First Sunday of Lent 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). Children s RCIA Resource CATECHIST S NOTES Select the session options that fit your time frame. NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY Sunday s readings Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7 Psalm 51:3-6, 12-13, 17 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11 Doctrine correlations Jesus, driven by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, rebuffs Satin s temptations (CCC #538). Adoring, praying, and offering God worship fall under obedience to the first commandment (CCC #2135). RCIA team notes If they have been catechumens for an extended time and are ready, your group now may be among the elect (RCIA #277 - #278). Refer to those who have experienced the rite as the elect (RCIA #24). The lenten sessions provide some opportunities, as indicated, to guide the elect in interior reflection (RCIA #139). For catechumens not preparing for initiation at this year s Vigil, follow the session guides omitting activities that are specified for the elect. 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 (violet paper, scissors, lanyards or yarn and stapler) Bibles, one set to Matthew 4:1-11 poster paper or white board, erasers, and erasable markers Sharing Faith questions and copies of Faith at Home violet cloth on table or counter space for prayer crucifix candle in heat-proof container, matches paper circles and tabs, tape, markers, lidded recycled container Gathering Prayer Ritual Set up prayer space with words for responses printed on a large sheet or written on a board. Singing option Use music from your faith community resources. The suggestion is a guide. Bring songbooks and music in a player. For Sharing Faith groups Put the Scripture citation with the questions on cards for group leaders. Crossing the Ages Activity option: Silence the Alleluia Cut heavy, light color paper into 5-inch circles, eight per Alleluia banner. Cut seven tabs per Alleluia banner using scraps, 1 ½ x 3-inch. Choose a cupboard space or get permission to dig in a garden area, use a plastic or metal recycled container, and bring a shovel. Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week. Planning ahead If the members will be performing the skits from the Crossing the Ages activity next session for a community group or as a service, make the necessary arrangements. Friends on the Way - First Sunday of Lent, 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 lenten nametags using violet paper. They cut the paper into a cross shape or draw a cross on the nametag and print their names. Provide recycled, sterilized lanyards or yarn and a stapler. GATHERING PRAYER RITUAL All stand around the prayer focal point with the words for All displayed. Light the candle. Ask a volunteer to hold up a crucifix. All: Leader: All: Be with us, Jesus, as we walk the way of your cross. Christ Crucified, have mercy on us. The crucifix is placed near the Bible on a violet cloth. Song Suggestion: Come and Follow Me from Give Your Gifts, Melody Book, GIA Publications, Inc. ( ) Invite the members when you lift a hand to respond with, In your goodness, O God, have mercy on me. Prayerfully say each of the following verses based on Psalm 51, and call for the response by lifting a hand: In your great compassion, wipe out my sin. Thoroughly wash me of my guilt. (response) Create in me a clean heart, O God. A steadfast spirit renew within me. (response) A willing spirit sustain in me. Open my lips, and I will proclaim your praise. (response) Hold up the Bible and say: We do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God. Pass the Bible around the circle. Each member takes it and repeats, We do not live by bread alone. Place the Bible on the cloth and say: Let us be nourished by God s word. Extinguish the candle flame. Friends on the Way - First Sunday of Lent, 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 page from the previous session. BUILDING COMMUNITY Name Game (for all catechumens): Taking turns, the members hold up their name tags. Volunteers read each name aloud and add a Christian character trait that begins with the same letter. For example, Paul prays. Activity for the elect: Use reflective listening so that each of the elect answers the question from the heart without a discussion. Others may give affirming comments. Ask the following: How does it feel to have been judged ready to prepare for baptism? (If the Rite of Sending was celebrated) How did it feel to write your name (have your name written) on the book of the elect of God and to be among the chosen? 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 reflection on the Faith at Home page. Introduce this section with the following or similar words: The first chapters of the Book of Genesis contain stories about creation. Genesis helps us realize that God makes all things good and creates each human to do what is good. The freedom to choose to do right includes the possibility for actions that are sinful. Have everyone open Bibles to Genesis 2:7-9. In creating human beings, how does God share life-giving goodness? (Affirm responses. Talk about God s shared breath as a symbol of sharing holy goodness.) Complete the story by reading the rest of Genesis 2 with the members. What is the one thing the man is told not to do? Have everyone look at Genesis 3:1-7. What eventually happened in this creation story? (Explain according to the maturity level of the children. Give examples of how people sometimes choose evil that is disguised as good.) Friends on the Way - First Sunday of Lent, A 4
Have the catechumens turn to Romans 5:12-19. This week we hear Saint Paul tell the Romans about Jesus who brought back the gift of eternal life. Who brought all people the grace of God and overcame the sin of Adam? How does it feel to be offered grace and life in Jesus Christ? Have the catechumens turn to Matthew 4:1-11. When Jesus went out into the desert to pray what happened? (Affirm all comments.) Summarize the members comments and insights. Conclude: This is the first week of Lent. During this time, we relive with Jesus his experience in the desert. We become more aware of temptations that are not good. In following Jesus, we fast and turn more towards prayer. To be more like Jesus, we serve others. PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES) We believe that God knows our concerns and hears our prayers, so let us petition God in prayer. When I lift my hand please respond, Gracious God, lead us not into temptation. Help us to be among your faithful who choose to do what is good. (Lift a hand for the response.) Thank you for sending Jesus and giving us abundant grace. (Lift a hand for the response.) May we be among your faithful who gain strength through lenten deeds. (Lift a hand for the response.) Invite the members to contribute their own intercessions. Then conclude: God who formed all human beings to be good, you breathed your very life into us. Hear our prayers. Lead us away from temptation and deliver us from evil. We pray in unity with the Holy Spirit and through Christ Jesus who shows us the way to you, God of all creation, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. All: Amen. Option: Break for a snack and social time. Friends on the Way - First Sunday of Lent, 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 does not take place immediately following the Dismissal Session, plan an additional ten minutes and begin with the Gathering and Connecting segments 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 Use following guide to engage the members in Matthew 4:1-11. (15 MINUTES) What do you remember about Jesus being baptized by John? Jesus had a unique experience of God. Afterward, he felt a need to get away by himself to pray about being one with the Spirit of God. Imagine that you are alone in the desert. You have been praying and feeling that power of God within you. After forty days in the desert how would you feel? This is what happened to Jesus. (Read Matthew 4:1-4.) Jesus faced his temptation by depending on Scripture teachings that he learned as a child. He resisted using his power to get what he wanted for himself. Jesus thought some more about what he should do with the power of the Spirit upon him. He was tempted to do something that would make him famous. Listen to that temptation. (Read Matthew 4:5-7.) FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR A Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7 Psalm 51:3-6, 12-13, 17 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11 Insight for the Catechist The desire to be like God without depending on God is called original sin. The first man s step away from God caused the need for redemption, achieved through the self-giving love of Jesus Christ. During Lent we strive to identify with Jesus experiences. We resist temptations to eat nonnutritious foods. By reducing excessive consumption, like Jesus in the desert we have more to offer God. As we spend time in prayerful reflection, we discover ways to help others. Wanting to be like Jesus, we offer ourselves and give alms for causes that bring about justice. Apparently, Jesus struggled with the temptation to become an earthly ruler but instead chose self-giving sacrifice. While temptations surround us, St. Paul reminds us that grace and righteousness can be ours. God has placed humanity in an earthly garden. We need to protect our garden and share its abundance. By Janet Miller. Copyright 2010, TeamRCIA.com. Photo courtesy of David Gunter. All rights reserved. 6
Again Jesus remembered a teaching from Scripture that he had learned. He knew it was wrong to test God s love, so Jesus prayed more. He was tempted again, this time to use his powers to become an earthly king. Listen to that temptation. (Read Matthew 4:8-11.) What finally happened? SHARING FAITH (15 MINUTES) Form groups of four to six mixed-age groups. (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 4:1-11 I wonder, why was Jesus tempted? What did Jesus use to help resist temptations? I wonder, what does Jesus mean in saying that we do not live by bread alone but by words that come from God? How did Jesus obey the first commandment that instructs us to worship and serve God? Invite each person to comment on something they discovered during this week. Conclude: Jesus, guided by the Spirit of God, went into the desert for forty days. There he was tempted by Satin to use power for his own benefit. He was tempted by the possibility of becoming famous. He was tempted to set himself up as king. Jesus also knew the meaning of the first commandment, which is always to put God first and to adore God in prayer and worship. Jesus overcame temptations by remembering Scripture teachings. 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. Then conclude with the following: This week we joined Jesus in his desert experience. With Jesus by our sides, we turn more toward God and resist things that tempt us. Friends on the Way - First Sunday of Lent, A 7
CLOSING PRAYER Invite everyone to respond Amen after each petition. Be with us, Jesus, these six weeks of Lent. Help us to be like you and use our time and money to help others. (Amen.) Strengthen us, O Holy Spirit, as we fast from things that we really do not need. (Amen.) We offer our prayer and worship to you, God of all creation. (Amen.) Raise your hands in blessing over the group, and say: Go forth from this place using the teachings of Scripture to help you resist temptation. And may the Lord 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. Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity: 20 minutes) Depending on your schedule, do the activity with the members, parents, and sponsors. Alleluia means Praise Yahweh. It is an expression of great joy sung by choirs of angels around the throne of God in heaven. In singing Alleluia, we join in the angels worship, celebrating that the reign of God has begun here on earth. During Lent, we refrain from singing Alleluia as a reminder that God s reign is not yet complete. We focus on our need to turn more towards God instead of on singing with angels. Today we will formally silence our Alleluia until we sing it at the Easter Vigil. Form groups of eight. Give each member a five-inch paper circle. Provide markers. Assign one letter, A-L-L-E-L-U-I-A, to each small group member. Have them print the letter and decorate the circle. Distribute seven 1½ x 3-inch paper tabs and tape. They attach the letters in order by taping the tabs on the backsides, forming spaces between the letters. Have them gently fold at the tabs and place all banners in a recycled plastic container with a lid. Together carry the Alleluia container to its silent place, such as a cupboard or area in a garden. If placed in a garden, take turns digging a hole. Solemnly hide it away. Friends on the Way - First Sunday of Lent, A 8
Faith at Home First Sunday in Lent, Year A Remember Sunday s Word Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7 Psalm 51:3-6, 12-13, 17 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11 At a convenient time for the family, gather around the dining table or in the living room. Place a Bible opened to Matthew 4 in the center. Silence all electronics. Begin with a moment of quiet. REFLECTING ON GENESIS 2:7-9, 3:1-7 Creation stories in the Bible are not history or science but convey deep religious symbolism. These verses contain two creation myths. We reflect on the timeless question: Since God is all good, why is evil in the world? God, breathing divine spirit into each person, forms us to be free, to love, and to care. Humans, however, do not always use free will to choose the good. The garden myth expresses the reality that poor choices lead away from God. How are some evils disguised at temptingly good? What are some responsibilities that come with the freedom to make choices? REFLECTING ON ROMANS 5:12-19 Adam s decision to rebel against God symbolizes how sin was unleashed into the world. Completely faithful to God, Christ restores what was lost and brings about a new order of grace and eternal life. How does it feel to be offered new life through Jesus life, death, and resurrection? REFLECTING ON MATTHEW 4:1-11 Unlike Adam, Jesus had knowledge of Scripture teachings which he used to combat the tempter. Jesus resisted the temptation to seek earthly power, fame, and glory. Jesus experience of hunger in the desert reminds us to reduce our own indulges. From what unnecessary excesses might we fast? Foods that lack nutrition? Activities or things that do not help us to be more like Jesus? Jesus went out from the desert ready to serve. How do we give of our time, talents, and income to serve others or to help protect God s creation? Jesus relied on prayerful words to counteract the tempter. How can our family add more prayer time and Scripture reading to each week? By Janet Miller. Illustrations by Jim Burrows. Copyright 2011, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.
OUR HOME LENTEN CALENDAR - Each stone in the lenten calendar represents one day of a lenten week. Each day, search the Bible for a teaching to live by and color one stone to represent that teaching. First Sunday of Lent, A TeamRCIA.com