Liturgical Catechesis Festival of Modules: (July 18, 2015) Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Opening Prayer

Think/Pair/Share Group A: What is liturgy? Group B: What is catechesis?

What is Liturgy?  “Liturgy” is the work of God’s people. Participation of the people of God in ‘the work of God.’ Through the liturgy, Christ our redeemer and high priest continues the work of our redemption in, with and through his Church. (CCC#1069)  Through the liturgical celebrations of the Church, we participate in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, that is, his passing through death from this life into eternal glory.

What is Catechesis?  “Catechesis” is derived from a Greek word which means “to echo.” Catechists are called “to echo” the Word of God. The main goal of catechists is to witness to the Word of God. The Good News becomes their message.  “The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: Only he can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity.” (NDC#19)

Activity Sign/SymbolMeaning

Turn and Share

Essential Question for this Module… What is the intimate relationship between liturgy and catechesis?

How Beautiful---the Body of Christ by Twila Paris

Debrief/ Checking for Understanding (Formative Assessment) Signs/ Symbols = what doctrines, dogmas, or beliefs are represented ?

Small Group Activity: Connecting Signs/ Symbols to Liturgical Rites Examine a Sacramental Rite – Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing  How do the prayers open up the meaning of the symbols?  What do the symbols say about what we believe about this sacrament?  What do the prayers/symbols teach us about our Catholic faith?  How does the rite catechize those who experience it?

Gallery Walk

Time to process what you’ve learned!! Viewing/Reading all of these posters, what conclusions can you draw about our liturgical rites? How might you use liturgical rites to catechize your students and teach them about the richness of our faith?

Final Comments The term “liturgy” itself has a broader application than that of Sacrament, for it embraces all the official public prayer life of the church, while the term “Sacrament” refers to a particular celebration of Christ’s salvific work. (USCCA, p. 167)

Evaluation / EXIT SLIP (Let’s return to our Essential Question…) What is the intimate relationship between liturgy and catechesis?

Self-Reflection (Mystogogical Moment) The National Directory for Catechesis states: “Catechesis both precedes the Liturgy and springs from it.” (NDC#33) After experiencing this module, reflect on its implications for your role as a catechist in preparing people before liturgical celebrations and unpacking them mystagologically after the celebration.

Personal Commitment to Action How will your future lessons on liturgy be different than those of the past? Cite ONE example of change.

Reflections, Comments, Questions?

Closing Prayer (Benedictus)

Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; He has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us.

The Song of Zechariah (Continued) He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our lives.

The Song of Zechariah (Continued) You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Evaluation What was the most helpful part of this 2 hr. module that helped you complete your exit slip? Other questions?