Ninth 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 Deuteronomy 11:18, 26-28, 32 Psalm 31:2-4, 17, 25 Romans 3:21-25, 28 Matthew 7:21-27 Doctrine correlations The Law of the Gospel requires us to make a decisive choice between two ways and to put Christ s words into practice (CCC #1970). Prayer includes disposing one s heart to God s will, not just saying Lord, Lord (CCC #2611). RCIA team notes During the Rite of Election godparents and catechists give testimony along with children about their readiness (RCIA #278). If any children will be participating in this rite at the beginning of Lent, prepare with the children and their godparents. 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 Bibles, one set to Matthew 7:21 poster paper or white board, erasers, and erasable markers Sharing Faith questions and copies of Faith at Home green cloth to cover table or counter space for prayer smooth rocks candle in heat-proof container, matches large letters on recycled paper; dictionary old newspapers permanent markers, clear nail polish (optional) Singing option Use music from your faith community resources. The suggestion is a guide. Bring songbooks and music in a player. Building Community On the backs of recycled paper, using a dark marker, separately print the letters of the words as indicated in the session plan. For Engaging the Word option On seven slips of paper, write a separate Bible reference for this week s gospel, beginning with Matthew 7:21. For Sharing Faith groups Put the questions on cards for group leaders. Crossing the Ages Activity option: Gospel Rocks Collect smooth rocks, large enough to write Bible sayings. Make a sample. Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week. Friends on the Way - Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 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. Use the nametags from last session, or provide recycled cards, markers, and recycled lanyards or 3-foot pieces of yarn and staples. Invite new participants to make Ordinary Time nametags. Ask them to add a design or draw a symbol that in some way represents who they are. GATHERING PRAYER RITUAL All stand around the prayer focal point. Distribute the cloth, Bible, and rock to volunteers. Light the candle, and carefully hand it to someone. Ask the volunteers to do the actions as you say: We spread a green cloth to remind us of our liturgical season, Ordinary Time. We display a Bible, the symbol of God s word, and open it to the Gospel according to Matthew. We place a candle because Christ lights the way for all. We add a rock, a reminder to build our faith on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. Pause for a moment of silence. ( ) O God, in your wisdom you have called us to discover more about your divine ways. Bless our gathering here. Send your Holy Spirit to open our ears that we may hear more about you, open our minds and lips that we may share our thoughts about you, and open our hearts that we may love others as you love us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. All: Amen. Invite the members when you lift a hand to respond with, God, my rock, give me safety. Prayerfully say each of the following verses based on Psalm 31, and call for the response by lifting a hand: Hear me, O God. In your justice I take refuge. (response) My rock and my fortress, be my stronghold. (response) Let your face shine upon me. You are my hope. (response) Song Suggestion: Sing to the Glory of God from Give Your Gifts, Melody Book, GIA Publications, Inc. Extinguish the candle flame. Friends on the Way - Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 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 page from the previous session. BUILDING COMMUNITY Word Unscramble: Have sheets with individual letters for the words J-U-S-T-I-F-I-E-D, R-I-G-H-T- E-O-U-S-N-E-S-S, G-R-A-C-E, E-X-P-I-A-T-I-O-N, and F-A-I-T-H. Distribute the letters for one word. If needed, give some members two connecting letters. Challenge the members to spell a word by getting the letters in order, with everyone cooperating. Have one catechumen use a dictionary to look up the word. Together decide which definition might relate to a message for Christians. Repeat for each word, taking turns so that all who wish can participate. (Challenge option: Distribute all the letters. Have them refer to Romans 3:21-28 and figure out the words.) 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 reflection on the Faith at Home page. Now that we know some meanings of the words in Paul s letter to the Romans, let us take a look at it. Have everyone open Bibles to Romans 3:21-25, 28. What do you think Paul s message is? (Affirm responses.) Have everyone turn to the Book of the Deuteronomy, chapter 11. Point out verses 18, 26-28, 32 that comprise this week s reading. According to this reading, what is Moses saying about the importance of observing God s commandments? (Affirm responses.) Have the catechumens turn to Matthew 7:21-27. Who has built a sandcastle? What happened to it? What does building sand castles have to do with this gospel story? In this gospel account Jesus also talks about people who call on God s name but do not do God s will. What happens when we try to pray without reflecting on the words? (Affirm responses, such as, mind wanders, not thinking about God.) How do you feel about someone who calls on God but is being selfish? What are your thoughts or questions about this gospel reading? Friends on the Way - Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, A 4
Summarize the members comments and insights. Emphasize: The word of God speaks to us in many ways. Scripture stories have many meanings that inspire us to do what is right and good. We each may notice something different. Our sharing helps us to learn from one another. PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES) Jesus teaches us to consider God s will when we pray. When I lift my hand please respond, O God, hear us; we pray to do your will. Thank you, God, for redemption in Christ. (Lift a hand for the response.) Help us, with all believers, to follow the way of your commandments. (Lift a hand for the response.) Let our actions be according to your word. (Lift a hand for the response.) Invite the members to contribute their own intercessions. Then conclude: God of righteousness, you call us to act according to your word. Hear the prayers we have spoken and those we hold in our hearts. Help us to be wise and to build our faith on a solid foundation. We pray in unity with the Holy Spirit and through Christ Jesus who shows us the way to you, Almighty Father, one God for ever and ever. All: Amen. Option: Break for a snack and social time. Friends on the Way - Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 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 does not take place immediately following the Dismissal Session, plan an additional ten minutes and begin with the Gathering and Connecting segments in the Dismissal Session. 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) Distribute Bibles. Have everyone open to Matthew 7:21-27. One at a time, have volunteers select a Bible reference slip. The volunteer briefly looks at the Bible and then acts out the verse without talking. The others guess the verse. Continue until all verses have been guessed. SHARING FAITH (15 MINUTES) Form groups of four to six mixed-age groups. (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. NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A Deuteronomy 11:18, 26-28, 32 Psalm 31:2-4, 17, 25 Romans 3:21-25, 28 Matthew 7:21-27 Insight for the Catechist According to the evangelist Matthew, just talking is not enough. We call on God, of course, but we need to take action too. The Jewish believers in Jesus were called to a righteousness perfected by the blood of Christ on the cross. Evidently, many charlatans were going about prophesying, driving out demons, and doing mighty deeds while calling on the name of Jesus. These soothsayers did not hold the word of God in their hearts but, possibly, acquired fame or wealth from their performances. Those who listen to false prophets build on a foundation of sand. Unless we commit to the mission of Jesus universal love and unselfish forgiveness, we will lack the necessary fortitude to withstand the buffeting that eventually comes. Those who follow Jesus build on a foundation of rock. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. Photo courtesy of David Gunter. All rights reserved. 6
CONVERSING ABOUT MATTHEW 7:21-27 What does the term God s will mean to you? In what ways are you making more choices according to God s will? What kinds of choices are difficult when it comes to putting Christ s teachings into practice? During what times is praying difficult? What types of prayer help you turn your heart towards God will? Invite each person to comment on something they discovered during this week. Encourage affirming comments, not discussion. Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity: 20 minutes) Gospel Rocks (Instruct with the spirit of the Gospel, RCIA #16) Display an assortment of smooth rocks on a table. Invite each member to select a rock. Protect the tables with recycled newspaper. (Option: Have them coat one surface of the rocks with clear nail polish.) Provide Bibles and permanent markers. Ask them to open to the Gospel according to Matthew and select a verse that has personal meaning. When the rock s polished surface is dry, they neatly print the verse using permanent marker. Ask them to place the rock in a special place at home as a reminder to keep their faith on a solid foundation. Friends on the Way - Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, A 7
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. Then conclude with the following: When we reflect on Scripture, some of our questions are answered while other questions continue to come to us. The Bible is a great source of inspiration on our spiritual journey. This week we reflect on being serious when we call on God s name. We follow up on good intentions and build our faith on a solid foundation. CLOSING PRAYER If the members wrote gospel verses on rocks (see Crossing the Ages Activity), as the closing prayer, invite everyone to take turns reading them, concluding with the blessing. If they do not have personal rocks, do the following: Invite each person to repeat the following prayer or to say one of their own. Pick up the rock from the prayer cloth, hold it up, and say: God, who has graced us with faith, help us to build on a solid foundation. Pass the rock to the next person who holds it up and prays. They continue passing the rock and offering prayers around the circle. Set the rock on the prayer cloth. Raise your hands in blessing over the group, and say: Go forth from this place firmly holding the words of God in your heart and soul. And may the Lord 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 - Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, A 8
Faith at Home Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Remember Sunday s Word Deuteronomy 11:18, 26-28, 32 Psalm 31:2-4, 17, 25 Romans 3:21-25, 28 Matthew 7:21-27 At a convenient time for the family, gather around the dining table or in the living room. Place a Bible opened to Matthew 7 in the center. Silence all electronics. Begin with a moment of quiet. REFLECTING ON DEUTERONOMY 11:18, 26-28, 32 The ancient Israelites took God s commandments very seriously. Faithful believers wrote down significant teachings and secured them in bands around their arms and heads. They wrote God s commandments on their doorposts. What items in our home reflect our faith? How does each family member feel about wearing religious jewelry or clothing with a religious message? REFLECTING ON ROMANS 3:21-25, 28 Paul certainly had his share of problems when attempting to carry Christ s mission throughout the Roman Empire. He was upsetting the established order that was held together through strict obedience to the Law. Christians preached about the blood of Christ as the effective sign of God s justice with redemptive grace offered universally through faith in Jesus Christ. Many followers of the mosaic Law did not appreciate Christ s new message of love and forgiveness. How does it feel to know that, even though we sin, we are redeemed through the blood of Christ? What does the word grace mean to each family member? By Janet Miller. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. Photo courtesy of Mary Bren. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.
REFLECTING ON MATTHEW 7:21-27 The Sermon on the Mountain, which concludes with this section, demands a commitment. Talking the talk is not enough. We need to realize that the ways of the world differ from Gospel values. As followers of Christ we love our enemies and do good in the face of persecution. We seek justice without thoughts of revenge. Only then will our faith be on a solid foundation. In what ways is our family turning away from the values of the world and more towards the values taught by Christ? What types of substance would family members use to describe their faith foundations? How can you help one another build a more sturdy faith? BUILDING SOLID FAITH AT HOME Pull out some building toys and spend family time building structures together. Experiment with various foundations. See how a solid foundation enables the structure to stand against buffets. Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, A TeamRCIA.com