Do you ever make lists so you can remember to do something? Maybe you see your parents write lists—for groceries, for appointments, for bills, and so on. They do that so they will remember to do something important, right?

Well, today when we hear the Gospel, we can really try to remember to do something important too! Today we hear the gospel about the man who could not walk for 38 years. Sadly, he did not have anybody to help him be healed.

But one day, Jesus came, and He asked the man, “Do you want to be healed?” Then He told him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk!” And instantly the man could walk! Suddenly, after 38 years, he was completely healed. Lots of people were amazed, and they asked the man who had made him better. The man told everybody that it was Jesus Christ who had healed him.

Sometimes when we are sick, or when a friend or a relative is sick, we remember to ask God to help us. We ask God to make us—or our friend—better. But then, when we’re all better, we forget to thank God!

Let’s try to be like the man in the gospel today. When he could walk again, he didn’t keep it all to himself. He remembered to tell others that it was Christ who healed him! Let’s remember to thank God!

SAINT KALI THE PHILANTHROPIST

Do you have a nickname? Some people like their nicknames, and some people wish they’d never have to hear it again!

Lots of times, saints have something like a nickname too. It’s called an epithet, and it’s just a little description of him or her. You might have heard of Saint Basil the Great, or Saint or Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess.

This week we celebrate Saint Kali, a saint with the epithet, “The Philanthropist.” A philanthropist means “a lover of mankind,” and it means she helped people.

We don’t know much about Saint Kali, but we do know she did help people! We don’t know when she lived, and we don’t know exactly where she lived. We still have a church service written about her, and this service tells us that she helped the poor. She let many people stay in her house, and she gave them food and clothing.

Even today, many people pray to Saint Kali so she can ask God for help. She especially helps with painful diseases, like arthritis.

Isn’t “the Philanthropist” a wonderful nickname or epithet? That is exactly what our Lord, Jesus Christ wants each one of us to be! He wants each one of us to love our neighbor!

We celebrate Saint Kali on Wednesday, May 22nd. SAINT KALI THE PHILANTHROPIST

Click here to download your free copy of The Children’s Word.

Welcome to “The Children’s Word,” a weekly ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network. Each week, Presvytera Alexandra Houck writes this little newsletter for young parishioners! You will find age-appropriate articles, stories, and activities in every edition. The newsletter is provided in PDF format so that you can easily download and print it, and share it with your parish, church school, homeschool, family, and friends.

Each issue includes a message on the Sunday Gospel lesson and on one of the saints for the week. You’ll also find a coloring page and other activities. It is designed for a 8.5 x 14 page, so it can be printed and folded.

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Presvytera Alexandra Houck

Presvytera Alexandra Houck created The Children's Word bulletin so children will know they are not only welcome in church, but even more, an essential part of the Church family. She hopes the weekly bulletin will be just one more way we can make kids feel at home in church. Presvytera Alexandra is a graduate of Duke University and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Her husband, Fr. Jason Houck, is a priest at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis, MN. Presvytera Alexandra and Fr. Jason have five small children: Lydia, Paul, Silas, Philip, and Sarah. Presvytera Alexandra grew up attending Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Asheville, North Carolina with her nine siblings.

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