Celebrating the Mass Lesson- Liturgy of the Word Sequence

(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.)



There is a specific order to the readings done at Mass. The people sit and the Lector stands at the ambo and reads the first reading from the Lectionary. The Lector can either be a man or woman. Sometimes teens are Lectors. The first reading is from the Old Testament (except during the Easter Season) which was written before Jesus was born and relates to the Gospel Reading of the day.

To indicate the end of the reading, the Lector acclaims: “The Word of the Lord.”

All reply: “Thanks be to God.”


After the first reading comes the Responsorial Psalm, which is an important part of the Liturgy of the Word and holds great liturgical and pastoral importance, because it fosters meditation on the word of God. The Responsorial Psalm should correspond to each reading and should, as a rule, be taken from the Lectionary.

The Book of Psalms is from the Old Testament. It is a collection of inspired poems, hymns, and prayers. It is preferred that the Responsorial Psalm be sung, at least as far as the people's response is concerned. The Cantor sings the verses of the Psalm from the ambo or another suitable place. The entire congregation remains seated and listens but, as a rule, takes part by singing the response, except when the Psalm is sung straight through without a response.


Then the Lector reads the second reading from the ambo. The second reading is from the New Testament which deal with the coming of Jesus and the establishment of God’s New Covenant with humanity through Jesus, God’s Son.

To indicate the end of the reading, the Lector acclaims: “The Word of the Lord.”

All reply: “Thanks be to God.”


This is followed by the Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia) or another chant laid down by the rubrics, as the liturgical time requires.

After the Second Reading we are about to hear the Gospel proclaimed. First, the Gospel Acclamation, the Alleluia, it is usually sung and this can be done in a number of ways. Alleluia is a word of praise and happiness and it is part of our preparation for the reading of the Gospel. As we stand, the priest or deacon moves toward the altar to take the Book of the Gospels. The minister who will read the Gospel is joined by two candle bearers called “acolytes” (a Greek word that means “attendants”), and another acolyte who bears incense (in Masses during which incense is being used). As we sing the Alleluia, the Book of the Gospels is held aloft and carried in procession to the ambo.

During the Lenten season the Alleluia is not sung or said. The Alleluia is replaced with another verse that gives praise to the Lord. The Book of the Gospels is still carried in solemn procession during the season of Lent, but the absence of the Alleluia alerts us to a time of meditation. After the Alleluia we continue to stand for the Gospel.



Questions:

What do we call the person who reads the first and second reading? (The Lector.)

Which book is the first and second reading read from? (The Lectionary.)

Where do the first readings usually come from in the Bible? (The Old Testament.)

How do we respond to the readings after the Lector says, “The Word of the Lord.” (“Thanks be to God.”)

The Book of Psalms is from the Old or New Testament? (Old)

Do we stand or sit during the first and second reading? (Sit)

Is the Lector a man or a woman? (Either)

Where do the second readings come from in the Bible? (The New Testament.)

Do we stand during the Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia)? (Yes)

What season is the Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia) not sung or said? (During Lent.)

Do we stand or sit during the Gospel? (Stand)



Lesson:

thereligionteacher.com- Liturgy of the Word Lesson Plan
Lesson plan consists of objectives, learning activities, worksheets, lecture, centers, assessment, etc.



Craft:

Lesson 9: Liturgy of the Word Sequence- Children Discover the Mass by Mary Doefler Dall
Color pieces then cut them out. On a long strip of colored paper glue the pieces in the correct order. (Craft directions and template on page 55 & 56.)



Game:

This game 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. All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on this game are not my own and are from various internet sources.




Liturgy of the Word Sequence Card Game- For 2 to 4 players print out on card stock at least 2 copies of each page (for more players print more copies). Shuffle cards and the Dealer deals out 4 cards to each player. Dealer puts cards down in the middle of the table, turns over the top card, and places it beside the deck. From the cards in his hand the Dealer must place the next card in the sequence of the Liturgy of the Word on top of the card facing up. If he does not have the proper card, he must draw a card from the deck. Play moves clockwise. If the deck runs out, play moves to the next player clockwise and game continues. The first player to run out of cards wins.



Puzzles & Worksheets:

wordmint.com- Liturgy of the Word (Word Search)

thewordsearch.com- Liturgy of the Word (Word Search)

wordmint.com- The Liturgy of the Word (Crossword)

smp.org- The Liturgy of the Word (Crossword)

teacherspayteachers.com- Liturgy of the Word Notes

thecatholickid.com- Catholic Spelling & Vocabulary Words Liturgy Worksheets

mycatholickids.com- The Collect and the First Reading page 4, The Psalm and the Second Reading page 5, The Gospel and the Homily page 6

thereligionteacher.com- Order of the Mass (At this station, I had the students cut out the parts of the Liturgy of the Word I introduced earlier in the lesson and place them in the correct order. I didn’t have them glue them to the handout, but had them practice again and again until they got the order memorized.

smp.org- The Liturgy of the Word
A worksheet that looks at the three sources of readings at Mass