Tuesday 2nd March

LEARNING FOCUS 1: The people gather and the Introductory Rite.

On Sunday, members of the parish family come together to share the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  Welcomers greet the people as they come into the church and give them the books they need.  The musicians get their music ready.  The altar servers and the priest put on their vestments.  When the time comes to begin Mass, someone rings a bell, and everyone stands up to sing the Gathering Hymn.  The servers then come in followed by the priest.

The priest and people make the Sign of the Cross as the priest says, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” and the people respond, “Amen!”  He welcomes the parish family using the words, “The Lord be with you.”  Everyone replies, “And with your spirit.”  

At the end of one of Paul’s letters to Timothy, this is what he says,

‘The Lord be with your spirit. God’s grace be with you all.’

2 Timothy 4: 22

Questions

Why do members of the parish family come together on a Sunday?

1. How do the people prepare for Mass?
2. What happens during the gathering?
3. What do you think Paul’s words to Timothy mean?

Activity

Using the images from Church’s Story 3 page 54 write a short account describing and giving reasons for some of the things which happen when people gather to celebrate Mass.

Friday 5^th March

LEARNING FOCUS 2: The people give Glory to God: The Gloria.

After the priest has greeted everyone there is the opportunity to say sorry for anything we may have done wrong.  This is called the Penitential Act.  It prepares the parish family for the celebration of the Eucharist.  The response to God’s mercy and forgiveness is a song of praise called the Gloria, a prayer praising and glorifying God which also prepares people for listening to God’s Word.  The first words remind us of the heavenly message to the shepherds when Jesus was born, Glory to God in the highest.  

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you,

we bless you,

we adore you,

we glorify you,

we give you thanks for your great glory,

Lord God, heavenly King,

O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;

you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father,

have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.  Amen.

Questions

1. Why is the Gloria said after the Penitential Act?
2. What makes you think of the Christmas story when you hear the first words?
3. Why do Christians want to give glory to God?
4. Which are your favourite lines of the Gloria and why?
5. What does it say about God and about Jesus Christ?
6. How do you think praying the Gloria makes people feel?

Activity

Choose the words in the Gloria that you like best.  Discuss why you like them and how these words might prepare people to listen to God’s Word.