Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Year B 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 Exodus 4:3-8 Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18 Hebrews 9:11-15 Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 Doctrine correlations Jesus chose the time of Passover to give disciples his Body and Blood (CCC #1339). The bread and wine by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit become Christ s Body and Blood (CCC #1333). RCIA team notes Catechumens kindly should be dismissed before the liturgy of the Eucharist to await their baptism which will join them to God s priestly people and empower them to participate in Christ s new worship (RCIA #75.3). Help catechumens realize that through dismissal they are preparing to worship more fully. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, 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 white cloth on table or counter space for prayer, percussion instrument Bibles, one set to Mark 14, prayer cards crucifix, covered glass pitcher of grape juice, cups, candle in a heatproof holder, matches large paper, removable putty, wrapped candies Sharing Faith questions, copies of Faith at Home large paper, markers, poster mounting supplies cups, jewelry pieces, disposable trays, craft gems, fast-set glue, permanent markers, paint and cleanup supplies, recycled newspaper cups Gathering Prayer Ritual Place a Bible, candle, crucifix, glass pitcher of grape juice on a white cloth. Print prayer lines on numbered cards to give to readers. Singing option Use music from your faith community resources. The suggestion is a guide available in Gather Comprehensive and Give Your Gifts, Melody Book, from GIA Publications, Inc. Bring songbooks and music in a player. Building Community Using different colors, label large sheets of paper with names of occasions (birthday, Christmas, Independence Day, wedding, local ethnic celebrations). Allowing space to gather, display the sheets. Bring wrapped candies in the label colors. Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week. Engaging the Word Bring large sheets of paper, markers, and poster mounting supplies. Sharing Faith groups Put the Scripture citation with the questions on cards for group leaders. Crossing the Ages Activity option: Blessing Cups Have sponsors contribute or obtain from thrift stores recycled plain light-color cups, with or without saucers, and broken jewelry pieces. Bring clean, recycled disposable trays, craft gems, fast-set glue, permanent markers, puff paints or acrylic paints with brushes, and cleanup supplies. Protect tables with recycled newspaper. Friends on the Way - Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year B 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 sign in and put on nametags. For anyone new provide nametag materials. Distribute prayer cards for 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. Say: We reflect on God s word to prepare to participate in the liturgy of the Eucharist. Today we reflect on sharing in Jesus life, body and blood. We give thanks for our own daily food. Please respond, God who provides, we give you thanks. Readers lead using prepared cards: For farmers and laborers who work in the sun to grow and harvest our food. (response) For people who work in food plants and truck drivers who deliver our food. (response) For all who work in grocery stores and farmers markets. (response) For family members who earn the salaries that pay for our food. (response) For those who work in kitchens and prepare our meals. (response) For our daily bread and all the foods we have to eat. (response) Let us pray for those who are hungry by responding, God who provides, please send aid. For people who live in areas of famine. (response) For countries torn apart by war. (response) For people who have lost their jobs. (response) For those who are homeless and depend on food kitchens. (response) For those who are ill and cannot eat. (response) God who cares for everyone, you give us a bountiful world. Send your Holy Spirit to inspire us and governmental leaders to assure that all your people will be fed. Thank you for life in Jesus Christ, one God for ever and ever. All: Amen. Invite everyone when you lift a hand to respond The cup of salvation I will take up. Prayerfully say the following verses inspired by Psalm 116. How can I make a return to God for all the good done for me. (response) I will take up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. (response) To you I offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. I take my vows in the presence of God s people. (response) Song Suggestion: For Living, For Dying. Extinguish the candle flame. Friends on the Way - Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year B 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 Celebration Rituals: Randomly distribute candies, an even amount of each color, one to each person. Ask catechumens to gather by the title of the color. Offer dark markers for recorders to write as the groups brainstorm ways people celebrate the occasion. After a few minutes, have groups report. Point out common ways of celebrating. Say: Celebrations include a gathering of family or friends. Someone prepares special foods to share. Sometimes there are traditional songs or activities. This week we hear about ways Jewish people celebrated and how Jesus celebrated with the disciples. 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, offering comments to add to their understanding. Help the catechumens find Exodus 24:3-8. Explain: What things did Moses people do to celebrate? Why did they sprinkle blood? In biblical times, blood represented the life that God gives all living beings. People sprinkled the blood of animals in a ritual to show importance. An agreement sealed with blood is called a covenant. Have the catechumens find Hebrews 9:11-15. (Note: Refer to the Insight for Catechist about Jesus as the High Priest and blood sacrifices. Discuss on the children s level.) Why did Jesus end sacrifices that used the blood of innocent animals? How is the new covenant of Jesus special? Have the catechumens find Mark 14:12-16, 22-26. Explain: In biblical times, the Jewish people gathered with family each year to celebrate Passover. They shared a specially prepared meal and gave thanks to God. When Jesus gathered with his friends to celebrate, he showed that all his followers are one family. When he blessed the cup and bread he gave his disciples a new way to share his very life. Friends on the Way - Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year B 4
I wonder: What did the disciples think when Jesus said this blessing about himself? I wonder: How do you feel about sharing in Jesus life and preparing to participate in holy Communion? Affirm the members comments. Summarize: A covenant, based on mutual love, is an agreement to live by a promised commitment. By pouring blood, biblical people show that following the covenant is as important as life. Jesus blood spilled out on the cross seals a new and everlasting covenant with the promise of everlasting forgiveness. PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES) With Jesus, our High Priest, we offer prayers. When I lift my hand please respond, Loving God, hear our prayer. Almighty and living God, help us do everything according to your word. (Lift a hand for the response.) Thank you for eternal forgiveness achieved through the blood of Jesus Christ. (Lift a hand for the response.) Be with catechumens everywhere as we prepare for eucharistic participation. (Lift a hand for the response.) Invite the members to contribute intercessions. Then conclude: Living God of the covenant, we ask for all things according to your will. Hear our prayers that we offer through Christ Jesus, our High Priest, who gave himself so that we might share in his 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 - Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year B 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. Have those arriving check in and put on nametags. 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. 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. Form groups of six. Have everyone find Mark 14. Assign verses: 12, 13-14, 15-16, 22, 23, 24-25, 26. Combine verses or repeat as needed. Give each group a large sheet of paper and markers. Ask them to draw representations of the verses and prepare a brief presentation. Explain they have seven minutes. Have the groups present their posters. If possible, display them around the room. SHARING FAITH (10 MINUTES) Form groups of four to six mixed-age groups 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. CONVERSING ABOUT MARK 14:12-16, 22-26 Why did Jesus give his disciples bread blessed and broken as his own body? Why did Jesus offer his disciples the cup to drink as his blood? Why do followers of Jesus share Communion bread and wine? What are other ways followers of Jesus share? SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST, YEAR B Exodus 4:3-8 Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18 Hebrews 9:11-15 Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 Insight for the Catechist When God gives the people the words and ordinances, the covenant is made. Moses presides in a solemn ceremony as the Israelites express their agreement. The pouring of blood symbolizes that the covenant is a life and death matter. The writer of Hebrews presented Jesus as the High Priest. By shedding his blood, Jesus became a sin offering and entered the heavenly sanctuary. Christ, both priest and victim, achieved everlasting redemption rendered effective by the Spirit of God. In establishing the Eucharist, Jesus alludes to covenantal sacrifice but offers the cup to drink instead of a sprinkling. While the command to drink blood is shocking for Jewish people, Jesus death initiates a new way of being in relationship with God. The eucharistic meal looks back on the night Jesus was betrayed while also looking forward to the time he will come again. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Photo by Rob Ellis, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0. 6
With the whole group, summarize: During Passover, Jesus gave his disciples his Body and Blood in the form of bread and wine. CARRYING OUT THE WORD (5 MINUTES) SUMMING UP Invite everyone to bring a chair and sit around the prayer focal point. Encourage them to offer insights from this week s session. Conclude: Catechumens prepare to participate in eucharistic celebration. The bread and wine, by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ s Body and Blood, which we share. Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity for children and adults together: 20 minutes) Blessing Cup (activity to practice love of neighbor, RCIA #75.1) Explain: This week you will decorate a blessing cup. This cup will not be used to drink beverages. You will place it in a prayer area, such as, near a Bible or on your table. It will remind you to offer prayers of blessing for people with special needs. The children each choose a cup (and matching saucer) and then the adults choose. They place the cup on a tray and work on a protected surface. Offer craft materials for everyone to decorate and paint blessing words. Remind them to be careful not to disturb damp glue or paint as they move the cup around. Then, they clean the brushes and their area. Call for everyone s attention. Say: Display your cups in a place where you pray at home as a reminder to ask blessings for people in need. When a special need arises, you can write the blessing on a piece of paper and let it sit in the cup as a continual prayer offering. Friends on the Way - Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year B 7
CLOSING PRAYER Talk about ways we can pour ourselves out for others, such as, giving our time to read to a young child or happily doing chores. Hold up the pitcher of juice. Say: Jesus poured out his life-saving blood for the eternal forgiveness of sins. As we pour out this drink, let us think of ways we can pour out ourselves for others. Distribute empty cups. Ask the members not to drink until directed and quietly reflect on ways they give themselves to someone else. When everyone has juice, invite those who wish to hold up the cup and say one way to pour themselves out for the sake of others. Begin by holding up your cup and saying something like: Jesus, I will try to be more like you and pour out myself for others. I will take a word puzzle book to my elderly neighbor who is a shut-in. After everyone who wishes prays aloud, invite all to drink. Then, solemnly gather the cups. Say: Help us to be ever-mindful of your words, O God. Send your Holy Spirit to lead us in the way of righteousness as we seek to pour ourselves like Jesus, who lives and reigns as High Priest, for ever and ever. All: Amen. Raise your hands in blessing over the group. Say: Go forth from this place and remember to pour yourself out to help others. 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 - Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year B 8
Faith at Home Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year B 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 Mark 14 in the center. Begin with a moment of quiet. REFLECTING ON EXODUS 24:3-8 The ancient covenant was sealed with a blood worship ceremony. Through the sign of blood, the people promised to obey the words and ordinances of God. The pouring of blood symbolized that living by the covenant was a matter of life and death. What is a covenant? What signs might we as a family use to seal a covenantal agreement? Why does a covenant include peace offerings? Remember Sunday s Word Exodus 4:3-8 Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18 Hebrews 9:11-15 Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 Parents tell about marriage and the covenant they made. Parents might renew their vows at a family meal. (If parents are not in a committed relationship, talk about the difficulties in living by a covenant. Show the children that shared love shines through them and continue to live in peace with one another.) REFLECTING ON MARK 14:12-16, 22-26 The celebration of the Mass makes present the unique and all-powerful sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus blood is poured out in an unbloody way, and we add our prayers and offerings to Christ s. In sacramental worship, Jesus is fully and substantially present. Christ s presence does not depend on our attitude. In saying This is my Body; this is my Blood Jesus promises to be present always. What are our plans to celebrate when catechumens in our family participate in the sacrament of eucharist for the first time? Find out about organizations that help people in need of blood. American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Log on to redcross.org. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helps patients with blood cancers live better, longer lives. Log on to lls.org. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.
REFLECTING ON HEBREWS 9:11-15 In biblical times, the Temple was a place of bloody sacrifices as animals were offered to God for atonement and thanksgiving. Jesus offered the perfect and complete sacrifice on the cross for the sake of all humanity. Saint Paul points out, if the blood of animals can purify the body, how much more will the blood of Christ cleanse our eternal souls. From which dead works does Christ cleanse our consciences? Forming our conscience A person s conscience develops with experience. The teachings of Scripture and the church help form the conscience. It is honed by observing and talking to other Christians and by reading to gain knowledge and facts. Deep within us we develop intuitions about right and wrong. All these factors work together to form a Christian conscience. Consider an important moral issue, such as, the right for people to have good working conditions with a fair wage or the right to live in peace. Using the Conscience Formation Wheel, talk about the ways a conscience is formed regarding that issue. Conscience Formation Wheel What does my heart say? What is in the Scriptures? What do other Christians do? What knowledge and facts do I have? What is the Church teaching? Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year B TeamRCIA.com