We are all called to mission. We are also responsible to help our children answer this call. With this program, you will have the tools to introduce children to mission and social justice, and help them understand the connection between them.

To get started, it only involves purchasing two or three books (depending on the age group you are working with) and copying the materials here. There is no fee for these supplementary materials.

Then you can begin to bring the world into your classroom and introduce your students to their sisters and brothers of many places, many cultures and many circumstances.

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THIS PROGRAM OFFERS CHILDREN IN GRADES K-8:

• A way to clearly understand that they are part of the world: that others in far away places are their sisters and brothers, and that we all belong to the same family—the family of God.

• A strong background, through stories and activities, of the teachings of our Church on social issues. These include the Beatitudes, writings from Vatican II and Catholic Social Teaching.

• Prayer and action, which educate them to see the need for Jesus’ love and guidance in their work.

• Help in becoming more familiar with scriptures.

• A connection between Catholic teachings and academic subjects.

• A working vocabulary to speak of issues of justice and injustice. The larger a child’s vocabulary, the deeper the understanding of the world, and the more capable the child is to function within the world.

• How to act on issues that concern them, thus giving them skills for adulthood and enhancing self-esteem, sets them on a path of concern for others.

• Ways to connect their knowledge and passion for mission with the parish.

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TO GET STARTED!

Book Titles:

TO ACT JUSTLY: INTRODUCING CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING TO CHILDREN For Grades 2-6 TO LOVE TENDERLY: TEACHING COMPASSION AND JUSTICE THROUGH STORIES AND ACTIVITIES For Ages Five through Nine TO WALK HUMBLY: STORIES AND ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHING COMPASSION AND JUSTICE For Ages Ten through Thirteen These titles can be purchased through www.23rdpublications.com

Free Supplementary Materials:

1. Using the Books • Help for planning mission club meetings • Ways to teach children through the stories • Teaching religions classes with Catholic Social Teachings • Action in the outside world • The big picture 2. Mission Clubhouses • Suggestions for basic and additional clubhouse materials • Creating a space for a mission club house 3. Prayer in Mission Clubs • Composing your own prayers • Becoming familiar with scriptures, and scripture suggestions • The mission rosary 4. Catholic Social Teaching Posters • A very brief history • A good start: making posters • The principles written for: A) grades pre-k-1; B) grades 2-4; C) grades 5-8