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DIOCESE OF BAKER

Sacramental Workshops Guidelines

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First Holy Communion

Workshop I

Office of Evangelization and Catechesis

Last Updated: August 8, 2015

Holy Communion Workshop I: Sample Schedule / Outline

9:00 – 9:05 ARRIVAL AND INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS

9:05 – 9:20 LARGE GROUP GATHERING 1: WE GATHER

(Acts 2:41-47) Gathering of the first Christians

9:25 – 9:55 TEACHING 1 FOR CHILDREN “PREPARING AND PRAYING”

CHILD ACTIVITY 1 “PREPARING AND PRAYING”

TEACHING 1 FOR PARENTS

10:00 – 10:15 LARGE GROUP GATHERING 2: WE LISTEN

(1 Samuel 3:1-10) Samuel listens to God

10:20 – 10:50 TEACHING 2 FOR CHILDREN: “LISTENING AND RESPONDING”

CHILD ACTIVITY 2: “LISTENING AND RESPONDING”


10:55 – 11:25 SNACK BREAK AND PARENT-CHILD ACTIVITY TIME

PARENT / CHILD ACTIVITY 1 “PREPARING AND PRAYING”

PARENT / CHILD ACTIVITY 2 “LISTENING AND RESPONDING”

11:30 – 11:45 LARGE GROUP GATHERING 3: SHARING OF BREAD

(Luke 9:10-17) Jesus feeds the people

11:45 – 12:00 LARGE GROUP REVIEW AND HOMEWORK

PARENT / CHILD ACTIVITY 3 “SHARING OURSELVES”

Sacramental Workshops Guidelines | Diocese of Baker P a g e | 0

C O N T E N T S

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 1

WORKSHOP I: LESSON PLAN ................................................................................................................................... 2

LARGE GROUP GATHERING 1: WE GATHER ................................................................................................... 8

TEACHING 1 FOR CHILDREN “PREPARING AND PRAYING” ...................................................................................... 9

CHILD ACTIVITY 1 “PREPARING AND PRAYING” ......................................................................................... 11

TEACHING 1 FOR PARENTS ................................................................................................................................... 12

LARGE GROUP GATHERING 2: WE LISTEN ................................................................................................... 19

TEACHING 2 FOR CHILDREN: “LISTENING AND RESPONDING” .............................................................................. 20

CHILD ACTIVITY 2: “LISTENING AND RESPONDING” .................................................................................. 23

TEACHING 2 FOR PARENTS ................................................................................................................................... 24

PARENT / CHILD ACTIVITY 1 “PREPARING AND PRAYING” .................................................................................... 29

PARENT / CHILD ACTIVITY 2 “LISTENING AND RESPONDING” ............................................................................... 30

LARGE GROUP GATHERING 3: SHARING OF BREAD ................................................................................... 31

PARENT / CHILD ACTIVITY 3 “SHARING OURSELVES” ............................................................................................ 32


INTRODUCTION

This 3-hour workshop is part one of two for the preparation to receive the

sacrament of First Holy Communion (six hours in total). This workshop is

designed for both parent(s) and their child(ren). This workshop assumes the

child has completed one year of religious education, is enrolled in the second

year of religious education, and has received the sacrament of Confession and

Reconciliation in accordance with the Diocese of Baker Catechetical Guidelines

and Norms for Sacramental Preparation.

This resource is provided to help pastors, and catechetical leaders who assist

them, in the development and implementation of catechetical and sacramental

preparation programs. This resource has the following predominant goals:

Promoting family-centered catechesis aimed at life in Christ

Integrating religious education and sacramental catechesis

Enhancing the parish community celebration of the liturgy and

sacramental life

Incorporating the New Evangelization appropriate for our time & culture

Emphasizing our Catholic faith as a Continuum of Faith

Workshop I: Framework and Goals

I. God gathers his family (we prepare)

We prepare to receive Him

We pray to Him

We respond to Him

II. God proclaims his Word (we participate)

We listen and receive His word

We learn and our strengthened by His word

We profess our belief in Him

Workshop II: Framework and Goals

III. God breaks, blesses, and gives his life and love (we receive)

We remember His works of life and love for our sake

We receive His life (Body and Blood) so that we have His life in us

We confess our unworthiness of His sacrifice for us

We give thanks to Him for the unmerited gift of His life and love

IV. God sends his disciples (we live)

We bring Christ to others

We invite others to Christ


WORKSHOP I: LESSON PLAN

Objectives

God gathers his family (we prepare)

We prepare to receive Him

We pray to Him

We respond to Him

God proclaims his Word (we participate)

We listen and receive His word

We learn and our strengthened by His word

We profess our belief in Him

Large Group Gathering 1: We Gather

(Page 8) (20-minutes)

This workshop begins with all candidates and parents gathered together (preferably in the

church or a chapel setting).

Welcoming, introductions and overview (schedule and topics) for the workshop

Opening liturgy “We Gather” (Acts 2:41-47, Life among the first Christians)

Instructions for “We Gather”

Prior to the workshop arrange to have an entrance procession like that of a Sunday

Mass to include wearing albs: cross bearer, candle bearers, Gospel book bearer

(deacon if available), acolyte/server and priest.

After the initial welcoming, introductions and overview for the workshop:

Invite everyone to stand.

Entrance procession with appropriate opening hymn

Stop the procession prior to entering the sanctuary to provide a brief explanation

of each role in the procession (see “Entrance Procession Catechetical Moment”)

After the brief explanation, the entrance procession proceeds taking their proper

places in the sanctuary

Entrance Procession Catechetical Moment (2-3 minutes)

In these or similar words, provide a brief explanation of the entrance procession…

Cross: representing Christ who is the head of the Church and remembering His

Sacrifice made for all of humanity – which has conquered death

Candles: Christ is the “light to the world”

Book of the Gospels: the living word of God – the words and deeds of Christ

Acolyte/servers: ministers who assist the priest

Priest: the celebrant who acts in the place of Christ, the one High Priest


TRANSITION TIME: 5 – MINUTES

Teaching Session 1 for Children: Preparing and Praying

(Pages 9 – 10) (30-minutes / 55)

Opening Prayer: Jesus, Mary and Joseph pray for us! (2-minutes)

Proclamation: we prepare ourselves to listen, pray (3-minutes)

and respond to Jesus who is always present in the

Holy Eucharist at Holy Mass

Teaching: We gather, prepare, pray and give thanks (5-minutes)

Activity 1: “Preparing and Praying” (page 11) (20-minutes)

Teaching Session 1 for Parents: Reclaiming the Sabbath, Part 1

(Pages 12 – 18) (30-minutes / 55)

NOTE: print pages 12 and 13 (double sided) for parents

Opening Prayer (2-minutes)

Ask for three volunteers to lead the prayer.

Reflection Readings: Experiencing the Mystery of Christ (7-minutes)

Ask for seven volunteers to read each of the paragraphs.

Teaching: Made for Worship (20-25 minutes)

Holy Mass (handout). Invite parents to take it home and to spend time with it in prayer

and reflection until the next workshop.



Large Group Gathering 2: We Listen

(Page 19) (15-minutes / 75)

Instructions for “We Listen”

Gather the parents together (preferably in the church or a chapel/prayerful

setting) – leave enough room in the front pews/chairs for the children to sit

together

The priest (or lay leader) reverently processes into the church/chapel holding

the Bible (or the Book of the Gospels if available) in their hands at about eye level

and proceeds directly to the Ambo/reader stand

The children process in behind the leader with their hands together at chest level

and proceed to the front pews/chairs and remain standing – parents are invited

to stand – opening prayer…

Closing Ritual: (music optional) Leader places the Bible (or the Book of the

Gospels if available) on a stand in an accessible spot (in front of the Altar

area/steps if in the church). Sing an appropriate hymn or play a recording of

appropriate (sacred) instrumental music during the ritual reverence of the book.



Teaching Session 2 for Children: Listening and Responding

(Pages 20-22) (30-minutes/ 110)

Opening Prayer: My Jesus I need you, Mary pray for me! (2-minutes)

Proclamation: When we come to Holy Mass we can know God

better; by listening, praying and responding to God (3-minutes)

Teaching: “Listening and Responding like the boy Samuel” (5-minutes)

Activity 2: “Listening and Responding” (Page 23) (20-minutes)

Teaching Session 2 for Parents: Reclaiming the Sabbath, Part 2

(Pages 24-28) (30-minutes/ 110)

NOTE: print pages 25 for parents


Ask for three volunteers to lead the prayer.

Reflection Readings: Experiencing the Mystery of Christ (3 minutes)

Ask for three volunteers to read each of the paragraphs.

Teaching: God Speaks (15-20 minutes)


Snack Break / Parent-Child Activity Time (30-minutes/ 145)

Instructions

Gather the parents and children together

While eating, explain the parent-child activity booklet

Have catechists/adult volunteers available and walking around to be available for

questions and assistance

Parent-Child Activity 1: “Preparing and Praying” (Page 29)

NOTE: print parent-child activity 1and 2 double sided

Parent-Child Activity 2: “Listening and Responding” (Page 30)



TOTAL ELASPED TIME: 150 – MINUTES


Large Group Gathering 3: Sharing of Bread

(Page 31) (15-minutes / 165)

Instructions for “Sharing of Bread”

Gather the parents and children together (preferably in the church or a

chapel/prayerful setting) – children sit with their parents

Invite the participates to settle themselves and to become aware of God’s presence

Sing an appropriate hymn (optional)

Large Group Conclusion (15-minutes/ 180)

Instructions

Gather the parents and children together

Have the children come up front and sit on the ground in a semicircle

The leader asks questions to ensure that the teaching goals have been met

As the children give correct answers they are given something from the “grab

bag” and then return to where their parent(s) are seated – all children should be

afforded to answer one question correctly

Homework 1. Parent-Child Activity 3 “Sharing Ourselves” (Page 32)

2. Study and bring to all Masses the

“Children’s Preparation Guide for Holy Communion”

Closing Prayer Make the sign of the cross.

Leader

Spontaneous Prayer…

Amen.

TOTAL ELASPED TIME: 180 – MINUTES


LARGE GROUP GATHERING 1: WE GATHER

Note: this ritual is adapted from the Eucharist Program Director’s Manual, Published by RCL · Resources for Christian Living, 2003.

Leader Let us begin by praying the Sign of the Cross to remind us of our baptism.

All (Make the sign of the cross, saying) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Leader God, our loving Father, You call us to gather around your Word. You are with us as we come together in prayer. As we listen to your Word, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.

All Amen.

Scripture Reading (Acts 2:41-47, the first Christians gathering)

Reader A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons

were added that day. They devoted themselves to the teaching of

the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the

apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common;

they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all

according to each one’s need.

Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to

breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and

sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.

And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Conclude the reading saying, The word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God. Closing Prayer Leader God, our loving Father, today we gather around your Word as we prepare to receive the Body and Blood of your son, Jesus Christ. Send us the Holy Spirit to help us remember to follow Jesus every day. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. All Amen. Ritual Closing Procession The children follow behind the closing procession to the back of the church. Children and parents to proceed to the first teaching session.


TEACHING 1 FOR CHILDREN “PREPARING AND PRAYING”


Child 1 Jesus, meek and humble of heart;

All make my heart like Your heart.

Child 2 Mary, Mother of God;

All show yourself a Mother to me.

Child 3 Saint Joseph, protector the Holy Family;

All protect me in all dangers.

Child 4 Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,

All I give You my heart and my soul.

Amen.

Proclamation (3-minutes)

In these or similar words appropriate for children…

God made you – everyone – because God is good and He wants you – all of us – to be

good and happy with Him forever

To be happy I must KNOW God, LOVE God, and SERVE God

We come to Holy Mass to know God by listening to God’s word

We come to Holy Mass to love God by praying to God and giving thanks to God for

all that He does for us

Before we come to Holy Mass there are many things we should do to prepare

ourselves so that we are ready to listen, pray and respond to Jesus who is always

present in the Holy Eucharist at Holy Mass

Jesus gave us His Church and the sacraments so that we can know Him and his love

for us

Who can name the first sacrament we have all received? (Baptism)

Who can name the next sacrament you received?

(Confession / Reconciliation / Penance)

Who can name the sacrament we are preparing to receive?

(Holy Eucharist / Holy Communion)

Who can tell me why this sacrament is extra special? (Answers will vary;

looking for the understanding that the Holy Eucharist is the sacrament of the

Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ)


Teaching (5-minutes)

Review and reinforce key principles of the first gathering of Christians (Acts 2:41-47).

We show our love for God by gathering together every Sunday

In the story of the first Christians – believers of Jesus Christ – they gathered together

How often did they gather together? (every day)

Where did they gather together? (in the temple (church) and in their homes)

Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple

area and to breaking bread in their homes. (Acts 2:46)

What did the first Christians do when they gathered together? (Acts 2:42)

…devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles

(listened to the Word of God and the teachings of the Church)

… breaking of the bread and to the prayers

(received Holy Eucharist and prayed together)

We are happiest when we share with our friends and family

The first Christians shared all of their belongings with each other and ate their meals

together every day!

Can anyone tell me about the last time you had friends or family over to your

house for a meal? (let one or two children share)

How does it feel when you share your things with your friends or family and

share a meal together? (let one or two children share – looking for the

understanding of being happy when we share with friends and family)

They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,

praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. (Acts 2:46-47)

God is happy when we gather together to listen to Him and share ourselves with Him!

Every time we go to Holy Mass Jesus is there waiting for us and is happy to share

with us His life and love – even though we cannot see Jesus, he is really there! He

talks to us and teaches us (Liturgy of the Word). He gives us something to eat and

drink - his Body and Blood to make us strong (Liturgy of the Eucharist) – which helps

us know Him better and to make good choices every day so we can be happy

It is important when we go to Mass we prepare ourselves to listen and pray to God

Why do you think it is important to prepare and pray to God? (Answers will

vary; looking for the understanding that when we prepare we are better able to

pay attention and pray (participate) in Holy Mass so we can know God better in

our life and are better able to receive God’s love and to be happy – also, it is

disrespectful to God, who loves us and gives us everything, not to listen and

respond to Him.)

Activity 1: “Preparing and Praying” (20-minutes)


____

Getting Dressed in Your Best

____

Being Kind at Home

Preparing For Mass

____

Taking a Shower

____

Genuflect

____

Eating

____

Getting Up

____

Bless with Holy Water

____

Kneeling and Praying

____

Drive to Mass

____

Hear the Bells & Stand

____

Brush Teeth

____

Comb Hair

CHILD ACTIVITY 1 “PREPARING AND PRAYING”

How do we prepare ourselves for God who calls us to gather at Holy Mass every Sunday

and Holy Days of Obligation? Number these images in proper order, 1-12.

Your Name:



Opening Prayer (2 minutes)

(RM, 1st Week, Collect Prayers)

Adult 1 Prepare our hearts, we pray, O Lord our God, by your divine power,

All so that at the coming of Christ your Son

we may be found worthy of the banquet of eternal life

and merit to receive heavenly nourishment from his hands.

Adult 2 Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,

as we await the advent of Christ Your Son,

All so that, when he comes and knocks,

he may find us watchful in prayer and exultant in his praise.

Adult 3 Stir up your power, O Lord,

and come to our help with mighty strength,

All that what our sins impede the grace of your mercy may hasten.

Amen.

Reflection Readings (5 minutes)

A meditation from Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R., “Experiencing the Mystery of Christ”

Adult 1: On the day before he was given over to suffering and death, Our Lord ate the

Passover dinner with His disciples. As the meal drew to a close He took

unleavened bread and wine into His sacred hands and, blessing them,

established the Eucharist.

Leader: And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him. And he said

to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer….

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to

them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of

me." And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for

you is the new covenant in my blood. (Luke 22:14, 19-20)

Adult 2 How mysterious and unfathomable this must have been to the Apostles as

they received from the hands our Divine Savior a bit of bread which He called

His Body and sip from a cup which He claimed contained not wine by His own

Blood.


Adult 3: Christ was not bound to bring the Eucharist into being in this fashion.... He

chose as the context for the Eucharist the Passover (or Paschal) dinner, a

tradition already steeped in centuries of holiness. A sacred obligation for all

Jews from the time of the Exodus to the present, the Passover meal

commemorates God’s liberation of the Hebrew people from brutal Egyptian

slavery. At Passover God freed His people from brutal bondage, and as a free

people they later accepted His covenant at Mount Sinai.

Leader: So Moses told the people of Israel that they should keep the passover. And they

kept the passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, in the

evening, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the LORD commanded

Moses, so the people of Israel did. (Numbers 9:4-5)

Adult 4: In transforming the Passover meal into the first Eucharist, Jesus connects the

long ago divine deliverance of the Jewish people to His own acts of

redemption. He brings to fulfillment the promises implicit in the original

Paschal event and reveals God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. Taking

upon Himself the role of the Paschal lamb, the victim whose blood is shed to

bring on deliverance, He sacrifices himself for a world that is hopelessly mired

in sin, whose relationship to God has been terribly wounded.

Leader: …for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to

him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were

darkened…Sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and

so death spread to all men because all men sinned... (Romans 1:21; 5:12)

Adult 5 As Jesus passes over from our corrupt and dying world to His heavenly

Father, He liberates us from slavery to sin and death. He transforms us by His

sacrifice, bringing us into a new relationship with God, a “new and everlasting

covenant,” one sealed in His own blood.

Adult 6 When we kneel at Mass and watch the priest consecrate bread and wine just

as Christ did on that Passover night, we should be in awe of the love which

Christ shows for us in His Passover, in His Eucharist. We should have a fierce

yearning to live the covenant that Christ’s death and resurrection brought

into being and abandon ourselves to the relationship to God that is made

possible in the Eucharist.

Leader: Jesus, our Paschal victim, bridges the infinite distance between God and the

sinful human soul, restoring the relationship to the divine that mankind had

forfeited through sin, restoring it visibly in the Eucharist, the Paschal

sacrament of His Body and Blood, the most intimate relationship possible

between God and humanity the most perfect sign of covenant imaginable.

With St. Paul, we should joyfully proclaim: “Christ, our Passover, has been

sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast.”


Teaching “Prepare, Pray, Listen and Respond” (20 – 25 minutes)

Note: this teaching and the second teaching are designed as one teaching; you can

adjust as necessary (e.g. break where it makes sense) to accommodate the total

teaching across both sessions. The second teaching has less content with this in mind.

A day of Rest?

What is your experience of Sunday Mass?

Is it “awe of the love which Christ shows for us in His Passover, in His Eucharist?”

Is it “a fierce yearning to live the covenant that Christ’s death and resurrection brought into being?”

Do you experience “the most intimate relationship possible between God and humanity the most perfect sign of covenant imaginable?”

OR – does it seem more like a game of charades with your children?

As parents, Mass can be filled with distractions …

The moment we become a parent; crying babies, spilled cereal, energetic kids, dirty

diapers become a reality…

Sundays probably are anything but a “day of rest” – changing into a day of

1. Chaos - catching up - constant housework

The idea of a “day of rest” may seem like a fantasy!

For several years this experience may have marked your Sunday routine – in that

time we may have started to see Mass as something routine that we attend or do;

rather than something that we:

1. PREPARE, PRAY, LISTEN, RESPOND, RECEIVE AND LIVE

as a mission – “missio” – truly, to be a living sacrament (visible

sign of Christ in us) to the world – a world in desperate need of

the true light and love of Christ…

Even the best Mass is filled with distraction and it can be hard to focus

If this has been your experience…OR

1. If you feel you understand less about the Mass than you would like to

admit – I have great news!

As our children are preparing to receive the greatest gift –

indeed, preparing to enter into and experience the “source and

summit” – the very heart of God’s love – His plan for the

salvation of ourselves and the entire world – indeed, the great

ACT OF WORSHIP – we have an opportunity to do the same!


If we can clear the air and admit that perhaps we don’t give Mass the place in our

Sunday that we should…

1. That we may not know as much about Mass as we would like…

2. That we may not know that we do not know – or even why we

should want to know…

…Then we are in the right place and time to renew – rediscover – or discover for the first

time, the greatest and most profound realities of Holy Mass – that heaven and earth

meet – that God and Man meet in an exchange of the Divine and human natures, every

time we gather in Holy Mass.

Made for Worship

To really understand Holy Mass, we need to first understand worship and why it

is an essential part of who we were created to be, worship is…

1. Adoration and honor that we give go God

2. Thanksgiving for what He has given us – life itself

Anytime we give reverence through prayer to God, we worship Him

We were made to worship God, because God created us – Our heart has been

designed by God to seek out God and be in a relationship with Him…

It is only in God that we can really find happiness and truth (Ef. CCC, 27-30)

1. The desire for God is written in our heart in our conception…

2. Human nature is wired as a religious being…

You are great, O Lord, and greatly to be praised: great is your power and your wisdom

is without measure. And man, so small a part of your creation, wants to praise you: this

man, though clothed with mortality and bearing the evidence of sin and the proof that

you withstand the proud. Despite everything, man, though but a small part of your

creation, wants to praise you. You yourself encourage him to delight in your praise, for

you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.

(St. Augustine)

God saves us, we cannot save ourselves

God loves us perfectly, but our love – in return – can often be fickle

As a result, we owe God our worship, adoration, and love

God, in turn, loves us and saves us from our sins – but not because of our worship –

simply because God loves us


To the Mountain to form a Covenant between God and Man

At the time that Moses lived, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God liberates the

Israelites from their captivity, but not only because they were enslaved – God

liberates them so they can have the freedom to worship God…

1. The entire story of the Exodus is about freedom:

Freedom to know the Lord and Worship Him –V– knowing

Pharaoh (the world of men) and working/worshiping worldly

things – note: Hebrew word used is AVAD (work/worship)

We can learn two important things from this:

1. The freedom to worship God is the most fundamental

freedom – without it, not one can truly be free, despite

what other rights we may have.

2. God must lead the Israelites into the desert so that God

can show them how to worship – if this was not

necessary, the people would have just made up their

own worship practices inside of Egypt.

God has other plans! Moses tells Pharaoh that he must let the people go free to

worship – but Pharaoh several times tries to put restrictions on worship

Despite repeated attempts by Pharaoh to stop the Israelites, God liberates them

from captivity and leads them to Mount Sinai to make a covenant with God and

worship Him

Moses goes up the mountain, not only to receive the Law (Ten Commandments

AKA the Natural Law for our true human nature) – but also for instruction from

God about worship and receive a community rule of life

Moses is gone for a long time (40 days) and the people begin to get restless (recall

St. Augustine’s Quote…)

The Golden Calf

While Moses is away, people start to worry – they do not know how to worship,

and they are concerned perhaps God has deserted them – after all, they are in the

middle of the desert

The people begin to build an idol…

1. They build a giant golden calf to worship – something they had saw

many times in Egypt (remember, Man is hardwired a “religious

being”)


2. Having a desire to worship God, the people started to worship in the

only way they knew how because they became impatient – however, it

is not how God calls us to worship…and there were consequences…

Sabbath Worship

God gives the people of Israel guidelines for authentic worship (last part of Exodus

and most of Leviticus)

He asks the people to make sacrifices, to offer prayers and praise through priests,

and to rest and observe a Sabbath

The Sabbath is a day that the people were to rest and set aside for the worship of God

– and had many restrictions – absolutely no work (way of the world) was to be done

Not meant to be a burden, but to remind the people that the purpose of the day was

not to “catch up” on work, but to worship God

The Sabbath was originally celebrated in commemoration of the seventh day of

creation (Saturday), the day that God rested – it was a blessed day that recognized

that humanity needs rest and an opportunity to focus on our creator

On this day, people gathered in large assemblies for prayer, and then would rest –

even animals were prohibited from working

The Sabbath day recognized the human need for worship, inscribed on every

person’s heart

The Sabbath was observed through the time of Christ, when – following the

resurrection (on Sunday) – a new worship was instituted and the Sabbath was

transformed – beginning of the new creation

The New Covenant

At Mount Sinai, the people entered into a covenant with God. On the night that the

Jewish people celebrated Passover, the event that liberated the Israelites from

Egypt so they could worship God, Jesus institutes a new covenant of worship

At the Passover meal, Jesus gives the disciples the Eucharist…

1. Gives them bread and wine, and it becomes the sacrament of /Christ’s

Body and Blood – and tells the apostles to “do this in remembrance of

me” – this is the institution of the Eucharist and of the Mass

(Luke 22:19-20)

2. Jesus shows the disciples that this is the new way of worshipping

God – it is true communion with Christ through the Eucharist – the

new “tree of life” which is eternal life


The next day, Jesus is put to death on the cross; on the third day after his death,

Jesus is raised from the dead – the Christian community, remembering Christ’s

words that “The Son of man must suffer many things… be rejected … and be killed,

and on the third day be raised," quickly realized the correlation between Christ’s

resurrection and the Sabbath

The Christians began celebrating Christ’s resurrection on the same day it happened

– Sunday – and celebrated it as the Sabbath

Sunday now stood as the fulfillment of the Old Testament Sabbath (which was

rooted in sacrifice, pray and praise) to be truly free (from sin and death) to rest and

worship God

To Become Fully Alive

We can reclaim the Sabbath day as a day of rest and prayer, even if we have not

claimed it as such for a while

Mass is important – necessary – as it is the place where we encounter Christ in the

Eucharist and build our relationship with God the Father

Over our remaining teaching moments in this workshop and the next, we are going

to explore the incredible privilege of worshipping God at Mass

This is what our children are preparing for today

God calls all of us to be a part of his family, with all of our imperfections and

weaknesses, and our desire to worship and praise God, pleases him…

Every Holy Mass may not be free of distractions, but we can point our heart in the

right direction by giving God the best that we can bring – and lead our children to

do the same!

Let us pray in the words that our Lord and Savior taught us.

“Our Father…”


LARGE GROUP GATHERING 2: WE LISTEN


Leader Let us begin by praying the Sign of the Cross to remind us that we are disciples of Jesus Christ.


Leader God, our loving Father, As we gather around your word to us, prepare our minds and hearts to listen to your word that we may grow in wisdom, knowledge, and grace. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.

All Amen.

Scripture Reading (1 Samuel 3:1-10, a boy listens to God)

Reader A reading from the prophet Samuel.

During the time young Samuel was minister to the LORD under Eli, the word of the LORD

was scarce and vision infrequent. One day Eli was asleep in his usual place. His eyes had lately grown so weak that he

could not see. The lamp of God was not yet extinguished, and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of

the LORD where the ark of God was. The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.” He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.” “I did not call you,” Eli answered. “Go back to sleep.” So he went

back to sleep. Again the LORD called Samuel,

who rose and went to Eli. “Here I am,” he said. “You called me.”

But he answered, “I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep.”

Samuel did not yet recognize the LORD, since the word of the LORD had not yet been

revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel again, for the third

time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am. You called me.”

Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.

So he said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, LORD, for your

servant is listening.’” When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and stood there, calling out as before: Samuel, Samuel! Samuel answered,

“Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Conclude the reading saying, The word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

Closing Prayer

God, our loving Father, today we show our reverence for your word, the Sacred Scriptures. Send us the Holy Spirit to help us remember and follow your word every day. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

Leader Children, please come forward with your parents and reverence the Word of God, then proceed to the next teaching session.

Ritual: Reverencing the Word of God This may be done by touching the book, kissing the book, or genuflecting before the book.


TEACHING 2 FOR CHILDREN: “LISTENING AND RESPONDING”


Child 1 My Jesus,

All I need You. It is hard for me to be good.

Child 2 My Jesus,

All Come to make my soul strong.

Child 3 Holy Mary, Mother of God,

All pray for me to help me grow in Love for your Son Jesus.

Amen.

Proclamation (3-minutes)

In these or similar words appropriate for children…

Did you know that God is listening to you all the time – even the thoughts in your

head?!

God is always ready to listen to us – especially when we are sad or lonely

Jesus gave us His Church and the sacraments so that we can know Him and his love

for us

When we come to Holy Mass we can know God better and better by listening to

God’s word, praying to God and responding to God, which means:

paying attention

participating with the priest and Jesus at all of the right times

knowing what to say, sing, or pray and when to say it

being grateful/thankful for all that God does for you and your family

Who can tell me something that God has done for you/us and why that makes you/us

happy? (Answers will vary; looking for the understanding that all good things come from God,

like our parents, family, friends, nature and animals to enjoy, etc. Ultimately, we want to lead

the children to appreciate God’s love through the gift of Jesus on the Cross, that he loves us

and wants us to be with him to the point that he suffered and died for us.)


Teaching (5-minutes)

Review and reinforce key principles of the importance of listening and responding according

the story of the boy Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1-10).

Samuel Listens and responds to God

The Bible has many stories about people listening to God

What did the God say to Samuel? (“The LORD called to Samuel”)

How did Samuel respond? (He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.”)

Who is Eli and how did he help Samuel? (Eli was a priest and he helped

Samuel listen to God’s word – and told Samuel to respond to God “Speak,

Lord, I am listening.”)

Who helps you listen to the word of God? (Answers will vary; looking for the

understanding that priests, religious and our parents help us to listen to God.)

God speaks to us in Holy Mass and we listen, just like Samuel

God speaks to us through the Bible. God gave us the gift of the Bible because he loves

us and He wants us to know Him.

What is another name that we call the Bible? (Sacred Scripture)

The Bible has two main parts

Who can tell me the two parts of Sacred Scripture? (Old and New Testament)

The Old Testament tells us the story of God’s people who lived before Jesus was born

– stories like that about Samuel

The New Testament tells about Jesus and the first Christians – like the first story we

read today about the first Christians

We respond to God when he speaks to us, just like Samuel

At every Sunday Mass we listen to three reading from the Bible during the Liturgy of

the Word – and we respond to each reading

i. First Reading is from the Old Testament which tells the story of God’s love

for us before Jesus was born

What is our response after the first reading? (“Thanks be to God”)

We also respond by singing a response called a Psalm – we listen to a

Cantor (a person who leads us in song) and repeat what they sing

ii. Second Reading is from the New Testament and tells us what the apostles

and first Christians believed about Jesus – the apostles were the first leaders

of Jesus’ followers

What is our response after the second reading? (“Thanks be to God”)

iii. Third Reading is from the New Testament and is called “the Gospel reading.”

Gospel means “good news” and they tell us who Jesus is and what Jesus said

and did


How do we prepare to listen to the Gospel reading?

We stand; make the sign of cross on our foreheads, lips, and

heart and then say “Glory to you O Lord.”

How do we respond after listening to the Gospel reading?

We say “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ”

The priest helps us to understand God’s word, just like Eli the priest in the story of

Samuel

After God speaks to us through Holy Scripture the priest helps us to understand who

God is and how we should respond to God in our daily life – this is called a “homily”

Why is it important to listen to the priest? (Answers will vary; looking for the

understanding that the priest (our pastor) wants to help us to know and love

God better, just like Eli helped Samuel. Jesus gives us priests to lead us and

teach us to know, love, and serve God so that we can make good choices and

be happy with God.)

Activity 2: Listening and Responding (20-minutes)


Scavenger Hunt Activity #2 Church Tour Items check off each item as you locate it

∆ Holy Water

∆ Baptismal Font

∆ Pews

∆ Altar

∆ Candles

∆ Pascale (Easter) Candle

∆ Lectern (Ambo)

∆ Cross/Crucifix

∆ Stained Glass Windows

∆ Stations of the Cross

∆ St. Francis

∆ Statues

∆ Tabernacle

∆ Sanctuary Light

∆ Confessional

∆ Sanctuary

∆ Alter Cloth

∆ Holy Water Sprinkler

∆ Host

∆ Corporal/Purificator/Pall

∆ Cruets

∆ Alb & Cincture

∆ Ceborium

∆ Pyx

∆ Stole

∆ Chausable/Vestment

∆ Lectionary

∆ Missal

∆ Thurible/Incense

∆ Sacred Oils

∆ Alter Bells

∆ Monstrance

∆ Processional Cross

∆ Presidential Chair

CHILD ACTIVITY 2: “LISTENING AND RESPONDING”

Scavenger Hunt! Take a Church tour with your teacher and adult helpers, find and check off each item as you locate them.

Your Name:



Opening Prayer (2 minutes)

(Cf. John 15:1-11)

Adult 1 Lord God, in your own words you tell us the You are the true vine,

All we are the branches of you O Lord; without You we cannot bear fruit.

Adult 2 Lord God, you tell us that we are made clean by the word

which You have spoken;

All help us Lord to listen to your Word,

that You may abide in us and we abide in You.

Adult 3 Lord God, there is no greater love then when you

laid down Your life for ours;

All help us Lord to respond to your love, to be branches that bear much fruit.

Amen.

Reflection Readings (3 minutes)

A meditation from Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R., “Experiencing the Mystery of Christ”

Leader: The word “liturgy” has numerous meanings. Most commonly it is a word used to

indicate the Mass, but it means many things other than that and therefore can

become confusing.

Adult 1: Liturgy includes all the works that Christ, our High Priest, does in His Church.

In its broadest application, liturgy includes any exercise of Christ’s own

ministry as Head of the Mystical Body, the Church.

Adult 2: This, of course, includes public worship, especially the celebration of the Holy

Eucharist; but it also includes the other sacraments, other forms of worship,

all good works done in union with Christ by His followers, all preaching and

teaching of the Gospel, and all works of true charity.

Adult 3: The liturgy joins the action and blessing of the Son of God to the works of

human beings…. It requires a degree of maturity and spiritual insight to

realize that the whole work of salvation and sanctification, the whole reason

for our being Christians, is to allow the Son of God to grow in us so that we

may be transformed into Him.

Leader: He alone has eternal life, and our entrance into that life depends on our

incorporation into Him, which requires a response.


Teaching (15 – 20 minutes)

Responding to What and to Whom?

Is it possible to respond to someone if we do not know them, or only have a cursory

understanding of who they are?

Actually, yes we can – and do all of the time – both rightly and wrongly…

Person Example:

Think about a time when you might have made responded with

assumptions about someone based on how they dressed, the manner of

their speaking, the type of job they had?

Now reflect on a situation where your perspective changed when you

came to know this person and discovered a truth about them – a truth

discovered through a personal experience/encounter with them, or based

on something they said to you…

Suddenly you realize that your understanding of them was largely based

on your own projection of who you thought they were…

Now apply this to God, His Church, the Liturgy and Sacraments:

How much of our response to God, Church, Liturgy and Sacraments is

based on our own projections of whom God is and what His thoughts,

wishes, and desires are regarding His Church, His Liturgy, and His gifts

for us found in the Sacramental Life?

Do we imagine God from our own thoughts – OR – do we know Him from

outside of ourselves?

Our goal, I believe, is that we want to know God and respond to Him rightly –

God tells us himself that our thoughts and ways are not His:

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than

your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)

Thus, to know who God is can only be revealed to us by Him – and we come to

substantially know God precisely in His Words and Works…

God Speaks

Invite parents to following along in their adult handout “Holy Mass, “Order of Holy Mass.”

As a Sunday Mass, we her four readings from Sacred Scripture – which is the

inspired Word of God – take that in; every time you hear or read from the Bible, you

are hearing God’s voice…

It is so easy to get so caught up in distractions at Mass that we miss the voice of

God

Each week we have an opportunity to be impacted by the life-changing power of

God’s Word – have we let it take root in us this week?


The Letter to the Hebrews says:

The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword,

penetrating even between soul and spirit…able to discern reflections and

thoughts of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

The word of God is powerful and life changing – but we have to be ready to receive

it. We prepare ourselves to hear god’s Word and receive Christ in the Eucharist

through what are called the Introductory Rites at Mass.

Gathered to Worship

Holy Mass begins as the congregation stands and the priest enters – we stand out of

readiness for what is about to happen in the liturgy. The priest invites everyone to

take a moment to think about areas where they have fallen into sin, and leads them

in a prayer of penance – called Penitential Act.

The Penitential Act allows the congregation to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness

for any venial sins that they have committed during the week so their hearts can

better disposed to hear God’s Word and receive grace.

The Penitential Act is not the same as receiving absolution in the Sacrament of

Reconciliation. If a person is in a state of mortal sin, he or she needs to receive the

Sacrament of Reconciliation in order to be absolved of that sin.

Pastoral Note: this may require further discussion about the difference between

mortal and venial sin and the necessity of Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Gloria is sung or spoken immediately following the Penitential Act and Kyrie

Eleison.

The Gloria is the hymn the angels sang to the shepherds at the birth of

Christ – we give God praise with this hymn, in thanksgiving for his love,

mercy, and the gift of Christ…

The final part of the Introductory Rites is called “The Collect,” – the opening prayer

that calls us to be mindful of God’s presence!

This prayer, according to ancient tradition, is usually addressed to God the

Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit

After this prayer, the congregation and priest are seated and ready to receive

God’s Word in the Sacred Scripture


God Speaks

The Liturgy of the Word is a crucial part in the celebration of Mass – if we want to

know who God is and what is His mind, it begins here by carefully listening…

Four readings, chants or songs in between

1. Old Testament, except during Easter than Acts of the Apostles

2. Psalm Response – collection of songs from the OT; hence, they are

usually sung

3. Second Reading – from one of the letters in the New Testament –

contain instructions for Christian life

4. Gospel – the high point of the Liturgy of the Word – contains the

narrative and words of Christ

Out of reverence to God, we stand

Proclamation of the Gospel reserved for those ordained in the

Sacrament of Holy Orders (priest or deacon)

The homily, is given (by priest or deacon) to help us dive more deeply into the

Sacred Scriptures to aid us in reflection and application in our personal and

public lives

The whole time we have been immersed in God’s Word -

hearing God’s voice made present to us

Have we been drifting through the readings? Thinking about how the cantor

sang the Psalm Response? Thinking about what we have to get done after

Mass during the homily?

After the homily we Respond – a response which also comes from God’s

Word – our Profession of Faith – given to us by God from the Apostles – I

believe…!

We conclude the Liturgy of the Word with the prayers of the faithful (our

petitions) – giving thanks and asking God for the help we need, for the world

and world leaders, for our Church (the diocese) and Church universal

Did you know that the readings are chosen for Mass in an ordered and particular

way, found in a book called the Lectionary?

1. When you listen carefully, you will notice that there is often a theme

that runs through the readings – especially the first reading and the

Gospel

2. Three yearly cycles of readings – so that we can be brought fully into

the life of the Christ


3. In fact, if you just attend Sunday Mass for three years, you will hear

over half of the Bible

4. If you go to daily Mass, every day, for three years you will hear nearly

the entire Bible!

Hence, you can tell our Protestant and Evangelical friends that we are very much a

“biblical church” – indeed, the Church is what gave us the Word of God!

The One That Has Ears

My friends, our world is filled with a lot of noise that competes for our attention

Some of that noise tries to sell us something

Some of it is just distracting

And some of it can actually harm us

It can be a challenge to hear God’s voice in all of the sound – but we can hear it clearly

every time we attend Holy Mass, we just need to focus our heart on God’s Word

Holy Mass allows us to tune our ears to the Word of God – and when we do this we

begin to hear God’s voice everywhere in our life – even when it is noisy and crowded

Note: if your parish has an adult Bible study, invite parents to consider signing up as a way to

dive deeper into God’s Word. Encourage personal scripture study in combination with a good

Catholic study source. Invite parents to find time to spend a few moments each day with the

Word of God.

Proclamation and Witness “Reclaim the Sabbath day”

In these, or similar words...

Prepare, prayer, listen, and respond – this is what our children are being

taught right now…

My friends, every day and every moment is an opportunity to start anew – to

reclaim the Sabbath for what it truly is. Is there any better moment than right

now as your child is preparing to enter into a whole new realm – a profound life

– to receive the Body and Blood of Christ … to enter into a new level of intimacy

with God – to live more fully in the “new covenant” the Way, the Truth, and the

Life of God which is the entire reason we exist – to know, love, and serve God

and be an image of him in this world so as to live with Him forever in the next!

How do we find the time for ourselves – make it happen…find the time, make

the time, start simply – prayer, study, adoration – individually and as a couple…

become aware of His abiding presence in every moment…

Next time we meet we will explore the other “presence” of our Lord which is the

Liturgy of the Eucharist – where Jesus Christ is present to us in more than just

His Words – where He is “really present Body, Blood, soul and divinity.” Amen!


PARENT / CHILD ACTIVITY 1 “PREPARING AND PRAYING”

Gathering with Jesus

Preparing for Jesus

Talk to your child about your parish community. Review names of:

Talk about ways your family can better prepare for Holy Mass.

Your parish (and school if applicable)

Your pastor

Other people who you know that serve in the parish/school (e.g. assoc. pastor, religious, principle, DRE, teachers)

Other special people you know at church

What can you do at home before you depart for Holy Mass?

What can you do in the car on the way to Holy Mass?

What can you do when you enter the church for Holy Mass?

Review how your family plan to pray together (from the First Confession/Reconciliation workshop) is going and how you might make it better. Sign of the Cross, Glory Be, Our Father,

Hail Mary, St. Michael Prayer, Grace before/after meals.

Consider adding a few additional prayers, such as:

Morning/Evening Prayer, Act of Faith, Act of Hope, Act of Love

(see “Children’s Preparation Guide”)

Praying Together


PARENT / CHILD ACTIVITY 2 “LISTENING AND RESPONDING”

Listening to Jesus

Responding to Jesus

This is a good time for you to talk with your child about the Bible.

Talk about ways your family can better listen and respond to God’s

word at Holy Mass.

Share a favorite Bible story of yours with your child

Ask your child what is his or her favorite story in the Bible

Discuss what God’s word to us might be in that Bible story

What can you do when we are sitting in church to pay more attention to what is being said?

How can you be a helper to your parents and/or an example to your brothers or sisters in Holy Mass?

Preparing to Receive

Holy

Communion

Begin reviewing the “Children’s Preparation Guide for Holy Communion” to learn the Introductory Rites and Liturgy of the Word and our responses.

I. Introductory Rites Penitential Act The Gloria

II. Liturgy of the Word Profession of Faith First Reading Responsorial Second Reading Gospel Reading


LARGE GROUP GATHERING 3: SHARING OF BREAD


Leader Let us begin as we were baptized.


Leader God, our loving Father, You have called us to come together in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. We give thanks for the love and care you have for us. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

Scripture Reading (Luke 9:10-17, Jesus feeds the people)

Reader A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

All Reverently sign your forehead, lips, and over your heart with the sign of the cross saying, Glory to you, O Lord.

When the apostles returned, they explained to him what they had done. He took them and withdrew in private to a town called

Bethsaida. The crowds, meanwhile, learned of this and followed him. He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of

God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, “Dismiss

the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a

deserted place here.” He said to them, “Give them some food yourselves.”

They replied, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy

food for all these people.” Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said

to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of [about] fifty.” They did so and

made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to

heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples

to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover

fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

Conclude the reading saying, The Gospel of the Lord.

All Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Closing Prayer

God, our loving Father, all our blessings are from you. Today we celebrate your love. We gather to share the love you give us and to give you thanks. Send us the Holy Spirit to help us remember to give you thanks every day. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

Leader Provide an explanation of the “Sharing Ourselves” homework and invite parents and children to seriously consider doing this before the next workshop!


PARENT / CHILD ACTIVITY 3 “SHARING OURSELVES”

HOMEWORK

Jesus fed about five thousand people to show them that God loves and cares for people.

Find out how your family can donate to a local food collection

Invite a guest to share a meal with your family. As you plan, talk about how your family can share God’s love with your guest.

Sharing is one way we show God that we are thankful.

Name the things that your family shares with one another

Pray this or a similar prayer at family meals or at other family prayer times until our next sacramental preparation parent-child workshop.

Loving God, Our Father, today we gather to celebrate the love

you share with each of us.

We give you thanks for all your gifts to us.

Send us the Holy Spirit to help us remember to give you thanks every day.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Sharing Together

Praying Together


DIOCESE OF BAKER

Office of Evangelization and Catechesis

PO Box 5999

Bend, OR 97701

Phone: 541-388-4004

Fax: 541-388-2566

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