Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Transcription

1 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE Dismissal Session The Dismissal Session is for catechumens only who are dismissed from worship before the Creed (RCIA #75.3). The Dismissal Session group may gather for the Catechetical Session at another time during the week. Catechetical Session When the Dismissal Session is immediately followed by the Catechetical Session, parents or other sponsors join the group after Eucharist. Baptized children preparing for confirmation and Eucharist may also join in the Catechetical Session (RCIA #254; Appendix III, #19). Select the session options that fit your time frame. Children s RCIA Resource CATECHIST S NOTES NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY Sunday s readings Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Psalm 40:2, 4, Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34 Doctrine correlations John, sent by God, is the forerunner of the coming of Christ (CCC #717-#718). Jesus, the Messiah, pours out the Holy Spirit to give life for many (CCC #713). RCIA team notes Conversion is a progressive change in outlook (RCIA #75.2). Informally evaluate the catechumens. Look for signs that their Advent and Christmas journey in some way has impacted their attitudes. Provide opportunities for catechumens to profess their faith (RCIA #75.4). Special needs For members with an intrapersonal orientation or cognitive behavioral differences, provide an opportunity to work alone instead of doing group work. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved.

2 CATECHIST S NOTES GETTING READY FOR THE SESSION Items to prepare check-in sheet and nametags materials Bibles a Bible set to John 1:29 poster paper or white board, erasers, and erasable markers Sharing Faith questions copies of Faith at Home cards printed with words for Canticle readers green cloth on table or counter space for prayer candle in heat-proof container, matches crucifix sturdy wooden box or step stool recycled paper with clean backsides, crayons index cards, fine-tip markers, hole punch, scissors, rulers, yarn, and push pins Gathering Prayer Ritual Set up a prayer focal point. Prepare and number four cards for the canticle readers. Plan to save the cards to reuse. Singing option Prepare all for worship by using music from your faith community resources. The suggestion is a guide. Bring songbooks and accompanying music in a player. Sharing Faith groups Put Scripture citations with the questions on cards for leaders. Crossing the Ages Activity option People of Faith Riddles: Arrange with staff to use bulletin board space in a gathering area or to publish the riddles with credits to the catechumens in the bulletin. Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week. Friends on the Way - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, A 2

3 DISMISSAL SESSION GATHERING (15 MINUTES) Catechumens, having heard the Sunday proclamation of the word, are dismissed from the Mass. Greet the catechumens as they arrive. Have them check in. Provide recycled cards, markers, and recycled lanyards or 3-foot pieces of yarn and staples. Invite everyone to make Ordinary Time nametags. Ask them to add a design or draw a symbol that in some way represents who they are. Print the antiphon (see below) on the board, and ask everyone to read it. Give the Canticle cards to four readers, and have them practice their text. GATHERING PRAYER RITUAL All stand around prayer focal point. Light the candle. Model making the Sign of the Cross on your lips, as you say: May all the words we speak today be a blessing. Gesture for all to say the antiphon together: All: O God, guide us on the way to peace. Song Suggestion: The Summons, selected verses, from Give Your Gifts, Melody Book, GIA Publications, Inc. ( ) Invite the members when you lift a hand to respond with O God, here I am. I come to do your will. Prayerfully say each of the following verses inspired by Psalm 40, and call for the response by lifting a hand: I have waited, waited for you, O God. (response) My ears are open in obedience; your words are written on my heart. (response) To do your will, O my God, is my delight. Your word is written in my heart. (response) Let us pray a canticle. Reader 1: Reader 2: Reader 3: Reader 4: Blessed are you, O God of Israel. You lead us and set us free. From the house of David you have raised our savior. You, almighty God, spoke through the Holy Prophets that we should be saved. You remember the Holy Covenant made with our ancestors. May we worship you without fear all the days of our lives. And you, Child Prophet, prepare the way of God. Heaven s rising sun, guide us on the way of peace. Extinguish the candle flame. Collect the Canticle cards for next session. Friends on the Way - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, A 3

4 CONNECTING WITH ONE ANOTHER Invite everyone to sit in a circle. Introduce anyone new. Invite sharing about their experiences with the Faith at Home page from the previous session. Encourage everyone to share the design or symbol they drew on their nametags. BUILDING COMMUNITY Soapbox Testimony: Set out a sturdy wooden box or step stool. Explain that before personal web pages, individuals who had something to share would make a platform on the sidewalk using heavy wooden boxes that were used for shipping soap. They would stand on these to proclaim their messages. Invite catechumens to take turns standing on the soapbox and testifying why they believe in Christ. RECALLING THE WORD (10 MINUTES) Have everyone sit in a circle with Bibles. Use the following guide. For information, refer to Insight for the Catechist (p. 6) and the reflection on the Faith At Home page. This week we heard the prophet Isaiah proclaim a promise to the people Israel. These people had suffered from a horrible war and were living far away from their war-torn home. Have everyone find Isaiah 49:3-6. Why, do you suppose, Christians view this prophesy as describing Jesus? Have the catechumens turn to Paul s first letter to the Corinthians 1:1-3. This is the beginning of a letter written by Paul to the Christians who belonged to the church of God in Corinth. Paul adds a greeting to Christians everywhere who read this letter. What does Paul want for everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus Christ? In what ways are you beginning to recognize God s grace and peace working in your life? Have the catechumens turn to John 1: What do you remember about John the Baptist? We hear in the Gospels according to Matthew and John that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Why do you think being baptized with the Holy Spirit is important? What are your thoughts about the gospel story you heard in the liturgy of the word? Summarize and affirm comments and insights. Friends on the Way - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, A 4

5 PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES) We believe that God knows our concerns and hears our prayers, so let us petition God in prayer. When I lift my hand please respond, Come, Holy Spirit, come. May your salvation, O God, be known to the ends of the earth. (Lift a hand for the response.) Help believers everywhere to be your servants and do your will, O God. (Lift a hand for the response.) Send your Spirit to help us and all believers testify in your name, Jesus Christ. (Lift a hand for the response.) Invite the members to contribute their own intercessions. Then conclude: With Christians everywhere, we call upon your name, Jesus Christ. You came as a beacon for all the world. As the Holy Spirit came down on you in the Jordan River, so let it come upon us that we may do the will of God in heaven for ever and ever. All: Amen. Option: Break for a snack and social time. Friends on the Way - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, A 5

6 CATECHETICAL SESSION The Catechetical Session follows the Dismissal Session either immediately or at another time during the week. The Catechetical Session is designed for catechumens and parents or sponsors to grow in faith together. The status of the catechumens never is to be confused with that of baptized children preparing for confirmation or Eucharist, who may join in this catechesis as supportive companions (RCIA, Appendix III, #19). Note: Making the bulletin board display may take extra time. GATHERING FOR CATECHESIS (5 MINUTES) Welcome the catechumens, parents, sponsors, and any baptized children arriving from liturgy. If this Catechetical Session does not take place immediately following the Dismissal Session, plan an additional ten minutes and begin with the Gathering and Connecting segments in the Dismissal Session. PRAYING Invite everyone to stand around the prayer focal point. Use the ( ) prayer from the Gathering Prayer Ritual in the Dismissal Session, another prayer, or sing a gathering song from liturgy. ENGAGING THE WORD (15 MINUTES) Distribute crayons and recycled paper with clean backsides. Encourage the members to be ecological and use recycled paper when possible (Social Justice Action). Ask what they recall hearing about John the Baptist. Explain that you are going to read the Gospel passage three times, and as you read, they are to draw what inspires them. Emphasize that they may show their impressions with color and design or draw an actual scene. Slowly read John 1:29-34 three times while members draw. Then, invite the members to share their drawings and comments with the whole group. SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Psalm 40:3, 5-6, Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34 Insight for the Catechist While in his time John the Baptist is a greatly respected figure, John s role is not an end in itself. His Godappointed task is to testify to someone much greater. John points to Jesus, God s Word and Chosen One, who always existed. God s Word is not a verbal expression but the person of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist s testimony, derived straight from God, is passed to those seeking the Messiah. John identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, meaning Jesus forgives sin and Christ triumphs over all evil. Disciples, bolstered by the Holy Spirit, learn from Jesus who came into the world to testify to the truth (John 18:37). Paul extends his invocation of grace and peace upon these believers everywhere who are called to be holy saints. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. 6

7 SHARING FAITH (15 MINUTES) Form groups of four to six mixed-age groups with Bibles. (If there are only a few participants, lead the discussion as a whole group.) Print the questions on large paper or marker board or distribute questions on cards for an adult to lead. Circulate to offer support. After eight minutes, ask a volunteer from each group to report one major insight. CONVERSING ABOUT JOHN 1:29-34 Why do you think John the Baptist wants people to follow Jesus instead of himself? During John s time, people who wanted to give their best to God would offer a perfect lamb. Why do you suppose John called Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world? Why do you suppose early Christians told this story about Jesus receiving the Holy Spirit? In what ways are you beginning to testify to Christ in what you say and do? Invite each person to comment on something they discovered during this session. Encourage affirming responses to the comments. CARRYING OUT THE WORD (5 MINUTES) SUMMING UP Invite everyone to stand around the prayer focal point. Encourage them to offer insights from this week s session. Conclude with the following: When we reflect on Scripture, some of our questions are answered while other questions continue to come to us. This week we are affirmed that John the Baptist pointed the way to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Like John, the Holy Spirit inspires us to give testimony to Christ in what we say and do. Friends on the Way - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, A 7

8 CLOSING PRAYER Mention that anyone who wishes not to pray aloud may say, Pass. Begin as follows: Now I have seen and testify that Jesus is (Complete the sentence yourself. Then point to a member to say and complete the sentence. Continue until all have a chance to contribute.) Raise your hands in blessing over the group. Say: Go forth from this place testifying to the truth: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. And may God bless us, (make the Sign of the Cross on yourself as a model for everyone) protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. All: Amen. Distribute the Faith At Home page. Collect the nametags. Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity: 20 minutes) People of Faith Riddles (Social Justice Activity) Invite the members to create riddles about people of faith. If needed give suggestions, such as, Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Isaiah, Paul, the parish pastor, or their sponsors. Give the example of how John the Baptist described Jesus in John 1:30. Catechumens partner with parents or sponsors. Allow a few minutes for planning. Then have the partners tell their riddles, and the others guess. Set out index cards, fine-tip markers, hole punch, scissors, rulers, and yarn. Have the members punch a hole in the center top of the card and tie an 8-inch piece of yarn through the hole to form a loop. They neatly print the riddles on one side and the answers on the other. Provide color paper for a member to write a title and an invitation to the community to guess the People of Faith riddles. If time allows, take push pins and go together and design the bulletin board, or display the riddles around the church facility after the session. Option: Ask the staff to publish a riddle each week in the bulletin encouraging parishioners to check with child catechumens for answers and publish each answer the following week. Friends on the Way - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, A 8

9 Faith at Home Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Remember Sunday s Word Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Psalm 40:3, 5-6, Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34 At a convenient time for the family, gather around the dining table or in the living room. Place a Bible opened to John 1:29 in the center. Silence all electronics. Begin with a moment of quiet. REFLECTING ON ISAIAH 49:3, 5-6 In this week s reading, the prophet Isaiah speaks to the survivors of debilitating wars who hope to be saved from exile. Isaiah foretells of the servant who maintains trust even to the point of exhaustion. This suffering servant ends up converting Israel and becoming a witness for all nations so that salvation reaches the ends of the earth. Take turns reading the following to another family member, inserting that person s name. And God said, You (name) are my servant. My glory will shine through you. God, who formed you in the womb, has spoken, and all the world may be brought back to God. You are made glorious in God s sight. God is your strength! God says, It is not enough that you lift up those who are your friends and neighbors. Let my love shine through you, so that my salvation reaches throughout the whole earth. After everyone has heard the messages proclaimed by name, share how hearing the message felt. REFLECTING ON 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-3 Paul often offers grace and peace when giving a greeting. He emphasizes to the Corinthians and to us that there is one Christ for all. Everyone, everywhere who recognizes Jesus dwells in a unity of holiness. What is each family member s normal way of greeting friends? To what extent do our greetings communicate God s grace of love and peace? What do we do to recognize that Christians in Africa or the Middle East are one with us? By Janet Miller. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.

10 REFLECTING ON JOHN 1:29-34 John the Baptist was sent by God to point to Jesus. John, the Gospel writer, emphasizes the primacy of Jesus, the Begotten one of God, who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist passes on the testimony received from God. As a family decide how the people in each illustration may be giving testimony to the Christian way in what they are saying and doing. Take turns writing in the dialogs. Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, A TeamRCIA.com