April 2022 In Home
Theme: Bullying

Opening Prayer:

Begin with the Sign of the Cross +

Invite one family member to lead the family in prayer:

Loving Father,
Thank you for the many beautiful colors and languages of the world
and for making all your children unique.

Thank you for creating me in your image.
Thank you for loving me and making me wonderful.
Help me to love like you.

Help me to share your love with all the children you have made,
for they are unique and wonderful.

Amen!

Catechesis:

Jesus Christ himself was a victim of torture, suffering incredible pain and indignity by the Roman soldiers as well as the Pharisees and Sadducees (the intellectuals of the his own faith). He was a victim of bullying and name-calling and many wished he would just go away. As we approach Holy Week,  let us reflect on how we can better recognize bullying in ourselves and others so we can build more welcoming and loving homes, schools and communities.

God created each one of us. God gives us his love. As children of God, each of us has great value. God loves each one of us. Jesus told us that we are to love God, ourselves, and one another.

One of the ways we do that is to value ourselves and to respect others. The gift of life we have been given brings with it a responsibility to take care of ourselves and others. But sometimes we, and others, do not value the gifts God gave to us. Sometimes we feel threatened or unsafe or threaten others and make them feel unsafe. One way someone might make us feel threatened or unsafe is by bullying.  Sometimes we can be one who bullies and not even recognize our behavior as being bully-like.

Bullying is defined as the abuse and mistreatment of someone vulnerable by someone stronger, more powerful; intentional harm or intimidation of another. An important sign of a bully is one who is aggressive.  Bullying may include:

• Physical actions like hitting, kicking, spitting, pushing, stealing or damaging the personal belongings of another.
• Verbal attacks like teasing, name calling, belittling, making threats.
• Emotional attacks like excluding another from a group or activity, intimidating another, or spreading mean rumors.

Aggressiveness is very different than assertiveness. One who is aggressive shows the following traits:

• Behaving in an unnecessarily forceful manner;
• Showing a readiness or having a tendency to attack or do harm to others.

One who is assertive behaves in a confident manner and/or says what he/she believes or wants in a direct manner without being rude or disrespectful.

Ask:

• How you would define bullying? (Allow time for answers.)
• How are assertiveness and aggressiveness similar?
• How are they different?

Scripture:

Read John 18: 19-23

Gerrrit van Honthorst, 'Christ before the High Priest Annas'
(c. 1617), National, London.

The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. Why ask me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. They know what I said.”

When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?”Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Discuss:

• In this scripture passage who is showing bullying behavior?
• Who is being bullied in this passage?

Activity:

Grades 1 & 2:

Watch the video and discuss the questions after viewing:

or click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XKYw5ll3L8

• • How would you describe Douglas’ behavior towards Asher?
  • What is the Gold Rule?
  • How does Jesus want us to treat those people who are unkind to us?

Grades 3-5:

Listen to the story entitled “The Juice Box Bully”:

or click Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7qWxJgbvog

Discuss the following question after watching the video

• • Do you agree with the solution in the story?
  • Ask: Why do some kids become bullies? (Note: Not all bullies have been bullied themselves. Some people simply have assertive personalities---Allow time for answers.)
  • Ask: What are some ways to deal with bullying? (Allow time for answers.)

Middle/High School:

Watch the video and discuss the questions after viewing.

or click Here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaFk7nlPmMU

• • Why do you think some people bully others?
  • How do you respond when you see someone being bullied?
  • How do you feel about being the hands and feet of Christ?

Conclusion: 

Jesus was bullied by people. He was mocked. Beaten. Whipped. Made fun of. And yet he still treated those who bullied him with respect. 

Gerrit van Honthorst, The Mocking of Christ, c. 1617

Sometimes we are the ones being bullied and sometimes we are the ones doing the bullying. Bullying is never okay. It takes away the dignity and value of another child of God. It is attributed to St. Theresa of Avila that:

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which He looks with compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are His body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

Closing Prayer:

St. Therese of Lisieux Prayer from “Story of A Soul”

Begin with the Sign of the Cross +.
Parents hold your children close as you say each line and have your children echo it back to you:

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Amen

Questionnaire: 

Please make sure you submit your answers so your child/ren can be marked present for this session.