Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord 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 10:34a, 37-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 Mark 16:1-7 or John 20:1-9 Doctrine correlations The discovery of the empty tomb by the disciples, first by the holy women and then by Peter, is the first step in recognizing the fact of the Resurrection (CCC #640). Easter is not one feast among others but the Feast of Feasts that celebrates the new age of the Resurrection (CCC #1168-1169). RCIA team notes When the children receive the sacrament of baptism, the bishop or priest also confers confirmation, and they participate in the liturgy of the Eucharist for the first time (RCIA #305). During the Easter season, reserve special places in the assembly for the neophytes with their families and godparents (CCC #248). Find out from the liturgy committee which readings will be proclaimed. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved.
CATECHIST S NOTES GETTING READY FOR THE SESSION Items to prepare check-in sheet, egg-shaped nametags and nametag materials poster paper or white board, erasers, and erasable markers white cloth on table or counter for prayer, percussion instrument Bibles, one set to Mark 16 adorned crucifix, candle in a heat-proof holder, matches basket of Easter eggs props and biblical costumes (optional) Sharing Faith questions, copies of Faith at Home pencils, pens, markers, ruler, scissors, glue, glitter, stapler, hole punch, yarn, pictures to cutout, assorted craft and nature items liturgical calendar, prepared cards Gathering Prayer Ritual Place a Bible, candle, and crucifix adorned with ribbons or flowers on a white cloth. Practice the hand signs on the Faith at Home page. 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 Bring a basket of colored hard-boiled eggs. Have a water source available. Check for food allergies. Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week. Engaging the Word Bring props and biblical costumes (optional). Sharing Faith groups Put the Scripture citation with the questions on cards for group leaders. Crossing the Ages Activity option: Sensory Nursery Books Easter Contact sponsors to contribute. Bring scratch paper, pencils, pens, markers, rulers, scissors, glue, stapler, heavy and light-weight craft paper in dark and light colors, assorted craft and recycled materials including foil, glitter, sandpaper, spices, scented oil, cotton balls or sponge pieces, plastic wrap, recycled white fabric, flat stones, nature items (dry flowers and grass), hole punch and yarn. With permission, recycle used religion books and magazines (found in parish cupboards). Decide with whom the books will be shared. Option: Punch holes in margins of heavy paper before the session. Closing prayer Bring a liturgical calendar. Print stanzas of the prayer on four separate cards. Friends on the Way - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, 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 use markers to print their names and decorate eggshaped nametags. Provide recycled, sterilized lanyards or yarn, and a stapler. 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 This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice. Alleluia. Encourage them to hand sign Alleluia. Prayerfully say the following verses inspired by Psalm 118. Give thanks to the Lord who is all good and whose mercy endures forever. (response) I shall not die but live and declare the works of God all my days. (response) The stone which the builders reject has become the cornerstone. (response) Extinguish the candle flame. Friends on the Way - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, 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 Egg Toss Easter Story: Have a basket of hard-boiled colored eggs, one for each catechumen, and running water available. Explain: The resurrection shows that when people do evil things, including putting Jesus to death, God can work a miracle of salvation and new life. For many centuries the egg has been an Easter symbol because new life comes from eggs. When you catch an egg tossed to you, make one statement about Jesus, and toss the egg to someone else. If you drop the egg, hold it until the end of the game. Only toss an egg to someone who is not holding one. Toss an egg to a catechumen and continue tossing in eggs as needed. Play until everyone is holding an egg. Then, have them clean, peal, and enjoy the eggs. 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 everyone find Acts 10:34-43. Note: Some children may be interested in small details such as why the crossbar is called a tree. Use Saint Peter s message to help them wonder on their own levels about the paschal mystery. Saint Luke records Saint Peter telling about Jesus life, mission, death, and resurrection, which we call the paschal mystery. It is a wonder to us that God s only begotten Son came on earth to show people how to live, love, and worship. Through total self-giving love, Jesus triumphed over death when God raised him. People from every nation are welcome to believe and receive forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus. What do you wonder about the paschal mystery? Have the catechumens find the reading they heard proclaimed Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b- 8. I wonder: Why does the church proclaim this reading on Easter? Friends on the Way - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, Year B 4
Have the catechumens find the gospel passage they heard proclaimed Mark 16:1-7 or John 20:1-18. What do you find fascinating in this account of Christ s Resurrection? Affirm the members comments. Summarize: In their grief over Jesus death on the cross, the disciples did not understand the women. The Evangelist John tells us that Mary Magdalene recognized Jesus when he called her name. During upcoming weeks we will explore encounters with the risen Christ. PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES) Our hope is in God, so we pray. When I lift my hand please respond, We pray to you, God of hope. Forgive the sins of all who call on the name of Jesus. (Lift a hand for the response.) In sincerity and truth we give thanks for Christ sacrificed and raised. (Lift a hand for the response.) Comfort people who are overcoming loss that they may find hope. (Lift a hand for the response.) Invite the members to contribute intercessions. Conclude: We praise you almighty God who brings life out of death. Hear the prayers we offer 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 - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, 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. OPTION FOR NEOPHYTES (10 MINUTES) Gather the neophytes in a circle. Pray the Apostles Creed together. Encourage each neophyte to respond to the question. Others may ask a clarifying question or affirm. After everyone responds to one question, move to the next. How did you feel during the Easter Vigil? What was most memorable for you? How do you feel about being baptized? confirmed? a sharer of the Body and Blood of Christ? 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 Ask the members briefly to tell about a memorable game or competition. (20 MINUTES) In some ways the gospel accounts are similar to your stories. Some of you chose different things to emphasize. The gospel stories are like that. Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene. The facts she told about the Resurrection differed from what the disciples said about the empty tomb. The gospel writers preserved accounts that many disciples told about Christ s Resurrection. EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD, YEAR B Acts of the Apostles 10:34a, 37-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 Mark 16:1-7 or John 20:1-9 Insight for the Catechist The tomb is empty. Christ is raised! The women hurried to the tomb as soon as legally possible. They did not take time to garner a man to help roll away the rock. Their distressing grief turned to shock as they were emotionally unprepared to find an empty tomb and a risen Savior. To verify this greatest of miracles, Jesus chooses the least likely candidates. The women were grief stricken and usually were not valid witnesses in the patriarchal culture of their time. The male disciples find it impossible to believe the fantastic story told by anguished women. Various gospel accounts reflect the confusion. Finally, the reality of the resurrection overrides grief. When called by name, Mary Magdalene is the first to recognize the risen Christ. The story of Peter and the other disciple at the tomb confirms Mary s word. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. 6
Distribute Bibles. Appoint groups of six, each with a director, to plan an enactment of the Easter story. Assign half of the groups Mark 16:1-10 and the others John 20:1-18. Allow time to prepare. Provide props and simple biblical costumes (optional). SHARING FAITH (10 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. Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity for children and adults together: 20 minutes, minimum) Sensory Nursery Books: Easter (Activity accommodated to the liturgical year, RCIA #75.1) Invite everyone to make sensory books for nursery-age children to tell the story of Jesus Resurrection. Explain if these will be given to the church nursery or the members will share them with young siblings, cousins, or neighbors. Refer to the illustration and show how to make the cover by tearing a tomb opening from the lower part of a dark piece of paper. On the inside, glue foil or light paper in the opening. Show how to draw letters and rays with glue, sprinkle with glitter, and shake off excess over a piece of paper and save. Explain how to write on and attach items to heavy paper on one side only. (Note: If the pages are not pre-punch, the members first need to mark a margin and punch holes for binding.) Display an assortment of sensory and bookmaking materials. Suggest they sprinkle spices and fragrant oil on sandpaper or sponge pieces or on cotton balls. Protect with a piece of plastic that the children can lift and sniff or feel. Adults help children make books that tell the Easter story. Explain that they print simple wording, create drawings or cut out pictures, and fasten tactile objects on appropriate pages. Inside the front cover they print a title and their names as author and illustrator. They bind the books by tying yarn through punched holes. Friends on the Way - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, Year B 7
CONVERSING ABOUT RESURRECTION STORIES What did Mary of Magdala, possibly along with other women, discover on the first day of the week after Jesus crucifixion? What have you discovered this Easter morning? With the whole group, conclude: The women discovered the empty tomb and ran to Peter and other disciples. They were the first people to recognize the fact of the Resurrection. CARRYING OUT THE WORD (5 MINUTES) SUMMING UP Distribute prayer cards to four readers to prepare. Invite everyone to stand around the prayer focal point. Encourage them to offer insights from this week s session. Show a liturgical calendar. Say: Easter is the Feast of Feasts. While we spent 40 days of Lent preparing for Easter, we now spend 50 days basking in the brilliance. The Resurrection begins a new age which we celebrate throughout the whole year. CLOSING PRAYER (With Neophytes: Say the Lord s Prayer.) Have prepared readers lead the following prayer adapted from Victimae paschali laudes. After each reader encourage the group to hand sign Amen. Alleluia. Christians, to the Paschal Victim, Offer thankful praises. Amen. Alleluia. Death and life have contended, And from the battle stupendous Christ now immortal reigns. Amen. Alleluia. Hear Mary Magdalene declaring What she saw wayfaring. Christ, our hope, is arisen And goes before to Galilee. Amen. Alleluia. New life obtaining; Victory ever reigning, Amen. Alleluia. Raise your hands in blessing over the group, and say: Go forth from this place and share resurrection joy. 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. Friends on the Way - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, Year B 8
Faith at Home Easter Sunday of the Lord s Resurrection, Year B Remember Sunday s Word Acts of the Apostles 10:34a, 37-43 Psalm 118:1, 2, 16-17, 22-23 Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 Mark 16:1-7 or John 20:1-9 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 Mark 16 in the center. Begin with a moment of quiet. REFLECTING ON ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 10:34A, 37-43 This speech, given by Saint Peter to Cornelius along with his friends and family, expresses the meaning of the paschal mystery. That is, Peter tells about Jesus life, mission, suffering, death, and resurrection. The church, open to all people of good faith, carries on the mission of Jesus. What are the key points in Peter s speech? REFLECTING ON COLOSSIANS 3:1-4 AND 1 CORINTHIANS 5:6B-8 Early believers had questions about how to maintain a Christian lifestyle when confronted by pagan culture, Greek philosophies, and cultic practices. Saint Paul wrote letters to the fledgling Christian churches to help clarify true Christian teachings. Members of churches in Corinth and Colossae, and in many other places as well, reaped the benefits of Paul s sage advice. What is Paul teaching the communities of early Christians? REFLECTING ON MARK 16:1-7 AND JOHN 20:1-9 The miraculous events of the Resurrection are not limited to one account. Many disciples experienced resurrected Christ, and their exciting stories passed through the communities of early Christians. During Easter liturgy one gospel account is proclaimed. Together read Mark 16:1-9 and John 20:1-18. What does each gospel writer emphasize? By Janet Miller. Illustrations by Jim Burrows. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.
Signs of Easter Learn hand signs to convey Easter messages. As a family practice the signs in various combinations to express your own messages. Jesus lives! Jesus - Touch right palm with left middle finger, then left palm with right middle finger. Lives - Hold hands above waist, index fingers pointing towards each other, thumbs up. Move hands up to chest level. Peace to friends everywhere. Peace - Hold both open hands together at left shoulder. In one motion, clap while reversing hands and move hands downward and out to lower chest level. (to) friends - Interlock right index finger over left index finger. Switch back and forth. everywhere - Hold left hand slightly above right in front of the body. In one motion bring hands together and pull apart at elbow level. Love one another. Love - At chest level, cross arms at wrist, palms facing body. one another - Make a fist with both hands, one thumb pointing up and one down. Move both hands counterclockwise with the down-pointing thumb circling the one pointing up. Alleluia! Amen. Alleluia! - Hold open hands together in front of chest. While moving hands outward and to shoulder level, close fingers and make small circle movement. Repeat. Amen. - While slightly bowing head, close left hand over right fist and move hands to chest. Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, Year B TeamRCIA.com