The Way, the Truth and the Life Series Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 1. God’s Great Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 2. Mary our Mother . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 3. Families and Celebrations . . . . .13 4. Following Jesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 5. The Resurrection . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 6. Miracles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Authors Sr. Marcellina Cooney CP, Angela Edwards, Amette Ley Editorial Team Maire Buonocore, Hattie Elwes, Susan Lawless, Tracy McGovern Hill, Kerry Malone, Linda O’Brien, Kathleen Richards
Teachers’ Enterprise in Religious Education Co. Ltd
Introduction Dear Children, Welcome to your new book. It is going to show you that God loves each one of you very much. God has created a beautiful world for us and you are going to discover all the wonderful things He has made for us to take care of and enjoy. You will learn that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to ask her to be the mother of His son Jesus and that Mary is our mother in heaven. You will hear how Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem and that we celebrate his birthday at Christmas. You will also hear that Jesus died and then rose from the dead. We celebrate his resurrection at Easter. There are some great stories for you to hear: how Jesus calmed the storm at sea, how he cured a man who could not walk and another person who could not see! Jesus was able to work these miracles because he is God and he wanted to show us how much he loves and cares for all people. As you get older you will hear lots of wonderful things about Jesus and I want you to love him more and more every day.
✙ Archbishop Vincent Nichols
Nihil obstat: Father Anton Cowan (Censor). Imprimatur: The Most Rev. Vincent Nichols Archbishop of Westminster, 22 February 2011, Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. The Nihil obstat and Imprimatur are a declaration that the book is free from doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil obstat and the Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed. Design, compilation and format: Ian Curtis, First Sight Graphics, www.firstsightgraphics.com Design and Text copyright © Sr. Marcellina Cooney CP.
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Front cover: The Annunciation © Jenny Williams Illustrations: © Jenny Williams; © Norman Young; © Debbie Clark, Beehive Illustration. Photos page 5 & 9 © Lorenzo Lees; page 18 © Sr. Marcellina Cooney CP All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher.
1. God’s Great Plan God’s world is very beautiful. He has made the world for us to live in.
We say ‘thank you’ to God for His wonderful world. 3
God made the World God made the light, darkness, water and land.
God made all the trees, plants and animals.
God made people to enjoy them and look after them. 4
God’s World God has made us a beautiful world to live in. We all need to help look after it.
Sometimes, we forget or don’t care. Then we find the world is not so good to live in. 5
Noah’s Ark Noah and his family were God’s friends. God kept them safe from the flood.
God chose the rainbow as a sign of His promise. 6