Fourth Sunday of Easter Year B 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). During the Easter season, the Catechetical Session may be used both for the ongoing catechumenate and as postbaptismal catechesis with neophytes. Adapt your language and choose options appropriate for your group s stage of faith and adjust your time frame. Children s RCIA Resource CATECHIST S NOTES NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY Sunday s readings Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12 Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29 1 John 3:1-2 John 10:11-18 Doctrine correlations The church is a sheepfold, the flock of which God foretold, led by Christ, the Good Shepherd, who gave his life for his sheep (CCC #754). The desire for the unity of all Christians is a gift of Christ and a call of the Holy Spirit (CCC #820). RCIA team notes This is a critical time for the children neophytes. While the catechumenate continues for those who will be initiated next year, ensure that children neophytes have opportunities to meet with companions who have completed their initiation (RCIA #330). By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved.
CATECHIST S NOTES GETTING READY FOR THE SESSION Items to prepare check-in sheet, nametag materials, scissors poster paper or white board, erasers, and erasable markers white cloth on table or counter for prayer, percussion instrument Bibles, one set to John 10 adorned crucifix, candle in a heat-proof holder, matches small brooms, cotton balls, tape Sharing Faith questions, copies of Faith at Home recycled scratch paper, pencils, costumes, props Gathering Prayer Ritual Place a Bible, candle, and crucifix adorned with ribbons or flowers on a white cloth. See the Easter Sunday session Faith at Home handout for the hand signs. Singing option Choose an Alleluia song from your faith community s resources or use Give Your Gifts, Melody Book, from GIA Publications, Inc. Bring hymnals or and music in a player. Building Community Ask sponsors to help provide toy or fireplace brooms. Bring cotton balls. For a large group, plan to have members take turns with the brooms. With masking tape, outline enclosures on one side of the room. Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week. Sharing Faith groups Put the Scripture citation with the questions on cards for group leaders. Crossing the Ages Activity option: Solidarity Skits Plan to present the principle of solidarity. Bring recycled scratch paper, pencils, costumes, and props. (Option: After practicing the skits arrange for the members to enact the skits for another group in the faith community. If this will be at another time, prepare memos with the time, date, and place to reconvene.) Friends on the Way - Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B 2
DISMISSAL SESSION GATHERING (15 MINUTES) Catechumens, having heard the Sunday proclamation of word, are dismissed from the Mass. Greet the catechumens as they arrive. Have them check in and put on nametags. For anyone new provide nametag materials. GATHERING PRAYER RITUAL Chime a percussion instrument as a call to prayer. All stand around the prayer focal point. ( ) Light the candle. Sing: an Alleluia song from your faith community s resources or Word of Truth and Life (GIA Publications). Teach the hand signs while praying the following: Alleluia, Jesus lives! Alleluia! Peace to friends everywhere. Alleluia! Amen. Alleluia! Love one another. Alleluia! Amen. Alleluia! Invite everyone when you lift a hand to respond by hand signing and singing Alleluia. Prayerfully say the following verses inspired by Psalm 118. Give thanks to God, who is all good, whose mercy endures forever. (response) I give thanks to you, O God, my savior. You have answered me. (response) The stone which builders reject has become the corner stone. (response) Extinguish the candle flame. Friends on the Way - Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B 3
CONNECTING WITH ONE ANOTHER Invite everyone to sit in a circle. Introduce anyone new. Invite sharing about their experiences with the Faith at Home pages from the previous session. BUILDING COMMUNITY Enclose the Fold: Decide if the catechumens will play individually or in small teams. Explain the game: You are shepherds seeking to enclose your folds. Use brooms to move cotton balls across the room into your fold s enclosure. Two wolves will attempt to brush the sheep astray. The brooms touch the cotton balls only, not any players. If your broom touches a player, sit down. Members with brooms line up along one side of the room. Choose two wolves. Designate the enclosure for each fold. Scatter cotton balls to represent sheep. Give a Go signal. Play until all the sheep are in a fold. Everyone helps clean up. Mention: This game gets us ready to hear about Jesus, the Good Shepherd. RECALLING THE WORD (10 MINUTES) Have everyone sit with Bibles in a circle. Use the following as a guide. For information, refer to Insight for the Catechist and the reflections on the Faith at Home page. Always affirm the catechumens responses, adding comments to aid their understanding. Help the catechumens find Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12. Mention: The same religious leaders who feared Jesus are upset with the apostles who preach about the resurrection and perform wondrous acts in Jesus name. In this account Peter and John have been arrested, and Peter is giving his testimony. What defense does Peter give? How has Peter changed since the time he denied three times that he knew Jesus? What do you think of Jesus brave attitude that Peter proclaimed? When have you stood up for your beliefs? Have the catechumens find 1 John 3:1-2. How does it feel to know you are one of God s children? As parents have expectations for their children, what might God s expectations be for each of you? Friends on the Way - Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B 4
Encourage the catechumens to brainstorm facts about shepherds. Possibilities: protect sheep from harm find food and water for sheep carry sick lambs call for stray sheep build pens for protection Have everyone find John 10:11-18. Ask: Why does Jesus say he is the good shepherd? Affirm members comments. Summarize: This week we hear that we are children of God, like the sheep in one large flock. This one flock is made up of many folds. All who hear Jesus voice are included in Jesus loving care. PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES) We offer prayers for everyone. When I lift my hand please respond, Holy God, shepherd of all, hear our prayer. Bring peace to those who are tormented. (Lift a hand for the response.) Inspire all your children to share the love we receive. (Lift a hand for the response.) Make us shepherds of one another. (Lift a hand for the response.) Invite the members to contribute intercessions. Conclude: God who shepherds us, send your Holy Spirit so that we may be good shepherds for others. Hear our prayers for the sake of all your fold. We offer our prayer through Christ Jesus, who gave himself so that we might share in his glory, for ever and ever. All: Amen. Option: Break for a snack or social time. If the group disperses now and meets for catechesis later in the week, collect nametags. Friends on the Way - Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B 5
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). GATHERING FOR CATECHESIS (5 MINUTES) Welcome the catechumens, parents, sponsors, and any baptized children arriving from liturgy. If this Catechetical Session is not following the Dismissal Session, allow an additional ten minutes and begin with the Gathering segment in the Dismissal Session. Have those arriving check in and put on nametags. 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. OPTION FOR NEOPHYTES (10 MINUTES) Gather the neophytes in a circle. Pray the Apostles Creed together. Encourage each neophyte to respond to each question without interruption. Others ask clarifying questions or affirm. In the celebration of your baptism your friends in our faith community prayed for each of you by name. You were called by name and immersed in the baptismal water. I wonder: Why did the celebrant call each of your names? How did it feel to be called and baptized personally by name? Why is it important that God knows each of us by name? ENGAGING THE WORD Invite the members to listen to the gospel message. Explain: (15 MINUTES) When you hear shepherd, say follow. When you hear sheep, say baa. FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12 Psalm 118:8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29 1 John 3:1-2 John 10:11-18 Insight for the Catechist John the Evangelist, using the image of the shepherdleader, draws on the prophet Ezekiel who charged Israel s leaders with being false shepherds. John considers the religious leaders of his time to be like hired shepherds who run away when faced with persecution instead of defending the flock. Jesus is the one honorable and beautiful shepherd, the Messiah, who gives his very life for his flock. The sheep and shepherd enjoy a mutual knowledge of one another. John recognizes that, already during this early Christian time, there are communities who hear the voice of Jesus but practice in different folds. The unity of the church is based not on cultural similarities but on the common faith in Jesus. In fulfilling the command he has received, Jesus freely lays down his life and takes it up again. Proclaim John 10:11-18, pausing after the words shepherd and sheep. Say: By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. 6
When several shepherds got together with their sheep, it was very noisy. The sheep, however, always knew their shepherd s call, and the shepherds knew their own sheep. Shepherds were responsible for the safety and life of their sheep. They made sure the sheep had nourishment and water. The shepherds tended to wounds and groomed the sheep. When wolves threatened, hired hands might run away, but a good shepherd would die to protect the sheep. 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 as needed. CONVERSING ABOUT JOHN 10:11-18 Why did Jesus call himself the Good Shepherd? What does the message about many folds teach us about people with other faith practices? With the whole group, conclude: The church is a sheepfold, the flock of which God foretold. Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for his sheep, leads us. The Holy Spirit calls us to desire the unity of all Christians. CARRYING OUT THE WORD (5 MINUTES) SUMMING UP Invite everyone to bring a chair and sit around the prayer focal point. Encourage them to offer insights from this week s session. Summarize and say: Jesus, the shepherd Messiah, gives his life willingly for all. The desire for unity is a special gift Jesus gives all Christians as we follow the way of love and forgiveness. CLOSING PRAYER (With Neophytes: Say the Lord s Prayer.) Invite everyone to close their eyes and take a few deep breaths. Imagine being all alone. You feel left behind. You feel left out. (Pause.) Imagine Jesus, the Good Shepherd, coming to you. See Jesus reach out to you. Feel Jesus take your hand and lead you. (Pause.) Imagine a time when you are hurt. You have fallen. Your leg is scratched. Your hand is cut. Feel the pain. (Pause.) Imagine Jesus, the Good Shepherd, touching your wounds and bandaging them with care. Imagine Jesus taking the pain away. (Pause.) Imagine a time that you are lost. You made a bad move and cannot find your way. (Pause.) Imagine Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calling your name. Imagine Jesus guiding you back to safety. (Pause.) Friends on the Way - Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B 7
Now imagine someone else who is lonely. You are with a group of friends, and your eye catches someone alone. (Pause.) Maybe you are on your way to a party, or you walk by the house of a shut-in person. Imagine yourself, guided by the Spirit, being a shepherd to that person. (Pause.) Imagine someone who is hurt. Maybe the person has fallen and cannot get up. Maybe the person is crying in pain. (Pause.) Imagine yourself, guided by the Spirit, being a shepherd to that person. (Pause.) Imagine a friend who is lost. The person is making poor decisions and headed down the wrong path. That person is asking you, What should I do? (Pause.) Imagine yourself, guided by the Spirit, being a shepherd to that person. (Pause.) Invite everyone to open their eyes. Raise your hands in blessing over the group, and say: As you go forth from this place, hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and follow. And may the ever-living 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 for children and adults together: 20 minutes, minimum) Solidarity Skits (nurtures a life in accord with the spirit of Christ, RCIA #78) Explain the Catholic social teaching principle of solidarity using the following. In this week s gospel proclamation, we hear Jesus speak about many folds in God s flock. As Catholics, we understand that God created one human family although people are born in many nations and have various ethnic customs. Everyone, wealthy or poor or believing different ideas, is created in God s image as a member of God s family. All people have a responsibility for other members of the human family. We call this the principle of solidarity. Accordingly, we should care about other people and consider how they feel and what they need. We make sure people do not feel left out. In small groups we will develop solidarity skits. The skits will show how to include others and how we take care of others regardless of our differences. Assign cross-age groups of six members. Have the groups choose a category: family, school, work, church, nation, and the world. Ask them to decide how someone in the category might feel left out, excluded, or in need of peace or nutrition. Each group develops a skit that reverses the situation so that someone comes to feel included or no longer in need. They may ask members from other groups to play parts. Offer scratch paper, pencils, costumes, and props. Have the groups enact the skits for one another. Option: Enact the skits for another group. Friends on the Way - Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B 8
Faith at Home Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B Remember Sunday s Word Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12 Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29 1 John 3:1-2 John 10:11-18 At a convenient time for the family, gather around a dining table or in the living room. Silence all electronics. Place a Bible opened to John 10 in the center. Begin with a moment of quiet. REFLECTING ON ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 4:8-12 This passage tells about Saint Peter s arrest and testimony. Sadducees, who do not believe in an afterlife, are unhappy with the new Christians who preach about resurrection. Pharisees are upset with the apostles claim that Jesus is the heir to Moses. Peter speaks fearlessly, proclaiming the power of Jesus. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter is recharged and proclaims the truth. Where in the world today are people in danger for standing by their beliefs? What marvelous acts in the name of Jesus does our family accomplish? As a family, reenact Peter s arrest and trial. Choose roles for Peter, an arresting officer, a judge who calls court to order, a lawyer who presents the case, and Peter who gives testimony. REFLECTING ON 1 JOHN 3:1-2 Saint John assures a better future for those who stand firm in faith. He tells believers they are loved as children of God and persecution will cease. In time, all God s children will see and resemble God. As a child of God, what characteristics does each family member have? Brainstorm a list of genetic character traits that God s children might have. Place a checkmark in front of characteristics seen within the family. REFLECTING ON JOHN 10:11-18 During Jesus time, several shepherds may have sheltered their sheep at night in a protected area. In the morning the sheep of each fold followed their shepherd away from the others, and the shepherds knew their own. During the night the shepherds, at great personal risk, would lie down across the shelter entrance to guard against wolves and marauders. A hired hand might desert the fold in time of trouble. Jesus, however, is the honorable shepherd who never abandons. He cares for many folds that make up the one flock of the faithful around the world. Each day upon awaking, what does Jesus call us to do? In what ways do we show respect for people with differing beliefs? By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.
The Good Shepherd In the lamb shapes, draw or cut and paste pictures or write the names of groups who practice their faith in various ways. Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B TeamRCIA.com