Tuesday, February 9, 2016

From Kids For Kids: Practical Ideas for the Works of Mercy


Each year I try to find creative ways to invite my students into the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  The trouble is that the normal suggestions for adults are not always practical for kids- they often are not in control of things like their own finances, time, and travel.  So I asked my students- How can YOU give and pray and fast this Lent?

Because it is the Year of Mercy, I knew that I wanted to frame their suggestions around the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.  The kids worked hard over the course of two days to come up with a list of practical ways kids could live out the works of mercy.  I took their great ideas and organized them a bit into a printable for each set of works of mercy.


Then, because a dear friend gave me this stellar bobble head of Pope Francis (because what Catholic classroom doesn't need a Pope bobble head???), I was able to set up this little "Lenten Acts of Mercy" station in our classroom.  Posted are the two lists created by the kids.  They are being challenged each week to live out one of the Corporal and one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy.  This is pretty perfect since there are just about seven weeks in Lent :)

I added two jars labeled for the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, red beads in a bowl, and a sign saying "Be merciful as your Father is merciful." When they feel as though they have performed an act of mercy, they can add a bead to the jar.  There are no goals, no counting, no prizes, etc.  I told the kids I had no plan for how long it would take to fill up a jar, and if they did fill one, we would empty it and start all over again.  Too often kids (and adults) are caught up in the what's-in-it-for-us mentality.  This is just a gathering place for some accountability and reminders about our project- a little action that will help make the invisible visible. :)


You could try something like this yourself in your classroom or home.  This lists can be printed below, both with our ideas as a list or blank so you can fill in your own.  The USCCB has some great lists for the Corporal Works of Mercy and the Spiritual Works of Mercy you should check out as well.

 Click here for the Corporal Works of Mercy List:
 Click here for the Corporal Works of Mercy blank page:

 Click here for the Spiritual Works of Mercy List:
 Click here for the Spiritual Works of Mercy blank page:

You might also like these Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy coloring pages and mini books:


31 comments:

  1. Katie, Thank you!!!!!!I am getting things ready for a hastily scheduled children's session during our parish mission (starts in an hour and a half!) and this is so perfect. God bless you!

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    1. yay! I love to help out another in need, especially at crunch time! :)

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  2. Thank you very much for sharing your ideas!

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    1. Thanks for your comment, and you are welcome!

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  3. Hi Erika! Thanks for sharing your ideas. Do you have a story that is related to this that would fit to ages 8-9 years old?

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    1. Hi! Could you tell me more about what you are looking for? An actual book? A Bible Story? I'd be happy to try and help if you can guide me a little. Thanks!

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    2. Do you think the Good Samaritan Bible story will fit to this topic?

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    3. The Good Samaritan would be great! You also could use the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats for the Corporal works of Mercy. I have a mini coloring book with that story along with the images here. I also have a mini book with the Spiritual Works of Mercy and matching Bible verses here here.

      Other Bible Stories that might be helpful include the Prodigal Son and the Beatitudes. Also, St. Paul's letters are full of examples of people living out all 14 works of mercy, but they aren't all in one place. '

      Hope that helps a little!

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  4. Hi Erika! Thanks for sharing your ideas. Do you have a story that is related to this that would fit to ages 8-9 years old?

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  5. Thank you for all these wonderful resources!

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  6. How fortunate am I that I stumbled upon your blog through Pinterest. I have literally spent hours here, not in one sitting, absorbing ideas for my P-1 Religious Ed class. The Works of Mercy for Lent is out of this world. I intend on using this for the entire Religious Ed program so all the children can participate. You are an angel sent from heaven for teachers like me! You really do need a PayPal donation button! I feel a bit guilty downloading for free. God bless you!

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    1. Marsha, I'm so so glad that you are finding good things here to use with your students! They are freely given so that you can freely share with those kiddos. I'm sure you'll think of some way to pay it forward. :) Hope you have a fruitful Lent!

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  7. Great ideas! thanks so much for sharing these. God bless! :)

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  8. Love these resources! I have to add my list of picture books on the works of mercy. They were a great starting point in talking about mercy in action with my kids. :)

    http://www.sweepingupjoy.com/the-year-of-mercy-in-picture-books/

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  9. Beth, you are very welcome!

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  10. This is SO perfect! Thank you for sharing this!!!

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  11. So much fun activities! Can’t wait to try some of them. Thank you.

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  12. This is perfect for little children!! The visuals are wonderful! Thank you for sharing!!

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  13. These are AWESOME!!! Thanks SO much. Going to use with my 1st grade CCD class!

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  14. These were super helpful! Thank you! Tara

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  15. I stumbled across your site and it is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing. I teach 3rd grade CCD and this will help me make it more interactive and fun for the children. Thanks again! -Maria

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  16. Thanks katie - I love your site! I teach 6th grade catechism - the Mass and the ten commandments.....your blog is a great resource!
    God bless!

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  17. Katie!!! You are a God sent angel! Thank you so very much for sharing your ideas. Our families at St. Lawrence O'Toole church will really benefit from your blog. I love you give children ideas on how to cooperate with God by performing Works of Mercy that are actually achievable for little ones! May God bless you abundantly! YSIC, Cecilia Britez.

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  18. These are so great!! Thank you so much for sharing them!

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