Liturgy of the Word

Today we reviewed Chapter 17, Liturgy of the Word.

We learned that the Liturgy of the Word is the first part of Mass when we listen to two readings, the Gospel and the Homily.

We learned that the first reading is usually from the Old Testament. The second reading is usually from the New Testament.

The Gospel is read from one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John)

After that, the priest or deacon shares the Homily with us. That is the time that he helps us understand the readings and the Gospel.

We learned about how to listen to God's Word

After that, we used our Mass Books to practice running through the Mass. Ms. Stephanie pretended to be "Father Steven" and stood on a chair to pretend it was the altar. We practiced all of the responses we say at Mass.

We watched a movie about Mass. Then we went back to our room and wrote cards to the military Men and Woman who are currently serving overseas and will not be home with their families for Valentine's Day.

Homework:

Chapter 17 review

Other Notes:

A, B, and M will receive prizes at our next class for attending Mass the most times!

We are helping to participate in Mass on February 6th at 9:15. If you haven't let me know if you will be there, please let me know ASAP!

See you soon!

Reading The Creed together

Reconciliation

Sorry this post is a week late!

Last week we learned about Reconciliation. We reviewed Chapter 12 in our books.

After that, we split into groups to "write" a TV show based on forgiveness. We had to decide:
-Who is in the story
-What happened
-How does the person ask for forgiveness
-How do the people celebrate their reconciliation

Group 1
Who is in the story: God, Jesus and Mary
What happened: Mary had a baby and his name is Jesus
How does the person ask for forgiveness: God was mad because he had a lot to do
How do the people celebrate their reconciliation: God told that Mary should ask forgiveness

Group 2

Who is in the story: J and A

What happened: A stole J's Bon Jovi Tickets

How does the person ask for forgiveness: A goes up to J and asks to forgive me

How do the people celebrate their reconciliation: J forgives A. J and A go to D&B.

Group 3

Who is in the story: Brothers

What happened: He said bad words to someone

How does the person ask for forgiveness: Dear God I'm sorry for saiding bad words

How do the people celebrate their reconciliation: they were friends

Group 4
Who is in the story: K, A, D
What happened: A and K got hurt by D

How does the person ask for forgiveness: D says sorry

How do the people celebrate their reconciliation: By forgiving

Group 5

Who is in the story: C, B, S

What happened: C and B were playing tag and S wanted to play but they did not let her.

How does the person ask for forgiveness: "Sorry. Will you forgive us?" "yes"

How do the people celebrate their reconciliation: By playing with S

Group 6
Who is in the story: B, O, E and Mitchell

What happened: Mitchell hit O

How does the person ask for forgiveness: Mitchell said, "do you forgive me?"

How do the people celebrate their reconciliation: O says, "Of course because you are my brother."

Group 7

Who is in the story: M, N, J

What happened: N and J hurt M

How does the person ask for forgiveness:J and N asked for forgiveness

How do the people celebrate their reconciliation: Going to church together

Group 8

Who is in the story: M, M, L, R

What happened: L stole food from the market

How does the person ask for forgiveness: L said sorry and brought it back
How do the people celebrate their reconciliation: She brought it back.

After that, Ms. Michele the Director of Religious Ed came to talk to us about Reconciliation. She talked to us about what it means, what it will be like when we participate in a Reconciliation Mass, and we acted out participating in confession.

Chapters 11 and 16

This week in class we covered Chapters 11 and 16.

As always, we started off around our prayer table. We always begin with the sign of the cross and Ms. Stephanie leads us in prayer, thanking God for all that we have and asking prayers for those not as fortunate as we are.

After that we get a chance to ask for prayers for those in our lives who need prayer. This week we started all responding, "Lord hear our prayer" after each person's prayer request. We are learning the power of prayer and we are all getting much more comfortable adding to our prayers.

You are encouraged to continue this at home. Any time can be prayer time! Many families make meal times and bedtime special prayer times. It is important to always thank God for what we have in our lives as well as to think about what in our lives or others' lives needs extra help. In Matthew 18:20, the Bible says, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." Anytime your family is gathered together, whether a family of 2 or 4, this is a great time for prayer.

Around our prayer table

In Chapter 11 we talked about our conscience. We talked about it being a little voice inside our heads that helps us decide between right and wrong. We also discussed times in our life that we heard that voice in our head and had to use it to help us make a choice.

We heard the parable of the Lost Sheep:
“Then Jesus told them this parable: ‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent’” (Luke 15:3-7).

We cut out pictures from the story and used them to retell the story in small groups. Then one person from each group stood up to share the story with the class.

At home: Have your child use those pictures to share with you the story of the lost sheep and ask him or her what that means about God forgiving us.

After that we all held hands as one of us did a reading.

Reminders:
We are about half way through the year. Absences are counted each week and no more than 4 absences are allowed out of out the 16 sessions.

Homework:
Chapter 11 Chapter Review (3 pages)
Chapter 16 Chapter Review (3 pages)
In my Parish drawing-draw a picture of something that happens inside the church that we talked about in these two chapters
*Chapter Reviews-There are 3 pages, but they go quickly. The first page is questions, the second is an activity, and the third is to share with family.

**First Communion Prep**
You should be half way through your preparation books. These are intended to be done as a family. The purple book is preparation for Reconciliation and the blue is reparation for First Eucharist. You can do the purple first and then the blue or switch back and forth between them. If you did the blue first, that is OK, but make sure the Reconciliation preparation is completed before the First Reconciliation Mass. Both of these books must be completed to receive these sacraments.