Messages of Hope and Healing

The young people will learn to develop concern for the spiritual and physical needs of others.

The young people should be able to explain how the Church calls us to respond to those who are sick or suffering.

• Construction paper
• Markers, pens, colored pencils
• Bibles
• Stapler

• Have young people put two sheets of construction paper together and fold them in half vertically. Then have them staple the sheets along the fold to the left to form an eight-page booklet.
• Assign each young person the name of the person who will receive his or her booklet.
• Invite the young people to design their booklets to include things such as artwork, a personal message of encouragement, an appropriate Scripture citation, something they've learned about the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, or a prayer.
• Invite volunteers to share their booklets with the entire group, then collect them and prepare them for delivery.

Art/Space Smart, Word Smart

Obtain in advance the names and addresses of ill and homebound parishioners, or those who reside in care facilities. Have enough names to pair each young person with someone.

Decide in advance how the booklets will be delivered (by mail or personally). You might want to involve the young people in delivering them.

Remind the young people not to include messages such as "Get well soon."

Make a list of possible Scripture citations for the young people to choose from.

Some young people might have family members, friends, or neighbors who are ill. They might want to make booklets for these persons.