1. Finding God, Grade 2, Session
Follow teaching notes on page 45 to introduce opening prayer.
Jesus calls us to love

2. Opening prayer
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving Jesus, help me learn to follow you and care for people as you do.
Remember our parish intentions for this month:
Let’s take a moment to feel calm and quietly at peace. Let’s pray together and ask God to help us learn about what he makes.
Close your eyes and fold your hands.

3. Opening prayer
Let’s pray for our own intentions for those who are ill or have died or are in need of special prayers and for things for which we are grateful.
Children and catechists are invited to speak their intentions.
We thank you God for this opportunity to be together. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we listen to today’s lesson.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Following opening prayer, distribute Session 1 pages from student text.

4. Vocabulary
Bishop
A leader in the Church. Bishops teach us what God is asking of us as followers of Jesus today.
Crosier
The staff carried by a bishop. This staff shows that the bishop cares for us in the same way that a shepherd cares for his sheep.
Parable
One of the simple stories that Jesus told to show us what God wants for the world.
Pope
The bishop of Rome, successor Saint Peter, and leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
These are the new words we will learn about today.

5. Pope Francis I Leaders of our church
Review teaching notes on page 46 of teacher text to determine presentation of ideas.
Pope Francis I

6. Our bishops Most Reverend Bernard E. Shlesinger III Auxiliary Bishop
Review notes on page 47 to determine how you will present the material.
The Most Reverend
Wilton D. Gregory
Archbishop of Atlanta

7. God cares
Review teaching notes on page 48 of teacher text to determine presentation of ideas.

8. Jesus’ invitation
Review teaching notes on page 49 of teacher text to determine presentation of ideas.

9. summary
Review notes on page 50 to determine how you will present the material.
Pictures: Vatican, St. Peter’s Square. Archdiocese. Transfiguration.

10. Break
One catechist takes children for bathroom break or drink of water. Second catechist sets up centers for next part of lesson.

11. Activity Centers Center 1: Session Review
Center 2: Saint Peter to Pope Francis I
Center 3: Pope Francis’ Five Finger Prayer
Review Center:
In text or on-line chapter assessment.
Vocabulary cards: Reinforce vocabulary words for Sessions 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Center 2: Saint Peter to Pope Francis I
Jesus picked Peter to lead the Church. Today the Pope leads the Church. This craft highlights that Peter was the first leader of the Church and Pope Francis is the current leader of the Church.
As the children mature and learn more about the Church, the topic of Apostolic Succession with be more thoroughly explored.
Center 3: Pope Francis’ Five Finger Prayer
Praying (talking to God) brings us closer to him. This activity is designed to help children learn that God wants us to put others first.
One of the best lessons that the 5 finger prayer method can teach us is that we should put others first. The pinkie finger is the smallest and last finger we use to pray and we use it as a reminder to pray for ourselves. When you are first introducing this activity, ask them which finger they think they will use to pray for themselves. Most will not guess that we use the smallest finger to think of ourselves. This is an important lesson for prayer. We tend to pray for ourselves and our needs more than we pray for others. This prayer is a reminder to pray for others first and ourselves last. Remember the words of Jesus: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
1. Thumb: Family and Friends. Your thumb is the finger that is closest to you. Start by praying for the people in your life who are closest to you. Pray for your family and friends. Pray for your parents, your grandparents, your sisters and your brothers, your aunts, uncles, cousins, and closest friends.
2. Index Finger: Teachers. The finger next to your thumb is the index finger. We use this finger for pointing. Pray for the people who point you in the right direction. Pray for your teachers, coaches, catechists, tutors, priests, and anyone else who teaches you.
3. Middle Finger: Leaders. Your middle finger is the tallest finger. For this finger we pray for the leaders of our country, our world, and our Church. Pray for the pope and his continued leadership of the Church. Pray for the leaders of our country to have the wisdom and judgment to lead us well.
4. Ring Finger: Sick and Poor. Our ring finger is our weakest finger. We can’t move it without the help of our other fingers. For this finger, pray for the sick who need help and healing. Pray for the poor and suffering who need God’s comfort and help too.
5. The Pinky Finger: You. Finally, for the smallest finger of all, pray for yourself. Jesus taught us to be humble so we pray for ourselves last with our pinkie finger. Place your greatest needs before God in prayer.

12. Prepare for departure Put teaching materials away.
Straighten furniture, etc.
Gather materials that students will take home with them.
Focus children’s attention on the Prayer Center.

13. Closing Prayer

14. Sign of the Cross
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit Amen.

15. Our Father
Our Father,
Who art in heaven Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

16. Blessed are you among women,
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you;
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

17. Act of Contrition O my God,
I am heartily sorry for having offended you.
And I detest all my sins because of your just punishment.
But most of all because they offend you my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and avoid the near occasion of sin.
Amen

18. Sign of the Cross
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit Amen.