By Janet Miller. Copyright © 2013, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved.

CATECHIST’S NOTES

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Children’s RCIA Resource

HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE

Dismissal Session The Dismissal Session is for catechumens only who are dismissed from worship before the Creed (RCIA #75.3). The Dismissal Session group may gather for the Catechetical Session at another time during the week.

Catechetical Session When the Dismissal Session is immediately followed by the Catechetical Session, parents or other sponsors join the group after Eucharist. Baptized children preparing for confirmation and Eucharist may also join in the Catechetical Session (RCIA #254; Appendix III, #19). Select the session options that fit your time frame.

NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY Sunday’s readings 1 Kings 17:17-24 Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-13 Galatians 1:11-19 Luke 7:11-17

Doctrine correlations The holy People of God share in Christ’s prophetic office when it

becomes Christ’s witness in the world (CCC #785). The people of the “poor,” those humble and meek who rely solely

on God’s mysterious plans and the justice of the Messiah, are the great achievement of the Holy Spirit’s hidden mission (CCC #716).

RCIA team notes The term “catechumen” is reserved strictly for the unbaptized (RCIA National Statutes #2). If baptized children preparing for confirmation and Eucharist (RCIA #254.1) are included in the closing prayer, add “candidates” after “catechumens.”

Children with special needs Adjust the prayer for any cultural prohibitions against touching or allergies to oil. Be sensitive to families with deceased or missing children.

GETTING READY FOR THE SESSION

Items to prepare

check-in sheet, nametag materials poster paper or white board, erasers, and erasable markers green cloth on table or counter for prayer, percussion instrument Bibles, one set to Luke 7, prayer cards pictures, container of fragrant oil, candle in a heat-proof holder,

matches Sharing Faith questions, copies of “Faith at Home” lesson slips, container, scratch paper, pencils fabric squares, table covering, scratch paper, pencils, fabric

markers

Gathering Prayer Ritual Place a Bible, candle, container of fragrant oil, and pictures of people who are suffering on a green cloth. Bring craft paper, scissors, fine-line markers, and clean recycled lanyards. On numbered cards, print each saint name or phrase. Plan to collect cards for future sessions.

Singing option Use music from your faith community resources. The suggestion is a guide available in Gather Comprehensive from GIA Publications, Inc., or online. Bring songbooks or printed words and music in a player.

Building community From news sources, obtain pictures of people who are suffering.

Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week.

Engaging the Word Print the lessons on recycled paper slips. Place in a container. Bring scratch paper and pencils.

Sharing Faith groups Put the Scripture citation with the questions on cards for group leaders.

Crossing the Ages Activity option: White Prayer Scarves From the Internet or church library, obtain information about Argentinean Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. Cut white recycled fabric sheeting at least 16-inches square. Finish the edges or bring fabric glue. Bring recycled newspapers or plastic table covering, recycled scratch paper, pencils, and fabric markers.

Closing Prayer Assure that each child has a sponsor or stand-in.

CATECHIST’S NOTES

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DISMISSAL SESSION

GATHERING (15 MINUTES)

Catechumens, having heard the Sunday proclamation of the word, are dismissed from the Mass. Greet the catechumens as they arrive. Have everyone check in. Offer materials for nametags. Have everyone cutout and draw a nametag to represent summer fun. Distribute prayer cards to readers to prepare.

GATHERING PRAYER RITUAL

Chime a percussion instrument as a call to prayer. All stand around the prayer focal point.

(†) Light a candle. Using fragrant oil, anoint each member on the forehead with the Sign of the Cross, saying:

In the name of Jesus, welcome here today.

After the last person has been anointed, say:

We call on holy witnesses who have gone before us to intercede for us that we may be strong in faith.

Ask everyone to respond after each reader, “Pray for us.” Following numbered cards, readers call on the saints.

Reader 1: Widow of Nain: pray for us. Reader 2: All you holy mothers who spent your lives mourning a child: pray for us. Reader 3: Saint Mary, called Magdalene: pray for us. Reader 4: Saint Joanna, wife of Herod’s steward: pray for us. Reader 5: Saint Suzanna with others who provided for Jesus: pray for us. Reader 6: Saint Peter, once called Simon: pray for us. Reader 7: Saints James and John: pray for us. Reader 8: You cloud of witnesses living in eternal glory: pray for us.

Leader: May we be strengthened by the intercessions of your holy witnesses and by your model of faith, and may the peace of Christ reign in our hearts for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Invite everyone, when you lift a hand, to respond, “I praise you, O God, for you have rescued me.” Prayerfully say the following verses inspired by Psalm 30.

O God, you drew me clear and saved me from the pit. (response)

Sing praise to God, you faithful ones, and give thanks to God’s holy name. (response)

Have pity on me and be my helper. Forever, I will give you thanks. (response)

Song Suggestion: “Jubilate, Servite/Raise a Song of Gladness” or “Sing to the Glory of God.”

Extinguish the candle flame.

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CONNECTING WITH ONE ANOTHER

Invite everyone to sit in a circle. Introduce anyone new. Invite sharing about their experiences with the “Faith at Home” pages from the previous session.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

From Suffering to Joy: Assign partners. Distribute pictures of suffering. Print on the board or display the questions: What suffering do you see? What would bring joy? Ask the pairs to decide answers for their pictures. After a few minutes, invite everyone to share. Mention:

Whenever Jesus noticed someone suffering, he felt their misery deep inside and turned the situation into joy. This week we hear about one such time.

RECALLING THE WORD (10 MINUTES)

Give everyone Bibles, and have them sit in a circle. Use the following as a guide. For information, refer to “Insight for the Catechist” and the reflections on the “Faith at Home” page. Always affirm the catechumens’ responses adding comments to aid their understanding.

Help the catechumens find 1 Kings 17:17-24. Introduce the story using 1 Kings 17:1-16. Ask:

What amazing thing happened?

Elijah prayed, not for himself, but for the widow’s sake; when have you prayed for the needs of others?

Have the catechumens find Galatians 1:11-19.

To whom does Saint Paul give credit for his faith?

Have the catechumens find Luke 7:11-17. Mention:

In Jesus’ time, a widow without a son to own her property was in a desperate situation. Women had no civil rights, and women’s property belonged to men. The law also said that touching the dead resulted in contamination. Jesus turned their understandings upside down.

How did Jesus use his power to relieve the widow’s suffering?

When might you comfort someone who is crying and ease their pain?

Affirm the members’ comments. Summarize:

Widows without adult children generally were the poorest of the poor. In touching the widow’s need, Jesus showed the presence of God, the giver of life. The people declared that Jesus was a great prophet of God.

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PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES)

We offer our concerns in prayer. When I lift my hand, please respond, “Have pity, O God, and hear our prayer.”

For all parents who have lost children, may others comfort them in their suffering. (Lift a hand for the response.)

Send your Spirit to give us courage to preach the gospel. (Lift a hand for the response.)

For the lonely, may they find hope through the concerned efforts of believers. (Lift a hand for the response.)

Invite the members to contribute intercessions. Conclude:

God, who commands us to have hope, we pray for all who suffer and ask for all things according to your will. Hear our prayers that we offer through Christ Jesus, who brought glory through the Cross, for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Option: Break for a snack or social time. If the group disperses now and meets for catechesis later in the week, collect nametags.

By Janet Miller. Copyright © 2013, TeamRCIA.com. Photo by Janet Miller. All rights reserved.

The Catechetical Session follows the Dismissal Session either immediately or at another time during the week. The catechetical session is designed for catechumens and parents or sponsors to grow in faith together. The status of the catechumens never is to be confused with that of baptized children preparing for confirmation or Eucharist, who may join in this catechesis as supportive companions (RCIA, Appendix III, #19).

GATHERING FOR CATECHESIS (5 MINUTES)

Welcome the catechumens, parents, sponsors, and any baptized children arriving from liturgy. If this Catechetical Session is not following the Dismissal Session, allow an additional ten minutes and begin with the Gathering segment in the Dismissal Session. Have those arriving check in and put on nametags.

PRAYING Invite everyone to stand around the prayer focal point. Use the (†) prayer from the Gathering Prayer Ritual in the Dismissal Session, another prayer, or sing a gathering song from liturgy.

ENGAGING THE WORD (15 MINUTES)

Distribute Bibles. Have everyone find Luke 7:11-17. Mention:

This wonderful story shows Jesus feeling the grieving widow’s misery in the pit of his stomach and helping her.

Ask the members to identify parts of the story. Affirm all responses, using suggestions in parentheses only if needed.

1. What is the setting? (A crowd surrounds a funeral procession headed out the city gate for burial. They meet another crowd surrounding an itinerant preacher heading into the city of Nain.)

2. Who are the characters? (widow, her deceased son, coffin bearers, townspeople, Jesus, disciples, another crowd)

3. What is the plot? (Two crowds meet. Jesus is moved to pity at seeing the distressed widow and commands her not to weep. Jesus brings a dramatic change.)

4. What is the climax? (At Jesus’ touch and word, the dead son comes to life, and Jesus returns him to his mother.)

CATECHETICAL SESSION

TENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

1 Kings 17:17-24

Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-13 Galatians 1:11-19

Luke 7:11-17

Insight for the Catechist

Seeing Elijah, the Sidonian widow must have wondered if the immigrant with another religion came to do harm. After feeding him the last of her food, the oil jar was miraculously refilled, but her son died. In a second miracle Elijah revived the boy.

By word and touch, two prophets restore life to widows’ only sons. Jesus and Elijah, as people of God, speak the word of truth. Ultimately, stretched on the Cross, Jesus brings life to all humanity.

Nain stands as a symbol for overcoming grief. When we find consolation after suffering a death or other loss and when we offer consolation to someone who grieves, we visit Nain. Whenever someone returns from grief after a death-dealing experience, mercy is theirs.

When do we experience Jesus’ life-giving touch, and when do we pass that touch to others?

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5. What is the resolution of the story? (Jesus is reported to be a prophet.)

6. What is the mood? (Possibly fear: The widow feared for her future. The crowds may have feared to see the dead man arise. The dead man may have had fear and confusion. A visit by God sometimes can cause fear.)

7. What is the theme? (The living God is among us and brings life out of death.)

Mention:

The closing line describes this account as a report.

How would people of today react to this report in a tabloid? (send doctors to examine the man, sensationalize the event, create souvenirs, have characters on talk shows)

What can we, as people of faith, report about Jesus?

SHARING FAITH (15 MINUTES)

Form mixed-age groups of four to eight with Bibles at Luke 7:11-17. Explain:

Bible stories teach many lessons. Each group will develop a skit that shows one lesson. You can ask members of other small groups to play roles. Determine the dialogue and actions. For instance, townspeople may talk behind the widow’s back about who will get her property. The disciples may try to stop Jesus from breaking the law of touching a corpse.

Have each group select a lesson slip:

1. Jesus’ concern shows that God is attentive to our needs. 2. Jesus breaks the unjust law to bring new life. 3. Jesus brings deliverance to someone who suffers. 4. Jesus does not leave the world as he finds it but reverses customs to protect those in need. 5. Witnesses proclaim that Jesus is a great prophet. 6. A new reign of peace, love, and new life begins with Jesus.

Provide recycled scratch paper and pencils. Mention that they have five minutes. Then, each group performs. Affirm all. Invite any insights. Conclude:

The reign of God powerfully presents itself through Jesus who the people recognize as a prophet. We, the holy People of God, share in Christ’s prophetic office and deepen people’s understandings about God.

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CARRYING OUT THE WORD (5 MINUTES)

SUMMING UP

Invite everyone to sit around the prayer focal point. Encourage them to offer insights from this week’s session. Summarize:

This week we glimpse a small part of God’s great mysterious plan. The humble and meek depend solely on God, the justice of the Messiah, and the work of the Holy Spirit. We are called to participate in this mission.

CLOSING PRAYER

Have the members arrange chairs in two facing rows about eight feet apart. The catechumens sit in one row and the parents/sponsors in the other. Assign sponsor stand-ins if needed. Ask everyone to quietly reflect:

When have you felt someone’s need, as Jesus did for the widow, in the pit of your stomach?

Ask them to silently pray for people in need. Then announce:

God’s people are visited. A great prophet appeared among us.

Go to each catechumen. Say:

Young one, rise up.

Taking the youth’s hand, walk to the parents or sponsor. Motion each adult to rise. Gently turn the youth’s back to the sponsor/parents and place a sponsor’s or parents’ hands on the youth’s shoulder. Repeat until everyone is facing forward, sponsors’ and parents’ hands on youths’ shoulders. Say:

Adults, the faithful entrust to you these catechumens (and candidates), so that they might learn from you about life in community with Christians.

Go forth from this place and spread the Good News about Jesus through your words and actions.

And may the ever-living God bless us, (Make the Sign of the Cross on yourself as a model for everyone.) protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen.

Distribute the “Faith at Home” page. Collect the nametags.

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Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity for children and adults together: 20 minutes)

White Prayer Scarves (Suitable formation trains in the Christian way of life, RCIA #75.)

Tell:

Argentina had extreme political unrest in the 1970s. Thousands of people were taken and never seen again. The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo joined together to pray for their missing sons. Today, aged mothers and others who pray for missing children continue to march every Thursday morning. Members wear white prayer scarves.

Invite the members:

Design a prayer scarf to wear or to put on your prayer table under a Bible. Your scarf can be a reminder to pray every Thursday for parents throughout the world who have missing children and for all children who are separated from their parents.

Have the members put protective covering on work surfaces. Distribute squares of white cloth. If finishing edges, offer fabric glue and show how to fold the edges and glue them down to create a clean edge. Provide scratch paper, pencils, and fabric pens. Suggest that they practice their design first on paper and then decorate the fabric with their design showing signs of new life. They can print encouraging expressions such as, “Do not cry,” or “Arise and live.” As they finish, they clean up.

Encourage everyone to use the scarves at home as a prayer reminder.

At a convenient time for the family, gather around a dining table or in the living room. Silence all electronics. Place a Bible opened to Luke 7 in the center. Begin with a moment of quiet.

REFLECTING ON 1 KINGS 17:17-24

A Sidonian widow was more than generous to the hungry immigrant, Elijah. In fact, giving him the very last of her food, she and her son were about to starve. A miracle of food happened, but the son soon died anyway. Elijah’s vibrant prayer brought a miracle, and the son regained life, affirming that those of God speak the word of truth.

What do we each think about miracles?

As a family, read the complete story, 1 Kings 17. The widow of Zarephath and her son were starving because of a drought. In that time, a woman ordinarily would not have talked to this man, let alone feed him and invite him to stay. She was willing to give the last of their food to a stranger even though he was an immigrant whose religious beliefs differed from hers.

REFLECTING ON GALATIANS 1:11-19

Saint Paul admits he was a zealous but misguided believer in God, persecuting Christians before his own conversion. Paul attributes his knowledge directly to Jesus and only sought consultation with Saint Peter and Jesus’ brother, Saint James.

Who taught each of us about Jesus?

Sometimes people use faith, as Paul did before his conversion, as a pretext for attacking those with differing beliefs. Scan news sources and find places in the world where God’s joy needs to prevail over misunderstandings.

REFLECTING ON LUKE 7:11-17

Power over death is a sign of God’s presence. In this tale of grief and hope, Jesus had compassion for the widow of Nain because her only son had died. Jesus knew it was not enough to say to someone grieving, “Do not weep.” Jesus did everything in his power to relieve her burden.

Who do we know that is weeping, and how can we help relieve their suffering?

By Janet Miller. Copyright © 2013, TeamRCIA.com. Photo by Derry Public Library, CC BY 2.0. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.

Faith at Home Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Remember Sunday’s Word

1 Kings 17:17-24 Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-13

Galatians 1:11-19 Luke 7:11-17

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C TeamRCIA.com

From Grief to New Life Each family member, using biodegradable paper, draws a representation or writes about something for which they have grief. This may be something as basic as a missed assignment or a failed business deal, any opportunity that now is gone. Someone may be grieving about a lost friendship, a lost good grade, a missed job, or an actual death of a loved one. Maybe the grief is over a good reputation now marred after poor behavior.

Take these drawings or compositions along with a Bible, shovel, and transplanted seedlings with potting soil, if needed. Gather in a garden area or around an empty flower pot for a prayer service to help bury the grief.

Use the following as a guide for prayer.

1. Reading from a Bible, someone proclaims Psalm 42. 2. Take turns digging a hole or scooping soil into the bottom of the pot. 3. Each person who wishes shares about the grief being buried. 4. Place the papers in the hole or pot. 5. Take turns covering the papers with soil. 6. Transplant a flower or vegetable seedling into the plot or pot.

A leader prays:

Blessed are you, God of all creation. From death you bring new life. Help us to die to our grieving and begin afresh. May the new life that comes from this plant be a sign of the new life that comes after our grieving.

Taking turns, hold each other by the hands or hug and say:

“Young at heart, I tell you to get up. Put an end to your grieving, and enjoy new life.”

Sing or joyfully move away from the planting. Appoint family members to keep the new plant moist.