Twenty-Sixth 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. 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 Ezekiel 18:25-28 Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 Philippians 2:1-11 Matthew 21:28-32 Doctrine correlations True freedom is found in the service of doing what is good and just, while the choice to do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to sin (CCC #1733). In liturgy, the Church celebrates the memory of certain angels (CCC #336). Guardian angels are assigned to protect us and intercede for us (CCC glossary). RCIA team notes Children who have been in the precatechumenate may be ready for a rite of acceptance. The period of the catechumenate should extend for at least one year of formation. Ordinarily their instruction will go from at least Easter of one year until the next (United States National Statutes for the Catechumenate, #6). 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 21:28 angel statuette, candle in a heat-proof holder, matches slips of scratch paper, pencils, basket, timer assorted props (optional) Sharing Faith questions, copies of Faith at Home rulers, pencils, craft foam, foam letters or puff paint, recycled mirrors and file folders, scissors, craft glue, recycled box lids, and picture mounts (optional) Gathering Prayer Ritual Set a prayer focal point by placing a Bible, angel statuette, and candle on a green cloth. Print the lines of the angel prayer on separate cards, and plan to collect them for the next session. Singing option Use music from your faith community resources. The suggestion is a guide. Bring songbooks and music in a player. Building Community Using posting notes, label the location of any furniture that will be moved. Cut scratch paper into strips. Have a timer, pencils, and a basket. Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week. Engaging the Word Plan to suggest scenarios relevant to the group s experiences. Option: Gather assorted props. Sharing Faith groups Put the Scripture citation with the questions on cards for group leaders. Crossing the Ages Activity option: See Yourself Cross Obtain craft foam in various colors, foam letters or puff paint, recycled round or rectangle cosmetic mirrors, four inches or smaller, recycled file folders, scissors, craft glue, and recycled box lids. Prepare a sample craft. Friends on the Way - Twenty-Sixth 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 make creation nametags. For anyone new, provide nametag materials. GATHERING PRAYER RITUAL Chime a percussion instrument as a call to prayer. All stand around the prayer focal point. Introduce the prayer: During this time of the year, we celebrate that God gives us holy angels as our spiritual companions, guardians, and messengers. Guardian angels protect us and intercede for us. In prayer, we ask for the help of angels and other saints. (+) Light the candle. Saint Michael, secure justice for the needy. Saint Rafael, bring us your healing powers. Saint Gabriel, convey what God expects of us. All our guardian angels, protect us from evil. Mother Mary, Queen of all the Angels, intercede for us. Invite everyone when you lift a hand to respond, Teach us your way, O God. Prayerfully say the following verses inspired by Psalm 25, calling for the response by lifting a hand. Make known your ways to me, O God. Guide me along your path. (response) Teach me your truth, for you are God, my savior. (response) Good and upright, God teaches justice and shows sinners the way. (response) Song Suggestion: The Summons from Give Your Gifts, Melody Book, GIA Publications, Inc. Extinguish the candle flame. Friends on the Way - Twenty-Sixth 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 What is your opinion? Distribute paper strips and pencils. Ask everyone to write the title of a book, movie, or song. They do not write their names. Collect the slips in a basket. Have them form their chairs into two circles so that each person is facing a partner. Select responses from the slips that are appropriate for a Christian group. Explain that you will read several slips. Each time, the partners have a minute to exchange opinions. Using the first slip say: Someone likes the movie,. What is your opinion? Time one minute, then everyone moves one chair to the left. Repeat several times. Say: In this week s gospel story, Jesus asks the chief priests and elders, What is your opinion? He uses their response to deliver a message. 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. Help everyone find Ezekiel 18:25-28. Explain: The prophet Ezekiel teaches about personal responsibility. The people readily blame God when things seem unfair. They are unwilling to examine their own ways of acting that truly are not fair. What do you notice in this reading? What kinds of things and ways of acting are life-giving? God s ways are not our ways. Although sometimes people think God should do things differently, the divine plan is greater than we can understand. We contribute to God s righteousness when do what is just. Have the catechumens find Philippians 2:1-11. Explain: Saint Paul traveled to various countries, proclaimed the Gospel, and established Christian communities. Then, he wrote letters to encourage the new Christians. This letter to the Philippians has two parts. One section is for encouragement, and the next is a hymn about Jesus. In the first five verses, what is Saint Paul encouraging the Philippians to do? What does the hymn tell us about Jesus? Friends on the Way - Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 4
Have everyone find Matthew 21:28-32. Briefly introduce the reading: In Jesus time, tax collectors and prostitutes were considered the lowest members of society because they did not follow the Law of Moses. These sinners changed when they heard John the Baptist preach. The chief priests and elders held positions of power but did nothing to help others. What kinds of things do children say they will do but sometimes neglect? What kinds of good things do children complain about doing? What do you notice in this parable? Affirm the members comments. Conclude: The Scriptures teach us to turn away from sin and do what is right. In Christ we find encouragement to make good choices. PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES) God shows us the way and hears our prayers. When I lift my hand, please respond, God who is always fair, hear our prayer. Lead us and all believers in ways that are right and just. (Lift a hand for the response.) Send your Spirit for all who need encouragement. (Lift a hand for the response.) Help your faithful to turn away from selfishness. (Lift a hand for the response.) Invite the members to contribute intercessions. Conclude: O God, we seek to turn away from wrongfulness. Hear the prayers we have spoken and those we hold in our hearts. 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 - Twenty-Sixth 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. Ask someone to prepare to proclaim Matthew 21:28-32. 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) Have the prepared reader proclaim Matthew 21:28-32. Assign small groups with recycled scratch paper and pencils. Using the gospel reading as the basic story-line, ask them to develop parables with modern settings. Explain they might include any adult, a parent, grandparent, teacher, or coach. Print the following guide on the board for them to use while creating the parables. They may act the parables or tell them in story form. (Option: Offer assorted props.) 1. Who spoke to the children in the parable? 2. What were the children asked to do? 3. What did one child say and do? 4. What did the other child say and do? Call the attention of everyone. Have the groups enact or tell their parables. Affirm all efforts. SHARING FAITH (15 MINUTES) Form groups of four to six mixed-age participants 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. TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A Ezekiel 18:25-28 Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 Philippians 2:1-11 Matthew 21:28-32 Insight for the Catechist Saint Matthew tells about Jesus responding to the challenge of the chief priests and elders who strictly followed the Law. They said, Yes to rules and regulations but failed to show God s mercy and compassion. Jesus acclaimed the followers of John the Baptist who had neglected the requirements of Mosaic Law but turned away from sin when they heard John the Baptist s message. Tax collectors, prostitutes, and others were like the son who at first said, No. Upon hearing John the Baptist, they reformed their lives. The religious authorities were like the son who gave lip service. When hearing John preach, they claimed to do God s will but did nothing to reform their ways. With pious attitudes, they looked down on the needy and did nothing to help them. The disrespectful child may turn out to be the one who is most caring and generous. By Janet Miller. Photo from Inka-Store.com. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. 6
CONVERSING ABOUT MATTHEW 21:28-32 What does the parable about the brothers teach? I wonder, why does God give us the freedom to choose our actions? I wonder, what kinds of good things do you say and do? With the whole group conclude: God gives us the freedom to choose to do what is good. While sometimes people claim to want to do what is right, they abuse their freedom. Choosing to do something evil ends in sin. Even if we tell a friend that we will do something we know is wrong, we can always change our minds. It is good and courageous to back out of a bad situation. 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: Sometimes we say we are going to do what is good but find it difficult to follow through. Other times, we might hesitate because we do not want to do what is right. It might be a matter of telling the truth or being helpful. Later, we realize we must do the right thing. It is never too late to change and do what is right. CLOSING PRAYER Over the upcoming weeks, lead the Guardian Angel prayer. Say each line, and have the children repeat it until everyone can pray it together. Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God s love entrusts me here, ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. Go forth from this place to do what is good. 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-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 7
Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity for children and adults together: 20 minutes) See Yourself Cross (Social Justice, Reuse and Recycle Activity; Turn to God in Prayer, RCIA, #75.2, #75.4) Mention: The gospel message calls us to take a close look at ourselves to determine if we are doing what God truly wants or only giving God lip-service. Each of you can make a framed mirror to use for prayer. When you look in the mirror, ask, Do my deeds reflect my words? Adults assist children, guiding them in making the framed mirror: 1. Take a 9 x 12 sheet of craft foam. Using a ruler, pencil, and scissors, cut a 2 x 3 section from each top corner and a 2 x 4 section from each bottom corner to create a 9 x 12 cross with 5 wide beams. Save the scraps. 2. Slit the center, and cut out an opening, ¼- inch smaller than the mirror all around. 3. From a used file folder, cut a cross-shaped backing, ¼-inch smaller than the cross all around. 4. Center the mirror on the backing. Check that the opening in the center of the foam cross rests on the mirror. 5. Use craft glue to secure the mirror to the backing. Glue around the mirror edge and secure the mirror to the opening on the foam so you can see the mirror through the hole. Gently lift the side edges of the backing, and glue between the foam and backing to seal all edges. 6. Glue foam letters, or with puff paint create a faith message on the cross frame. 7. Trade colors of foam scraps, and cut out items that represent you, such as a basketball, heart, praying hands, or music notes. Glue these around the border. 8. On the top back of the mirror, attach a picture mount if desired. Place in recycled box lids to dry and carry home. Friends on the Way - Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 8
Faith at Home Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A Remember Sunday s Word Ezekiel 18:25-28 Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 Philippians 2:1-11 Matthew 21:28-32 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 21 in the center. Begin with a moment of quiet. REFLECTING ON EZEKIEL 18:25-28 God s ways are not our ways. We want to claim, No fair! when things do not go as we wish, but God has a greater and higher plan than we can comprehend. Ultimately, there will be unpleasant consequences when someone turns away from virtue. Conversely, those who turn from wickedness will experience life-giving peace. When have we cried, No fair! when something did not go according to our plan? When has one of us been unfair? What did we do or can we do to make matters right? REFLECTING ON PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11 Saint Paul writes to the Philippians from his cell where he has been imprisoned for spreading the Gospel. He implores these fledgling Christians to be united in the love of Christ by showing mercy and compassion. Paul shows his love by writing an ancient hymn. The song tells of Jesus, a human who was one with God but did not cling to this glory. He accepted the difficult conditions of human life and death and was raised up for his obedience to the divine plan. Saint Paul chose to show his love for Christ by singing this hymn. Which hymns express our love for Christ? Borrow a hymnal from the church library, or ask at the parish office. Spend family time one evening reading the words of hymns. Decide which hymns express the faith of the family. REFLECTING ON MATTHEW 21:28-32 This story told by Saint Matthew is critical of the chief priests and elders. They claimed that dedication to God meant strictly following the Law, but they rejected ways of mercy. In refusing to show compassion, they failed to do God s will. By Janet Miller. Photo courtesy of Carmella Fernando, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.
While claiming to be followers of Jesus, to what extent do we sometimes fail to do what Jesus would do? How often do we admit the error and change our ways? In what ways do we seek to make up when we say something wrong? Sometimes we make a promise but fail to follow through with it. Sometimes we gripe and complain when asked to do something, but we correct ourselves and do the task. It is important to be aware of our speech and to evaluate if our actions reflect what we say. We can avoid a family crisis by being aware of promises and by becoming more cooperative. Together as a family, take the following survey. Discuss why some actions more powerfully reflect what we say. Saying and Doing 1. I say I am a friend. What expresses friendship better? Together, go to a movie that I want to see. Help when my friend has extra work to do. 2. I say I am patriotic. Which is a better show of patriotism? Light fireworks on July 4 th. Vote during an election. 3. I say I love a person. Which way shows love better? Go for a walk together. Buy a card that says, I love you. 4. I say I have faith. Which shows faith more? Say, Lord, Lord! Join a peace and justice cause at church. 5. I claim to have mercy. What is the better way to show mercy? Tell you my feelings, and listen to you about your feelings too. Ignore that you hurt my feelings. 6. I say I am compassionate. Which shows more compassion? Read a poem about compassion. Write a letter to a government official about an injustice. Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A TeamRCIA.com