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Theme 11: You Have Kept the Good Wine Until Now (Guide pages 136-145) Aims: *To know Christmas as a celebration of God's abundant love *To celebrate the ways God's love is celebrated in Jesus For the Catechist: The Church is concluding the Christmas season. What we celebrate at Christmas becomes manifested in the Magi story, the Baptism of Jesus and the Wedding feast at Cana. The wedding feast at Cana with its abundance of wine, symbolizes the new covenant , a wedding , of God and humanity, the abundance of God's love in becoming human, living with people! Remember the covenants God has had with people through Noah, Abraham, Moses, the prophets. This is the same God now being proclaimed by Jesus who in his whole life proclaims the glory of God. The difference in these covenants is like the difference between water and wine. The abundance of the wine emphasizes the abundance of God's love for people. How can we share any concept of this love God has with these young people? Do we ourselves feel the love, trust it, live in it? Preparations; Replace the purple Advent-colored cloth with a Christmas-colored white one at your prayer centre. Light your lantern or the Christ candle in your Advent wreath. We Gather: Savour the Christmas experiences through a discussion of favorite memories of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, feelings, people and what these things tell us about God. Make a list of people who have showed special love at Christmas emphasizing generosity, joy, and other signs of love. We Listen: Explain that over Christmas they heard Matthew's and Luke's versions, but that John does not have an account of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. John's story of Jesus begins in heaven. Proclaim John3:16-21. Compare with other versions. Examine John's version with some depth. According to John, what was God doing when he sent Jesus? Why does he call Jesus a gift of God's love? How is Jesus a light in the darkness? What do the children remember about "Epiphany" See Page 99 of their books. Explain how the Epiphany manifests God in Jesus. Three stories manifest God in Jesus during this season. Do the children remember what these stories are? Remind them of the story of the Magi when God invites all people of good will, the story of Jesus' baptism when the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus is God's son, and the wedding feast of Cana when the abundance of God's love is revealed in Jesus' changing the water into wine, and so much of it!! The Magi followed a star which is like the lantern which is leading us on our journey to find and know Jesus as our God. We Respond: Give each child a piece of paper on which each designs a star. Maybe use dfferent colors of paper and pencils to color. If you have used a lantern for your group, place the stars around your lantern, maybe on a piece of black construction paper to emphasize the stars. Maybe make the holes of the lantern larger to make the star brighter. Refer to page 93 of your books. We Go Forth: Gather around the prayer space and lantern. Now proclaim John 2:1-11. Discuss details of the story emphasizing the abundance of wine. Recall the Christmas story of following the stars, of Jesus' baptism when the holy Spirit reveals Jesus as God's son. What does the Cana story tell us about God? >>At this wedding feast, Jesus provides an abundance of the best wine for all the guests. God gave us Jesus, the most abundant gift of God's love. Jesus spreads God's abundant love. We have the best gift we could ever have; we have Jesus in the world with us. Jesus showed his love at a wedding feast because God's love has always been like the bond of love between a husband and wife. Jesus has that love for each of us. This bond between us is the new covenant God has established with people. Conclude with the song "Follow the star" #11. Invite the children to take their books home to share pages 94 & 95 with their families and to talk about Epiphany. For a closing blessing ask each child to bless the friend to their right with a sign of the cross on the forehead and the words, "May Jesus be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path." You go first to model the blessing.
Theme 12: Let Justice Flow like Water (Guide pages 146 - 153) Aims: *To understand the foundation of justice *To stir up a sense of justice For the Catechist: Young people this age have a deep sense of fairness which can be developed into a sense of justice. God is known by his actions. God dwells where each person is given what they are due. The name of God is synonymous with justice. The highest worship of God is to act justly. Injustice is a deep affront to God. The prophet Micah says, " (The Lord) has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 We Gather: Do a webbing of the word "injustice". Get as many ideas as possible to get a good sense of things they see as injustices. If that is what Injustice is, then do a webbing of "Justice".. If you need more ideas read suggestions on page 148 of your Guide. Listen to Song #11 "Follow the Star." We Listen: Remind the children of our covenant with God which is based on the Ten Commandments and the love God has for us and how our response to God's love is love for God and for one another. Recall that the prophet Amos from year 5 spoke of justice, "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an even flowing stream."(Amos 5:24) Light the candle and prepare the children to listen to the words of another prophet, Micah. Read Micah 6: 1-4, 6-7a, 8) Discuss the passage. Have the children copy the last part of the passage into their individual Book of Friends , "What does the Lord...." We Respond: Have some of the scenarios suggested in your Guide pages 150 & 151 on slips of paper...one for every two children in your group. Have the groups prepare a mime. Have them perform the mimes. Draw out the issues of injustice / justice . Read The United Nations Rights of a Child from page 100 of the student textbooks. We Go Forth: Gather in the prayer centre and have them sign each other on the forehead with the words, "Go in peace and remember ...the Lord requires of us to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God." You might have this printed on an index card for them to read if necessary. Invite the children to take their books home and share some of the days' theme especially the Rights of the Child.
Theme 13: Give to Each Other Aims: *To examine issues of justice *To accept the challenge of justice For The Catechist: Christian faith must go hand in hand with justice. In the first Christian communities in Jerusalem, when the Greek Christian poor were not provided for in the same way as the others, the Apostles appointed seven persons to look after the poor. Throughout the centuries, Christians have taken on works of justice such as care of the sick, the liberation of slaves, education, work among the poor, work among the dying, care of workers, etc. Literally thousands of religious communities, many of them still existing today, came into being, motivated and called by their faith to let God's concern become manifest in the social and economic fields. Through their faith we still hear today the call of the poor. We Gather: Recall the prophet Micah's words,"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Brainstorm a list of organizations that are involved with social justice issues. Examples may include St. Vincent de Paul, Development & Peace, Holy Childhood Association (HCA), Women's Shelter, Salvation Army, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Women's League, United Way, Soup Kitchen, Food Bank, Samaritan's Purse. The Holy Childhood Association is an organization that offers children the opportunity to give other children reason to hope. It creates a spiritual link between the children helping with the children being helped. Discuss the difference between charity and justice. In justice one gives to another what is theirs by right. Such rights include rights to life, food, clothing, housing, work, a living wage. These rights are given out of justice not charity. Read the United Nations Rights of the Child, in text books page 100. We Listen: Read and discuss the three stories about justice issues on pages 102 - 104. We Respond: What would life be like if a Canadian family had to live on less that $800. Per month? What would be approximate costs per month on housing, oil, electricity, utilities, fuel, clothing, groceries, entertainment, health care. How might the family adjust its expectations? How might young people have to adjust? Could our Canadian families survive? How can we be more just with our surplus of resources compared with others who have less access to such resources? We Go Forth: Use the Prayer of Lament in Guide pages 158 - 159. In advance have the three readings printed on cards for three readers numbered #1, #2, #3. Also have one or more items representative of developing countries in which you can feel some solidarity to have for the ritual action. Close with inviting the group members to take their books home to share some of the stories about justice issues with their family members. Close with a blessing to remember "To act with justice is to give to others what is theirs by right."
Theme 14: But I Say To You... Aims: *To appreciate the moral life of the kingdom of God *To hear Jesus call us to generosity For the Catechist: How do you understand the moral message of Jesus? Jesus compares his moral message to that of Moses' and shows how his teaching completes that of the law of Moses. The moral message is part of the proclamation of the kingdom of God. Through Jesus God is active in a new way in the lives of people. Jesus summed up the commandments of Moses in the new complete commandment "Love God and love your neighbour." In this new proclamation of the kingdom of God, sick people are cured, unusual things happen. People are healed by the love of God and the love of each other within community. People can experience the generosity of God and in the sharing of the kingdom they live with joy as a liberated people. This is how Jesus lived and how we live the moral life as disciples of Jesus. Today's slogan of the atheists "There is probably no God, so relax and enjoy life" can easily be turned into "There is a God, so relax and enjoy life" because life in the kingdom of God is enjoyable and is be lived to the fullest in love with God and with our fellow beings. Jesus preached a morality based on his faith in God's love and God's goodness. With Jesus, God has taken on the yoke and burden of human existence. That is what it means that the kingdom of God is here. Have no fear. Be generous in your actions as God is generous. We Gather: Recall discussions about justice and people who are active in justice issues. Focus in one issue of justice (such as bullying, poverty, access to health care, etc) and ask the children to write in their individual books their answer to the question, "What would Jesus have said or done?" Share answers. We Listen: Explain that you will be examining some passages from the Gospel of Matthew to help in an understanding of what are the moral teachings of Jesus. Explain that the first part of each statement is from the strict law of Moses and Jesus' teachings are introduced by the words, "But I say to you..." Proclaim Matthew 5: 21 -22, 33 - 34, 37 - 45, 47 - 48. After some quiet reflection time, discuss their reactions. Then open textbooks pages 106 - 107. Have each of four groups or individuals study one of the four paragraphs which each have an ‘But I say to you..."and answer the discussion questions on page 107 and then share their thinking with the group. (#1 on not acting in an angry way towards people...resolve situations peacefully #2 on speaking in a forthright and honest way...ie. no need to swear #3 on being generous ...God provides enough for all #4 love your enemy...all are brothers and sisters in God's love) Note how Moses' law helped prepare the people in relationships, but Jesus' teachings fulfill the laws because they have the fulness of God's love through Jesus. We Respond: Give each child a paper. Have them cut it into a shape that says something to them about going the extra step as Jesus teaches and have them illustrate an image that shows Jesus' call to be generous in our love and dealings with all people. We Go Forth: Discuss ways the children have done acts of generosity. Discuss how it is sometimes difficult, how it feels, how others felt, how our trust in God's generosity helps remove fear from our actions, how God is always with us and forgives us when we fail. Encourage the children to draw another picture on the back of their drawing to show an action which shows their love and generosity to others. Encourage them to share these activities from their pictures and from their books at home with family members, and hang their pictures in their rooms to remind them of how Jesus wants them to act morally and how they can trust in God's generous love. Close with a blessing, "Go in peace and remember ‘Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect."
Theme 15: Blessed Are You (Guide pages 168 - 175) Aims: * To see how the Beatitudes reveal the kingdom * To make the vision of Jesus our own For the Catechist: The core of the message of Jesus is expressed in the Beatitudes which are at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount. As God has entered personally into the lives of the human family, there are some radical changes from how people had been living. In the beatitudes the first dwellers in the kingdom of God are designated. In this theme we will consider how Jesus, rather than being concerned about commandments, extends the teaching that certain people are already enjoying the blessings or happiness of the kingdom of God and Jesus "congratulates" them. It is a mystery to us how the poor, the hungry, the sad, the lonely, are so blessed, but that is part of the mystery of God. Jesus lived the truth of these beatitudes and invites us to live them also so that we dwell in the kingdom. We Gather: Explain to the children that in this theme you will explore the beatitudes of Jesus. Beatitudes are brief sayings in which someone is declared blessed or happy because of who they are or what they have done. We Listen: Proclaim Luke 6: 20 - 23. Discuss the passage. Lead the children to notice the four who are called blessed by Jesus (poor, sad, hungry, persecuted). Then write (or have it done beforehand) the word "Happy" four times on chart paper, Then add each of the four (poor, sad, hungry, persecuted) beside a word Happy. Now they see "Happy poor, Happy sad, Happy hungry, Happy persecuted". These are paradoxes which bring opposites together and are favorite expressions of Jesus. What does Jesus mean by these? God loves these in particular. These belong in God's kingdom and are blessed just for who they are. They are kingdom dwellers! Now explain that Matthew's version of the beatitudes is a little different. Proclaim Matthew 5:1 - 12. Discuss the differences between the two versions. Matthew's version talks about the moral qualities of people who are already in the kingdom and already know God in their lives. Discuss how their way of life makes them blessed because they have something in their hearts that makes them want to be like God. This living brings them blessings. Listen to "Blest are they" Song #12. We Respond: Look again at the two versions in their text books pages 108 - 109 and discuss the questions on page 109. Discuss Rays of Blessedness on page 110 reflecting on the value of a lighthouse and its lantern to show the way for people compared to Beatitude people who also show others the way to God. Provide a copy of Master 12 for each child to write or illustrate the beatitudes on the rays and give the picture a title. We Go Forth: Read the passage at the top of page 111 and discuss the two questions. Then have each one write one way they can be a " light" in their community. Close with the Guided Imagery from page 113. Invite each child to share their way of being a ‘light' to the world. Invite each child to trace a sign of the cross on the forehead of a partner and to say "Go in peace and remember ‘you are the light of the world'" Invite the partner to respond, "Thanks be to God." Invite the children to share the readings and their pictures with family members during the week.
Theme 16: When we Pray (Guide pages 178 - 185) Aims: * To introduce Lent as a time of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving * To explore God's graciousness in the Parable of the Prodigal Son For the Catechist: This is the first Lenten theme although Lent does not start this year (2009) until Ash Wednesday, February 25. Some time is missed due to March Break so it is necessary to begin these themes before Lent. If we are beatitude people we have a special bond with God. Prayer is the act of dwelling in our relationship with God. Using the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we contemplate God as a loving Father who runs towards us. As Jesus goes to the woman at the well because he thirsts, our concept of prayer is that it becomes a response to God's thirsting for our response. God thirsts that we may thirst for God.. When we express our deepest desire for health, well-being, food, loving and just relationships, we are thirsty with God's thirst. God places the desires in us; in prayer we speak out God's desire in us. We Gather: Introduce the season of Lent which will begin in a couple weeks and discuss text on page 116. Emphasize that Lent is a time of "change". Then read the story of "Springtime for Shamus"in their text books pages 117 - 118. Ask questions lie "How did Shamus' ‘fast' give him an opportunity to open his heart to others? How did he change his heart? How did this change come about? How was it a "springtime? What did he ‘put away'? Note that Shamus was more open to the Spirit working within him. He was listening with his heart. We Listen: Explain that you will share another story about someone who had a change of heart. Proclaim Luke 15: 11 - 32. Reflect and share some images or words from the story. Read the passage again. We Respond: Have the children act out the story in four scenes. In Scene One the son is requesting his share of his inheritance; Scene two includes his squandering his wealth; Scene three includes the decision to return to his father and his father's greeting; Scene four includes the elder son's reaction and his father's response to him.. Discuss all the relationships, but bring out especially the unconditional love of the father. We Go Forth: Bring attention to the use of "Lord have mercy" often used in our liturgy. Discuss the concept of mercy as much more than forgiving our sins, but it refers to a loving care that goes far beyond what is required. It refers to the Lord's covenant love which we experience as an absolutely faithful, loving-kindness that is truly extraordinary and that touches the whole of our lives. When we pray "Lord have mercy" we confidently claim God's care, attention, affection and loving kindness on behalf of the Church and the world. Have some quiet time when each silently repeats "Lord have mercy" while reflecting on all the areas of their lives where God is present and we are grateful, areas where God may be thirsting for us to pay attention and to ask for forgiveness or help to change. Have them imagine God's running out to meet them.. Remind the children that this is praying, just dwelling with God in different aspects of our lives. Close with the Prayer to the Holy Spirit on page 119. Encourage the children to take their books home and discuss the theme with family members.
Theme 17: When You Fast Aims: *To explore and appreciate the Lenten discipline of fasting *To see Lent as a time of covenant renewal For the Catechist: Children are not expected to fast during Lent, but they can understand the principles around fasting and may be able to put it into effect in their own way. Fasting is connected with the other person and with God more so than about ourselves. Originally the concept of fasting was to make the human body more attuned to God.. Fasting is a way to witness that life in relation to God is the highest human good. Jesus said that his followers would not fast while he was still with them; that they would fast when he was gone. Christians fast in the absence of God or in the absence of Jesus, awaiting the day that God will be revealed completely. We await during Lent for the fulfilment God's presence in Jesus resurrected. Fasting can help us focus on areas that God is absent in our lives while we wait to celebrate Easter. We Gather: Make a web around the words "All food is a Gift" showing the importance of food and the abundance of food available to us. How does the earth give us food? What do we have to do to obtain food? If the earth is so generous with food, why are there so many hungry? Jesus talked about how the earth gave us food. Read together Mark 4: 26 - 29. Emphasize that all food is a gift from God meant to nourish us physically and spiritually. How can we show greater appreciation for all the food we are given? (Prayer of thanks before / after eating, eating slowly, planning meals together, sharing a meal with others, sharing so others have enough food) Recall the words in the Mass over the gifts of bread and wine: "Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer which earth has given us and human hands have made." We Listen: In Lent we have three practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Introduce the word "fasting" and find out what the children already know about fasting. Our tradition of fasting goes back to the time of Jesus: Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert. Proclaim Luke 4: 1 - 4. Discuss why Jesus went into the desert? Why did he fast?(He was led there after his Baptism by the Spirit. He was tested / tempted by the devil. He fasted to be ready to begin his work) What did Jesus mean "One does not live by bread alone? (Some things are more important, faithfulness to another person, speaking the truth, doing the right things) What could be more important to you than food? Jesus did not impose fasting on his disciples. He enjoyed their company and ate often with his friends and people he met. Read Mark 2: 18 - 22. Discuss details of the passage. Read the guidelines about Fasting and Abstinence on page 125 in their texts. Point out that fasting is to help people make more room for God and others in our lives. It is a way of strengthening our relationship with God and others. When we fast we *prepare our hearts and bodies to really celebrate Easter * open ourselves to our spiritual lives and are less controlled by our desires, * prepare to reach out to others *respond to God's call to share with others, to be in solidarity with others *connect to prayer and almsgiving. Connect this discussion with Isaiah's words on fasting: Read Isaiah 58:6-9. We Respond: Compare our tradition of fasting with the Islamic tradition by reading and discussing "Hasan Celebrates Ramadon" in their texts pages 122 - 123. Ask the children to write in their individual books a definition of "fasting" and answer the questions What could you fast from? Why would you fast? Why would you encourage someone to fast? Ask them to entitle their writing with "One does not live by bread alone." Encourage them to bring in some items to share with a food bank or a family in your community who may have need. Maybe share a simple snack after giving a blessing. Give thanks for the abundance of food we have. Encourage them to take their books home and share this theme with family members. Close with the blessing "Go in peace and remember that one does not live by bread alone."
Theme 19: My Body Given; My Blood Poured Out Aims: *To treasure the events of the night before Jesus died * To see Jesus as the highest example of moral life For the Catechist: All the stories about Jesus show his great capacity for love of his Father and of all humanity. The stories about the final events of his life intensify the sense of concern he has. Everything he did was for others, including his death. "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved tem to the end."(John 13:1) The two versions of the night before he died are the highlights of his teaching: in the washing of his disciples' feet, we are called to be of service to others, ""you also ought to wash one another's feet"; and in the Last Supper version with the bread broken and the cup shared Jesus prefigured his death and gave us a lasting Sacrament of himself, the Eucharist which gathers all the world for all time in his love. We Gather: Review the "Corporal Works of mercy" from last theme: feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, burying the dead, giving alms to the poor. Invite them to share if they saw any of these things happening over the week. Did they do any themselves? We Listen: In Lent we are preparing ourselves to celebrate the Easter Triduum which is Holy Thursday, Good Friday when Jesus died, and Easter when Jesus rose from the dead. Today you want to share with them the events that happened on the night before Jesus died which we usually call Holy Thursday. Invite them to listen intently as you read and imagine being there at the Last Supper. Proclaim Luke 22: 1 - 20. Ask them to share without detail an image they had. Then again invite them to listen and proclaim John 13: 1 - 15 and ask them to share an image . Proclaim both readings again. For Luke, Ask "What did Jesus do during the meal? What did he mean, ‘This is my body given for you?' This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood?' What does the action say about Jesus? How would you describe Jesus? For John, ask What did Jesus do during the meal? Why did Jesus do this? What does the washing of the feet say about Jesus? How would you describe Jesus? Include that Jesus is that kind of person who loves people so much he literally breaks his body and pours himself out for them. He loves people so much he is totally at their service. A God who is a servant! We Respond: Have three groups of children each read one of the stories on pages 136 - 139 and describe to the large group the unconditional love expressed in the story characters and how each is like Jesus on the night before he died., how is each ‘ a bread broken and a cup poured out'? Have them draw a picture and write a story about someone they know who loves unconditionally. Share these. We Go Forth: Explain that Jesus was gathered with his friends to celebrate the Passover meal which recalls the people of Israel being set free from slavery in Egypt. They celebrate God's love and God's setting free. This Passover meal remembered the covenant relationship between God and God's people. Christians remember the Last Supper as a celebration of God's love as shown in Jesus and the act of Jesus as the new covenant between God and God's people made through Jesus. Close with the blessing "Let us go in peace and remember ‘take, eat, this is my body given for you. This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.' " Encourage the response, "Thanks be to God." Encourage the children to share the book stories and activities of this theme with family members at home.
Theme 20: Father, Forgive Them Aims: *To encounter Jesus as the forgiveness of the Father *To explore forgiveness in the lives of the children For The Catechist: On the cross Jesus prayed to God to forgive his executioners. Forgiveness is a gift we give one another for hurts and offences. When relations between people or between people and God have been damaged through wilful offences, it is hard to forgive. It may take a long time to be able to love enough to forgive, that is to let go of the hold the offence and the hurt has on us. To forgive we must make a decision not to be obsessed with the injury, but to love enough to bring ourselves back to new life in the Spirit of loving as Jesus loves. It does not mean forgetting, ignoring, or condoning the injury, it means we do not remain a victim to the injury, to be free of its injury and to be willing to restore the relationship. We Gather: In last theme, you reflected on unconditional love. Jesus loves us unconditionally and we know people who seem to love unconditionally. Ask if they think there is ever a time when someone is hurt so badly they just cannot love enough to forgive. Give some time to reflect and share about this question. We Listen: Invite the children to listen to the story of the last moments of Jesus' life. Proclaim Luke 23: 32 - 42. Allow for silent reflection. Ask What the Word tells us about the person of Jesus? What did they hear about forgiveness? (Note the two references to forgiveness: of his executioners and of the criminal crucified beside him.) What does Jesus pray? What does Jesus promise the criminal? Use page 140 in the text books in your discussion. Read and discuss at least two of the passages suggested on page 142. These are other forgiveness stories of Jesus. We Respond: Suggest that each of us have some forgiveness stories from our own lives. Look at the two stories and scenes on page 141. Give each a small piece of plain paper to draw and decorate a forgiveness scene. Have prepared a cross (made of construction paper) big enough to hold all their pictures and big enough for the words, "Father, Forgive Them" Conclude this discussion on forgiveness by explaining that forgiveness is more than forgetting, not letting it bother you, acting as if it did not happen, saying it is not important, letting the other get away with it, allowing others to bully or make fun of you. Forgiveness is a gift that allows the person who was hurt to let go of the things that happened and not dwell on them any longer. Forgiveness takes time and sometimes needs the help of talking it over with someone. It is a gift of love that allows one person to say to another "I forgive you." Remind them of the part of the Our Father when we pray,"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" We Go Forth: Gather round the cross with the forgiveness pictures. Remind the children of Lent and Holy Week that is coming up. Next week will be your last gathering before Holy Week which includes Palm (Passion) Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. On Good Friday the Church gathers for Veneration of the Cross when the Church prays for all the needs of the world. Invite each to write down and bring to your next gathering a special need on behalf of their family. Join hands and pray together the "Our Father" and the blessing "Go in peace and remember Jesus said "Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Encourage the children to take their books home and share some of this theme with family members at home.
Theme 21: Behold the Wood of the Cross (Guide pages 220 - 227) Aims: *To enter into the Passion and death of Jesus *To prepare for the celebration of Easter For the Catechist: Theologians make connections between the trees in the Genesis account of paradise and the tree of the wood of the cross. In paradise there was the tree of life whose fruit gave life and protected the eater from death. There was also the tree of knowledge of good and evil. After the first humans ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, God banished them from the garden to prevent them from also eating of the tree of life. Christian tradition holds that the tree of life is the tree of the wood of the cross on which Jesus died and through which we do have the promise of eternal life. The tree of death is therefore the tree of life for all flowing from God through Jesus. In this theme the children will explore what God is saying through the Passion narratives. We Gather: Discuss Holy Week which begins on Passion Sunday and ends with the Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. During this week the Church proclaims the whole story of the Passion of Jesus on Palm (Passion Sunday) and again on Good Friday. Tell them you are going to read the Passion story to them also. Ask them to try to place themselves in the story and to notice how each character relates to Jesus. We Listen: Proclaim Luke 22: 47 - 23:56 or Matthew 26: 47 - 27: 66. (John's and Mark's narratives are read on Palm Sunday and Good Friday. Mention that there are some differences because each of the Evangelists relates to the story in a different way.) Now ask each child to choose one character or object in the story that attracts them and which they could role play. Have them line up in order in which they appear in the story. You will interview each using these questions: Who are you? Why are you here today? What has your relationship with Jesus been? What have you witnessed today? How do you feel about what is happening here today? Do you want him to see you here today? Do you have any questions to ask Jesus? What does all this mean to you? End with a discussion on what all this means to our faith today. Point out that God's love was so great that God endured all kinds of suffering even suffering and dying on a cross, through Jesus, for us. We trust in God's love for us that we know we can bring all our suffering and needs to God. We Respond: On Good Friday the Church remembers this great love as we hear again the Passion story and as we venerate the cross and bring the needs of the Church and the world to God through the Cross. Give each child a piece of paper and let them write some special needs they have for themselves and their family. We Go Forth: Have a wooden cross available for a veneration ritual.. Use Page 226 in your Guide. Invite each child to approach the cross reverently, bow and touch it, pray their special intention silently, and leave it at the foot of the cross. Listen to Song #16, "Jesus Remember Me." Encourage the children to take their books home and share pages 144 - 146 with family members and encourage them to participate with their families in the parish celebration of the Triduum. On Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter, the most important celebration of our faith life. Happy Easter to all!
Theme 22: It's The lord! (Guide pages 230 - 239) Aims: * To celebrate the risen Lord * To recognize the death and resurrection of the Lord in the Eucharist For the Catechist: Easter is central to our Christian faith. The God of our ancestors is the God of the resurrection. God is someone whose love and life break through death. God continues to be present to us through Jesus Christ in the symbols and actions of the Church especially in the Eucharist. In the Easter stories the disciples report ‘seeing the Lord' but not recognizing him until he performs an action that identifies him such as showing his wounds and breaking bread with them. ‘Seeing the Lord' is a special way of seeing. St. Thomas Aquinas calls it seeing with a faith that has eyes. It is seeing Jesus as being the glory and fullness of the image of God. The oneness of Jesus in God was finally recognized in the death (God fully rejected and dead) and the resurrection (God's power in overcoming death to a glorious new life.) God entered into the pain and suffering of human existence, but overcomes all of it. Jesus is one with us and with God. In preparation for your gathering bring a small bottle of holy water from your church which was blessed at the Easter Vigil. We Gather: Recall the events of the Triduum, the washing of the feet and the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, the Passion and the veneration of the cross on Good Friday, and the blessing of fire and water at the Easter Vigil. Discuss the new Paschal Candle in your church and how the church uses the symbols of darkness and light at Easter. The world is in darkness without Jesus and in light with the new life of the resurrected Jesus. Light your group lantern with the prayer: Blessed are you, God of light. As we light our lantern, we turn to you. Scatter the darkness with the light of your presence. We ask this through Christ, our risen Lord. Amen We Listen: Invite the children to listen to the Word. Proclaim Matthew 28: 5 - 10. Reflect on the passage. Note particularly how Jesus came to meet the women. We too meet Jesus in many ways especially in what the Church does when Christian people gather. We Respond: If you can visit the church you can have seven children stationed at the seven spots there. If a church visit is not convenient, have seven signs made for seven children to hold up with the information to read on the back. Explain to the children that they will consider places they can meet Jesus. Begin with proclaiming Matthew 28:5-7 as an introduction and near the first child with the sign: BIBLE (on front) the words, "Jesus is here! in the living word of God" (on the back) Have the child hold up the front to the others and read the words on the back. Next ...BAPTISMAL FONT (with a bowl of holy water) & words, "Jesus is here! When we baptize, it is Jesus who baptizes!" ...PASCHAL CANDLE with a candle & words "Jesus is here! As the light of Christ!" PLATE AND CUP & words "Jesus is here! In the eating and drinking of the body and blood of Christ!" TABERNACLE & words "Jesus is here! For those in our community who are sick and dying." RECONCILIATION ROOM & words "Jesus is here! In the giving and receiving of forgiveness." PEOPLE IN THE PEWS & words "Jesus is here! Whenever two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, the risen Lord is there!" Conclude with an explanation that all of these symbols and actions of our Church are all related to what we call the Paschal Mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Paschal Mystery is the life, death, resurrection, ascension in which he is taken up into God's presence, and the gift of his Holy Spirt . We celebrate all this at Easter and at every Sunday liturgy. Thus we continue to meet Jesus. We Go Forth: Look at some of the pictures in the children's books pages 148 - 153 and briefly discuss them. Encourage the children to take their books home to read some more about Easter with family members. Especially explain there are many stories of other events that happened to the disciples after Jesus' resurrection. Some Bible passages are suggested on page 150 for them to read. Take the bowl of Holy Water and proclaim once more "Do not be afraid: I know that you are looking for Jesus...He has been raised as he said." Invite each to sign themselves with the blessed water.
Theme 23: Simon, Son of John, Do You Love Me? (Guide pages 240 - 247) Aims: * To recognize the risen Lord in the power of love * To recognize the death and resurrection of the Lord in reconciliation For the Catechist: Easter is celebration of God's love and God's victory over death and sin. Easter is a feast of forgiveness. On several occasions after his resurrection Jesus gave his disciples the power to forgive sin. Jesus had often forgiven sin and now he shares that power with his disciples and with us. We are to be agents of reconciliation. Peter who had denied Jesus was brought back into action by our Lord when he was given the direction to "Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep." The lord did not have to tell Peter he was forgiven; Peter knew. Peter was forgiven and re-connected with his community with a mission to become fruitful for others, What better way to be reconciled? We Gather: Invite the children to recall a time when they were betrayed by someone or when they betrayed someone. How did it feel? Anger/ sadness/ hurt/ loneliness? Then have them think about being reconciled. How did that feel? Peace/ happiness / joy/ belonging? Focus on the Easter story and how some of the disciples fled away from Jesus. Peter especially, we know, denied that he had been a follower of Jesus. How do you think he felt when he saw Jesus afterwards? This guided imagery will help to understand what happened one time soon after Jesus died. Use the Guided imagery in your Guide page 243. Discuss it. Then read from the Bible John 21: 15 - 19. How did Jesus treat Peter? How did Peter know he was reconciled with Jesus? We Listen: Remind the children that when there has been a breakdown between nations or groups of people within a nation, the gospels invite Christians to be agents of reconciliation. Read the story on pages 154 - 155 in the children's books about Forgiveness in Chiapas and the Police Detective. Discuss What two things are needed for reconciliation? (Truth and justice) What makes it possible for people like these to forgive? Does forgiving mean forgetting? How are forgiving people "resurrection people" or "Easter people"? How are forgiving people a sign of God's presence in the world? How does this give hope to the world? Can the children name people or groups who are agents of reconciliation? How can they be agents of reconciliation? Then discuss the Sacrament of Reconciliation as the Church's ministry of reconciliation which was given by Jesus. Read page 157 in their books and discuss their experiences of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We Respond: (Wouldn't this be a wonderful opportunity to have a celebration planned with the pastor to celebrate the Sacrament with this group of children?) Invite the children to draw a picture, write a story or poem about a time they have experienced reconciliation happening. Share these. We Go Forth: Use the Healing Ritual from pages 246 - 247 in your Guide. You might invite someone else from your parish RCIA to preside for this ritual, but you can easily do it! Encourage the children to take their books home and share some of this theme with family members.
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