Pre-Confirmation Catechesis Programme 2013/14

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Pre-Confirmation Catechesis Programme 2013/14"

Bruce Henderson
5 years ago
Views:

1 Pre-Confirmation Catechesis Programme 2013/14 Pre-Confirmation Catechists Team: Father Simon Hall Sister Margarite Paul Mallinder BTh (Team Leader)

2 Pre-Confirmation Catechesis Programme 2013/14 Dear Parents/Guardians, Thank you for enrolling those within your care into the 2013/14 Pre-confirmation programme. This programme is mainly for young people who started Year 9 from September 2013 and are not supported by Catholic Education. All young people, as part of the National Curriculum, will learn some of the general teachings of Christianity. However, we feel there are shortfalls within the National Curriculum for our Catholic faith community; even if they have previously attended a Catholic Primary School. There are twelve Pre-Confirmation sessions and these are a requirement for enrolling in the 2014 Confirmation programme in Year 10 for those at non-catholic secondary schools. The programme aims to assist Year 9 young people in their spiritual, academic and pastoral formation within our Catholic community. You can view the Pre-Confirmation programme at the St Joseph's Catholic Church website ( under the Sacramental Life Confirmation menu; you will find a section on the Pre-Confirmation Course. The PDF file outlines what we are doing, and when, for each session. These sessions are led by qualified catechists who are CRB checked. Sessions start at 5:00 pm prompt and finish at 6:00 pm in the Chatterton room. If you need to contact us during this time then SMS or call Paul Mallinder on If you are unable to attend a session please ring the Parish Office on Kind Regards Paul Mallinder BTh 2 Of 17

3 Course Content 1) Sacraments 2) Last Supper actions 3) Actions of the Last Supper in the Mass 4) Explaining what we are doing at Mass 5) Last Supper words part 1 6) Last Supper words part 2 7) What are we offering at mass? 8) Invitation to a personal relationship with God 9) Trusting our personal relationship with God 10) Acting on our personal relationship with God 11) Group discussion 12) Group Mass Course Attendees Normally, Year 9 young people from non-catholic schools. Duration Twelve one hour sessions. Sessions start at 5:00pm prompt and finish at 6:00pm. September: 24 th 2013 October: 15 th 2013 November: 12 th and 26 th 2013 December: 10 th 2013 January: 7 th and 21 st 2014 February: 11 th and 25 th 2014 March: 11 th and 25 th 2014 April: 22 nd 2014 (Final session: Celebration of the Eucharist) 3 Of 17

4 Contact Information Unable to attend a session? Parish Office Call: If Parish Office is closed then please SMS: Questions regarding the Pre-Confirmation course content: Paul Mallinder paul.mallinder@gmail.com Document Revision Latest revision is located at: 4 Of 17

5 1) Sacraments Each attendee will be able to explain what a sacrament is. Self Introductions name, school, age, school year, Church attend Why do you want to be confirmed? Naming the sacraments how many? What are they? Baptism, Eucharist, reconciliation, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, anointing of the sick. Instituted by Christ Why? - sanctification supernatural end. Outward Sign What is a sign? Name some. Inward grace sacraments not just a sign they do not just signify they cause grace in the soul Sacraments Signify and Sanctify (alliteration) Symbol as a visible form on invisible grace Visit Church and look at signs Review Sacraments instituted by Jesus. They are an outward sign of inward grace. Closing Prayer 5 Of 17

6 2) Last Supper actions Each attendee will use biblical sources to identify the actions of the Last Supper. Recap How many sacraments? Name them, who instituted them, outward sign (point to something) inward grace (cause a change within the soul, grace) Quick Quiz on Sacraments in teams see appendix 1 Using the bible hand bibles out, sources, chapters, verses Look at Mark 14, then 14:22 then 14:22-26 Look at Luke 22, then 22:17, then 22:17-24 Look at Matthew 26, then 26:26, then 26:26-30 Look at 1 Corinthians 11, then 11:23, then 11:23-26 Last Supper Actions Worksheet See following page, small groups, hand-out worksheet and card set (He took, etc) Record Last Supper Actions Review 7 actions reduced to 4 He took, he blessed, he broke, he gave Closing Prayer 6 Of 17

7 Last Supper Actions Worksheet Working in small groups complete the following (please work quietly and do not distract others around you, it is unfair on them; act responsibly and respectfully toward others): Use the Bible provided to you. 1) Using Matthew 26:26-30, as your primary source, identify what actions Jesus used with the bread and wine. Choose a member from your group to raise a hand when the task is finished. 2) Using the card set handed out, order the cards in the correct order based on your observations in (1) above. Raise your hand when completed Extended Tasks 3) Check to see if Mark 14:22-26 follows the same pattern in (2) above. 4) Check to see if 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 follows the same pattern in (2) above. 5) Check to see if Luke 22:17-20 follows the same pattern in (2) above. 7 Of 17

8 3) Actions of the Last Supper in the Mass Each attendee will describe how the actions of the Last Supper relate to the Mass. Show Hostia video, Introduction and Foundation chapters. Recap When was the Eucharist instituted, who instituted it?, what is a sacrament?, what were the actions at the Last Supper? Quick Quiz on Last Supper Actions see appendix 1 Four actions 7 actions reduced to 4 1) He took bread and wine 2) He blessed bread and wine 3) He broke bread 4) He gave bread and wine Memorial 1 Cor 11:24 (bread), 1 Cor 11:25 (wine) Luke 22:19 Anamnesis recalls and represents (re-present make present). Happening now. Not simple recollection, bring past into present and present into past Christ made present to us and us to Him Sacrificial overtones (later session) Last Supper actions and Mass Review He took offertory He blessed Eucharistic prayer He broke fraction He gave holy communion Closing Prayer 8 Of 17

9 4) Explaining what we are doing at Mass Each attendee will write a description of how to explain to a seven year old (perhaps a letter) what we are doing at Mass. Recap This recap is carried out with the aid of a DVD video created for this programme, entitled Last Supper Action. Write a letter Review Explain what we are doing at mass Read out some letters Ask group what they think of the letter Closing Prayer 9 Of 17

10 5) Last Supper Words Part 1 Explain using New Testament that a real change occurs in the Eucharist from a literal sense. Recap Return What are we doing at the Eucharist work. Do this in memory of me ; Do this = four actions linked to Eucharist Now we are going to look at the words Jesus said. Key points Opening discussion: What do we mean by the Real Presence? Is it a metaphor? Is it pointing to His body being somewhere else? Words of the Last Supper. Synoptics. Get them to tell you. This is my body, This is my blood St Paul to Corinthians. Get someone to read 1 Cor 11: John's Gospel. Get someone to read Jn 6: Reinforce some found this teaching difficult. Show the DVD, Last Supper Words 1) Stop 11 mins 30 secs. After John scene explain written tradition, focus on how some found this teaching difficult. Tell them the next bit is a current day testimony. Why did some turn away from Jesus? Why did they find Jesus' teaching difficult? What do Catholics believe about the Eucharist? What do others believe? Catholic belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist rests upon the literal meaning of the words of the Last Supper as recorded by the Matthew, Mark, Luke (Synoptics), Paul and John. Review and Closing Prayer 10 Of 17

11 6) Last Supper Words Part 2 Explain tradition and a real change occurs in the Eucharist from a literal sense. Recap What did John chapter 6 tell us about Jesus' teaching on the Eucharist? Real Presence focus on how some found this teaching difficult. Tell them the next bit is a current day testimony. Key points Show the DVD, Last Supper Words 1) Start 11 mins 30 secs. 2) Stop at 15min 16 secs She takes the testimony of scripture alone BUT the next bit is how our continued tradition shines light on this mystery. 3) Stop at 16:54 reinforce Holy Spirit helping Church to understand mystery. 4) Tell them the last piece is a bit of fun! Catholic belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist rests upon the literal meaning of the words of the Last Supper as recorded by the Matthew, Mark, Luke (Synoptics), Paul and John. Catholic tradition (Holy Spirit) affirms Real Presence and formulates at Council of Trent; Truly, Really, Substantially. A real change, "transubstantiation". Body, soul, divinity. 1) Real Presence 2) Real Change 3) Transubstantiation Review and Closing Prayer 11 Of 17

12 7) What are we offering at Mass? Each attendee will describe what we offering at Mass and to whom we are offering ( based on our new liturgical texts ). Recap What is the consecration? When is the consecration? What happens to the bread and wine at the consecration? What are we offering and to who are we offering? Get the class to explain what they think we are offering. Look for the word sacrifice. Use the DVD What are we offering at Mass. Use the Liturgical texts. 1) Show we are offering bread and wine to the Father (Offertory) 2) Show we are offering Christ Himself to the Father (Eucharistic Prayer) epiclesis, institution narrative, anamnesis (important words) Explain ONE sacrifice, not many. Review Closing Prayer 12 Of 17

13 8) Invitation to a personal relationship with God Each attendee will experience this invitation by reflecting on John 1: What is a personal relationship? Each personal relationship with God is unique. What is a conditional personal relationship? What is an unconditional personal relationship? Our personal relationship with Jesus is unconditional. Walk through John 1: Focus on words and actions of Jesus. 1) Words = come and see ; Actions = imagine the invite Jesus' face, smile, holding out hand perhaps. Invitation reflection About 20 minutes duration. Group moves into Church with their bibles. Sit down, close eyes, breathe slowly, get relaxed. Read John 1:35-39 first time. Silence. Get the group to imagine the scene and hear the invitation to come and see (words). Read John 1:35-39 second time. Silence. Picture Jesus' face and actions, smile, welcoming. Read John 1:35-39 third time. Silence. Finish by speaking to Jesus in your own way. Move out of Church and back to room. Announcement Next meeting time. 13 Of 17

14 9) Trusting our personal relationship with God. Each attendee will experience this trusting by reflecting on Matthew 14: Recap Our personal relationship with God is unique and ideally unconditional. What was our first meditation? (come and see invitation). Last time, we heard the words of Jesus in our heart, an invitation for us to come and see where he is staying. Discussion When you trust a person, you believe that they have your best interest at heart. They wouldn't do something to hurt you for the fun of it, or for selfish gain. You rely on them. Example, prayer as trusting in God. Walk through Matthew 14: Focus on words and actions of Jesus. 1) Words = Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid ; Action = walking toward them 2) Words = come ; Action = imagine invitation actions 3) Words = You of little faith why did you doubt ; Actions = reached out His hand and caught him Trusting reflection About 20 minutes duration. Group moves into Church with their bibles. Sit down, close eyes, breathe slowly, get relaxed. Read Matthew 14:22-31 first time. Silence. Get the group to imagine the scene and hear the message to trust. Read Matthew 14:22-31 second time. Silence. Picture Jesus' face and actions, smile, welcoming. Read Matthew 14:22-31 third time. Silence. Finish by speaking to Jesus in your own way. Move out of Church and back to room. Announcement Next meeting time. 14 Of 17

15 10) Acting on our personal relationship with God Each attendee will experience this acting by reflecting on Matthew 25: Recap What was our first meditation? (come and see invitation). What was our second meditation? (trusting in Jesus, you of little faith why did you doubt). Our personal relationship with God is unique and ideally unconditional. At the heart of our personal relationship is trust in God. Discussion As our personal relationship with God grows we begin to act differently. Our life becomes more fruitful. People begin to notice and we become a witness to the Gospel; people see something in you that they want to know more about. Praying for others and helping others. Walk through Matthew 25: Context is Matthew 24:1-3, Jesus warns that the temple will be destroyed and the disciples want to know when AND when also when will the world end? 1) All nations will be gathered before him; not talking about the temple destruction but end of world. 2) The Son of Man ( a frequently used name for Jesus) as King and Judge. 3) Goats and sheep imagery; goats on left (bad); sheep on right (good). 4) Hungry fed me; thirsty gave me drink; stranger invited me in (recall first meditation); Acting reflection About 20 minutes duration. Group moves into Church with their bibles. Sit down, close eyes, breathe slowly, get relaxed. Read Matthew 25:31-40 first time. Silence. Get the group to imagine the scene and hear the message to act. Read Matthew 25:31-40 a second time. Silence. Picture Jesus' face and actions, smile, welcoming. Read Matthew 25:31-40 third time. Silence. Finish by speaking to Jesus in your own way. Move out of Church and back to room. Announcement Next meeting time. Mass; fasting for one hour before receiving communion; come straight to chapel. 15 Of 17

16 11) Group discussion The discussion is based on questions that have been raised by the group. Typically, the group will place questions in a box the prior week to this sessions. 12) Group Mass Our last session is a group mass. 16 Of 17

17 Appendix 1 Sacraments Quiz Who instituted the sacraments? What is a sign? How many sacraments are there? What is a sacrament? Why do we have sacraments? Name the first sacrament you received? What do the signs alpha and omega signify? Name the second sacraments you received? What are the sacraments of initiation? Which sacraments do we only receive once? Which sacraments do we receive more than once? Name the third sacrament you received? What is the next sacrament you plan to receive? Last Supper Actions Quiz What is a sacrament? What does Eucharist mean? Who instituted the Eucharist? When was the Eucharist instituted? What are the primary sources for the institution of the Eucharist? What four actions are clearly seen at the institution of the Eucharist? 17 Of 17

Third Edition of the Roman Missal Lesson Guidelines 6 th Grade-8 th Grade

Third Edition of the Roman Missal Lesson Guidelines 6 th Grade-8 th Grade Catechist Instructions: On November 27, 2011, a new translation of the Roman Missal will be used throughout the United States (and