Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B Children s RCIA Resource 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. 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 Ezekiel 17:22-24 Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 Mark 4:26-34 Doctrine correlations The kingdom of God is the reign of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (CCC #2819). Silence as contemplative prayer speaks to us of silent love (CCC #2717). RCIA team notes The initiation journey includes steps marking the catechumen s progress which lead to periods of growth (RCIA #6 and #7). Perfection in faith grows gradually (RCIA #75.2). Plan to relate the parable of the seed to the faith development of the catechumens. 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 green cloth on table or counter space for prayer, percussion instrument Bibles, one set to Mark 4 mustard seeds in a glass bowl, candle in a heat-proof holder, matches napkins, toothpicks, container, dipping snacks, mustards in containers paper, crayons, copies of Faith at Home tiny lidded jars, permanent markers, blenders, brown sugar, salt, bowls of ingredients, measuring spoons, narrow spatulas, cleanup supplies Gathering Prayer Ritual Place a Bible, candle, and mustard seeds in a glass bowl 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 Bring napkins, toothpicks, and snacks (squares of lunch meat or pretzels), a variety of mustards in containers, and cups of water. Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week. Engaging the Word Bring drawing paper and crayons. Crossing the Ages Activity option: Mustard Seeds and Faith Three days ahead, prepare mustard batches according to the recipe. Contact sponsors to collect clean recycled tiny jars with lids, such as, mini-jelly jars. Bring permanent markers, blenders, brown sugar, salt, flavor ingredients in labeled bowls (honey, minced thyme, paprika, garlic and onion powder), measuring spoons, narrow spatulas, and cleanup supplies. Friends on the Way - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 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 put on nametags. For anyone new provide nametag materials. GATHERING PRAYER RITUAL Invite a catechumen to chime a percussion instrument as a call to prayer. All stand around the prayer focal point. Light the candle. Song suggestion: Rain Down or A Sign. Invite everyone when you lift a hand to respond, It is good to give thanks to God. Prayerfully say the following verses inspired by Psalm 92. ( ) Leader: It is good to give thanks and sing praise to your name, Most High. (response) The just one shall flourish like the palm tree and shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon. (response) They shall bear fruit into old age. Vigorous and sturdy, they declare justice. (response) Call to mind someone who is sick at home or in a hospital or convalescent facility. Use first names only or pray for those with a type of illness. Invite the catechumens to say first names or people with types of illness. Call for a moment of silence. Then, invite them to mention anyone who has died for whom they wish to pray. Call for another moment of silence. O God, who cares for everyone, send your Holy Spirit to strengthen all who suffer. May those who have died enjoy your heavenly banquet. We offer our prayer through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. All: Amen. Extinguish the candle flame. Friends on the Way - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, 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 Mustard Tasting: Invite the catechumens to a taste test. Offer napkins, toothpicks, dipping snacks, a variety of mustards, and cups of water. Remind them that there is no double-dipping so use a clean toothpick for each bite. Place a trashcan nearby. After everyone has tasted several mustards, conduct a survey. Holding up each mustard container, ask for a show of hands for those who liked it best. Tell briefly about making mustards. Whole mustard seeds are soaked and mixed with water and vinegar or finely ground to make creamy yellow mustard. Other seasonings are added. Show some mustard seeds. Say: For thousands of years, mustards have provided healing medicine and food flavoring. The people who followed Jesus understood his references to the mustard seed. The plants grew in fields where birds nested in the branches. People harvested the tiny seeds for making medicine and food. 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 understanding. Help the catechumens find Ezekiel 17:22-24. Explain: This is part of a poem written by the prophet Ezekiel. Jerusalem was conquered by Babylon which is represented by the high tree. The captured people who were carried away are the withered tree. Ezekiel uses poetic images to give the people hope of returning home. I wonder: What in this poem gives hope to captured people? Have the catechumens find 2 Corinthians 5:6-10. Mention: Saint Paul anxiously waited for eternal life in heaven, but he knew he had much teaching to do first. What are some teachings in this part of Saint Paul s letter? (Have courage; live by faith not by what we see in this world; aspire to please Jesus; do good which is rewarded.) Friends on the Way - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 4
Have the catechumens find Mark 4:26-34. Mention that these are two teachings by Jesus about God ruling among us. What represents the kingdom of God? I wonder: What might the message be about your own faith? The many types of birds represent people, so what is Jesus teaching about faith and different types of people? Affirm the members comments. Summarize: Plants that people see in daily life teach us about God. As water restores life to a withered tree, God enlivens us with holy teachings. Sometimes God works in the silence, like a seed sprouting under the surface of the soil. Like many different types of birds in the mustard s branches, many different types of people form the people of faith. PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES) We offer prayers that God s reign of goodness might be known throughout the world. When I lift my hand please respond, God who rules everywhere, hear our prayer. Give hope, O God, to people who are driven from their homes by acts of violence. (Lift a hand for the response.) Send us, and all believers, a spirit of courage to live by faith and not by what we see. (Lift a hand for the response.) In what we say and do, may your rule of justice and peace continue to grow. (Lift a hand for the response.) Invite the members to contribute intercessions. Conclude: O God, your rule is ever-broadening. As you care even for the birds that nest in the branches of trees, hear the prayers we have spoken and those we hold in our hearts. We offer our prayer through Christ Jesus, 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 - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, 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. 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, plain paper, and crayons. Have everyone silently read Mark 4:26-34. Have the catechumen fold the paper in half and open it flat. While explaining, help the members identify their own faith levels. Draw on the board and guide the members to draw using the following guide. 1. Using one section of the paper, draw a line to represent the ground. 2. Below the line, draw a seed in the ground. The seed rests day after day, night after night. This seed is like the faith God planted in you. You were born with the seed of faith within you. That faith rested in your heart, like the seed rests in ground. 3. Draw one sprouting blade coming from the seed and out of the ground. Maybe we hear someone talk about God or we hear a song about God or we read a Bible story. Before becoming catechumens we become aware of God, and the seed of faith sprouts. 4. Draw more leaves and outline a large grain ear. During the catechumenate faith grows like a grain ear grows on a stalk. 5. Draw many grains inside the ear. Faith develops and we are baptized into a community of many faithful people. 6. Draw many grains falling from the ear. Believers spread the seeds of faith like harvested grain. ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B Ezekiel 17:22-24 Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 Mark 4:26-34 Insight for the Catechist Jesus preached the reign of God. He yearned for the day when the Jewish people would accept totally God s gentle rule and used natural images to convey his vision. The seed, the word of God, rests silently in the nourishing soil of the heart. Over time the seed sprouts, and as the heart turns away from evil, the grain head develops. One small grain becomes the source for many others until the earth is filled with people wholeheartedly turning towards God s loving reign. Put another way, the rule of God is like a mustard seed. Unlike a cedar seed which needs special conditions to sprout and become a majestic tree, the mustard seed thrives in humble settings. It grows in the fields and along the byways. The seed turns into a healing plant that nourishes and is a home base for humble creatures. On the other half of the paper ask the members to draw a plant with many branches, leaves, and birds. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. 6
SHARING FAITH (10 MINUTES) As they finish drawing, form mixed-age groups of four to six members. CONVERSING ABOUT MARK 4:26-34 Ask the members to share their drawings in groups and talk about how the drawings represent the gospel messages. With the whole group, conclude: Jesus used stories about seeds to teach about faith and the kingdom of God. Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit are all signs that God s loving care reigns among us. 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. Mention: We remember that our faith is like a small seed that first rests inside us in silence. When we sit in silence and listen to God speak to us inside we call this contemplative prayer. CLOSING PRAYER Say: Let is sit silently for a few moments. Feel the love God has for us. Quietly thank God for planting the seed of faith in you. Recall how your faith rested within and then sprouted. After a few moments pray aloud: Go forth from this place for your faith to yield fruits of joy, peace, and righteous. 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 - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 7
Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity for children and adults together: 20 minutes) Mustard Seeds and Faith (Activity reflects growth in faith, RCIA #75.2) Show the soaked mustard seeds. Explain: The mustard we eat is made from this type of seed. Often seeds are ground into a powder to make processed yellow mustard. These seeds have been soaking in a special solution so that we can blend them. Today you will make mustard as a reminder that faith is like a mustard seed. It will have a natural, seedy texture like the mustard Jesus might have eaten. Invite everyone to decorate faith designs and words on containers for their mustard. Offer tiny lidded glass jars and permanent markers. Explain that they should avoid touching the permanent marker design until it dries. Mustard Recipe (for six ¼ cup containers) Mix the following in a glass bowl. 6 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds 2 tablespoons brown mustard seeds 2/3 c. white wine or cider vinegar 1/3 c. cup water 3 teaspoons minced fresh thyme 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary Cover. Soak for 2-3 days at room temperature. Assign groups of six. They add 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1 teaspoon salt per batch of soaked mustard seeds. Adults blend the mixture, which will be coarse, and use narrow spatulas to divide each batch into the members prepared jars. Each member may choose to stir in a teaspoon of one or two flavorful ingredients, such as, honey, minced thyme, paprika, garlic or onion powder. Everyone helps cleanup. Ask them to keep their mustard refrigerated and use within two weeks. Remind them to imagine their faith growing from the size of a mustard seed when they eat their mustard. Friends on the Way - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 8
Faith at Home Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B Remember Sunday s Word Ezekiel 17:22-24 Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 Mark 4:26-34 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 4 in the center. Begin with a moment of quiet. REFLECTING ON EZEKIEL 17:22-24 While in exile in Babylon, the prophet Ezekiel writes a poem about the captured people being restored to their homeland in Judah. Mighty Babylon will be brought down and withered Israel will bloom again. People from every nation will be welcome. In spite of desperate times, the people can hope for a future when, reestablished in Israel, they will be a blessing for the world. What image would our family choose to give hope to someone who is suffering? Together, take a walk outdoors. Point out things that are signs of hope, such as a blooming flower or one person helping another. Afterward, enjoy a refreshing beverage and recall the hopeful sights. REFLECTING ON 2 CORINTHIANS 5:6-10 Saint Paul sees eternal life in heaven as our true home and our sojourn on earth is a home away from home. Our futures depend on faith and not on what we can see. A life of faith requires courage, but Paul is assured of a judgment day when everything will be made right. Our eternal home is with Christ. What types of things do we see that could lead us away from faith? What types of things lead us into deeper faith? Each family member draws two pictures, one of the family s earthly home and one of God s heavenly home of eternal life. Share your drawings with one another. REFLECTING ON MARK 4:26-34 Jesus announced that the reign of God is at hand and supported this astonishing teaching with miracles. He called disciples and invited them to follow, but he was rejected by the scribes and Pharisees. He used seed metaphors to explain how the word of God rests silently within our hearts and gradually develops. When the word becomes active in one believer, faith spreads to many until the earth is filled with faithful followers of God s gentle rule. What does each seed metaphor teach us about God and faith? By Janet Miller. Copyright 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.
Faith Growth Chart Cut out the Faith Growth Chart. Glue onto a piece of heavy cardboard. Family members choose different recycled buttons and place glue dots on the backs. Each person sticks a button on the illustration that represents their level of faith and tells why the illustration represents their faith at this time. Our faith grows The word of God rests within our hearts. We begin to act according to God s word. We join with other faith community members. The faith of many believers spreads around the world. The planted seed rests silently in the earth. The seed sprouts. The plant puts ears for grain. The full ear yields many grains. Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B TeamRCIA.com