Resources for catechists and teachers † The word of God was made flesh Resources for catechists and teachers Visit www.sdc.me.uk

CELEBRATING the SACRAMENTS Start by talking about celebrations (maybe asking questions about what special events do people celebrate e.g. parties for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations etc) Say that this presentation is about special celebrations in the Church. There are a lot of celebrations we regularly take part in church. We do not usually use party hats, fireworks etc as in other occasions but we still ought to look at these occasions as times to be happy and celebrate something special.

The 7 Sacraments Explain that there are seven of these celebrations. These are called the SACRAMENTS. These are occasions that help us become better Christians and move us closer to Jesus (as shown in definition on slide). Some of them are only received once while others are celebrated more regularly. You may ask children to look at the 7 symbols shown and guess what each represents before moving to the next slide. Special celebrations that help us become better Christians and move us closer to Jesus

The 7 Sacraments 3 SETS SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION BAPTISM EUCHARIST CONFIRMATION SACRAMENTS OF HEALING RECONCILIATION ANOINTING OF THE SICK SACRAMENTS OF SERVICE HOLY ORDERS MARRIAGE This slide shows the list of the seven sacraments. Explain that we can also look at them in this way by putting them in 3 sets as shown: 3 sacraments of initiation (the beginning process of our life as full Catholic Christians), the 2 Sacraments of Healing (in which we ask and celebrate God healing our spirit or body), and 2 sacraments of Service (for those celebrating the beginning of their life of service in marriage or the priesthood)

The 7 Sacraments SIGNS AND SYMBOLS Each sacrament uses signs and symbols to explain what happens when it is celebrated As we celebrate these sacraments we make use of signs and symbols to help us understand what happens, the meaning and effects of these celebrations. Each of these signs and symbols will be shown at the bottom of each of the coming 7 slides.

BAPTISM The 7 Sacraments We become God’s Children - part of God’s family: Christians We receive the Holy Spirit Our sin is forgiven BAPTISM: Talk about the points and images shown on this slide. We receive this sacrament only ONCE as we become God’s children and start our journey as christians. The Holy Spirit comes to us for the first time and our Original Sin (and any others) are forgiven. Many receive this sacraments when they are very young but there are many others who are baptised at a later stage if and when they decide to become Christians. There are many symbols used in baptism especially water (washes away our sin and gives new life), the Easter Candle (light of Christ), oils etc. SIGNS & SYMBOLS Water, Easter Candle, White Garment, Oil

EUCHARIST The 7 Sacraments We receive the Body of Christ EUCHARIST: this is when we receive the Body of Christ. Jesus gave himself to us in Holy Communion. He did this for the first time at the Last Supper. We can receive this regularly at mass. It is our spiritual food and sometimes we also receive the second spieces: the blood of Christ. You may want to talk about how we offer bread and wine at mass. These are consecrated using the words of Jesus himself and changed into his own Body and Blood. SIGNS & SYMBOLS Bread and wine

CONFIRMATION The 7 Sacraments We receive the Holy Spirit We become adult Christians CONFIRMATION: This is the sacraments that completes our Initiation as Christians. The Holy Spirit again comes to us and gives us his Gifts of Knowldege, Understanding, etc. This celebration which also makes us adult Christians is usually led by the Bishop, the leader of the diocese who anoints the person being confirmed using Oil of Chrism: marking him to be witness of Christ everywhere. The Laying of the Hands sign is also used when the Bishop prays the Holy Spirit to come on those being Confirmed. There is also a sponsor who promises to help and support the person being confirmed in their Christian Journey. This is another sacrament which is only received once. SIGNS & SYMBOLS Laying of Hands, Oil of chrism SYMBOL of the HOLY SPIRIT: Flame

RECONCILIATION The 7 Sacraments CONFESSION PENANCE God forgives us RECONCILIATION: This sacrament which is often also called CONFESSION or Penance is a celebration when we acknowledge we have sinned and we ask God to forgive us. He is always ready to do so. We therefore show we are sorry and celebrate the fact that he forgives us and we can be once more his friends. Some people receive this sacrament in the Confession box/room in church but it can be celebrated anywhere. The priest listens to us and forgives our sins in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We celebrate this sacrament anytime we think we need to ask God’s forgiveness either on our own or at times during reconciliation services held in parishes from time to time. SIGNS & SYMBOLS Confessing sins Express our sorrow Contrition; Absolution

ANOINTING SICK The 7 Sacraments Jesus helps people who are ill. OF THE SICK Jesus helps people who are ill. The priest prays for them and anoints them. ANOINTING OF THE SICK: This is a sacrament for people who are unwell especially those seriously ill. Jesus himself was approached so many times to heal people. The Church too does this ministry of healing through this sacrament in which the priest is called, prays for that person who is not well and anoints them with Holy Oil. SIGNS & SYMBOLS Oil of anointing; Laying of Hands; Sign of the Cross

HOLY ORDERS The 7 Sacraments A man is Ordained to Serve in the Church as a priest HOLY ORDERS: This is the sacrament celebrated by those men called by God to minister in the Church as Priests. They do this after a period of training. They vow to work in the Church under the guidance of the bishop by serving in different ways in parishes etc. The Laying of hands sign is again used during Priestly Ordination together with the anointing with Oils. SIGNS & SYMBOLS Laying of hands Anointing with oil

MARRIAGE The 7 Sacraments Man and woman become One to form a family. They are united in Love for each other and for children they may have. MARRIAGE: This is the celebration of the union between Man and Woman in front of God and the Church. They become ONE to form a family and be of service to one another and any children they may have. As a symbol of their love for each other rings are used and given to each other during the ceremony. SIGNS & SYMBOLS Rings; Consent

The 7 Sacraments 3 SETS SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION BAPTISM EUCHARIST CONFIRMATION SACRAMENTS OF HEALING RECONCILIATION ANOINTING OF THE SICK SACRAMENTS OF SERVICE HOLY ORDERS MARRIAGE Same slide as slide 4 to use as a brief revision and look once more at how the seven sacraments can be organised into 3 sets: Initiation, Healing and Service.

People preparing for baptism People preparing for confirmation CONCLUDING PRAYER People preparing for baptism People preparing for confirmation First Communion Children Sick people PRAYER: This slide could be used for a moment of prayer. It is about people involved in the celebration of the sacraments. As each caption appears invite children to pray for them. Priests People who want to celebrate Reconciliation Married People

Resources for catechists and teachers † The word of God was made flesh Resources for catechists and teachers Visit www.sdc.me.uk