ONLINE NEWS AND IDEAS YOU CAN USE

Share this Pope Francis mini-poster with your students

A mini-poster featuring highlights in the life of Pope Francis is available free on PGW Online, a service of Pflaum Gospel Weeklies. Included are photos of the new pope with his brother at their first communion, and as a young Jesuit with his family. Also included is an illustration of the papal coat of arms with an explanation of what the symbols represent. You can display the mini-poster in your school or parish, or print copies for students to take home. Click on PGW Online Activities below to register, if you haven’t already. It’s free!

Try Late-close Lessons to extend our 32-week program

The Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Faith Formation Program’s 32 weekly lessons from September through May concluded with Sunday, May 12. If your program continues beyond that time, we offer three additional lessons online for preschool through grade 8. Each lesson includes a two-page guide and a student activity sheet. Themes are “Celebrate Creation,” “Exploring Parables,” and “Celebrate Pentecost.” Just click on Online Resources in the menu above.

Extend enthusiasm of VBS into your fall program

What helps create and sustain the enthusiasm experienced in vacation bible school programs? Master Catechist Mary Ann Garfold, writing in Catechist magazine, cites three factors: a sense of anticipation, an attention grabber (often a parish-wide event), and an atmosphere of community and belonging. She’s got some suggestions about how to transfer that enthusiasm into your parish religious education program and classrooms in the fall. Click here to read more