HALLOWE EN, ALL SAINTS DAY, ALL SOUL S DAY

Transcription

1 HALLOWE EN, ALL SAINTS DAY, ALL SOUL S DAY November is seen as a memorial month that time when we recognize Jesus as Lord of the living and the dead. As proclaimed in the Apostles Creed, we believe in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Hallowe en on October 31 was formerly called All Hallow s Eve. All Ireland celebrated New Year s Day on November 1, so October 31 was an end-of-the-year celebration. On that day, they remembered all those who died during the past year, and they believed that on that night the dead came back to be with the living. The villagers wore masks and costumes to disguise themselves as ghosts and lead the real ghosts out of town with a parade. 1 It became linked to Christianity when Christians spread the idea that, thanks to Jesus resurrection, we no longer had to fear death or any kind of evil so we could even dress up and make fun of death and the things that represent it. 2 Since the time of Pope Gregory III the Catholic Church has celebrated All Saints Day on November 1. This feast honors all the saints of the Church. All Souls Day is observed on November 2. It is a day of solemn prayer commemorating all the faithful departed. 1 2 p. 36. Religion Teachers Journal, October 1992 p. 36. Religion Teachers Journal, October 1992

2 OF MASKS AND LANTERNS Primary Jocelyn Chicoine-Sirois St. Thomas Singing This Little Light of Mine children wearing their masks carry jack-o-lanterns into the assembly which is dimly lit. As the children take their places, they place their jack-o-lanterns in a circle at the candle focal point. The teacher begins the celebration by proclaiming Isaiah 9:2-3 from a lectionary or Bible. The children respond by singing The Lord is My Light and My Salvation. After this they proceed to remove their masks and place them in an offertory basket in front of the jack-o-lanterns. The teacher then leads the children in a familiar Alleluia followed by proclamation of Matthew 5: The teacher and children then discuss what it means to let your light shine. To conclude the celebration, the children sing Go Make a Difference (#113 in Spirit and Song book, #21 of Volume 2 Spirit and Song CD set; these are kept in the school s Resource Centre so ask Teacher Librarian for them)

3 SAINT MOBILE PROJECT This is an interesting way for students to research saints and share what they have learned with the rest of the class. In order to do this project effectively, a considerable amount of time must be spent reading and discussing saints. Many resources will be required. This project is most suitable for Grades 4 8. Materials Required o Saint resources print/non-print o a number of long strips based on the number of letters in the Saint s name, i.e., PAUL = 4 strips o one top label entitled SAINT o hoe punch o yarn (various colours) Method: o student prints letters of saint s name (one per long strip) o beside each name is listed a quality or characteristic that responds to the letter of the Saint s name o punch holes in top and bottom of strips o connect title label to other strips with colourful yarn When completed, hang the mobiles throughout the classroom or hallway while observing All Saint s Day. After celebration, students may take their mobile home as a reminder to pray to their Saint for guidance. SAINT Preached about Jesus Apostle of the Lord Used to travel and preach Laboured for the Lord (Adapted from Religion Teacher s Journal, October 1994)

4 IN PREPARATION HELP US TO BE SAINTS Beforehand invite the children to choose a favourite saint and if they would like to dress up as this person. (Be sure parents are notified of this so that they might assist the children.) If costuming is difficult, one option might be to make a crown and put the name of a saint on it. A simple cape may also be worn. Lively procession music should also be chosen. CELEBRATION (Children seated on the floor) LEADER: God made us. God loves us. We are children of God. Saints are people who love God. They show their love for God by the way they live. They try to do good things for others. They speak kindly. They share. They are honest. They also pray to God. That s what we will do now. (Invite each child to stand up and say the name of their saint.) After each all respond: Teach us to follow Jesus. LEADER: Jesus, we believe in you and we want to follow you like the saints did. Help us to be like them. (Invite each child to say the name of their saint and then sit down.) After each all respond: Help us to be like Saint. Play some lively music and invite the children to process around the room as little saints of God.

5 CALLED TO HOLINESS (You may wish to display a banner symbolically depicting All Saints Day with limited use of words.) INTRODUCTION: (Call the assembled to worship.) Example: On All Saints Day, November 1, the Church gathers to celebrate the lives of those who have faithfully followed Christ. These holy men and women constantly strived to love God, self and neighbor. The saints include men and women, every race and nation, rich and poor, powerful and powerless. Many have left this world; many are still with us. Some have been officially recognized by the process of canonization. Others are known only to the heart of God and to those whose lives they have touched. Think of all the saints past and present whose goodness has touched us and made us holy. We praise the glory of God reflected by the saints. We rejoice that they have inspired us. We are reminded that we too are called to holiness. ENTRANCE HYMN: (Choose one that is easily sung by the assembled.) Example: Everyone Moved By The Spirit G/P 15 PENITENTIAL RITE: CELEBRANT: CELEBRANT: CELEBRANT: For the times we have not loved as Jesus asked, Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. For the times when we have been selfish and caused disharmony, Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy. For the times we have deliberately disturbed or hurt others, Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. OPENING PRAYER: Teach us to understand your path to holiness. Lord Jesus so that we may be among those who praise God forever. With you we praise our Father for calling us to be beloved children.

6 FIRST READING: * Be sure that the reader proclaims the Word loudly and clearly from a Bible or Lectionary. Example: 1 John 3:1-4 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSORIAL PSALM: GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Example: Psalm 24 CBW II #337 Alleluia. Alleluia. Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord. Alleluia. GOSPEL: Example: Matthew 5:1-12a The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ. HOMILY: (Should apply the proclaimed Reading and Gospel to the life of the assembled.) GENERAL INTERCESSIONS: (Prepared by the Staff or Students and addressing the needs of the Church, the world and the local (school) community). (At this point the celebration may continue into a Eucharistic liturgy or conclude as a Liturgy of the Word. If it continues as a Eucharistic liturgy then the following must be planned: Preparation of the Altar; Procession of the Gifts; Holy, Holy; Memorial Acclamation; Great Amen, Lamb of God; Communion Hymn. If it is to conclude as a Liturgy of the Word then just proceed with the plan given here.)

7 PRAYER: Litany of the Saints CBW II - #193 Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. Saint Michael, pray for us. Holy angels of God pray for us. Saint John the Baptist, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Saint Peter and Saint Paul, pray for us. Saint Andrew, pray for us. Saint John, pray for us. Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us. (The names of the patron saint of the school or parish may be added) All holy men and women, pray for us. PROCESSION/PRESENTATION: (Each reader steps forward with their prayer in hand) READER 1: READER 2: READER 3: We thank you, Lord, for those who heard your voice and did not turn away. They sprinkle our lives with joy; they enrich our souls with faith; they enliven our hearts with courage. They live with exuberance, spontaneity, and honesty, and call us to do the same. When we are weary, they energize us with their vigour. When we are unhappy, they console us with their job. When life to us seems lifeless, they bring us to wholeness with their enthusiastic eagerness to learn, and grow, and see and do. They bless all of your creation, Lord, with their love of you. DISMISSAL: LEADER: We thank you for all those who inspire us with faith, who instill us with hope, who ignite us with love, who keep us forever young and holy in your sight. Amen. RECESSIONAL HYMN: Example: Everyone Moved By the Spirit G/P 15

8 COMMUNITY OF SAINTS PROJECT As part of the celebration of the feast of All Saints students may come to understand that they too are called to holiness. They learn about God s love and they are called to love as Jesus did. The neighourhood community provides all sorts of opportunities for us to do saintly things. As living saints we are connected, through the Communion of Saints, to those who have gone before us and who pray for us. Through the sacrament of the Eucharist we are in community with God and one another. Materials Required: o a map of the city showing one parish and its boundaries o marking pens o a copy of the Apostles Creed o the parish bulletin of the parish shown on the map Procedure: 1. Discussion using the following questions: a. Who are the saints of whom you have heard? b. Are saints only those who have died? c. Do we have any living saintly people? d. Name some people you know or have heard of who are saintly. e. Which prayer do we say in the Eucharist that tells we believe in the Communion of Saints? f. What is the Communion of Saints? g. How are those whom we consider saintly here on earth connected with one another? h. How are they connected to the heavenly saints? i. How do saints in heaven help earthly saints? j. How do earthly saints help one another? k. What is the name of the feast that we for remembering saints? l. When is it celebrated? 2. Show the city map with parish highlights to the class. Label it with a sign: WELCOME TO (PARISH NAME) SAINTS CITY POPULATION

9 Tell the class that any place where people love God and their neighbour might be called a Saint s City. Explain that saints are not only those who pray constantly but also those who try to be kind and unselfish in everything they do. Of course they praise God, thank God and seek God s help but they also recognize and respect all persons, care for and help one another work together to help others. 3. Showing the parish bulletin of the parish highlighted on the map, invite the students to speculate on the number of saintly people in the parish. Print the statistical number (from parish records) on the WELCOME sign under the word POPULATION. Share discussion on the saintly people of the parish who are striving to support and help one another by participating in such parish activities as: the Eucharist, the other sacraments, the various committees, the pastoral council, the financial council, the various parish events and good works. (Refer to parish bulletin) 4. Highlight various important buildings, parks and residences in the area. Ask the students to name opportunities for growing in saintliness that might exist in these places: home, school, parish, park, recreation centre, library, stores, etc. 5. Brainstorm ideas for some saintly things they as individuals or as a group might do for others. These may be anything from controlling one s temper to helping with chores in the home to respecting property in the neighbourhood. List their ideas on a chart. Place it near the map. 6. Have the students share saintly things that others have done for them. List these on a chart. 7. If possible construct a simplified version of the map labeling prominent places. List these places on a key nearby. Beside each name on the key, note all saintly things done by the people of those places. 8. Challenge the students to draw a picture of themselves and list in rays around the picture all those ways in which they have done saintly things for others. (Adapted from Religion Teacher s Journal, October 1994)

10 PRINT RESOURCES Check your Resources Centre for any of the following titles. They have some further information. Huck, Gabe - Hymnal for Catholic Students Leader s Manual pages Rezy, Carol - Liturgies for Little Ones pages Hamma, Robert M. - Still More Children s Liturgies pages Kenny, Bernadette - Children s Liturgies pages Jessie, Karen - Seasonal Liturgies pages Costello, Gwen - Praying with Children 28 Prayer Services for Various Occasions, pages Florian, Amy - Sign and Symbol, Word and Song pages Flanagan, Anne - Halloween Alternatives: Three All Saints Parties for Home or Classroom Mazar, Peter - School Year, Church Year: Customs and Decorations for the Classroom pages Kadela, Natalie - Our Year with God, pages 85-88