Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 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. Children s RCIA Resource CATECHIST S NOTES 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). Select the session options that fit your time frame. NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY Sunday s readings Wisdom 6:12-16 Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 Doctrine correlations Guard the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom, that is received (CCC #1303). Children, through the strength of the Holy Spirit, can achieve spiritual maturity (CCC #1308). RCIA team notes Leaders of children groups need to take certain precautions. Parents are not always nearby if a health problem occurs with a child, such as a sudden asthma attack or allergic reaction. Assure that a file with emergency contact information and special health needs for each child is kept with the basic supplies. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved.
CATECHIST S NOTES GETTING READY FOR THE SESSION Items to prepare check-in sheet and nametag materials poster paper or white board, erasers, and erasable markers green cloth on table or counter space for prayer, percussion instrument Bibles, one set to Matthew 25 harvest foods, candle in a heat-proof holder, matches recycled scratch paper, pencils role play scenario cards, props (optional) copies of Faith at Home salt, water, and recycled paper with shallow pan and oven or lamp wicks, wide-mouth jars, clean sand, small jars with metal lids, oil, utility tool, recycled newspapers, acrylic paints with fine bushes and clean-up supplies or permanent markers Gathering Prayer Ritual Place a Bible on a green cloth. Add harvest foods and a candle or your sample oil lamp (below). Use cards from the previous session, or on separate numbered cards, print the lines of the Prayer of Thanksgiving. Plan to collect to reuse. Singing option Use music from your faith community resources. The suggestion is a guide. Bring songbooks and music in a player. Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week. Engaging the Word Put role play scenarios on cards. Bring props (optional). Crossing the Ages Activity option: Oil Lamps Call sponsors for wide-mouth jars and small jars with metal lids, clean sand, strained vegetable or lamp oil. Collect a utility tool, recycled newspapers, funnel, acrylic paints, and fine bushes with clean-up supplies or permanent markers. Make a sample. Cut recycled paper into 3x8-inch strips and ask an adult to lead as members arrive, or cut lamp wick into pieces. Set the materials and instructions on a table and have a shallow pan and oven available. Planning ahead For the Crossing the Ages activity option next session, arrange a time, place, and date for the show. Friends on the Way - Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 2
DISMISSAL SESSION GATHERING (15 MINUTES) Catechumens, having heard the Sunday proclamation of the 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. Distribute prayer cards to readers to prepare. GATHERING PRAYER RITUAL Chime a percussion instrument as a call to prayer. All stand around the prayer focal point. Light the candle. Song Suggestion: Sing to the Glory of God from Give Your Gifts, Melody Book, GIA Publications, Inc. Invite everyone when you lift a hand to respond, My soul thirsts for you, my God. Prayerfully say the following verses inspired by Psalm 63, calling for the response by lifting a hand. You are my God whom I seek. Like the parched earth, my soul thirsts for you. (response) I look for your power and glory. Your kindness is the greatest good. (response) I will bless you as long as I live. With lifted hands, I call on your name. (response) ( ) Have prepared readers use cards to pray the following Prayer of Thanksgiving. We thank you, O God, for all the saints you graced through the ages, for those who stood by Jesus at the cross, for those who risked their lives to pass on the faith, for souls who saw Truth and dared to tell it, for gentle hearts who brought peace to others, for all who loved on this earth and passed into the light of your glory. All: Amen. Extinguish the candle flame. Friends on the Way - Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 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 Wedding Preparations: Assign groups of four. Give each group a piece of recycled scratch paper and a pencil and assign a recorder. Say: Imagine that family friends have invited you to their wedding. Of course, you are delighted to be included. For a minute brainstorm a list of things you would do to get ready. After a minute, call everyone s attention. Ask one reporter to say its group s list. (Possibilities: RSVP, arrange for haircut, check condition of shoes.) Then, invite others to add to the list. We hear this week about some young women who are invited to a very special wedding celebration. Some of them got ready, but some did not. 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 catechumen responses adding comments to add to their understandings. Help everyone find Wisdom 6:12-16. What do you notice in this passage? How is holy Wisdom described? Have the catechumens find 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Explain: The first Christians were waiting for Christ to return and take them all into glory. They had concerns about eternal life because some loved ones had died. How does Saint Paul describe death? What are your thoughts about eternal life? Have everyone find Matthew 25:1-13. Saint Matthew also writes about Christ s return. Some people are not doing what they should to be ready for Jesus. This story warns everyone not to be foolish. The oil could represent taking responsibility. If someone who is not being wise demands Give me your wisdom, why is that not possible? What are some ways of acting as a wise and responsible Christian? Friends on the Way - Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 4
Affirm the members comments. Summarize: God constantly offers us wisdom. The wise person responds by accepting responsibilities. PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES) Let us take the responsibility to pray for ourselves and others. When I lift my hand, please respond, Spirit of Wisdom, hear our prayer. That we watch for wisdom and be among those whose thoughts are wise, we pray. (Lift a hand for the response.) For everyone grieving the loss of a loved one, we pray. (Lift a hand for the response.) May we be ready to meet Christ, we pray. (Lift a hand for the response.) Invite the members to contribute intercessions. Conclude: God, who is all Wisdom, you appear to us in many ways along our daily paths. Let us respond with wise thoughts and deeds. Hear our prayers. May your Holy Spirit guide us, united as one in Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns 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 - Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 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. Note: If the members will make wicks for the Crossing the Ages activity, as they arrive have a sponsor guide in making the wicks and during the session dry them in an oven. See the instructions. 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 (15 MINUTES) Explain that while listening to the parable, the members will make hand movements. When they hear foolish, they wag a finger. When they hear wise, they do a thumbs-up. When they hear went, they alternately slap their knees. Proclaim Matthew 25:1-13 pausing at foolish, wise, and went. Assign small groups of six members to role play modern versions of the parable. They use the following or make up their own. Allow a few minutes for preparation. (Option: Offer props.) 1. You and your brothers and sisters are told to do household chores while your parents go shopping. Some of you stick to your tasks, but others play on the gaming station. Now your parents are due home, and the slackers are crying, Help us! Help us! 2. You and some friends work all afternoon to complete a social studies study guide. Near suppertime some friends drop by saying, Give us the answers. We watched videos and did not realize how late it is. 3. Your family worked in the yard because green trash trucks will pickup yard trimmings the next day. The neighbor family went to the lake. Your family is just beginning to relax with a THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A Wisdom 6:12-16 Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 Insight for the Catechist Wisdom is an attribute of God personified as feminine in various parts of the Bible (see Proverbs 8 and 9 and Sirach 24). According to Scripture, the spirit of Wisdom sustains all human life and guides desirable actions. Matthew is concerned that Christ s delayed second coming is causing many followers to lose vigilance. He places Jesus message Be ready! in an allegorical story about being wise. Foolish ones believe they carry the lamp of Christ but fail to do actions to keep the fire of faith burning. Wise followers continue to fuel their faith with prayer and Christian actions. Saint Paul addresses a similar concern. The faithful begin to doubt Christ s Second Coming as they see church members die. Paul assures that the promise of eternal life is real, and those who appear to have died will rise again. By Janet Miller. Illustrations by Jim Burrows. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. 6
movie when the neighbors call and say, We do not want to miss the truck, so can your family help us trim our brushes and haul the piles to the curb? After the role playing ask for comments. Say: We have a Christian duty to help people who are poor, ill, or have special needs. When we take on responsibilities for people who have neglected them, we reinforce their foolishness. SHARING FAITH (15 MINUTES) Discuss in the whole group. CONVERSING ABOUT MATTHEW 25:1-13 Conclude: How do you feel when someone wants you to do their work? Why is accepting responsibility for your actions a wise thing to do? Even children can achieve spiritual maturity. You do not have to wait until an older age. You can seek Wisdom and respond to her call anytime. The Holy Spirit is beginning to strengthen you to act wisely. CARRYING OUT THE WORD (5 MINUTES) SUMMING UP Invite everyone to stand around the prayer focal point. Encourage them to offer insights from this week s session. Conclude: When you are confirmed, you will receive the spiritual seal of the spirit of wisdom. Guard what you receive. Be attentive to Wisdom s call. CLOSING PRAYER Invite everyone to repeat each line of the Serenity Prayer as follows: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Go forth from this place. Watch for the ways of wisdom. 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 - Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 7
Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity for children and adults together: 20 minutes) Oil Lamps (Social Justice Activity, RCIA #75.4) For each lamp, you need the following items, recycled if possible. salted recycled paper (see below) and oven availability or pieces of lamp wick recycled newspapers 1 quart wide-mouth jar 7/8 quart clean sand 1 small jar with metal lid (individual jelly or baby food jar) recycled, strained vegetable oil or lamp oil utility tool funnel, scissors acrylic paints and fine bushes with clean-up supplies or permanent markers To make wicks from recycled salted paper: 1. Place 3x8 inch strips of recycled paper in a shallow pan. 2. Dampen with water. 3. Sprinkle with salt. 4. Roll each strip into a long tube and twist tightly. 5. Dry on a tray in the oven at 200 degrees for at least 20 minutes. To make lamps: 1. Cover the area with recycled newspaper. 2. With acrylic paint or permanent marker, around the bottom edge of the quart jar, print CAUTION! ONLY USE WITH ADULT SUPERVISION. TO EXTINGUISH: SMOOTHER WITH A METAL LID. Decorate the outside of the quart jar with religious symbols or a Bible message. 3. Fill the quart jar almost to the top with clean sand. 4. Insert the small jar into the sand so that is inside the quart jar resting 1½ inches below the rim, just high enough for the flame to receive oxygen. 5. An adult places the metal lid on a stack of newspaper and slices a hole with the utility tool. Carefully feed the wick through the hole so ½ inch is above the surface. Trim the wick to fit into the small jar. 6. Use the funnel to fill the small jar with oil. 7. Screw the lid onto the small jar. Suggest they light the lamp with adult supervision during family time and pray for the spirit of wisdom to guide them. Friends on the Way - Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 8
Faith at Home Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A Remember Sunday s Word Wisdom 6:12-16 Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 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 Matthew 25 in the center. Begin with a moment of quiet. REFLECTING ON WISDOM 6:12-16 Wisdom does not hide, but in fact, actively seeks out people open to her ways. Her resplendent clothing signifies godliness. Wisdom calls to us as we go about our daily actions. Wisdom becomes available to all who seek her. To what extent are we each aware of holy Wisdom calling us? To what extent do we the consider wisdom when we make choices? Refer to the Bible passage. Take turns completing the sentence, Wisdom is. REFLECTING ON 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18 Some of the early Christians began to lose heart. Even though they were promised eternal life, many faithful to Christ did die. Paul explained this apparent death as a type of sleep and promised Christ would return and take all the faithful to be together for eternity. What concerns about death do we each have? To what extent is Jesus promise of eternal life helpful? By Janet Miller. Image by Diana Macalintal. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.
REFLECTING ON MATTHEW 25:1-13 During the time of Jesus, a groom would travel some distance to take his promised bride and celebrate the wedding banquet. The virgins held lamps to light the groom s way. The foolish ones were negligent, not too poor or too ill to buy oil. The story of the wise and foolish virgins challenges us to consider Christian responsibility. The lesson is that we are not to be enablers of irresponsibility. Those who neglect responsibilities suffer the consequences. When we view having the oil as a metaphor for acting responsibly, the wise person stores up Christian actions to eventually enjoy the eternal banquet. What are poor choices some children and adults make that have troublesome consequences? What is one wise decision we each have made? In our family, how do we assure that each person takes responsibility? Wisdom is calling In a Bible, find the Book of Proverbs, chapter 8. Discover what Scripture teaches about holy Wisdom. What does Wisdom do? Read Proverbs 8:1-4. What can Wisdom teach us? Read Proverbs 8:5-7. What kinds of decisions does Wisdom enable us to make? Read Proverbs 8:12-15. When we keep the ways of Wisdom, how will we feel? Read Proverbs 8:32-33. Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A TeamRCIA.com