Creatively Communicating the Word of God Using art & music to develop prayer Friday 26 th February Sr Angela Grant, Pauline Books & Media

A short note on the liturgical season

A Glimpse at the Liturgical Year Welcome To The Mass Notes page 85

A Glimpse at the Liturgical Year Welcome To The Mass notes page 86

A Glimpse at the Liturgical Year Welcome To The Mass notes page 87

A Glimpse at the Liturgical Year Welcome To The Mass notes page 88

A Glimpse at the Liturgical Year Welcome To The Mass notes page 89

The Season of Lent A Time of:

Liturgy is always prepared never ‘planned’ Guidelines of Celebrating Liturgy with children Liturgy is: preparing a space where something can happen preparing a space where something can happen where the Word can be proclaimed and heard where the Word can be proclaimed and heard where one can pray where one can pray where all the senses are engaged and where God is encountered where all the senses are engaged and where God is encountered

The task of those who work with children Provide a space where children may participate their own level of spiritual understanding Provide a space where children may participate their own level of spiritual understanding Develop their ‘ritual skills’ so that these can be formed into life-long habits Develop their ‘ritual skills’ so that these can be formed into life-long habits

Simple pattern of celebrating liturgy This pattern can be seen in the structure of the Mass and can be the basis of a simple liturgy of the Word or a collective act of worship We gather We gather We proclaim We proclaim We respond We respond We go forth We go forth

We gather Opening Prayer Leader: Today we gather together as a class to listen to God’s Word. During this season of Lent we remember Jesus as he went into the desert. Help us listen and reflect on the message of Jesus.

We proclaim Introduce the Gospel reading, preparing the children for what they are about to hear. Introduce the Gospel reading, preparing the children for what they are about to hear. Ceremoniously light the candle and sing the Gospel Acclamation – Alleluia (except during the seasons of Advent and Lent) as the Gospel is carefully carried in procession and set down on the ‘prayer table’. Ceremoniously light the candle and sing the Gospel Acclamation – Alleluia (except during the seasons of Advent and Lent) as the Gospel is carefully carried in procession and set down on the ‘prayer table’.

Proclaim the Gospel reading. Proclaim the Gospel reading. In liturgy, God is speaking to the assembled people here and now through the Word. There is a message from God for us TODAY.. Therefore great responsibility is placed upon the proclamation. Reading from a lectern will help all gathered to appreciate that this is a special book and a special message is being proclaimed.

We respond Responding to the Word may consist of: a time of reflection and discussion on the Word a time of reflection and discussion on the Word A time of ritual action or communal prayer A time of ritual action or communal prayer

We respond Prayers: The Liturgy of the Word should always end with a time of intercession. The prayer may arise from the children’s reflection but it is always concerned with the needs of the whole Church and the world. The petitions are invitations to pray – they are not themselves the prayer. Prayers: The Liturgy of the Word should always end with a time of intercession. The prayer may arise from the children’s reflection but it is always concerned with the needs of the whole Church and the world. The petitions are invitations to pray – they are not themselves the prayer.

For example: We know that God loves us, so let us pray for ourselves and for others. Intentions: State the intention, pray in silence and respond together. Intentions: State the intention, pray in silence and respond together. Lord, we pray, Lord, we pray, hear our prayer hear our prayer

We respond Concluding Prayer: A general expression of trust in God’s goodness. It should be addressed to God the Father and be made through Jesus Christ our Lord. eg: Loving God, we ask you to listen to these prayers that we bring to you today in the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Creating a space where children can celebrate the Word Prepare: a focal point / sacred space a focal point / sacred space music music seating arrangement seating arrangement scented smell (incense) scented smell (incense)

Sacred Space Create a special prayer corner Displaying the Lectionary/Bible Displaying the Lectionary/Bible Candle Candle Cloth (liturgical colour) Cloth (liturgical colour) Visual resources Visual resources

Adapting the Readings for children Retain the readings of the Church's year Retain the readings of the Church's year or select a theme or select a theme Remain faithful to the Meaning of the text Remain faithful to the Meaning of the text Use language that is Intelligible to children Use language that is Intelligible to children Use “words and signs” in our liturgies which are “sufficiently adapted to the capacity of children”

Prepare Scripture Readings Scripture Readings Music – chants Music – chants Drama – role play Drama – role play Any practicalities Any practicalities

Proclaiming the Word and nurturing the children’s response Children should see that the Lectionary or the Bible is a special book Children should see that the Lectionary or the Bible is a special book Every proclamation should involve the children (communication, expression etc) Every proclamation should involve the children (communication, expression etc) Re-tell the story Re-tell the story Let silence speak of God’s presence Let silence speak of God’s presence

We Listen Greeting the Word Greeting the Word God’s revelation through the Word God’s revelation through the Word Call to conversion for all Call to conversion for all Repeating the Word Repeating the Word chant or response chant or response

The Leader guides the children to: Make the gospel their own Make the gospel their own Take God’s word to heart Take God’s word to heart What does this story tell us about Jesus? How does Jesus treat people? What do you think he wants us to know today? What can we do? ‘I wonder’ technique

Reconciliation Themes Celebrate and experience: God’s unconditional love God’s unconditional love God’s mercy and peace God’s mercy and peace Jesus Jesus

The Prodigal Son Embrace Embrace Loved Loved Welcomed Welcomed Resting Resting Safe Safe Forgiveness Forgiveness Reconciliation Reconciliation Jealousy Jealousy

Celebrating the Tridium themes Jesus’ : Passion Passion Death Death Resurrection Resurrection Holy Thursday – Good Friday – Holy Saturday - Easter

Holy Thursday Holy Thursday Jesus washes his disciples feet Jesus celebrates the Passover meal with his disciples

Good Friday Jesus before Pilate Jesus before Pilate The way of the cross The way of the cross Jesus dies on the cross Jesus dies on the cross Jesus is embraced by his Mother Jesus is embraced by his Mother Jesus is laid in the tomb Jesus is laid in the tomb

Praying the Way of the Cross

WE LISTEN A Reading From the Gospel According to Matthew Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.

We Respond Jesus is exhausted and the cross is so heavy, he falls beneath its weight. Humbly he stands up again and continues on his way. It is our lies, our pride and our selfishness that make Jesus fall again.

Jesus lifts us up again Jesus lifts us up again All: we thank you Jesus Jesus takes our cross as well as his own. Jesus takes our cross as well as his own. All: we thank you Jesus Jesus strengthens us Jesus strengthens us All: we thank you Jesus

We Pray O Jesus, Give me your strength when I am discouraged and when everything is difficult. Help me to stand up and not stay crushed by my sadness. Amen

Easter Sunday Resurrection of Jesus