LIFE IS WONDERFUL Life Issues

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Ferdinand Wiggins
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1 LIFE IS WONDERFUL Life Issues EDGE NIGHT OUTLINE SCRIPTURE & CCC: John 12:32 Wisdom 1:13-14; 2:23-24 Genesis 1:26-27 Deuteronomy 30:19 Psalm 8:5-7 Psalm 139 John 10:10 Acts 3:16 1 Corinthians 15:22 CCC 1934 CCC 2270 CCC 2258 CCC 2276 CCC 2279 GOAL The goal of this Edge Night is to teach the youth that human life is sacred at all stages and to help them understand the Church s moral stance on the major life issues. The night will concentrate on God as Giver of Life and our role in overcoming the culture of death. EDGE NIGHT AT A GLANCE This Edge Night is all about life issues and helping the youth understand the dignity and sanctity of human life. Our Church teaches us that life is a gift given by God. From the moment of conception to natural death, all life is sacred and should be protected. As Catholics, we are called to see life as precious and to speak up for the most vulnerable in our society. This Edge Night will cover several important topics and give the youth an understanding of why the Catholic Church rejects any attack on human life: abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, and the death penalty. The session uses Christmas as a theme to help the youth relate to the joy of life and to convey the truth of God as giver of life. After creating a collage showing life in small groups, the topic is further introduced in the unwrapping of gifts containing symbols of the various major life issues. The Proclaim begins with a video clip from the movie It s a Wonderful Life, which will point to the joy of human life and its God-given nature. After the talk, there will be small group discussions reflecting on the topic, during which each group will pray the Prayer for Life together. When the youth gather back for the Send, they will reflect on the Annunciation and Mary s life, which will lead into a prayer asking for her intercession. ENVIRONMENT Think Christmas. While it may be difficult, try to have the decorations be more religious and less secular. This will help the youth connect the theme of human dignity to the birth of Jesus. Ask the Core and parishioners to bring Christmas decorations, banners, etc. Try to find a largesized nativity scene (or see if you can use one the parish has in storage). Place several gifts underneath the tree. Keep in mind the purpose is to highlight the birth of Christ as the coming of Life. GATHER OPENING MUSIC See song suggestions in Media Suggestions sidebar. W E LCO M E & INTRODUCTION 1. Welcome and introduce new youth. 2. Recognize and celebrate any youth or Core celebrating a birthday by singing Happy Birthday. 3. Present a brief overview of the session. OPENING PRAYER This prayer should be based on the overview of the session. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and understanding about the theme/topic for the night. SMALL GROUP ICEBREAKER Have the youth use magazines and newspapers to cut out pictures and 18

2 words to make a collage illustrating life. People, objects, words, and scenery can all be used, but the faces of people should have a prominent place in the collage. Have the pictures/words be about respecting life and living life to the fullest. Paste the objects to poster board. Tell the youth the posters will be displayed somewhere around the parish. If you are doing this particular Edge Night around the same time as March for Life or 40 Days for Life, use the posters to advertise how your group will be involved or how the parish can get involved in these events. As time permits, have groups share their posters. PROCLAIM SCRIPTURE PROCLAMATION Wisdom 1:13; 2:23-24 PROCLAIM TALK Begin the Proclaim with the clip from It s a Wonderful Life. This scene shows the main character, George Bailey, pleading to live again after seeing what life would be without him, then celebrating life as he is alive again. Prior to showing the video clip, ask the youth if they are familiar with the movie. If not, give a brief synopsis of the movie to help them understand the clip. It s a Wonderful Life Wouldn t it be great if we all celebrated life like George Bailey? And how appropriate for him to be so joyful about life on the day of the celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus, the Giver of Life. If we rearrange some words in the name of the movie It s a Wonderful Life, we could come up with life is wonderful. And, really, that s what George Bailey found out in the scene we just watched. How often do we celebrate life like George Bailey? You see, life is not only wonderful; it is sacred. As strange as it sounds, not all people believe this. And although Catholic teaching on the dignity of human life is clear, the world we live in continually denies that sacredness through various threats against life. In fact, Blessed Pope John Paul II said we live in a culture of death. Unwrapping the Gifts As part of your environment, have several gifts under the tree. Inside of each gift, have either a picture showing the beauty of life or the words, All life is sacred. As you get to each section of the talk, you will unwrap another gift, pull out the words or picture and relate that to the topic of that section. What makes Christmas so special? You may have family traditions that are important or you enjoy decorating, going shopping, etc. The true gift of Christmas is that Jesus became like one of us human! We celebrate that Jesus was born as a baby just like you and me to show the world that we are good! However, did you that nine months before Christmas (when Jesus was born), we celebrate the Annunciation? That s right, we celebrate on March 25th, when the angel appeared to Mary and told her that she would conceive and have Jesus. Even that moment is so special the actual SUPPLIES NEEDED: Handout A: Prayer for Life cards (page 24) Christmas decorations and manger scene for environment Specially wrapped presents under the tree Magazines and newspapers Scissors for small groups Glue sticks Poster board Markers Newsprint 19

3 MEDIA SUGGESTIONS: Song: Breath of Heaven (Mary s Song) by Amy Grant (Home for Christmas, EMI/ Sparrow Records) LIFE IS WONDERFUL Life Issues EDGE NIGHT OUTLINE Video: It s a Wonderful Life Let Me Live Again ( by JayDawgWrestling) Video: Go Make a Difference ( faithfulcitizenship.org/ resources/videos) Video: The Human Experience trailer (www. grassrootsfilms.com) moment of Christ s conception. Knowing that life is such a gift will help us to understand the Catholic Social Teaching on the dignity of human life. Today, we hear a lot about the need to respect human life. In our world, unfortunately, life is not always seen as sacred and as a gift from God. Blessed John Paul II called this the culture of death. We want to discuss these issues and why we believe so strongly as Catholics in the dignity of every human life. Abortion As we have heard in other Edge Nights all life is sacred because it comes from God. It is a gift just like this present/gift that we just opened. However, in our culture, life is not always treated as sacred. An important issue that threatens the dignity of human life is abortion. Abortion is the willful act of killing an unborn baby while still in the mother s womb. This threatens life at its most vulnerable time the unborn baby cannot defend him/herself. Pope Paul VI wrote: Therefore from the moment of its conception life must be guarded with the greatest care while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes (Gadium et spes, 1965). The dignity of life cannot be reduced to a choice it must be respected and revered, even from the very moment of conception. To do otherwise is a grave sin. As Catholics, we believe that human life is precious and sacred. Every child has a right to live as God has created. Euthanasia At this section, unwrap another gift under the tree and show the youth the words or images about the respect of human life. Another issue that threatens the dignity of human life is euthanasia. We believe that all life is sacred from the moment of conception to natural death. Euthanasia, however, is an assisted suicide for someone who is ill or has a handicap. We cannot say that life is only sacred if you feel good and are healthy or if you can walk on your own. Life is sacred period. Those who support euthanasia do not understand that suffering is not bad it unites us with Christ and His suffering. The American Bishops addressed euthanasia in 1999 in a document called Living the Gospel of Life: The purposeful taking of human life by assisted suicide and euthanasia is not an act of mercy, but an unjustifiable assault on human life (No. 5). If someone is sick or dying, the Church calls us to love and support them, and provide comfort to them when we can. We can respect a person s dignity by respecting his/ her right to life. Embryonic Stem Cell Research Open another gift and show the youth the words or picture that reflects the dignity of human life. Another attack on human life that may be hard to understand is embryonic stem cell research. There are two types of stem cells: adult and embryonic (from an embryo). Scientists have found that adult stem cells can be useful to help with research for diseases and treatments. Scientists and researchers can use these adult stem cells because they come from adult human tissue. Embryonic stem cells, on the other hand, use tissue from destroyed 20

4 human embryos. We have said that life is sacred from the moment of conception scientists and researchers do not have the right to destroy human embryos, which have the potential for life, for scientific experiments. Even something so small as an embryo must be protected. We were not created so we can be used as science experiments, but so that we could have life to the fullest. The Death Penalty Unwrap one last present from under the tree and show the youth the message about the dignity of all human life. Lastly, I want to touch on the death penalty. Again, our American bishops have condemned the death penalty as a viable option in our country. The Church teaches that the death penalty is rarely an acceptable, and only in extreme cases where there are not proper prisons to keep a harmful person from continuing acts of evil against that society it is allowed. Because we have other ways to protect society that are more respectful of human life, the USCCB supports efforts to end the use of the death penalty and, in the meantime, to restrain its use through broader use of DNA evidence, access to effective counsel, and efforts to address unfairness and injustice related to application of the death penalty (FCFC). God gives life, not death Let s take a look at our Scripture verse from tonight once again: God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living. For he has created all things that they might exist...but through the devil s envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his party experience it (Wisdom 1:13-14; 2:23-24). Scripture reminds us over and over that God is the Creator of all life and that life must be respected and protected from the moment of conception to natural death. The Church also speaks clearly about the dignity of all human life. We can all pray each day for a greater respect of all life. And we can help others to see the value of human life through our words and actions. BREAK SMALL GROUP PRAYER As your small group begins, say a prayer for the group and your discussion. SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION In your small group discuss the following questions: 1. What is one thing from the talk that you learned about the dignity of human life? 2. What are some ways you see human life not being respected in your school or community? 3. Why do we believe all life is sacred? 4. What does it mean to say we have a culture of death? Do you think this is true? Can it change and, if so, how? 5. What are some ways you can help to protect the dignity of human life? NOTES: 21

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. LIFE IS WONDERFUL Life Issues EDGE NIGHT OUTLINE 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 6. What does Christmas teach about the dignity of human life?

5 ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. LIFE IS WONDERFUL Life Issues EDGE NIGHT OUTLINE What does Christmas teach about the dignity of human life? PRO-LIFE CAMPAIGN As a small group, you are to develop a campaign that helps to promote the dignity of human life and why life is sacred. Think back to the talk and include important aspects of what we believe as Catholics (protecting life from conception to natural death; we should be with those who are suffering; if someone is ill or somehow physically disabled, does not mean that his/her life is worth less). In your campaign, be sure to say who you are supporting, why you are supporting them, and how you and others can get involved. Your campaign may be a 30-second commercial, a billboard sign, poster, etc be creative. Hand out the Prayer for Life cards (Handout A on page 24) to each youth in your small group. Explain to them that we should be praying for an end to all laws and injustices against the sanctity of human life. Pray together to end your small group and tell your members to keep the cards handy for the closing prayer. SEND LARGE GROUP SHARING Take some time and let the youth share their pro-life campaign with the large group. As a follow up, encourage the sharing of these campaigns with the youths families and with the parish. CLOSING PRAYER Darken the room and light a candle. Have the youth gather around the manger scene. The youth minister or a Core Member can lead the youth in the following reflection. Help the youth to connect the Annunciation and Christ s birth as a sign of our dignity and the dignity of human life. Invite the youth to take a moment to quietly pray for a greater respect of all human life and then pray the following: The angel s Annunciation to Mary begins: Do not be afraid. Mary was asked to be the Mother of God and bring Christ into the world so we could know the value and worth of every human life. She humbly said yes and everything changed. God took on human flesh and showed us that human life in ALL forms is sacred: unborn babies, poor, sick, lonely, unpopular - everyone. We are often afraid to stand up for human life. God tells us the same thing He told Mary, Do not be afraid. In big and small ways, we can fight against the culture of death and stand for the culture of life. We are simply following the example of Mary. We ask her to pray with us tonight: O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life. Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy. Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Obtain for them 22

6 the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life. (Blessed Pope John Paul II, Easter Vigil prayer, 2002) Close the night by praying together the Prayer For Life on Handout A (Handout A on page 24). SUMMARY CHALLENGE Before the middle school youth are sent home they will be challenged to remember: 1. Life is wonderful; it is a gift given to us from God. Our lives belong to God alone because He is the Giver of Life. 2. The dignity of human life comes not from who we are, but from whose we are sons and daughters of God. 3. As Catholics, we have a moral responsibility to stand for human life and oppose all acts against it, such as abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, and the death penalty. 4. During this upcoming week, take some time to pray for a greater respect of all life. TO THE PARENTS OF Tonight we continued to build on Catholic social justice teachings the dignity of human life. In the first few nights, we discussed that we are called to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and our individual dignity because we are made in the image and likeness of our loving God. Additionally, because we have dignity, we are called to protect the dignity of all human life. All life is sacred and is a gift from God. The Catholic Church reminds us that we must protect and defend life from conception to natural death. We discussed specifically the issues of abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cells, and the death penalty. The youth learned the Church s teaching in regard to these issues and were challenged to pray and work toward a culture of life. We ended by praying for Mary s intercession, as she is the vessel through which Jesus, Giver of Life, entered the world. Here are a few discussion questions for the ride home: 1. How would you describe the Church s teaching on human life? 2. What keeps the world from seeing life as sacred? 3. What could we do as a family to more firmly stand up for the right to life? ADAPTATION IDEAS: Consult your local Right to Life organization for more information on how the middle school youth can be praying and if there are ways for them to get involved. Have the Core Members dress up for Christmas (ugly sweaters, reindeer hats, etc.). Instead of having items inside the gifts, have them empty and then talk about life as a gift and how sad it is when the gift is emptied. Invite your parish musician to help with the closing prayer by playing Breath of Heaven, another appropriate song, or background instrumental music. You could also play it on CD. 23

7 PRAYERS FOR LIFE Handout A EDGE NIGHT HANDOUT 24

AROUND THE TABLE Dignity of the Family

AROUND THE TABLE Dignity of the Family AROUND THE TABLE EDGE NIGHT OUTLINE SCRIPTURE & CCC: Genesis 1:27-28 Genesis 2:24 Joshua 24:15 John 3:16 Ephesians 3:14-15 CCC 1641-1642 CCC 1652-1658 CCC 2204-2208 SUPPLIES NEEDED: Family Trivia Questions