Thirtieth 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. 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 22:20-26 Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10 Matthew 22:34-40 Doctrine correlations The Decalogue must be interpreted in light of the twofold, single commandment of love (CCC #2055). Communion with the saints, a devotion of charity, strengthens the union of the whole church in the Spirit, and as the saints companions we are joined to Christ who issues all grace (CCC #957). RCIA team notes Celebrations of the word of God are arranged for the benefit of the catechumens (RCIA #75.3). See the Crossing the Ages Activity to plan a prayer service, and include the entire RCIA team, adult catechumens, and members of the faith community (RCIA #9.2). 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 22:34 candle in a heat-proof holder, matches pictures of deceased loved ones recycled scratch paper, pencils Sharing Faith questions, copies of Faith at Home copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church prepared instruction cards, paper, pens, hymnals, saints books, invitation-making supplies Gathering Prayer Ritual Set a prayer focal point by placing a Bible and candle on a green cloth. Contact sponsors to have children bring pictures of deceased relatives. On separate cards numbered in order, print the lines of the Prayer of Thanksgiving. Plan to save the cards to reuse. Singing option Use music from your faith community resources. The suggestion is a guide. Bring songbooks and music in a player. Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week. Engaging the Word Plan to ask three parents or other sponsors to prepare to proclaim Matthew 22:34-40. Sharing Faith groups Put the Scripture citation with the questions on cards for group leaders. Crossing the Ages Activity option: Planning a Communion of Saints Celebration of the Word See the outline in the catechetical session. Decide to use all the components or select from them. For each committee, prepare an instruction card with the suggestions in the outline. Invite music ministers or liturgists to assist committees. Plan a date, time, and place. Bring paper, pens, hymnals, Bibles, saints books, and supplies to make invitations. Closing Prayer Use the litany from the Crossing the Ages Activity or develop a litany using the model. Friends on the Way - Thirtieth 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, put on nametags, and place pictures of deceased relatives on the prayer cloth. For anyone new, provide nametag materials. Give volunteers prayer cards to prepare. GATHERING PRAYER RITUAL Chime a percussion instrument as a call to prayer. All stand around the prayer focal point. Light the candle. Song Suggestion: Sing to the Glory of God from Give Your Gifts, Melody Book, GIA Publications, Inc. Invite everyone when you lift a hand to respond, My God, my strength, I love you. Prayerfully say the following verses inspired by Psalm 18, calling for the response by lifting a hand. My God, my rock of refuge, I love you. (response) You are my shield. With you, I am safe. (response) Praised be God, who shows kindness to your anointed. (response) ( ) Have prepared readers use cards to pray the following Prayer of Thanksgiving. We thank you, O God, for all the saints you graced through the ages, for those who stood by Jesus at the cross, for those who risked their lives to pass on the faith, for souls who saw Truth and dared to tell it, for gentle hearts who brought peace to others, for all who loved on this earth and passed into the light of your glory. All: Amen. Extinguish the candle flame. Friends on the Way - Thirtieth 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 Name Acrostics: Distribute scratch paper and pencils. Ask everyone to print their own name in capital letters down the left side of the paper and quickly write one of their personality traits using a word or phrase that begins with each letter. The leader does the same. Invite sharing. This week we continue hearing the letter to the Thessalonians. The section begins, You know what sort of people we were among you. Our sharing helps us know the people we are among here in our dismissal group. 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 Exodus 22:20-26. What do you notice in the reading? If any catechumen is concerned about the Lord s wrath, explain: The writers of the ancient Hebrew scripture warned the people that society suffers when the poor are neglected. They used violent images to emphasize the importance of the regulation. The final verse reminded the people that God is compassionate. What types of people, crying out to God, need special help? Have the catechumens find 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10. What sort of people, who wrote this letter, do you imagine Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to be? Who are models in faith for you? Have everyone find Matthew 22:34-40. How do you show your love for God? What things do you do because you love yourself? (Affirm responses and include that we take care of our health and expect others to respect us.) How do you show your love for others? Friends on the Way - Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 4
Affirm the members comments. Summarize: In ancient times, widows and children without fathers had difficulty getting food and clothing. Usually, there were no jobs outside the home for women and no governmental aid for children. Jesus explained that everyone needed to love God and love other people. PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES) God wants us to love everyone, so we pray for everyone s needs. When I lift my hand please respond, God, you command our love; hear our prayer. Help us to find ways to protect immigrant aliens and people in debt. (Lift a hand for the response.) Guide your followers in ways that imitate Christ. (Lift a hand for the response.) Inspire us to love you, O God, with all our hearts, souls, and minds and our neighbors as ourselves. (Lift a hand for the response.) Invite the members to contribute intercessions. Conclude: O God, your commandment is the law of love. 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 - Thirtieth 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). Note: Extra time or another gathering will be needed for a Celebration of the Word. 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. Note: As members arrive, ask three to prepare to proclaim all of Matthew 22:34-40. 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) (Note: This is a form of Lectio Divina for beginners.) Assign groups of four. Explain that you will guide them in a way to listen to God s word call Lectio Divina, which means holy reading. Follow the four steps: 1. Read: Invite everyone to listen to the reading. Ask them to notice one word or phrase. The first reader proclaims Matthew 22:34-40. Say: In your mind, repeat the one word or phrase over and over. Let it settle in your heart. 2. Reflect: After a few moments say: Listen again. This time listen for a message. After the reading, quietly reflect. The second reader proclaims Matthew 22:34-40. Say: Quietly reflect. What is God saying to you in this reading? 3. Respond: After a few moments say: Face one another in your groups. One at a time, without discussion, tell what came to you during quiet THIRTIETH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A Exodus 22:20-26 Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10 Matthew 22:34-40 Insight for the Catechist Still seeking to find a way to bring charges against Jesus, the Pharisees tried again to trap him with a question. At that time points of the law were often debated, but the Pharisees were not seeking his opinion. They hoped Jesus would deny some aspect of the Law. Each morning and each evening, faithful Jews recited the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4-9. They promised total love for God heart, mind, and soul. The command to love your neighbor as yourself was an ancient teaching from Leviticus 19:18. Jesus applied the second command literally and to the extreme. He touched the unclean, ate with sinners, and socialized with outcasts. Jesus revealed the great twofold commandment as the foundation for all others. We are called to see the immigrant, the poor, and those in debt among us and take steps to alleviate any sufferings. By Janet Miller. Image by Fra Angelico, 15th c., public domain. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. 6
reflection. Each person takes a turn speaking without interruption. 4. Rest: Call the groups attention. Say: Everyone, sit quietly, and close your eyes. Listen, and rest with God s word. The third reader proclaims the passage again, slowly and reflectively. Allow a few moments for the word to rest in their hearts. Then invite everyone to open their eyes. 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. CONVERSING ABOUT MATTHEW 22:34-40 What are your feelings about the Lectio Divina experience? How do you love God with your heart, mind, and soul? In what ways do we show love for God by loving ourselves and other people? With the whole group, conclude: Christians seek to love God with our whole hearts, minds, and souls. We show our love for God by loving ourselves and all the people God has created. 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. Summarize: All of the Ten Commandments are summarized in Jesus great commandment of love. The saints, who join us in prayer, lived by this commandment. CLOSING PRAYER Pray the litany of saints developed during the Crossing the Ages activity or another litany of saints. Then say: Go forth from this place to live the commandment of love. 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 - Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 7
Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity for children and adults together: 20 minutes) Planning a Communion of Saints Celebration of the Word (Celebrations of the word of God, RCIA #75.3) Explain that in the church year, the beginning of November is a time when Catholics celebrate the communion of saints. Invite the members to prepare a Celebration of the Word commemorating the saints. Introduce any guests. Assign small committees, each with a leader, for all or selected segments outlined below. Provide instruction cards for planning a part of the celebration. If needed, combine some committees. Provide paper, pens, hymnals, Bibles, books about saints, and supplies to make invitations. Gathering Song: Select a gathering song from the All Saints section in worship hymnals. Greeting and Opening Prayer: Prepare a greeting that welcomes the various participants. Prepare a prayer including a reference to the communion of saints. First Reading: Choose Wisdom 3:1-9 or Wisdom 7:24-28. Psalm: Select a musical setting in a hymnal for Psalm 16 or Psalm 85. Second Reading: Choose Hebrews 12:1-2 or Romans 8:1-2. Gospel: Choose Luke 8:1-8 or John 1:12-14. Homily/Reflection Points: Use the Catechism of the Catholic Church, #954-958. List points about the communion of saints. Litany of Saints: Compose a list of saints, including names of group members, their deceased relatives, and the patron saint of the faith community. In books about saints, find one fact for each. Write the litany, using the model: We remember Saint Joanna who gave financial support to Jesus. (All) Pray for us. We remember our grandparents who taught family values. (All) Pray for us. Announcement Committee: Prepare a bulletin announcement and invitations to distribute to extended family and faith community members with the date, time, and location of the celebration. Environment Committee: Arrange for a table covered with a white cloth. Plan to decorate, possibly, with fall harvest foods or set up a display area for pictures of deceased relatives and other saints. As committees finish, they write invitations to the Celebration of the Word to give to family, friends, and faith community members. Encourage everyone to come celebrate. Friends on the Way - Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 8
Faith at Home Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A Remember Sunday s Word Exodus 22:20-26 Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10 Matthew 22:34-40 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 22 in the center. Begin with a moment of quiet. REFLECTING ON EXODUS 22:20-26 God made a covenant with the Israelites after their liberation from Egypt. They were never to forget their history as alien laborers in a foreign country. God s covenant included social regulations regarding the treatment of widows, orphans, immigrants, and everyone defenseless and voiceless. Money lenders had a grave responsibility not to be extortionists. They were not to exact payment by leaving the impoverished person without a place to sleep. How, in our time, have some lenders been oppressive? In what ways are women throughout the world becoming empowered and able to care for their children? For freedom and democracy to thrive, all women and men must have a means of support and the right to participate in political structures. Log on to vitalvoices.org. Click on About to learn what the organization does. Read about the efforts of recent award winners. REFLECTING ON 1 THESSALONIANS 1:5-10 The letter from Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the Thessalonians continues. Paul praises the people for their faithfulness in spite of persecution. The Thessalonians become a model for other Christian communities. In what ways is our family a model of faithfulness? By Janet Miller. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.
Saint Paul called saints imitators of Christ. All Christians who seek to live according to God s ways are counted among the saints. Those who have died and gone before us surround us with loving care. We can call on the saints in heaven, those the church officially recognizes, those we know personally, and those whose names we do not even know. The saints have heavenly powers and can rush to assist us. Gather some books about the saints from the parish or public library or search for information online. Each family member chooses a saint to call for assistance in times of need. REFLECTING ON MATTHEW 22:34-40 The Pharisees piled on heaps of regulations while despising the ordinary people they sought to control. The Sadducees guarded the Temple and demanded payments from worshippers. The scholar scribes wrote copies of the Scriptures but often failed to live by God s word. Jesus criticized all of these leaders and taught that God s law of love was a two-part commandment. Together as a family, reflect and discuss. L: Say ways to love God with all your heart. O: Say ways to love God with all your soul. V: Say ways to love God with all your mind. E: Say ways to love everyone. Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A TeamRCIA.com