Catholic Education - rccdsb.edu.on.carccdsb.edu.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Catholic-Education... · Catholic Education Opening Doors of ... ELEMENTARY STUDENT ACTIVITY: REFLECTING

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Catholic Education Opening Doors of Mercy

Mental Health Activities for

Catholic Education Week

May 1-6, 2016

Developed By: Kimberly Recoskie, Mental Health Leader, RCCDSB

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Monday: Mercy that Welcomes (Jesus and the Woman at the Well: John 4: 1-42)

TEACHER INTRODUCTION

Reflection:

Jesus reached out to people who were marginalized, to those who were ostracized, and to those

who were the outcasts in the eyes of society. Jesus’ compassion and embrace exemplified what

His followers ought to do: reach out to the least, the lost and the lonely. The way of Jesus was

comfort, not ridicule; it was love, not indifference; it was empathy, not hostility. The way of

Jesus is our spiritual calling. It is the way we are to acknowledge and affirm the worth of

everyone, especially those who are deemed less than, not enough, and not deserving of respect.

Jesus’ way is to overturn the customs that put the lowly down and to lift up those who have been

shut out. Our call to follow Jesus leads us to widen our welcome, and in this way, support one

another’s mental health as a community.

Think About:

What is your class/each student doing to welcome those who are different from them (e.g.,

people with mental health issues, people of different skin colour and language, people who wear

non-designer clothes, etc.)?

ELEMENTARY STUDENT ACTIVITY: INCLUSIVE MUSICAL CHAIRS

Goal: To show children how they can turn exclusive situations into inclusive ones.

Begin with a classic game of "Musical Chairs":

Place chairs in a circle with one fewer chair than there are students.

Play music and have the children walk around the chairs.

Tell students that when the music stops, they should quickly find a seat.

Once they have done this and one person has nowhere to sit, challenge the group to find a way

for everyone to have a seat. Children can sit on each other's laps or squeeze next to someone else

on the same seat.

Continue with a few successive rounds in which an additional chair is removed each time. Every

time the group accommodates someone who would normally be excluded in a traditional game

of Musical Chairs, compliment the students on their creativity.

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With each new round, the students will have more contact with each other and will be challenged

to work even harder to find ways to be inclusive.

Optional Questions for Debriefing:

- How did you feel when you might not have a seat?

- How did you help each other to feel included?

- What kinds of things can we do to help everyone feel welcome in our school activities indoors

and out?

Optional Reinforcement Activity:

Draw a circle on the blackboard and write above it, “Mercy that Welcomes.” Invite each student

to put their name inside and leave it there for the week. A similar activity can be done as a

bulletin board display, with the circle and names inside.

SECONDARY STUDENT ACTIVITY: WHAT DO WE HAVE IN COMMON?

Have everyone get in groups of three and stand in a circle. Tell them that their assignment for

the next two minutes is to find five distinctive things that the three of them have in common.

The three things cannot be grade related or obvious (all are girls). Examples: All born in the

same city, all have two siblings, all show an animal at the fair.

Have the first groups that finish sit down. When the two minutes are up, tell the first three

groups to introduce themselves and find out what they have in common.


-Were you surprised to find out that you had 3 things in common with the other students,

especially with those who you didn’t know as well?

-How did you feel when you discovered the commonalities you had with others?

-By finding out what you have in common with others, how does that affect your sense of

belonging among your peers?


Using a bulletin board in the classroom or hallway, include the title “We All Belong”. Invite

each student to take a selfie and add it to the bulletin board and leave it there for the week.

PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER

The story of Jesus and the woman at the well reminds us that we are all God’s children. We have

so much more in common than we think. Jesus met the Samaritan woman and reminded her that

she and all the excluded people of her community were loved by God. As followers of Jesus, we

are called to share this same message in the way we welcome one another. By doing this, we

can support each other’s mental health with a sense of belonging and worth as members of our

school community.

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Tuesday: Mercy that Loves (The Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37)


Reflection:

To show compassion is to suffer with the wounded and the suffering, to share their pain and

agony. Compassion does not leave us indifferent or insensitive to another’s pain but calls for

solidarity with the suffering. This is how Jesus, the Good Samaritan par excellence, showed

compassion. At times we can be like the priest and the scribe who, on seeing the wounded man,

passed by on the other side. We can be silent spectators afraid to involve ourselves and dirty our

hands. Compassion demands that we get out of ourselves as we reach out to others in need.

(Salt and Light Media). By reaching out in compassion, we can support and strengthen one

another’s mental health as individuals and as a community.

Think About: JUST LIKE THE SAMARITAN PROVIDED "AID" TO THE MAN BEATEN

AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WE TOO CAN PROVIDE "FIRST AID" TO THOSE

AROUND US AND HELP OTHERS. Who are the people that are in need in our school and

community? In what practical ways can we reach out and help other people in need?

ELEMENTARY STUDENT ACTIVITY: SAMARITAN SKIT

Choose a narrator and children to play act the Good Samaritan story, with the man traveling from

Jerusalem to Jericho and being attacked by robbers. Some children could be the robbers. One

child can be the priest who crossed over to the other side of the road and continued on his way,

as well as one child being the Levite who ignored the hurt man. One child can be the GOOD

SAMARITAN and one could be the innkeeper if there are enough children. One person can be

Jesus telling the story and asking the final question. If possible, take a video of the skit or take a

few pictures of the children.


-How do you think the priest and Levite felt after they ignored the man who was beaten at the

side of the road?

-How does it feel to be helped by another person?

-How does it feel to provide help to a person in need?


On the blackboard write the title, “Mercy that Loves.” Invite each child to write a sentence on

how they helped another person (e.g., friend, family member, neighbour) during the week.

Students can write more than one example of how they helped others. A similar activity can be

done as a bulletin board display, where children draw pictures of themselves helping others.

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SECONDARY STUDENT ACTIVITY: “3 PEOPLE THAT HAVE INFLUENCED/HELPED

YOU” EXERCISE

Ask students to think of the 3 people that have influenced them or helped them the most in their

lives. Ask, “How did these persons serve you?” And then have them write a list of ways they

can serve others in a similar way, including 1) Church 2) Family 3) Friends.


-How did receiving another person’s help impact you and your life?

-What did you learn about helping others through your own experience of being helped?

-If you could give back to the 3 people that influenced or helped you the most in your life, what

would you do?


Invite each student to write a Thank You letter to 1 of the persons who have influenced or helped

them the most in their lives, outlining the impact they had on his/her life. Students can decide

whether or not to give the Thank You letters to the person.


The story of the Good Samaritan serves as an inspiration for each of us to become involved in

providing compassionate care to those around us. Our social connections with others and

reaching out to those in need can enhance mental health and sense of well-being, as they

promote feelings of attachment and companionship, enhancing one’s sense of purpose and self-

esteem. Do not be afraid to show another person you care about them and how they are doing. It

very well could make a bigger difference than you think!

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Wednesday: Mercy that Forgives (The Prodigal Son: Luke 15:11-32)


Reflection:

In 1984, Pope John Paul II reflected on God’s mercy in the prodigal son story, with the following

words:

“The parable of the prodigal son is above all the story of the inexpressible love of a Father-God

— who offers to his son when he comes back to him the gift of full reconciliation. […] It

therefore reminds us of the need for a profound transformation of hearts through the rediscovery

of the Father’s mercy and through victory over misunderstanding and over hostility among

brothers and sisters.”

(John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation, Reconciliatio et Pænitentia [On Reconciliation and Penance in the Mission of

the Church Today], No. 6)

Think About: When has someone said I’m sorry to you? How did you feel when they told you

that they were sorry? What did you say to them? What should we say to them?

ELEMENTARY STUDENT ACTIVITY: REFLECTING ON FORGIVENESS

Introduction: What Is Forgiveness?

Forgiveness means letting go of hard feelings like anger, sadness, or frustration that happen

when you or someone else makes a mistake. It’s saying “Thank you” or “That’s okay” when

someone apologizes and not staying upset about what they did. It’s having patience with yourself

and others, and recognizing that no one is perfect—everyone makes mistakes. It’s letting go of

hurt feelings, and moving ahead from a place of hurt, being ready to do things.

It doesn’t mean that all of a sudden what someone did doesn’t hurt or isn’t wrong. It means that

you find it in your heart to give the person another chance.

Balloon Analogy: Why Forgiveness Is Important

- What are some of the feelings that you have when someone hurts you or breaks something that

belongs to you? (Invite answers from kids: angry, sad, frustrated, helpless, etc.)

Part of forgiving someone is recognizing those feelings, letting them happen, and then letting

them pass so that you can move on. One way to help your feelings move on is to let them out—in

a healthy way.

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- What happens if you hold all of those feelings inside and stay sad or angry, or if you tuck those

feelings away somewhere inside your heart? (Blow some air into a balloon.)

This air is like anger or sadness that comes into us.

If we let it out each time we feel angry or sad, it’s not such a big deal—just a little air comes out

and we’re back to normal. (Let air out of balloon.)

- But if we keep it inside, and keep adding to it each time we get upset and hold it in (blow into

balloon several more times) then what happens?

- What will the balloon do if we keep blowing into it?

And watch what happens when I let it go. (Balloon deflates and flies all over room.)

It’s pretty out of control. If you hold all your anger inside for a long time, it might all come out

at once sometime, and you could have a much bigger reaction than the situation calls for.

SECONDARY STUDENT ACTIVITY: FORGIVENESS CARD EXERCISE

Hand out three-by-five cards and ask the youth to write examples of situations where someone

has offended, wronged or angered them or a family member. Collect the cards, fan them out and

have each youth draw a card. Divide into partners or small groups and read the cards together.

Have the youth share with their group whether she or he would forgive this person and why or

why not. Discuss whether each situation would be easy or difficult to forgive and why

forgiveness is easier in some situations than others.


-What types of situations do you find the easiest to forgive? What types of situations do you find

the hardest to forgive?

-Did you ever receive forgiveness from another person that you felt you didn’t deserve? If so,

how did that make you feel?

-Does knowing that you are forgiven all of your sins by a loving God, make it easier to extend

forgiveness to others?


Invite each student to complete the following statement, “Forgiveness is…”, indicating what

forgiveness means to them. Display their responses in a prominent area in the classroom, as a

reminder that we are all called to extend mercy and forgiveness to others.


When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger, resentment and thoughts of

revenge — or embrace forgiveness and move forward. Letting go of grudges and bitterness can

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make way for happiness, health and peace. Forgiveness can lead to: healthier relationships;

greater spiritual and psychological well-being; less anxiety, stress and hostility; lower blood

pressure; fewer symptoms of depression; stronger immune system; improved heart health, and

higher self-esteem. May we, who have been forgiven so much by a loving God, freely extend that

gift of forgiveness to those around us.

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Thursday: Mercy that Lives the Gospel (Zacchaeus: Luke 19:1-10)


Reflection:

St. Luke introduces us to a tax collector named Zacchaeus. “At that time, Jesus came to Jericho

and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax

collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him

because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in

order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up

and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came

down quickly and received him with joy. (When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying,

“He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,

“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything

from anyone I shall repay it four times over.”(More than what the Law required) And Jesus said

to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of

Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” (St. Luke 9:1-10)

Think About:

Where is Jesus passing through in our own lives? He always shows up for those who have their

spiritual eyes opened to see Him. How about in our school? How about in our relationships?

How about in our families? Are we running out to meet Him? Or are we afraid? Are we

wondering “if we see Him, what will He ask of us?” The invitation of this story is to climb that

Sycamore Tree; to find the place that will make it possible for us to see Jesus. Seeing Jesus and

finding a place for him in our lives can support our mental health by reminding us that he is

always there, walking with us, waiting for our gaze, and never leaving us alone.

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY STUDENT ACTIVITY: JUST A NORMAL DAY

Zacchaeus did not expect to be spending his evening with Jesus, but it happened. How about

you? Fill in the following sections and try to visualize (to imagine in your own mind) what a visit

with Jesus could be like.

1. Determine what kind of day it will be. Pick a number between one and seven and tell it to your

teacher. Your teacher will also pick a number between one and seven, and adding the two

together will determine what day of the week your hypothetical visit from Jesus is taking place.

Write that day down here.

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2. What time of day will Jesus show up? Note down a time, then ask your teacher to provide a

number between 1 and 24 at random. Add that to your figure to get Jesus’ arrival time.

3. Describe your schedule of what you would expect to do that day, for at least 12 hours. Include

classes and activities, meal times, friends you would see, television programs you would watch.

4. From your list/schedule, what things would you expect to change because of Jesus being

along? This could include things that you consider too insignificant or difficult to do with Him

along, or embarrassing, etc. Assume that Jesus wants to stay with you for at least 12 hours.

5. Imagine how you would feel having Jesus physically with you during your day. Try to

describe the experience here.


-How did you feel knowing that Jesus wanted to visit with you for a day?

-How does it feel to know that Jesus is with you all the time, each hour of the day?

-Are there any changes you would like to make in your life knowing that Jesus is always right

there with you?


Invite students to come up with ideas about how Jesus “shows up” in their lives each day. Have

them keep a journal for the week detailing Jesus’ presence in their lives and encourage them to

write their thoughts and feelings to Jesus.


The ‘Good News’ is that no matter what has happened in our past, Jesus walks into the dusty

streets of our own lives this day. He cares about us, what occurs every day of our lives, and he

wants to have a relationship with us. Our mental health can certainly flourish when we develop

and care for our relationship with Jesus. He helps to heal our hurts, and walks with us along our

life’s journey.

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Friday: Mercy that Rejoices (Healing of the Paralytic: Luke 5: 17-26)


Reflection (Consider displaying on smart board and praying with students)

Healing Prayer

Lord Jesus, heal me.

Heal in me whatever You see needs healing.

Heal me of whatever might

separate me from you.

Heal my memory,

heal my heart, heal my emotions,

heal my spirit, heal my body,

heal my soul.

Lay your hands gently upon me and

heal me through Your love for me.

Amen

Think About: Where in our lives do we need healing? In our bodies, in our minds, in our

spirits? Let us begin the healing process by acknowledging our sin and asking God for

forgiveness. When was the last time I received the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Plan a time in

the near future to revisit this Sacrament. Afterwards, rejoice in God’s great gift of forgiveness

and healing which He gives so freely to each one of us to help sustain our spiritual and mental

health.

ELEMENTARY STUDENT ACTIVITY: JESUS’ HANDS HELP OTHERS, SO CAN

MINE.

Using a long piece of paper or poster board, have each child make their handprint in the middle

of the page using paint.

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Print at the top of the page, Jesus’ Hands Help Others, So Can Mine.

Have each child come up with at least one practical way they can help another person who is in

need. Have the child draw a picture of how they are helping or have them print what they can do

to help someone else.


-Think of a time when you were sick, who helped you to feel better?

-What did they do to help you feel better?

-When you are hurt or sick do you pray to God for healing?


Invite children to write their own Healing Prayer that they can recite. They can include a

sentence of praise, telling God that they love Him; a sentence for asking or special request for

their intentions; and a sentence of thanks to God for hearing their prayer.

SECONDARY STUDENT ACTIVITY: EXERCISE IN SELF-COMPASSION – HOW

WOULD YOU TREAT A FRIEND

Jesus knew the paralytic needed interior healing before physical healing. He had to be healed

from the inside out. And the most important healing is the inner healing, and the inner healing

that this man needed was forgiveness. Sometimes, we need to forgive ourselves and be

compassionate to ourselves in order to heal and grow. Instead of mercilessly judging and

criticizing yourself for various inadequacies or shortcomings, self-compassion means you are

kind and understanding when confronted with personal failings – after all, who ever said you

were supposed to be perfect?

Exercise in Self-Compassion: How would you treat a friend?

On a sheet of paper answer the following questions:

1) First, think about times when a close friend feels really bad about him or herself or is

really struggling in some way.

- How would you respond to your friend in this situation (especially when you’re at your

best)?

Please write down:

- what you typically do,

- what you say, and

- note the tone in which you typically talk to your friends.

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2) Now think about times when you feel bad about yourself or are struggling.

- How do you typically respond to yourself in these situations?

Please write down:

- what you typically do,

- what you say, and

- note the tone in which you talk to yourself.

3) Did you notice a difference? If so, ask yourself why.

- what kinds of thoughts or ideas sometimes keep us from treating ourselves as

well as we would treat a friend?

4) Please write down:

- how might things change if you responded to your own suffering in the same

way you typically respond to a close friend?

Why not try treating yourself like a good friend and see what happens?


-Do you find it easy or hard to be gentle with yourself? What makes it that way?

-In what ways do I care for myself?

-How can I practice self-compassion?


Invite the students to complete the following online test to find out how self-compassionate they

are: http://self-compassion.org/test-how-self-compassionate-you-are/.


When we are not feeling well, physically or mentally, let us always remember to approach Jesus

and ask him for healing. It is Jesus who knows best what is in our hearts and in what ways we

need to be forgiven and healed.

Documents

Catholic Education - rccdsb.edu.on.carccdsb.edu.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Catholic-Education... · Catholic Education Opening Doors of ... ELEMENTARY STUDENT ACTIVITY: REFLECTING