Whoever eats this bread will live forever

Whoever eats this bread will live forever The Body and Blood of Christ, Year A During Mass we share in a sacred meal called the Eucharist, which means to give thanks. In the chalice, write down some things which we can be thankful for. In the bread, draw a picture of your family sharing a special meal. Can you work out which two of these pictures are the same? Write a prayer of thanksgiving to God that you can say before every meal. Jn 6:51-58 Creative Ministry Resources 2005

Everyone had plenty to eat 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Jesus fed the crowd of more than 5,000 people because they were hungry and needed food. In each loaf write down something else that people need and are hungry for. Jesus asked his disciples to help feed the hungry people. Likewise, Jesus wants us to share what we have with people in need. Draw a picture of yourself sharing with others. Jesus managed to feed thousands of people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. Can you find two of the fish which are the same? LOAVES AND FISH How many words can you make from the letters in LOAVES AND FISH? Mt 14:13-21 Creative Ministry Resources 2005

Solutions 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Jesus managed to feed thousands of people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. Can you find two of the fish which are the same? Mt 14:13-21 Creative Ministry Resources 2005

I am the bread of life 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Jesus gives us many things Jesus had faith and trust in God, and he asks us to have faith and trust in him. Draw a picture of someone you love, who you have faith in and trust. He gives us bread to eat. Where do we eat his bread? He gave us his life. Where did he give us his life? He gives us love. How do we feel Jesus love in our lives? Can you make your way through the BREAD OF LIFE maze? Jn 6:48-51 Creative Ministry Resources 2006

Solutions 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Can you make your way through the BREAD OF LIFE maze? Jn 6:48-51 Creative Ministry Resources 2006

This is my body This is my blood The Body and Blood of Christ, Year B During Mass we share in a sacred meal called the Eucharist, which means to give thanks. In the chalice, write down some things which we can be thankful for. In the bread, draw a picture of your family sharing a special meal. Can you work out which two of these pictures are the same? Write a prayer of thanksgiving to God that you can say before every meal. Mk 14:12-16. 22-26 Creative Ministry Resources 2006

Solutions The Body and Blood of Christ, Year B Can you work out which two of these pictures are the same? Mk 14:12-16. 22-26 Creative Ministry Resources 2006

Jesus feeds us so we can feed others The Body and Blood of Christ, Year C WE CELEBRATE THIS SACRED MEAL Draw some of the things we do at mass. Jesus feeds us when we are hungry. Write in each loaf something that we, our friends, families or our world are hungry for. Peace In each fish write down a way that we can feed people as Jesus did. Lk 9:11b-17 Creative Ministry Resources 2004 www.liturgyhelp.com

Whoever eats this bread will live forever 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Use the words below to find out what Jesus said to his apostles. Those who _ my _ and drink my _ will have _ life, and I will _ them up on the last _. The special food and drink we have at Mass is Jesus flesh and blood. Draw a picture of the priest blessing the bread and wine at the altar. 1 eternal blood day bread eat raise Can you complete this crossword puzzle? It uses pictures as clues instead of words! 2 3 5 4 Jn 6:51-58 Creative Ministry Resources 2006

Solutions 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood will have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day. J B R E S U D I S A C D W I N E P A L T A R E S Jn 6:51-58 Creative Ministry Resources 2006

Receiving Communion Darren M. Henson, stl Eucharistic hymnody is intended for all to sing. It is not background music. The text make connections between receiving Eucharist and what it is doing for us. All of this leads up to the actual reception. As one body we process to the altar. We reverence the sacrament with a humble bow of the head. Our personal prayers of love and thanksgiving follow when all have received and sit in silence. Pope Benedict XVI has explained, Union with Christ is also union with all those to whom he gives himself.... Communion draws me out of myself towards him, and thus also towards unity with all Christians (Deus Caritas Est, 14). Preparing to be united with Christ and one another will help us in our identity as the body of Christ. As a small faith-sharing group reflected on Sunday liturgy, a question arose. How could they enrich receiving the Eucharist? Sometimes Holy Communion is moving or comforting. Other times it seems ordinary. While the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, even the most faithful Catholics experience periods when Communion does little to rouse the soul. Getting more out of Communion entails inner spiritual work and engaging the Catholic imagination. The document Happy Are Those Who Are Called to His Supper, prepared by the USCCB in November 2006, concerns reception of Holy Communion. The document stresses a double eucharistic unity: communion with the Risen Christ and with all believers. At Mass, we join our lives to Christ and participate in his saving sacrifice. As we receive his body and blood, we encounter the very presence of the Risen One. At the same time, Communion forges unity with one another. The bishops write, While we each personally receive Holy Communion, it is not a private devotion. Rather, the reception of Holy Communion is an integral part of our worship as a community of faith. Because we share communion with Christ we come into union with one another. Growing in an awareness of these mysteries of unity with Christ and one another takes preparation. Consider preparing throughout the week. This can be assisted through daily prayer, self-reflection, examinations of conscience, and healthy sacramental practices. Preparation during the liturgy itself is important. Actively listen to the Word of God and to the eucharistic prayer. Savoring the imagery in the Agnus Dei prepares us for receiving Communion. Questions for Reflection What does it mean to be in communion with the Risen Christ? For what do I hunger? Do I believe the Eucharist will feed that need? Home Activities Pray before all meals with the sense that all on the table are God s gifts. Dining expresses intimacy. When sharing a meal with others, even those in your family, know that invisible bonds of love are connecting you. Scripture Corner Luke 22:14 30 John 21:1 14 1 Corinthians 11:23 33 What do these tell us about the Lord s desire to share his life with us? Darren M. Henson, stl, is pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Emporia, Kansas. He serves as adjunct faculty at Loyola University Chicago and Benedictine College, teaching liturgy and sacraments. 2007 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org. Art by Luba Lukova. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Rite magazine, page 31, May/June 2007, www.ritemagazine.org. This page may be reproduced for personal or parish use. The copyright notice must appear with the text. It also may be downloaded at www.ritemagazine.org.