October In Home 2021
Theme: Created in God’s Image
Date: October 24 & 27, 2021

Opening Prayer:

Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Have an older child or a parent to lead the prayer.

Leader: O Lord, you created us in your own image,
All respond: Lord, have mercy.

Leader: O Lord, You created man and woman to unite together to create new life with You.
All respond: Christ, have mercy.

Leader: O Lord, You knit us together in our mother’s womb,
All respond: Lord, have mercy.

Leader: O Lord, You know the plans You have for each of us before we are ever born.
All respond: Christ, have mercy.

Leader: O Lord, you number our days.
All respond: Lord, have mercy.

Leader: O Lord, You know the numbers of hairs on our heads,
All respond: Christ, have mercy.

Leader: O Lord, You know the wicked from the tenderhearted.
All respond: Lord, have mercy.

Leader: O Lord, You know those who are oppressed at the hands of others.
All respond: Christ, have mercy.

Leader: O Lord, You see into the hearts of all men.
All respond: Lord, have mercy.

Leader: O Lord, You know who stands for justice and who does not.
All respond: Christ, have mercy.

Leader: O Lord, You are the Creator of all.
All respond: Lord, have mercy.

Leader: O Lord, may we love others as You have called us to love.
All respond: Christ, have mercy.

Leader: O Lord, may we protect all who You have created in your image.
All respond: Lord, have mercy.

Amen.

Say:

The fact that we all bear God’s image means that something woven into our very being reflects God, like an artist’s signature incorporated into a painting. We show the world a picture of God’s love that we couldn’t erase, even if we wanted to. We are created for a purpose. So any time we fix something that was broken or bring order to something that was a mess (even a messed-up relationship), as long as we do it to God’s glory, we are doing something holy.

Have you ever thought about the fact that God put specific people in our lives? Your best friend is a gift from God. Your family was God’s idea. Your teammates, cousins, neighbors, and co-workers are God’s provision for your life. God loves us so much that he surrounds us with people who love us and we can love in return. God created each of us special; in a special way to do special things. We are not here by accident but through the thought-filled process of a very loving God.

Read:

Genesis 1:26–31 and Genesis 2: 7, 18-24 as a family. 
Discuss as a family the following questions after reading the passage:

• What did you notice in this passage?
• Whose image are we created in?
• Why do you think God provides everything we need for us?
• Why do you think some people want to change their appearance to “fit in”?

Watch:

Douglas: Handcrafted By God | God loves you just the way you are—Elementary School

Being Human | Catholic Central---Middle School/High School     

Video Discussion Questions:

• Elementary School Disciples: How are you handcrafted by God? What unique qualities and characteristic did God give you?
• Middle/High School Disciples: From the video, name one way that we are created in the image of God?

Teach:

Gather as a family at the kitchen table or in your living-room. Tell your children that God made us each unique.

We are called, as children of God, to love our whole selves—both inside and outside. 

God wants us to love and accept ourselves for who we are just like he loves us for who he created us to be. God does not make mistakes, people do. Physical appearances are not accidents but specifically planned out by God. Whatever our appearances are we are all created uniquely for God’s purpose.

Activity:

One by one, each person in the family will place a hand on another family member’s shoulder and say “(Name), you are awesome because . . . . and I love you just the way you are.”

   Continue until each family member has said something affirming to each person.

Closing Prayer:

Begin with the Sign of the Cross.  One parent leads the prayer and the children echo back each line.

God of all life,
Help us to appreciate the great gift that is human life
formed in your image, a reflection of your holiness.
Help us to recognize you
in all whom you have created:
children not yet born,
families affected by poverty and war,
people of different abilities,
people from other lands, and
all who are victims of hatred and racism.
Help us to bear witness to the dignity of all whom you have created,
regardless of stage of life,
or wealth,
or ability,
or color, or creed,
for every person is fully equal in your loving eyes.
Share with us your holy knowledge
that we are all your children,
each bestowed with inherent dignity.
May your justice reign forever!

Amen.

Questionnarie: 

Please complete as a family: