1. Opening Prayer and Scripture (6:30-6:35 PM) Scripture Reading: John 6:35-69 (wait to read as part of #7 below). 2. Activity (6:35-6:55 PM)

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1 Level 6, Lesson Plan 16, Chapters 19 and 20: "The Feast of God" and "Promise and Fulfillment" Dinner with Father (5:30-6:30) Primary Aim: The Mass is the Feast of God. Materials: Bibles, evaluations, pencils, rosaries, Prayer handout Key Words (Vocabulary): There are no vocabulary words. Explanation 1. Opening Prayer and Scripture (6:30-6:35 PM) Opening Prayer: O God, the source of all our strength, you nourish us with the Body and Blood of Christ crucified and risen. Through the Eucharist, strengthen us to walk the way of the cross that leads us into your kingdom, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. From Magnificat, Oct. 21, 2012 Catholic Prayer: "Our Father" (with emphasis on "Give us this day our daily bread...") Scripture Reading: John 6:35-69 (wait to read as part of #7 below). 2. Activity (6:35-6:55 PM) Show the students the vessels and linens used at Mass as described in #5 below. Crossword puzzle pg. 75 of Teacher's Manual 3. "Holy Celebration" (6:55-6:57 PM) At Mass we celebrate in a sacred meal the death and Resurrection of Jesus. Mass is to be a celebration: Chris has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again! Mass is time consecrated to God. It is sacred time. Proper dress and gestures (standing, kneeling, sitting, bowing, sign of the cross, genuflect) are signs of reverence. Often at Mass, we find ourselves caught in a routine---an unthoughtful habit. o We just say the words without thinking about them o (Have students find words of celebration (e.g., Alleluia!, Peace be with you, etc.) in the missals and have them take the time to think about what they are saying.) 4. "Sacred Banquet" (6:57-7:00 PM) How should we prepare to receive Holy Communion? o Be free from mortal sin. o Fast for one hour before receiving (except from water and medicine). o Know whom we are about to receive.

2 How should we receive our Lord? o We should make a sign of reverence before we receive Communion, such as bowing. o We may choose whether we receive on the hand or the tongue. Either way is acceptable, but we should know how to do both. o The priest or extraordinary minister of Holy communion will hold up our Lord in the Eucharistic Host and say: "The Body of Christ." We should reply, "Amen" and receive our Lord. o If the precious Lord is offered, he will say: "The Blood of Christ" and again we say, "Amen." We receive just a sip holding the chalice with both hands and not letting go until the minister of the cup has a good hold on it. o After receiving Jesus, we can make the Sign of the Cross and return to our pew to pray in thanksgiving. 5. "Table of the Lord" (7:00-7:05 PM) Take the students to the church (or if this is not possible arrange to do this activity in the classroom with a table). Show the students the vessels and linens used at Mass. o Altar: It is the table of the Lord and altar of sacrifice The altar is to be solid, immovable, made of solid material (preferably stone or precious wood). It is the symbol of Christ himself, who is the cornerstone of our faith. (Show the students the altar stone and tell them which saint's relics are contained therein.) o Altar cloth: It reminds us of the holy shroud. o Corporal: This is taken from the word for body. It is placed on the altar, upon which are placed the paten and chalice. o Chalice: It is the cup used to contain wine, which will become the Precious Blood. It must be made of precious metal. It should be the very best, for it contains Christ. o Paten: This is the place upon which the host that will become the Sacred Body of Christ is placed. This, too, is made of precious metal. o Purificator: It is a linen used to purify the vessels after the Consecration. o Pall: It is a square to cover the chalice to protect the Precious Blood from outside elements. o Cruets: They contain water and wine. o Water basin (lavabo) and finger towel: These are there to wash the hands of the priest. The vessels and linens used at Mass should be the very best for the sacred meal is for Lord. 6. "Effects of Holy Communion" (7:05-7:10 PM) The Eucharist is food for the soul. o Just as we need food to nourish our bodies, to keep us alive, and to make us strong, so, too, we need food for our souls to keep us alive spiritually and make

3 us strong to overcome sin. Just as Jesus is the Word made flesh in the Incarnation, he is the Word made flesh in the Eucharist. o This divine gift for us is veiled from our eyes, so that we may not fear approaching our Lord in his wonder and awe. o He feeds our souls and comes in this intimate union with man. o This tremendous love is the greatest gift we could hope for. o When we receive our Lord in the Holy Communion, Jesus physically remains in us as long as the species remains (about minutes). o We should spend this time in deep prayer and in union with him. o Christ, in coming into us, in order to have a suitable host, forgives our venial sins. In Holy Communion, we are all united in the one Christ. o Christ is the head of the Church and we are the Body. o He nourishes his entire Body through Holy Communion. o We are closely bound to one another. o We should grow in love for our neighbor, for in him is Christ our Lord. o This union with Christ and the Church is referred to as the Mystical body; we are members of this Mystical body of Christ. In receiving Communion, we receive an increase in grace. o This grace makes us strong to overcome sin. o It is an anticipation of the heavenly glory in which we will share in God's love and live forever. 7. "Do You Also Wish to Go Away" (7:10-7:15 PM) Read John 6:35-69 and discuss. o What was so scandalous about Jesus' teaching? o Why couldn't some of the disciples accept this teaching? o When they murmured against Jesus' teaching, did he make apologies for it? o How did many of the followers of Jesus react? o Why did they not follow Jesus anymore? o How would you have reacted at that time? o Knowing now how Jesus would fulfill this, do you believe? There are two common arguments that many non-catholics make against the Eucharist. o Cannibalism: Is receiving the Eucharist cannibalism? No, because: The species remains the same. Although the substance changes, it still looks, tastes, feels, and smells like bread and wine. o Symbolism: Is the Eucharist only a symbol of Jesus' Body and Blood? No. Jesus did not say at the Last Supper: "This is a symbol of my Body" and "This chalice is a symbol of my Blood." It is truly Jesus' Body and Blood---we know this because he said so! Do all people believe in the Eucharist? Sadly, no. o Most other Christian denominations do not believe in the Real Presence of the Eucharist. o They cannot have the Eucharist in their churches because they do not have valid

4 Holy Orders. They cannot trace their priesthood back to the apostles and Christ as we can in the Catholic Church. o Other Christian denominations often have communion services, during which they eat bread and drink wine or grape juice and recall Jesus' gift of himself, as in a spiritual communion. o Because most other Christians do not believe in the Eucharist, they are not united in the Faith. This is why non-catholics cannot receive Communion in a Catholic Church---for in saying "Amen" they are saying that they believe (it would be a lie). Also, Catholics do not share in communion at non-catholic churches, for we know that they do not share our Faith. The only exception to this is the Orthodox Church, which has valid sacraments. However, because we are not in union with one another, we should only receive Communion from them under extraordinary circumstances. For 1500 years all Christian were united in their belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, but with the Protestant Reformation, all sorts of new beliefs and heresies appeared including: o Consubstantiation: This is the belief that the bread and wine remain bread and wine, but Jesus is somehow present with them; the bread and wine coexist with Jesus. This belief came from Martin Luther. o Spiritual Presence: This is the belief that Jesus is spiritually present but not really present. This was taught by John Calvin. o Symbolism: This belief teaches that Jesus is not present at all. The bread and wine are just symbols of his Body and Blood This was taught by Huldreich Zwingli and is probably the most common view in Protestant churches today. 8. "Yes, Lord, I Believe" (7:15-7:20 PM) Why did the apostles accept Jesus teaching found in the Bread of Life discourse? (They believed in Jesus.) Why had the apostles come to believe in Jesus? o They spent time with him. o They saw Jesus doing good, being a witness of God. o They heard his teachings, and they made sense. Jesus also explained his parables to the apostles when they were alone so that they had a clear understanding of the teachings of Christ. o They saw Jesus work many miracles, such as healing people, calming a storm, walking on water, forgiving sins. o They saw how, when people encountered Christ, their lives were changed for the better. o They knew the changes they saw in themselves---from being fishermen, tax collectors, etc. to: Becoming students of Christ.

5 Being given the power to heal people in his name. Preaching in his name. At the time of the Bread of Life discourse, the apostles did not know of the greatest miracle of Christ: his Resurrection. We know that Jesus is the Son of God---not just a great prophet---because he rose from the dead! 9. "Real Presence" (7:20-7:25 PM) At the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist (Mark 14:22-24). o Jesus clearly said: "This is my Body," and "This is my blood," o He gave his Body and Blood to the disciples to eat and drink. o Through the Eucharist, Jesus fulfilled the Bread of Life discourse. o He also invited his faithful disciples, who believed, to receive the Eucharist. In receiving Jesus' Body and Blood, we enter a unity with him and all who receive the Eucharist. o We share in his life---the divine and eternal life. o Just as God became man, we become as God through this unity with the Son. o Through our unity with the Son---being part of his Body, we call God "Father," and we share in his life and the promise of his eternal reward. The Eucharist is nourishment for our souls. o Its sacramental grace strengthens our souls--- Forgiving our venial sins. Giving us the strength not to sin again. Helping us to grow in holiness (becoming more like Jesus). 7. Evaluation (7:25-7:30 PM) Fill in the blank and True or False answer key. 1. At Mass we celebrate in a sacred meal the death and Resurrection of Jesus. 2. In order to prepare ourselves, we are required to fast for one hour prior to receiving Holy Communion. True or False 3. Exceptions to the requirement to fast for one hour prior to the reception of Holy Communion include the ingestion of medicine and the drinking of coffee, juices, and other beverages. True or False, exceptions include only medicine and water. 4. As Catholics we believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. True or False 5. Most other Christians believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. True or False, other than the Orthodox Church, most other Christians believe Jesus is only spiritually present in the bread and wine (or grape juice) of their communion service or that the bread and wine are just symbols of Jesus' Body and Blood.

6 6. The Eucharist is nourishment for our souls. Write one or more petitions to pray during our Intercessory Prayers. For We pray to the Lord. Conclusion: prayer in the Church (7:30-8:00 pm) Exposition Hymn: Father I adore you Intercessory Prayers Divine Mercy Chaplet Hymn: Sanctuary Benediction Divine Praises Hymn: "Give Me Jesus"