burn, construction paper wreath that is made with your child's handprints. (You can also add a white construction paper candle in the middle of the wreath. Do not cut out a hole in the center of the paper plate so you can glue the white construction paper candle in the middle.)



Please comment so I can add the link to your blog to this post. We would love to see what you do!

Jennifer at catholicinspired.com is making an Easy Advent Wreath

Crafty Crafters: Samson

So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite religious craft you make for the Bible story “Samson”?


Here is a craft I make with my students using grass seed:




Introduce craft: What did Delilah do to Samson to lose his strength? Cut his hair. We are going to help Samson grow back his hair.


spoonfulcom- Plant Pals
Make Samson and grow his hair back.



Please comment so I can add the link to your blog to this post. We would love to see what you do!

Crafty Crafters: Jonah and the Whale

So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite religious craft you make for the Bible story “Jonah and the Whale”?



Here is a craft I make with my students using a white paper bag:


Introduce craft: What swallowed Jonah? A whale.


clclutheran.org- Lunch Bag Fish (page 2) for directions



Please comment so I can add the link to your blog to this post. We would love to see what you do!

Church Potluck Recipe: Pumpkin Harvest Cake

Here is a fun cake to make for the month of October and great for Church Potluck.

Pumpkin Harvest Cake

Ingredients:

Cake

2 boxes Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® carrot or spice cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix boxes


Frosting and Decorations

2 containers Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting
Yellow and red food colors
Pull-apart green licorice twists
Betty Crocker® Fruit Roll-Ups® chewy fruit snack rolls (any flavor)
Edible glitter, if desired



Directions:

1. Heat oven to 325°F. Spray 2 1/2-quart ovenproof bowl with baking spray with flour. In large bowl, make 1 box of cake batter as directed on box. Pour batter into ovenproof bowl. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes. Run knife just around top edge of cake. Remove cake from bowl; place rounded side up on cooling rack. Repeat with remaining box of cake mix to make second cake. Cool cakes completely, about 1 hour.

2. In medium bowl, tint frosting with 9 drops yellow and 6 drops red food color to make orange frosting. Trim bottoms of both cakes to form flat surfaces. Place 1 cake, round side down, on plate. Spread 2/3 cup of the orange frosting over flat side of cake almost to edge. Place second cake, round side up, on frosted cake to make round shape. Frost entire cake with remaining orange frosting.

3. To make stem, cut twist of licorice crosswise into thirds. Gather pieces together and twist. Use toothpick to make hole in top of cake; insert licorice stem. Pull apart licorice to make vines. Cut leaves from fruit snack rolls. Garnish cake with vines and leaves. Sprinkle with glitter. Store loosely covered.



Hints:

• To make a nice shape of a pumpkin use a Bundt cake pan

• To fill the whole in the top of a Bundt cake so you can put on the stem, use a graham cracker and push gently just below cake level.

• To keep the licorice "stem" together, bind the pieces with a rubber band and remove shortly before serving.

• You can also use a green flat-bottom ice cream cone for a stem, placing it upside down after you cover it with the licorice. Gather the licorice pieces at the top of the ice cream cone and twist. You can also cover the ice cream cone with Betty Crocker® Fruit Roll-Ups® chewy fruit snack rolls and put ridges in it to make it look more like a pumpkin stem.

• I use cream cheese icing instead of vanilla. It goes very well with spice or carrot cake.