Celebrating the Mass Lesson- Entering the Church

(This lesson is in accordance with the new Roman Missal that is to be implemented on November 27, 2011.)

*Be sure to adjust this lesson to fit the needs of your students.


(Please take in consideration that I am just a Mom and I'm providing these lessons and activities to the best of my abilities. I will try to make them as accurate as possible, but I know I will make a few mistakes and it was not intentional.)




When you enter the church, near the doors you will find a holy water font or stoup. The water is blessed and it is the first thing you should do when you come into the church. Dip your forefingers of your right hand into the blessed water and make the Sign of the Cross. As you make the Sign of the Cross you should say, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

As you walk down the aisle to sit, be mindful of the Presence of God. We should be quiet while we find a seat and try not to distract others. When you finally choose a row to sit at, genuflect toward the front of the church to where the tabernacle is which contains the Blessed Sacrament. When you genuflect you lower yourself onto your right knee until it touches the floor. At the same time we make the Sign of the Cross. If the tabernacle is not in the main body of the church or if the sanctuary lamp is not lit, signifying that the tabernacle is empty (on Good Friday and at the beginning of the Easter Vigil Mass) you should make a profound bow toward the altar. A profound bow is when you bend forward at the waist completely.

If there are kneelers where you are sitting you make the Sign of the Cross and kneel. If there are no kneelers you sit in a prayerful posture with your hands resting on your lap. Prepare yourself and clear your mind for God. Sometimes it is helpful to pray a few memorized prayers, but these should always be followed by a real conversation with God. Tell Him what is on your mind and reflect on where God is in your life as you kneel or sit in the church.



Questions:

What is the first thing you do when you enter the church? (Dip your fingers into the holy water font or stoup and bless yourself and say, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”)

Why should we be quiet in church? (We should be mindful of the Presence of God and try not to distract others.)

What do you do before you enter the row where you will sit? (You genuflect toward the front of the church to where the tabernacle is which contains the Blessed Sacrament. At the same time we make the Sign of the Cross.)

What do you do if the tabernacle is not in the main body of the church or if the sanctuary lamp is not lit? (You should make a profound bow toward the altar.)

If there are kneelers what do you do? (You make the Sign of the Cross and kneel.)

What do you do if there are no kneelers? (You sit in a prayerful posture with your hands resting on your lap.)

What do you do after you kneel or sit? (Prepare yourself and clear your mind for God. Sometimes it is helpful to pray a few memorized prayers, but these should always be followed by a real conversation with God. Tell Him what is on your mind and reflect on where God is in your life as you kneel or sit there in the church.)



Crafts:

Make a prayer book to take with you to Mass.

123homeschool4me.com- FREE Prayer Book for Kids

catholicicing.com- Prayer Craft for Preschoolers

catechist.com- Template for Prayer Bag Craft



Games:


These games below are free, however they can only to be used for classroom and personal use. They may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted.


Introduce game: Let’s see how well you have been listening. See if you can answer the questions correctly by acting out what you should do.


What Should You Do Game

Directions- Have the students stand beside their chair or desk. Ask the questions below and the students must act out what they should do.

What is the first thing you do when you enter the church? (Dip your fingers into the holy water font or stoup and bless yourself and say, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”)

What do you do before you enter the row where you will sit? (You genuflect toward the front of the church to where the tabernacle is which contains the Blessed Sacrament. At the same time we make the Sign of the Cross.)

What do you do if the tabernacle is not in the main body of the church or if the sanctuary lamp is not lit? (You should make a profound bow toward the altar.)

What do you do if there are kneelers? (You make the Sign of the Cross and kneel.)

What do you do if there are no kneelers? (You sit in a prayerful posture with your hands resting on your lap.)

What do you do after you kneel or sit? (Prepare yourself and clear your mind for God. Sometimes it is helpful to pray a few memorized prayers, but these should always be followed by a real conversation with God. Tell Him what is on your mind and reflect on where God is in your life as you kneel or sit there in the church.)





Introduce game: How well do you know your prayers? Let’s find out!



Name That Prayer File Folder Game- The objective of the game is to get to FINISH first by answering questions about prayers. Review all or just a few of the prayers.



Puzzle:


The puzzle below is free, however it can only to be used for classroom and personal use. It may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted.


Entering the Church (crossword)- For younger students you can do this together on the board.