1. Based on Alive-O 8: Term 2, Lesson 6
Mary
Based on Alive-O 8: Term 2, Lesson 6
Refer to Teacher’s Book pp
What am I trying to do?
Introduce the children to more of the feast days associated with Mary.
Why?
So that they may grow in appreciation of Mary, and engage more fully in the Church celebration of her.

2. Feast of the Annunciation 25 March

3. On the Feast of the Annunciation we remember when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she was to become the mother of God’s Son.
You can read the story of the Annunciation in Luke 1:26-38.
Each time we say the ‘Hail Mary’, we begin with the words that the angel Gabriel said to Mary:
Hail Mary, full of grace!

4. Feast of the Immaculate Conception 8 December
This is the traditional image of Mary, the Immaculate Conception.
It is found on the Miraculous Medal.

5. On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception we remember how God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus, God’s Son.
The Church teaches that Mary is the only person ever to be ‘free from any trace of sin’ from the first moment of her existence. This is called the Immaculate Conception.
The words of the Hail Mary remind us that Mary is
Blessed among women!

6. Feast of the Assumption 15 August

7. The Gospels don’t speak of Mary’s death, so no one knows exactly where or when she died. However, the apostles and the early Church soon came to believe that, at the end of her life on earth, God brought Mary, body and soul, to heaven.
The day when we remember that Mary was taken to heaven is called the Feast of the Assumption.

8. Other Feast Days – 1 January
Feast of Mary, Mother of God
We celebrate Mary’s role as the one chosen to be the mother of Jesus.

9. Other Feast Days – 1 January
World Day of Peace
Many people pray to Mary as Queen of Peace to ask her to help in bringing peace to the world.
Many Churches have a statue of Mary where we can light candles and pray to her

10. Other Feast Days 8 September
Mary’s Birthday
Although we don’t know exactly when Mary’s birthday was, we celebrate this special day on 8 September

11. Other Feast Days 21 November
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
When Mary was young, she was presented in the Temple by her parents, Anne and Joachim. That was the beginning of her commitment to God.

12. Images of Mary A depiction of Mary and Jesus from the Asian tradition
For more images of Mary, see Alive-O 8, Poster 10
A depiction of Mary and Jesus from the Asian tradition
Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Mexico
A depiction of Mary and Jesus from the African tradition

13. Activities
Draw a picture of what you think a 21st century Mary might look like.
Imagine you are a journalist sent to interview Mary. Write an article based on your imaginary interview.

14. Consider…
Think about how young Christians today also need the qualities that Mary had:
To ask questions
To take risks
To cope with fears
To believe
To hear the call of God in a noisy world