Easter and Liturgy Panel

We had our very last Religious Ed class in the classroom yesterday. We began class with our normal housekeeping such as collecting Homework and bulletins/song sheets to check Mass attendance. We also reviewed the chapter on Easter (page 227 in the book). After that, we had several guest speakers come to speak to us about various parts of Liturgy. They were very impressed with the questions we asked and we learned a lot of good information from them!

Our Panel

Minister of Communion

Mrs. E came to talk to us about being a Minister of Communion. In order to be a Minister of Communion, it takes about 1 day of training. You learn about the church and the history of Communion. Mrs. E explained that God calls us to do different things and this is something she felt called to do. She and her husband decided years ago to do this together. She does not feel like it is hard and she feels it is an honor to be able to help with the Mass and Communion. She likes looking into people's eyes when she gives them Communion. God gives us gifts and it is a gift for us to serve Him. Someone wanted to know if it gets tiring, but Mrs. E said it doesn't because it doesn't last very long. She helps with the bread and the wine. There is a schedule for Eucharistic Ministers to know when it is their turn. Someone else wanted to know when the ministers get Communion. They receive Communion on the altar before coming down to serve it to the congregation.

Mr. G came to talk to us about being a Mass Coordinator. He has been Mass Coordinator at 9:15 for 28.5 years! God called him to this 28.5 years ago. He has to make sure all of the important people are there (such as Ministers of Communion and Lectors). He counts how many people are in the church that day to figure out how many Communion stations there need to be and how many hosts need to be blessed. He gets the cups and hosts ready for Communion. He also makes sure there is a family to bring up the gifts (the bread and wine). If your family is ever interested, just let the Mass Coordinator or an usher know. He has a binder with an ordo inside it that tells everything that is going to happen and be said during Mass. Someone in our class wanted to know what happens if they run out of bread. Mr. G told us that there are extras that have already been blessed in the chapel and we can get them from there. Mrs. E also added that sometimes the Ministers of Communion break the hosts in half if they start to run out. Any little piece is still Jesus' body.

We got to see a bag with unblessed hosts. And a chalice

Another Mr. G came to talk to us about music and choir. He directs the 9:15 choir. He also plays the guitar. His favorite part of church is the music and many of us said the same. He loves to sing in church and thinks singing makes church fun. He remembers in the olden days when the only music in church was an old lady and an organ! After Vatican II, guitars were allowed in church. He started singing and playing his guitar after talking to Fr. George 35 years ago. He sings and plays his guitar every Sunday at 9:15. He plays a 12 string guitar.

Mrs. N came to talk to us about being an Usher. A lot of ushers are men, but there are some women ushers! Ushers help with the collection and ask help show people where to go for communion. They help collect song sheets and pass out bulletins at the end. The ushers are also there to keep things organized and help if there is an emergency. Mrs. N has been doing this for a long time. She started about the same time her husband was a Minister of Communion. She liked being involved in the Mass with her whole family. There used to be a schedule, but now Mrs. N is an usher pretty much every week at 9:15!

Michelle came to talk to us about being an Altar Server. Altar Servers help with the candles, the book, and the priest getting ready for Communion. She really likes being involved and being able to help the priest. The priest is just one guy and he can't do everything himself! There is a schedule so she knows when it is her turn. She told us you can be an Altar Server after you make your First Communion. So we are really excited to do it! You can do it at any Mass. She really likes feeling helpful and special.

Mrs. C-H (Miss Stacy's Mom!) came to talk to us about being a Lector. She explained that there are two readings (we already learned that the First Reading is from the Old Testament and the Second Reading is from the New Testament). The Gospel is read by the priest. A lector reads the First and Second readings. When you are the lector for the first reading, you also walk in carrying the Bible, because it is very important. People in the Vatican pick the readings for 3 years. Then they are repeated. To do the training it takes about half a day. Mrs. C-H practices a lot every time she is going to lector. Lectors have special workbooks that help them prepare and practice. The book also has an explanation of the reading so they can understand it better. She told us she gets nervous EVERY TIME she is going to lector, but she feels that it is really important and that is why she likes to do it. She started a long time ago when Mr. G (the Mass Coordinator) asked her after she did a talk for Mother's Day. When she walks up to the Altar she says a little prayer and again when she walks away. There is a schedule so she knows when it is her turn. Mrs. C-H really likes to be a lector because it makes her feel like she is part of Mass: kind of like it being so much better to play in a soccer game than just watching from the sidelines!

Mr. C (Miss Stacy's Dad!) came to talk to us about Liturgy Planning. The Liturgy planners decide what goes inside the ordo for the week (the papers that say what exactly will be said at Mass). There are 4 teams that take turns. His team is on the First Sunday. The readings every week are the same across the world, but the prayers can be different. They use the readings to help plan. They choose which prayers are said during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. They write the Prayer of the Faithful (when we pray for different things). They begin each planning session by saying a prayer and asking for God's help in planning. He has been doing it for over 20 years. He didn't really have much training, but he said the more he has done it, the better he is at it!

Mrs. W came to talk to us about Liturgy of the Word for Children (or Children's Liturgy of the Word-CLOW). She also showed us the magazines that the kids who go get to use. CLOW happens at 9:15 Mass during the school year. It is for kids about 3/4 years old to about 3rd grade. Kids get to go downstairs in split into groups of younger kids and older kids. They hear a story, say a prayer, do an activity/craft and learn about the Gospel in a way for kids to understand. She loves to see all of the kids at church come join her. Some parents would rather their kids stay upstairs and listen to Mass, and that is OK too. The hardest part is not knowing exactly how long everything is going to take in Mass. Sometimes they need time to fill and sometimes they are rushed! We learned that you don't need to be signed up. You can just go when the priest invites all the kids!

It was really neat to hear from all of these people who participate in making the Mass happen on Sundays. We learned about some things we can participate in, such as being Altar Servers and going to Children's Liturgy of the Word. If anyone is interested in being an Altar Server after making their First Communion, please email Ms. Stephanie or talk to Rosi at church. We also liked learning about roles for adults. This is a great opportunity for parents to get involved! Parents, if you are interested in being a Minister of Communion, Lector, usher or being in the choir, please email Ms. Stephanie and she can put you in touch with the right person. Your kids will love to see you getting involved in the Mass!

Important Notes:

-First Reconciliation and Communion books were due April 2. If you didn't turn yours in, please bring it April 9 to the Family Mass. I look through each one. Those that were already turned in will be given back April 9th so you can continue to review them before First Communion.

-First Reconciliation Mass is next Tuesday, April 12 at 7:00. This is mandatory for anyone making their First Communion.

-April 9 is the closing event for Religious Ed for the year. It is a Family Mass and it starts at 9:00 at the church.

-Kids from our class who are interested have been involved in Mass throughout this year. At our Class' Mass in February, at the Family Mass next week, and at First Communion. It is wonderful to have second graders taking part in the Mass. They are impressive!

-Don't forget to bring your Mass books every Sunday when you go to church and to First Communion to follow along.

First Communion Notes:

-Seats will be assigned on a First Come/First Served basis. The CHILD must be present in order for the seats to be assigned. Doors will open at 10:00.

-Photos may be taken before and after Mass on the Altar. Father John will be available for pictures before Mass.

-If you have special items to be blessed, Fr. John will do a sprinkling rite during Mass. You can hold them up to be blessed during that time. Or see him after Mass.

-The way we practiced taking communion and as is stated here in the earlier post is the proper procedure. In the letter that was sent home, it states the child should make the sign of the cross after consuming the wine and the host. That is not necessary. If your child wants to, that is more than Ok, but it is not "procedure". They are OK with what we practiced. The most important things for them to remember are *saying "Amen" after being presented with both and *praying reverently when they get back to their seat.