Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C 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). Select the session options that fit your time frame. Children s RCIA Resource CATECHIST S NOTES NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY Sunday s readings 2 Kings 5:14-17 Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 2 Timothy 2:8-13 Luke 17:11-19 Doctrine correlations When we share in God s saving love, we understand that every need can become the object of petition (CCC #2633). Every event and need can become an offering of thanksgiving, so Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus in you (1 Thess 5:18, CCC #2638). RCIA team notes Catechumens learn to turn more readily to God in prayer (RCIA #75.2). Special needs Some children with cognitive processing differences might lead in making paper airplanes and may be recruited as assistants to help others during the Crossing the Ages activity. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2013, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved.
CATECHIST S NOTES GETTING READY FOR THE SESSION Items to prepare check-in sheet, nametag materials poster paper or white board, erasers, and erasable markers green cloth on table or counter for prayer, percussion instrument Bibles, one set to Luke 17, prayer cards paper prayer plane, candle in a heat-proof holder, matches biblical costumes and rags (optional) paper, pencils, copies of Faith at Home color paper, rulers, pencils Gathering Prayer Ritual Place a Bible, candle, and sample paper prayer plane on a green cloth. Singing option Use music from your faith community resources. The suggestion is a guide available in Gather Comprehensive and Give Your Gifts, Melody Book, GIA Publications, Inc. Bring songbooks and music in a player. Building Community Put bookmarkers in Bibles at Leviticus 13. Engaging the Word Bring biblical costumes and rags for lepers (optional). Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week. Sharing Faith groups In a Bible, place a bookmark at 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and give to a volunteer to prepare to proclaim. Bring paper and pencils. Crossing the Ages Activity option: Opportunity for Prayer Paper Planes Bring color paper, rulers, and pencils. Make a sample. Arrange space for flying planes. Friends on the Way - Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C 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 everyone 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 a candle. Introduce the prayer: During the Fall season, we celebrate that God gives us holy angels as our spiritual companions, guardians, and messengers. In prayer, we ask for heavenly assistance. Please prayerfully repeat the sentence after each reader. Reader 1: Reader 2: Reader 3: Reader 4: Reader 5: Saint Michael, secure justice for the needy. Saint Raphael, bring us your healing powers. Saint Gabriel, convey what God expects of us. All our guardian angels, protect us from evil. Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, intercede for us. Invite everyone, when you lift a hand. to respond, God reveals saving power. Prayerfully say the following verses inspired by Psalm 98. Sing a new song for God has done wondrous deeds. (response) God has made salvation known and revealed justice in the sight of the nations. (response) All the ends of the earth have seen salvation by our God; sing joyfully, all you lands, and break into song. (response) Song suggestion: You Are Mine. Extinguish the candle flame. Collect cards. Friends on the Way - Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C 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 How Jesus treated those who were sick: Assign partners. Help them look up Leviticus 13:45 and 14:3. Read the verses. Suggest they skim chapters 13 and 14 for information about people with serious skin diseases who were called leprous. After a few minutes ask and refer to the Bible to clarify: In biblical times, what happened to people with serious skin diseases? (must wear torn clothes and messed hair; live alone outside) If they were declared by a priest to be clean, what was then expected of them? (needed to pay to offer sacrifices) Jesus has great compassion for people with skin diseases. He knew they suffered from physical and emotional pain and were treated as outcasts. This week s Gospel account tells about an experience of Jesus with some people who were outcast lepers. 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 understandings. Help the catechumens find 2 Kings 5:14-17. Explain: Naaman was very ill with a disease, so the prophet Elisha, who was a man of God, told him to go bathe in the river Jordan seven times. He did this as a type of prayer ritual. After Naaman was cured, he asked for some of Israel s soil so that he could make a place to pray to the God of Israel. Which are some ways you could pray without just using words? (Possibly, walk around and notice things God created; do a good deed.) Have the catechumens find 2 Timothy 2:8-13. Mention: What message do you notice in this passage? Those seeking baptism are recognized as God s chosen. They may attain salvation in Christ Jesus together with eternal glory. Friends on the Way - Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C 4
Have the catechumens find Luke 17:11-19. Explain: In Jesus time, any people with diseases were thought to be contagious. They were called lepers and were forced to stay away from everyone else until the priests recognized that they were healed. Samaritans were outsiders who commonly were considered not to have faith. Considering what we read in the Book of Leviticus, why did Jesus send the lepers to the priests? (Possibly, only a priest could pronounce them cured; to offer thanksgiving sacrifices.) What do you notice in this story about Jesus and the cured lepers? Affirm the members comments. Summarize: There are several lessons in the week s Gospel story. Certainly, we need to give thanks to God for all of our blessings. We recognize the saving grace of faith. Also, we need to do as Jesus did and accept foreigners whose faith practices differ from ours. PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES) With gratefulness, we offer prayers. When I lift my hand, please respond, Healing God, hear our prayer. We ask that our medical researchers may be able to find cures for troublesome diseases. (Lift a hand for the response.) We thank you for calling catechumens here and throughout the world as your chosen that they may attain salvation and eternal glory. (Lift a hand for the response.) Send divine guidance so that people around the world with various religious practices recognize the saving faith of others. (Lift a hand for the response.) Invite the members to contribute intercessions. Conclude: God, who recognizes the faith of all people, we ask for all things according to your will. Hear our prayers that we offer, those spoken, and those held in our hearts, through Christ Jesus who died on the cross so that we might attain salvation and share in eternal 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 - Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C 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). Ask a volunteer to prepare to read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. 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. ENGAGING THE WORD (20 MINUTES) Distribute Bibles. Have everyone find Luke 17:11-19. Assign roles: Jesus, disciples with Jesus, Samaritan, and other lepers. Option: Provide biblical costumes, including rags for lepers. Allow a few minutes for preparation. Have the group enact the Gospel story. Settle everyone. Invite comments and ask: What did playing your role help you realize? Help the catechumens recall what they discovered in Leviticus 13 and 14 during the Building Community segment of the Dismissal Session. What might have the nine cured lepers been doing? (Clarify that Jesus knew that cured lepers were expected to offer expensive sacrifices in the temple, and in asking the question, he brought an awareness of the oppressive treatment of lepers.) Why did the Samaritan return to Jesus instead of going to the priests? (Clarify that the priests would not have welcomed the foreigner.) How did Jesus treat the foreigner who was condemned by others? What do we learn from this story about Jesus and the thankful foreigner? TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C 2 Kings 5:14-17 Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 2 Timothy 2:8-13 Luke 17:11-19 Insight for the Catechist Inclusivity is a common theme for the evangelist Saint Luke. Jesus recognizes the Samaritan outsider as having saving faith. People with skin diseases were required to shout warnings for others to stay at a distance. Nine who were healed did nothing wrong but did as Jesus directed. They went to the priests to be recognized as clean and restored to community worship. Since Samaritans had for generations worshipped at their own shrine in Shechem, they were not welcomed where Jews worshipped. The healed man, instead, praised God loudly and openly. When the Samaritan returned and gave thanks, Jesus used the opportunity to teach that those outside of Jewish society may have the greatest faith. Jesus is found among society s outcasts and despised foreigners whose faith traditions sometimes are directly opposed to local practices. Followers of Christ still, today, can learn from this message. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2013, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. 6
SHARING FAITH (10 MINUTES) Have a volunteer read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 from a Bible. Say: Christians find cause to give thanks in all circumstances. Even when we are asking for our needs, we give thanks for all the blessings God gives. Invite the members to write a prayer of thanksgiving for something that makes life good. Suggest they possibly include prayers of thanksgiving for the diversity of people within the faith community and our nation. Mention that anyone who wishes may express their prayer by creating a drawing. Distribute paper and pencils. As they finish, invite sharing. With the whole group conclude: Every event and need can become an offering of thanksgiving, so as the biblical letter states, Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus in you. CARRYING OUT THE WORD (5 MINUTES) SUMMING UP Invite everyone to gather around the prayer focal point. Encourage them to offer insights from this week s session. Say: When we share in God s saving love, we understand that in prayer we can ask for every need. When we pray for our own needs, we remember to pray also for the needs of others. We call this type of praying petition prayers. We can petition God for every possible need. CLOSING PRAYER Invite prayers of petition. Then, ask everyone to repeat each line of the following prayer adapted from the second letter to Timothy. If we die with Christ, we also shall live with Christ. (Repeat.) If we persevere, we also shall reign with Christ. (Repeat.) This saying is trustworthy. (Repeat.) Our faith is saving grace. (Repeat.) Go forth from this place trusting in God s promise of salvation. 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 - Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C 7
Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity for children and adults together: 20 minutes) Opportunity for Prayer Paper Planes (Turn readily to God in prayer, RCIA #75.2.) Mention: Scripture teaches us that every happening can be an opportunity for prayer. Even play and recreation times can become prayer experiences. Distribute 8½ x 11 color paper, pencils, and rulers. Give the following instructions. 1. On one side of the paper, write a prayer or draw a picture as a prayer. 2. Turn the paper over. Using the ruler as a measure and guide, draw a line down the center of the page ¼ from the edge. See A. 3. Fold the top right and left corners down and in to meet in the middle. See B. 4. Fold the angled edges in and down to meet in the middle again. See C. 5. Fold the plane in half along the middle line exposing the prayer, which will be on the outside of the plane. See D. 6. Fold each back wing edge down so the back top edges and bottom edge of the plane are parallel. See E. Slightly lift each wing to create wingspan. To fly the plane, hold the fold on the bottom edge and throw. Parents and sponsors assist children as needed. Some members may want to teach how to make other paper plane designs. As participants finish their planes, have an adult supervise. They move to an open area and practice flying their planes, pointing them away from other people. Mention that they can make other prayer planes at home and fly them as a way of offering their prayers. Friends on the Way - Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C 8
Faith at Home Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C Remember Sunday s Word 2 Kings 5:14-17 Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 2 Timothy 2:8-13 Luke 17:11-19 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 Luke 17 in the center. Begin with a moment of quiet. REFLECTING ON 2 KINGS 5:14-17 Since Naaman suffered from a skin aliment, the prophet Elisha instructed him to bathe in the river Jordan ritually, seven times. Becoming cured, Naaman recognized the healing power of God. Naaman asked for some of the soil of Israel on which to stand and worship the one true God. How does our faith compare to Naaman s? Where do we worship God? As a family, walk around your home, yard, and neighborhood. Notice things that are reminders of God s presence in the world. REFLECTING ON 2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13 Sometimes holding on to our faith may result in suffering during this life, but the word of God never can be put in chains. Choosing faith in Christ brings salvation. Christians who persevere and never deny Jesus will reign with Christ in eternal glory. In what situations do we each find it difficult to persevere in faith? Establish a weekly family time that is convenient for everyone to have a faith check-in. This might be one evening before bed or another convenient time. Sit around the Bible for the check-in. Take turns telling about any faith struggles or challenges, how you feel about living as a person of faith, or ahha moments when you experienced God in a special way. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2013, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.
REFLECTING ON LUKE 17:11-19 In Jesus time, people with painful, open sores were banished from society and feared to be contagious. Jesus, the friend of the outcast and outsider, welcomed people who were considered by the respectable community members to be unfit. The Samaritan openly praised God and gave thanks. Jesus acclaimed the faith of a foreigner whose ways of worship were not considered acceptable. When, if ever, have we looked down on a person from another country? What might we learn from other faith practices? How often and in what ways do we give thanks to God? Writing Thank-You Notes As a family, review thank-you note etiquette: A written thank you note is always acceptable. An oral thank-you is fine for small, unwrapped casual gifts. Avoid preprinted thank-you cards that are not personal. Show appreciation for every gift, even disappointing ones. Each thank-you should be written specifically for the gift or favor and giver. Practice a rough draft on scratch paper. Read it for clarity. Check spelling and grammar. Show an interest in the person, such as I hope you had a good trip home. Tell about the gift or favor, including why you like it or why it is special. Mention the gift in the closing part of the note. Write the note on clean, neat paper. Together as a family, talk about gifts received and favors done. Consider how sponsors and leaders in the parish community have helped family members. Write thank-you notes and mail or deliver them. Write thank-notes to God that can be read as prayers. Family members who cannot write might draw thank-you pictures. Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C TeamRCIA.com