The Renewal Project

Simple. Achievable. Life Changing.
“Behold, I make all things new.” – Revelation 21:5

Simple Ideas for Renewal for Grade School Students

Ideas done within the Home

Create a Family Prayer Space: a small area with a crucifix, Bible, and images of Jesus and Mary to help them feel connected to God.

Prayer Jar: Invite them to write down people or situations to pray for & draw one each day.

Learn to pray from the heart with short, heartfelt prayers throughout the day:

  • Morning: “Jesus, help me to love You and others today.”
  • Before school: “Holy Spirit, guide me in my learning and my friendships.”
  • Before meals: “Thank God for your food and ask Him to bless those who have less.”
  • Night: “Thank Jesus for the day and pray for your family and friends.”
  • Pray with Scripture: Even young children can reflect on simple Bible stories. Try reading a short Gospel passage or parable and talking about what it teaches.
  • Learn Traditional Prayers: Teach or reinforce prayers like the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the Guardian Angel prayer.
  • You can introduce grade school children to the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet by praying them together as a family.

Kindness at Home: Teach them that serving their family with love such as, helping with chores, being patient with siblings, is part of renewing the Church.

Learn about Jesus.

  • Bible Stories: Read or listen to children’s Bible stories together. Ask questions like:
    • “What do you think Jesus is teaching us here?”
    • “How can we be like the Good Samaritan today?”

Teach children about saints, especially young ones they can relate to, like:

Saint Crafts or Activities ($): Create saint dolls, coloring pages, or family discussions about how to imitate the saints.

Learn about virtues and holiness.

  • Practice Virtues: Help them understand and practice the Theological Virtues (faith, hope, and charity) and Cardinal Virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) through simple actions.
  • Saint Stories: Share simple examples of how saints practiced virtues.

Foster a sense of vocation early.

  • Explain Vocations Simply: Introduce the concept of different vocations (priesthood, religious life, marriage, or singlehood).
  • Pray for Vocations: Encourage children to pray for priests and those living a religious life, people who they know who are married, and people who they know who are living a single life.

Playful Imitation: Let them play “Mass” or “nun/priest” with simple costumes to help them

Ideas done within the Church

Go to Mass (click for a list of Mass times in the Diocese of La Crosse, or anywhere) and receive the Sacraments joyfully.

  • Go to Mass as a Family: Bring them to Sunday Mass regularly and, if possible, special feast days, daily Mass on school breaks, etc.
  • Help your children follow the Mass: Encourage children to follow along in the Missalette or teach them simple responses.

Participate in parish and school religious events.

  • Attend Religious Education Classes: Bring them to CCD/faith formation classes to help them learn more about their faith.
    • For more information, contact your parish priest, Director of Religious Education, Youth Minister, or Catechist. Their information is in the Parish Bulletin and/or website.
  • Vacation Bible School or Faith Camps: Enroll them in fun, faith-based camps where they can grow spiritually and make friends.
  • Liturgical Involvement: If your parish allows, children may participate in:
    • Children’s choir
    • Altar serving (when they are old enough)

Ideas that can be done anywhere

Show love through kindness and service.

  • Service to Others: Even grade school students can serve! Here are simple but meaningful ways:
    • Make cards for the elderly or the sick.
    • Collect food or clothes for the poor through parish drives.
    • Visit or pray for those who are lonely.
  • Kindness at School: Encourage kindness toward classmates, especially those who might feel left out or lonely.
  • Pray for Others: Teach them to offer prayers for people in need, the poor, and even those who hurt them.

Connect to the universal Church.

  • Teach children to pray for the Pope, Bishop Battersby, and the Church around the world.
  • Follow Feasts and Seasons: Help them learn about liturgical seasons (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time) through crafts, readings, or family prayers.
  • Missionary Spirit: Encourage them to care about children in other countries by supporting missions through small donations or prayers. You can learn more through the Mission Office of the Diocese of La Crosse.

Consistently remind them they are not only the future of the Church, they are the present day Church.

  • Grade school students have pure hearts and strong faith, making them powerful witnesses of God’s love. Their joy, kindness, and simple trust in Jesus will inspire others to draw closer to Him.

Practical tips for grade school students.

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