Spirituality Resources

To Parents and Catechists: This week's offering includes a delightful way to combine the story of Saint Cecilia and the use of music to help other people. There is also a prayer activity for Thanksgiving.

We Celebrate Saint Cecilia

Listen to God’s Word
Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Praise God with songs and shouts of joy. Sing praises to the Lord!
From Psalm 98:4-5

A Story About Saint Cecilia
A long time ago, Saint Cecilia lived in Rome. It is said that she sang to God in her heart. Cecilia must have loved music very much. Whenever artists paint her picture, they show her playing a musical instrument.

Cecilia was a Christian at a time when Christians were hated. Eventually, she was put to death for her belief in Jesus.

Sing
Like Saint Cecilia, let us sing a song in praise of God to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"

Sing for joy, sing for joy,
Praise our God! Praise our God!
We bring joy to others.
Sisters and brothers.
Praise our God! Praise our God!

Listen to God's Word
Sing to God, all the world! Worship the Lord with joy. Come before God with happy songs!
From Psalm 100:1-2

An Action Prayer
Maybe you cannot sing in tune, or play a musical instrument, like Saint Cecilia. But you can make the music of God's love for others to enjoy.

Draw three musical notes on a separate piece of paper. Write on each note one way you can make the music of love for someone. Keep this page in a special place where you will see the notes and remember.

My Prayer Goes On
Dear God, may I always come before you with happy songs. May I always bring the music of love to others. Amen.

We Offer Our Thanks

Listen to God's Word
Let us come before God with thanks.
From Psalm 95:2

Pray Together
We give thanks to God because God is good. Remember in your heart one good thing God has done for you.

Give thanks to God because he gives us good things to eat. We pray that everyone will have enough food to nourish them. Pray in your heart for a needy person.

We give thanks to God for all the people who love us and care for us. Turn to each other, shake hands, and say, "I thank God for you."

Sing
As you share your Thanksgiving meal, sing this special song of thanks with your family.

Now thank we all our God,
With hearts, and hands, and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom his world, rejoices;
Who from our mother's arms
Has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

The Eucharist is our special prayer of thanksgiving. Think about this as you quietly read God's Word to yourself.

Listen to God's Word
While Jesus and his friends were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread in his hands. He said a prayer of thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends. "Take it," he said, "this is my Body."

Then Jesus took a cup, gave thanks to God, and said, "This is my Blood," and handed it to his friends. They all drank from the cup.
From Mark 14:22-23

My Prayer Goes On
Invite your family to join you for Mass on Thanksgiving Day.

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