My Personal Mission

To teach the children what it means to accept and carry out Jesus? mission

The children will be able to identify Saint Katharine Drexel as someone who followed Jesus and accepted his mission.

• Small dove cutouts
• Pencils

• Tell the children that this activity will help them to understand what it means to accept Jesus? mission.
• Ask the children to join you in a circle on the floor or in your special gathering place.
• Ask them to tell what they remember about Saint Katharine Drexel. (missionary, accepted Jesus? mission, shared her wealth to help others) Ask who helped Katharine accomplish her mission. (Holy Spirit)
• Give small dove cutouts to the children and explain to them that this is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Ask for examples of some missions that the Holy Spirit might help them with in their daily lives at home or school. (help a younger sibling learn something, help a new classmate get acquainted, cheer up a grandparent who is feeling sad)
• Invite the children to close their eyes for a few moments to think about a mission they would like to accomplish this week. Remind them of past discussions about small actions having big effects.
• Ask the children to return to their places and write their mission on the dove cutouts, as a reminder to ask the Holy Spirit for help in accomplishing their mission.
• Suggest that they take their doves home and put them in a special place where they will see them and remember to try to accomplish their mission before your next session.
• Have a follow-up session so the children can share how it felt to accept and accomplish their mission for Jesus. Encourage the children to share their experiences with the group.

People Smart, Self Smart

Make sure the children understand that if they choose something very personal as their mission, they do not have to reveal it in the follow-up session.