St. Aloysius Religious Education rd Grade

Transcription

1 St. Aloysius Religious Education rd Grade 4:00pm 4:05pm 4:10pm Welcome (class attendance) We Gather - in Prayer at the prayer table (use colored table covering for appropriate liturgical season) Use the Gospel Reading Hearing the Word from the previous Sunday in Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families book in the prayer box Review previous lesson using Sharing Faith (use chapter test in book) 4:15pm Chapters #14 Christmas Advent is the season of our preparation for Christ s coming: past, present and future. In joyful expectation, we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, his presence in our lives today, and his final coming at the end of time. The four weeks prepare us to rejoice in the Incarnation. At Christmas the Church celebrates with joy the wondrous exchange by which Man s Creator has become man. Next to the Paschal Mystery, the Church holds most sacred the memorial of Christ s birth and early manifestations. This is the purpose of the Christmas season! Chapters #15 We Celebrate the Sacraments When the Church celebrates the sacraments, we experience God in real and effective ways. There are many signs of God s love and presence among us. The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ, and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. (ccc1131) The Seven Sacraments Sacraments of Initiation new members are initiated into the fullness of life with God and membership in the Church. (Baptism, Eucharist & Confirmation) Sacraments of Healing Christians are restored and reconciled to God and strengthened when we are seriously ill. (Penance & Anointing of the Sick) Sacraments of Service - we witness and celebrate the vocations of married people and of bishops, priests and deacons. (Matrimony & Holy Orders) We Believe Christmas we celebrate on December 25th that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem Sacrament special sign given to us by Jesus through which we share in God s life and love. Grace our share in God s life and love. Sacraments of Initiation the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Original Sin the first sin committed by the first human beings. We Respond read from The Joy of Being a Catholic Child by Rev. Jude Winkler and/or read from Going to Confession by Rev. Lovasik. Talk to the children about your reflections on receiving certain Sacraments.

2 We Respond orally quiz the students on the Seven Sacraments using the information listed below. We Respond Assemble Advent Wreaths (RE will provide kits and sample) 4:45pm Closing Prayer John 1:14 or Mark 13:33 And the Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father s only Son, full of grace and truth. Be watchful! Be alert! Have the children take home My Sacramental Timeline sheet: complete and return the next class. Ask the children to say a petition aloud for someone or something they would like to pray for. In what way do you prepare for Christ s coming? How do you show the world what Jesus is all about in your words and actions? When have I experienced God s love in a meaningful way that changed me?

3 Each Advent Wreath craft contains: 7 Green felt circle and 7 cardboard circle 6 purple foam squares 2 rose foam squares 4 candles 12 green felt leaves Directions: Have the children write their name and the year on the back of the cardboard! Glue two squares of purple foam together. Glue two squares of purple foam together. Glue two squares of purple foam together. Glue two squares of rose foam together. Glue the four sets of squares onto the green felt circle. Glue one candle onto each of the four foam square sets. Finally, glue 3 green leaves onto each of the four foam square sets, next to the candle Distribute Advent wreath information sheet.

4 The Advent Wreath The Advent Wreath is very symbolic. The evergreens used for the wreath itself are a reminder of continuous life. The shaping of them into a circle reinforces that meaning. The circle is also a sign of everlasting life as well as the eternity of God. The four candles, three purple and one pink, mark the Sundays of Advent before Christmas. The purple candles are reminders that this should be a time of prayer and sacrifice to prepare us for the coming of Christ among us. On the third Sunday, the pink candle is lit to announce Gaudete Sunday; a Sunday of rejoicing for Christ is coming near. With the lighting of that candle, the light has won out over the darkness (three candles lit vs. the one that remains unlit). Contrary to the dimming light of day (as we enter the winter season) the light of the Advent wreath grows brighter as Christ draws near! The candles are traditionally lit in the following order: purple, purple, pink, purple. The first is called the "Candle of Hope." It symbolizes faith in God keeping his promises to humanity. The second is called the "Candle of Preparation," reminding Christians to "get ready" to receive God. The third candle is the "Candle of Joy." It recalls the angels joyfully singing that the birth of Christ is near. The fourth candle, the "Candle of Love," reminds Christians that God loves them enough to send his only Son to Earth. The "Christ Candle," a white candle in the center is a sign of purity, stands for Jesus Christ himself, the sinless savior. The Liturgical vestments at Mass match the colors of the candles. The Advent Wreath is a sacramental that draws us into prayer. As your family prepares for the approaching celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ Christmas say the following prayers each week when lighting the candles: First Week (purple candle of Hope) All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever. ~AMEN. Second Week (purple candle of Preparation and purple candle of Hope) God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. ~AMEN. Third Week (pink candle of Joy, purple candle of Preparation and purple candle of Hope) Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through Christ our Lord. ~AMEN. Fourth Week (purple candle of Love, pink candle of Joy, purple candle of Preparation and purple candle of Hope) Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. ~AMEN.

5 Seven Sacraments quiz Some Seven Sacraments quiz suggested questions (directly from the chapter): Is it the 1 st Sacrament we receive? (Baptism) Am I freed from Original Sin by this sacrament? (Baptism) Does God forgive me and fill me with grace in this sacrament? (Baptism) Am I sealed with the Holy Spirit in this Sacrament? (Confirmation) Does this sacrament give me the strength and courage to live as a disciple of Christ? (Confirmation) Do I praise God for sending his son with this sacrament? (Eucharist) Do I receive this sacrament more than once? (Reconciliation & Eucharist) Do I promise to do change in this sacrament? (Reconciliation) Is my relationship with God healed in this sacrament? (Reconciliation) Am I blessed with holy oil during this sacrament? (Baptism, Confirmation & Anointing of the Sick) Do I pray during this sacrament? (Anointing of the Sick) Am I strengthened during this sacrament? (Anointing of the Sick) Do I receive grace to live in service from this sacrament? (Holy Orders) Do I lead others after receiving this sacrament? (Holy Orders) Do I carry on Jesus ministry with this sacrament? (Holy Orders) Am I faithful in this sacrament? (Matrimony) Do I share my love with family in this sacrament? (Matrimony) Do I grow in holiness with this sacrament? (Matrimony)

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7 St. Aloysius Religious Education 3 rd grade My Sacrament Timeline

8 Name: Sacrament of Baptism My Godparents are: I was baptized at (name of the Church and city, state): I was baptized on (the date and year): The priest/deacon who baptized me is (name of priest/deacon): Any special details or memories about my Baptism:

9 Sacrament of Reconciliation I received my First Reconciliation at (name of the Church and city, state): I received my First Reconciliation on (the date and year): The priest who heard my Fist Confession (name of priest): Any special details or memories about my First Reconciliation: Sacrament of Eucharist I received my First Holy Communion at (name of the Church and city, state): I received my First Holy Communion on (the date and year): The priest/deacon who gave me Fist Holy Communion is (name of priest/deacon): Any special details or memories about my First Communion: Bring in a copy of a picture, if you have, to share with the class about the Sacraments of Initiation that you have received!