Objective: We praise God for creation and follow St. Francis by caring for people, animals, and the earth. By the end of the lesson, families will be able to know who St. Francis of Assisi was; understand why St. Francis loved animals and all of God's creation; discover that caring for creation is part of our Catholic faith; identify practical ways their family can be good stewards of the earth.
Opening Prayer: Choose one family member to lead the prayer. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God,
You created the heavens and the earth.
You created the sun, moon, stars, plants, animals, and people.
You gave us this beautiful world as a gift.
Help us to see your goodness in creation.
Help us follow the example of St. Francis of Assisi, who loved you and
cared for your creatures.
Teach us to be good stewards of the earth and to remember that
everything we have is a gift from you.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Ask: What is one thing in God's creation that you are thankful for? (Allow each family member to answer the question.)
Catechesis: Who Was St. Francis of Assisi?
St. Francis of Assisi lived in Italy more than 800 years ago. He was a fun-loving man who swished to become a knight and win glory. On his way to battle, Francis had a dream in which Jesus told him to return to his hometown of Assisi in Italy. So, he did. He turned his horse around and went back home. Francis came from a wealthy family but chose to give all of his money to the poor and called “Lady Poverty” his wife. He led a life of simplicity, prayer, service, and following Jesus. Francis considered all of God’s creatures his friends. Francis developed a deep love for God's creation. He considered all of his creation his “brothers and sisters”. He saw animals, plants, water, the sun, moon, and earth as gifts from God. He was especially known for his kindness toward animals. This is one reason St. Francis is associated with animals and is recognized as a patron of ecology.
St. Francis LOVED Christmas and he stared the tradition of creating the nativity scene with Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. If you put out a Nativity Scene in Advent or Christmas you can thank St. Francis.
So many people began to follow St. Francis and his teachings about Jesus that Francis wanted to start a new religious order. The Pope at the time didn’t listen to Francis but then the pope had a dream where the pillars of the Church were falling and the only thing that kept the pillars from collapsing was Francis---he was holding up the Church. So, the pope gave Francis permission to start a new religious order---Order of St. Francis. The members of the order lived like Jesus and spread his love to all throughout the world.
Two years before St. Francis died, a seraph angel with six wings appeared to him as he prayed. Blinding rays shot forth from the angel and pierced Francis’ side, hands and feet. From that moment forward, Francis bore the stigmata, the wounds of Jesus’ crucifixion, until he died. His feast is celebrated on October 4th each year.
(Some material taken from The Day by Day coloring Book of Saints by Anna Maria Mendell with illustrations by Mary MacArthur, Sophia Institute Press, 2020)
Discuss: What is your favorite animal? (Allow each family member to answer.) Ask: What is something in nature that makes you think about God? (Allow each family member to answer) Ask: Why do you think St. Francis called animals and other parts of creation his "brothers" and "sisters"? (Allow each family member to answer)
God created the world, God loves the world, and God asks us to care for the world. St. Francis teaches us that caring for creation begins with wonder, gratitude, love, and responsibility.
Watch:
Grades 1-4
Saint Story Saint Francis of Assisi/Catholic KidsChannel
After the video discuss as a family the following questions:
· What did Francis love?
· Why did Francis care about animals?
· What is one thing you could do to take care of an animal?
Watch
Grades 5–10
Video: CST 101: Care for Creation — USCCB/Catholic Relief Services
This video connects caring for creation with Catholic Social Teaching and gives older youth an opportunity to think about stewardship as part of their faith.
After the video discuss the following questions:
- What does it mean to be a steward?
- What is the difference between owning something and being responsible for something?
- Why might caring for creation be considered a Catholic responsibility?
Scripture and Family Discussion:
Grab your family Bible and choose one of your family members to read the following Scripture passages:
Genesis 2:15:
After reading, discuss as a family:
· What does "care for it" mean?
· What has God given us responsibility for?
· How can our family care for God's creation?
Genesis 1:31
After reading, discuss the following questions as a family:
· What does this tell us about how God views creation?
· Why should we treat something God calls good with respect?
Psalm 148
After reading, discuss the following questions as a family:
· How can creation "praise" God?
· What part of creation helps you remember God?
Matthew 6:26
After reading, discuss the following questions as a family:
· What does Jesus teach us about God's care for creation?
· If God cares for creation, how should we treat it?
Family Activity: Our Family Can Care for Creation
Take the paper that was brought home or you printed off from Amy’s email. Divide the paper into four sections, or 4ths. Label each quadrant as listed:
🌎 EARTH
Discuss as a family, list 3 ways your family can take care of the land? Some examples are listed below:
· Pick up litter.
· Plant flowers or trees.
· Take care of a garden.
· Avoid wasting food.
· Reuse items instead of throwing them away.
💧 WATER
Discuss as a family, and list 3 ways, how your family can respect God's gift of water?
Examples:
· Turn off the water while brushing our teeth.
· Take reasonable-length showers.
· Don't litter near streams, lakes, or rivers---or at all.
· Help keep waterways clean.
🐾 ANIMALS
Discuss as a family, and list 3 ways, how your family can care for God's creatures?
Examples:
· Treat pets gently and responsibly.
· Never intentionally hurt animals.
· If you hunt, eat what you shoot.
· Learn about local animals.
Protect habitats.
♻️ RESOURCES
Discuss as a family, and list 3 ways, how your family can avoid wasting what God has given us?
Examples:
· Turn off lights when leaving a room.
· Use a re-usable water bottle
· Recycle when possible.
· Reuse school supplies and containers.
· Donate usable clothing and toys.
· Take only the food we will eat.
· Repair or reuse things instead of immediately throwing them away.
Catholic teaching describes care for creation as an expression of respect for our Creator and emphasizes that human beings are called to stewardship rather than simply using creation however they wish.
Closing Prayer: Choose a family member to be the prayer leader and begin with the Sign of the Cross. As a family, join hands with your activity sheet in the middle of your table (space where this lesson is being completed.)
A Family Prayer Inspired by St. Francis
Leader: God our Creator, we thank you for the gift of creation.
All: Thank you for the animals.
Leader: Thank you for the earth and its beauty.
All: Thank you for the water we drink.
Leader: Thank you for the food that nourishes us.
All: Thank you, God, for the gift of life.
Leader: St. Francis reminds us to praise God through all creation.
All: Help us to be good stewards of your gifts.
Leader: Help us care for animals.
All: Help us care for our neighbors.
Leader: Help us care for our common home.
All: Help us live simply, gratefully, and generously.
Leader: We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Leader: St. Francis of Assisi...
All: Pray for us!
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
*Family Bonus Challenge: Take a picture of your family being good stewards and doing the chosen activity from your "Our Family Can Care for Creation" sheet and email it to Amy Bolle at abolle@smcatholicschools.org