Celebrate. the Good News Liturgy of the Word with Children by Maureen Kelly. Summer Year C May 29 August 28, 2016

Transcription

1 Celebrate the Good News Liturgy of the Word with Children by Maureen Kelly Summer Year C May 29 August 28, 2016 Morehouse Education Resources a division of Church Publishing Incorporated 19 East 34th Street New York, NY 10016

2 Cover Illustration: Bob Alley Morehouse Education Resources, a division of Church Publishing Incorporated Editorial Offices: 19 East 34th Street, New York, NY by Morehouse Education Resources All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America Celebrate the Good News is copyrighted material. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. The scripture quotations used in the Gospel Backgrounds are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. The scripture quotations used in the Liturgy Guides are taken from the Contemporary English Version, 1995 American Bible Society and are used by permission. For more information on the music used in Celebrate the Good News, call GIA, GIA-1358, or OCP, LITURGY,

3 Contents Introduction... 4 Session 1 (May 29, 2016)... 8 Session 2 (June 5) Session 3 (June 12) Session 4 (June 19) Session 5 (June 26) Session 6 (July 3) Session 7 (July 10) Session 8 (July 17) Session 9 (July 24) Session 10 (July 31) Session 11 (August 7) Session 12 (August 14) Session 13 (August 21) Session 14 (August 28)... 73

4 introduction Celebrate the Good News is a program for Lit urgy of the Word with children. Its purpose is twofold: to form children in a quality litur gical experience and to facilitate the proclama tion of scripture into the child s life. The cele bra tions in this book are designed for situations in which the children leave the general assem bly for a separate celebration of the Word. Celebrate the Good News takes its direction from the Directory for Masses with Children, which encourages a separate Liturgy of the Word: it is necessary to take great care that the children do not feel neglected because of their inability to participate or to under stand what happens and what is proclaimed in the celebration Sometimes, moreover, it will perhaps be appropriate, if the physi cal ar range ments and the circumstances of the community permit, to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, including a homily, with the children in a separate area that is not too far removed. (par. 17) Celebrate the Good News provides those who lead Liturgy of the Word with practical, easy-to-use directions for both preparing and cele brating the liturgy each week. The material for each Sunday is divided into two parts: Prepara tion and Liturgy Guide. Please pay special atten tion to the suggestions for creating a liturgical space, proclaiming the gospel and giving the homily, since these often require advance preparation. What is Liturgy of the Word with Children? Liturgy of the Word with children is first and foremost a worship experience. Although lit urgy itself always exerts its own proper didac tic force (par. 12), Liturgy of the Word with child ren is not a new or different type of reli gious education. Nor is it a new rite. It is a con cerned and sensitive way to enable children to partici pate in the formal worship experience of the community. The celebrations of these litur gies are intended to form children in the litur gical language of the Church, to nourish and guide their spiritual growth, and to im merse them in the Word in ways that are un der stand able to them. The structure of Liturgy of the Word with children in Celebrate the Good News takes the same form as the Liturgy of the Word with the general assembly, except that one of the first two readings is omitted. The full structure is: 1. Gather with the Assembly 2. Invitation and Sending the Children Forth 3. Gather the Children 4. First Reading 5. Psalm and/or Psalm Response 6. Gospel Acclamation 7. Gospel 8. Homily 9. Profession of Faith 10. General Intercessions 11. Procession Back to the Assembly Gathering with the Assembly Children gather with their families for the opening rites of the Eucharist and remain with them until they hear the invitation to process to their separate worship space. It is important that children begin the celebration with the whole assembly, since it communicates that Liturgy of the Word with children is an integral part of the parish worship. Invitation and Sending the Children Forth The main celebrant uses these or similar words: I now invite those children who wish to cele brate Liturgy of the Word to come forward. As the children come to the front of the church, those who are presiding at the Liturgy of the Word with children will also come for ward to receive the children s lectionary. When all are assembled, the priest commis sions the presider for Liturgy of the Word with children in these or similar words, (Name), receive the book of God s Word. As we pro claim the Word here, we send you forth to proclaim it to our children. The children follow the presider to their worship space, possibly led by the processional cross or the paschal candle, or candle bearers may accompany the leader with the lectionary. Sometimes it is effect ive to lead the group out with litur gical banners or colorful streamers. Hold the lectionary in such a way that it can be seen by the whole community. The com munity should be standing, perhaps singing an appro priate hymn or psalm response. The pro cession itself teaches children a ritual language and sets the reverent tone with which the children will enter into their own celebration. 4

5 Gather the Children When the children arrive at the place of cele bration, they are welcomed with a few words of greeting and a focus for the day s readings. First Reading The Contemporary English Version, approved for use with children in liturgy, is printed here. It can be read as found here, or from the Lec tion ary for Masses with Children, available from Liturgy Training Publications or Liturgical Press. Psalm Response Celebrate the Good News provides the music for a Psalm Response, printed in the Liturgy Guide. An alternative spoken response is also offered. Gospel Acclamation The acclamation proclaims in a specific way the presence of Christ in the Word. When possible, the chil dren should stand and sing this acclamation. Gospel The proclamation of the gospel is the highlight of the celebration. The Directory allows us to omit one or both of the other readings, but says the gospel should never be omitted (par. 42). There are several ways to highlight the proclaiming of the gospel: Hold the lectionary high for all to see at the beginning and at the end of the reading. Hold lit paschal candle or acolytes candles as the presider reads the gospel. Occasionally, for special feasts and seasons, incense both the Bible and the children. Periodically, the gospel may lend itself to being read in parts or to being acted out. In these in stances it is important that those who will be doing the proclamation are well prepared. Do not paraphrase or modernize the text. Once again, we provide the text from the Contemporary English Version. Or use the approved Lection ary for Masses with Children when proclaiming the gospel. Homily One of the unique features of Celebrate the Good News is the experiential homily. You will find ways to enable children to enter into and reflect on the readings in each session. Above all, keep in mind that children already have a spiritual life and a relationship with God. The main concern is to listen to what the children have heard, not to tell them what we think they should have heard. Profession of Faith The profession of faith, also known as the Creed, is our affirmation of what we believe in light of what we have heard in the Word. There are two official creeds: the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. We are also fa miliar with the profession of faith contained in the baptismal promises. Celebrate the Good News uses the Apostles Creed at times. At other times it uses the threefold questioning of the baptismal promises, sometimes related to the meaning of the readings and sometimes related to parts of both creeds. In keeping with the goal of forming children in a liturgical language, a sprinkling with water is often appropriate at this point in the liturgy. General Intercessions The Liturgy of the Word is a dialogue between God and God s people. One form of this re sponse is the prayer of the faithful. Celebrate the Good News suggests prayers and responses that flow from the theme of the readings and the homily. Remember to give time and encouragement for the children to add their own prayers. Procession Back to the Assembly The return to the assembly is less formal than the procession to the celebration. Usually some one should signal the presider at the time the homily is over in the main assembly. The leader then begins to conclude the children s celebration. Sometimes suggestions are given for the children to carry back something to the assembly in the preparation of gifts procession. If this is the case, consult with the priest ahead of time. The return of the children to their places in church usually coincides with the collection. introduction 5

6 introduction Creating a Worship Space Environment is very important to children. They are sensitive to the way a place looks and feels. How often we have seen children s attitudes and behavior change for either better or worse because of their surroundings. Since children are formed by their environ ment, the place where they celebrate Liturgy of the Word is significant. The preparation of the worship space is as important to the over all experience as the session preparation. As you look at your space, consider: Where can children stand and sit comfort ably? Can furniture be moved off to the side, especially in a classroom? Could you use pieces of carpet or pillows for seating? Where is the best place to place the chil dren s lectionary or Bible? Can you use one that is particularly attractive? You will need a stand of some sort for the Bible. A table, a desk, a lectern or a music stand covered with cloth, preferably the color of the liturgical season, would be appropriate. If children will be lectors, adapt the stand to the child s height. What about lighting? Are there ways to create atmosphere by softening the lights? Can shades be pulled? Can lamps be used? Can the light of candles or a small spotlight replace fluorescent lighting? You will notice as you go through your guide, specific suggestions for the environ ment appear each week. Preparing Yourself Celebrate the Good News gives clear directions and easy-to-use ideas. Still, it is important to prepare for your specific group and to inte grate contemporary and pertinent experiences into your sessions. In preparing your session, read the scriptures of the day and reflect on their meaning. If you have a commentary available, refer to it, and gain a perspective on what the readings meant in their own time. Also read the Reflection in the Preparation. Think about the children with whom you will be celebrating what are their issues and concerns, their joys and hopes? Ask yourself: What do these readings say to these children? Next, read through the Session Preparation and Liturgy Guide. Ask yourself: Do I need to gather materials or set them up ahead of time? Do I need to prepare the children to do a reading? Will the suggestions given for the homily work with our time frame? our space? our children? Do I need to add to or subtract from the outline? Do I need to let the priest know we will be doing something special for the procession back to the assembly? On the day of the celebration, be sure to get there ahead of time and prepare your worship space so it will be ready for the children. Ministers of the Celebration: Children The most important ministers in the celebra tion are the children. They minister to the assembly and to each other. The cele bra tion of the Word as it is developed in Celebrate the Good News includes children from the ages of about 5 to about 12. At times, younger children may join the group, usually accompa nied by an older sibling or parent. Older child ren should be able to participate in the Liturgy of the Word with the main assem bly, but should not be prevented from celebrat ing with the group if they so choose. In decid ing who comes and who does not, keep two things in mind: invi tation and spiritual capacity. Partici pation in the Lit urgy of the Word with children is not man da tory. Rather it is an opportunity. The child (and the parent) should be free to make the decision when to remain with the main assembly. The age range of 5 to 12 years is sometimes problematic for people. Some suggest breaking child ren into age or grade groupings. Since Lit urgy of the Word is not an instructional ses sion, the need for age and/or grade group ings is not as relevant. In ritual celebra tion, a variety of responses can enrich the partici pants. Older children become models for young er children, who learn by imitating them. Young er chil dren s sense of awe and wonder and raw spiri tuality can be forma tive for adults and older children. Older children can also serve as lec tors or music ministers. Celebrate the Good News is designed in such a way that it may be used with homogenous or heterogeneous 6

7 groupings. In this regard, one can take a cue from the Directory for Masses with Children: Everything depends on the spiritual advantage that the reading can offer to children (par. 44). Presider Celebrate the Good News uses this title to de scribe the person sent forth by the community to proclaim the good news to the children. The presider s primary task is to enable chil dren to continue to develop a sense of God s presence particularly in the Word proclaimed and to nurture their response in prayer and in their everyday life. He or she welcomes the children, proclaims the gospel, leads the homily, directs the profession of faith and opens the general intercessions. Lector The lector may be another adult, a teenager or a child who can read the Word clearly and with conviction. The lector should read in such a way that the children pay attention and are engaged. They should practice and be fa miliar with the overall meaning of the passage. There are times in Celebrate the Good News when suggestions are given for reading in parts or for dramatization of the readings. Readers should practice these ahead of time. Musicians Singing is of great importance in all celebra tions, but it is to be especially encouraged in every way for Mass celebrated with children, in view of their special affinity for music... (par. 30). Cantors, instrumentalists and song leaders from the parish music ministry should be involved in the Liturgy of the Word with children. The psalm response and the gospel acclamation can always be sung. In fact, some of the psalms themselves might be sung, as may the re sponses to the general intercessions. If you cannot get a musician, you may wish to use some recordings. Remember: Through song, children carry the Word in their hearts. Use in Catholic Schools Catholic schools can use Celebrate the Good News in several ways: late in the week, to prepare children for the weekend liturgy early in the week, to reflect back on the read ings children heard during the weekend liturgy during the week, for non-eucharistic cele brations of the Word in the classroom, or as a resource for Eucharistic celebrations Use in Children s Catechumenate Celebrate the Good News is also an excellent resource for children of catechetical age who are being initiated into the Catholic faith. It can be used for the Liturgy of the Word, which they celebrate, supported and followed by sessions from the Living the Good News Child ren and Christian Initiation. Guidelines for Adaptation In conclusion, children can experience Liturgy of the Word as both a time of worship and en gaged participation. This guide contains a variety of suggestions for both. Adaptation of the material to fit your particular circumstances is highly encouraged. Follow these guidelines: Always use and prefer the primary symbols of the Church in the liturgical experience water, oil, candles over any other sym bol. Repetition of these symbols both in the environment and in prayer is most formative for children. If you choose to use only one reading, al ways use the gospel. Whatever you do to create the environment, it should attract attention to, rather than distract from, the prayer experience. You can rarely have too much music with children. Silence nurtures a child s natural bent toward contemplation. When in doubt, stick to the session. Helpers Sometimes, because of the number and ages of children, or the nature of the homily, you may want a helper or two to assist. These could be parents, grandparents, teens or other adults. 7

8 SESSION 1 May 29, 2016 preparation Preparing for Liturgy of the Word 1. Start Here For today s celebration you will need these materials: Bible or lectionary lectern or podium adapted to child s height and covered with a white cloth small table covered with a white cloth bread and wine or wheat and grapes large clear bowl with holy water fish shapes cut from light-colored construction paper, 1 per child colored felt markers or crayons basket 2. Scripture Overview Today s feast is a joyful and a challenging one. The readings remind us that the gifts of creation, especially bread and wine, are a source of blessing to all of us. They also remind us that in the eyes of Jesus and the early Church, no one was to be left out of the feast. No matter how much there was, there was enough for everyone. 3. Create a Liturgical Space Create a festive space for children s worship. Cover the lectern and table with white cloth. Decorate with flowers and plants. Near the entrance to the worship space, place the small table covered with a white cloth; on the table, place the bowl of holy water and the bread and wine or wheat and grapes. 4. Liturgy of the Word First Reading Invite an older child one who has prepared in advance to read the passage from Genesis. Responsorial Psalm Sing We Are the People, printed in the Liturgy Guide. If the children will speak the response, the lector can explain to them that they will repeat the line after they hear it. Gospel Acclamation Sing We Come to Share God s Special Gift, printed in the Liturgy Guide, or the gospel acclamation usually sung in your parish. Gospel Before the session invite several children to practice acting out today s gospel as you read it aloud. One child can play the part of Jesus; during the reading, this child carries a basket filled with constructionpaper fish-shapes, distributing them to all the children. Homily Today s homily invites children to make and decorate paper fish, identifying what they can give to others. For today s homily, you will need fish-shapes cut from light-colored construction paper and colored felt markers or crayons. Complete directions for the homily are found on page 12 in the Liturgy Guide. 5. Profession of Faith Explain to the children that they will respond to each of the presider s statements by saying: Amen. 6. General Intercessions Explain to the children that they will respond to each petition by saying: Lord, hear us, we pray. 7. Procession Back to the Assembly If possible, before the session arrange to have the children bring the basket of fish prepared in today s homily back to the assembly and place before the altar. 8 Celebrate the Good News Session 1 May 29, 2016 Body and Blood of Christ C

9 Gospel Background Luke 9:11b-17 In the chapters immediately preceding today s reading, Jesus and his disciples have been ministering throughout Galilee. At the end of chapter 9, Luke begins to tell of Jesus growing awareness of his destiny in Jerusalem and the ministry in Judea that will culminate in the cross. Today s reading describes an interval in which Jesus wishes to withdraw from public ministry with his disciples in order to give them deeper instruction. This retreat is interrupted by the persistence of those who seek Jesus. Jesus welcomes the people; and their need and Peter s confession form the setting for the feeding of the 5,000. The provision of abundant food in the wilderness was part of God s mighty acts in the exodus. Such feeding was expected as part of the Messianic Age. Bread is also a symbol of salvation, the life and truth that Jesus offers in himself. Thus, Jesus fulfills the promise of the law and the prophets and gives a foretaste of the end-times banquet. The emphasis of the story is not so much upon the miraculous nature of the feeding as it is upon the implied revelation of who Jesus is. For the early Church, the Eucharistic significance of the feeding made it a central experience in the narratives of Jesus ministry; it is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels (see also Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:32-44 and John 6:1-13). Reflection Many of the themes in today s gospel resonate forward into the last supper and into our own celebration of the Eucharist. When Jesus invited those who would dine to recline on the green grass, he was upsetting the traditional order of meals in the ancient world. According to Nathan Mitchell in The Eucharist As Sacra ment of Christian Initiation, they were dominated by an emphasis on hierarchy, precedence and degrees of dignity. When Jesus proposes instead an all-inclusive picnic with the same menu for everyone, he sets the tone for our Eucharistic gatherings, where all (the child, the CEO, the bag lady, the bishop) are or should be treated alike. The language of taking, blessing, breaking and giving is identical to that of the consecration. It can also become the paradigm for our daily lives. We too have been taken into the hands of Jesus, chosen like the Hebrews, not because we are big or important, but because we are loved. Before we are ever broken, we are blessed, and reflecting on these blessings, we could easily fill a whole album with them. Then, our selfishness and egocentricity broken, our prejudices dissipated, even our wounds laid bare, we can be given to others. Even the leftover fragments of our lives our distracted days and divided hearts are caught up into miracle. The touch of Jesus transforms us to be bread and cup for each other. Celebrate the Good News Session 1 May 29, 2016 Body and Blood of Christ C 9

10 liturgy guide Scriptures Genesis 14:18-15:20 Luke 9:11b-17 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 110 Gather the Children Welcome the children. Turn their attention to the bread and wine or wheat and grapes displayed in the worship space. Explain that today is a special feast to remind us that Jesus is always with us. First Reading Genesis 14:18-20 Lector: A reading from the Book of Genesis: King Melchizedek of Salem was a priest of God Most High. He brought out some bread and wine and said to Abram, I bless you in the name of God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. All praise belongs to God Most High, for helping you defeat your enemies. For a spoken response, use the following: Lector: You will be a priest forever, just like Melchizedek. Children: You will be a priest forever, just like Melchizedek. Gospel Acclamation For a sung response, use the following: Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. Lector: The word of the Lord. Children: Thanks be to God. 10 Celebrate the Good News Session 1 May 29, 2016 Body and Blood of Christ C

11 Gospel Luke 9:11b-17 Presider: The Lord be with you. Children: And with your spirit. Presider: A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke. Children: Glory to you, Lord. Presider: (It is appropriate for the presider to bow to the enthroned Word of God before the story. Presider takes enthroned Word in hands for proclamation.) Jesus welcomed [the people.] He spoke to them about God s kingdom and healed everyone who was sick. Late in the afternoon the twelve apostles came to Jesus and said, Send the crowd to the villages and farms around here. They need to find a place to stay and something to eat. There is nothing in this place. It is like a desert! Jesus answered, You give them something to eat. But they replied, We have only five small loaves of bread and two fish. If we are going to feed all these people, we will have to go and buy food. There were about five thousand men in the crowd. They did this, and all the people sat down. Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up toward heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and fish and handed them to his disciples to give to the people. Everyone ate all they wanted. What was left over filled twelve baskets. Presider: The gospel of the Lord. Children: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said to his disciples, Have the people sit in groups of fifty. Celebrate the Good News Session 1 May 29, 2016 Body and Blood of Christ C 11

12 Homily If children acted out the gospel as it was read, each child will now have one of the construction-paper fish-shapes. If you chose not to have children act out the gospel during the proclamation, invite a volunteer to play the part of Jesus now, carrying the basket filled with the construction-paper fish around the room, distributing one fish to each child. Ask: What is the shape we are all holding? What did fish have to do with today s gospel story? What amazing thing did Jesus do with fish in today s story? With whom did Jesus share the fish? Did the people have enough to eat? Distribute felt markers or crayons and continue: Jesus shared fish with the people in today s story. Everyone ate all they needed. Not one person went hungry. What good things do we share with others? What do we share in our families? with our friends? at school? here at church? Invite children to draw or write on their fish-shapes items that they do share or could share with others, just like Jesus shared the fish in today s story. Younger children will likely draw concrete items, like toys, coins, food or clothes. Older children may think more abstractly, perhaps writing words like love or time. As children draw or write, move among them asking questions such as: Can you tell me about your drawing? In what way can you share this with others? Who would you like to share this with? Profession of Faith Presider: We believe in God. Children: Amen. Presider: We believe in Jesus, God s only Son. Children: Amen. Presider: We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life. Children: Amen. General Intercessions Presider: Let us pray for all those who are hungry and homeless, that they will find food. Children: Lord, hear us, we pray. Presider: Let us pray for our families, that we will be generous and share with those around us who may not have what we do. Children: Lord, hear us, we pray. Presider: Let us pray for ourselves and for children everywhere, that we will always have what we need to do God s will. Children: Lord, hear us, we pray. Procession Back to the Assembly If arranged before the session, ask a volunteer or two to carry the basket filled with fish-shapes back to the assembly and place it before the altar. Ask children to drop their completed fish back into the basket, one at a time. As each fish is placed, children can together say: A gift for God; a gift for others. 12 Celebrate the Good News Session 1 May 29, 2016 Body and Blood of Christ C