Ngành Nghĩa Sĩ

Đoàn Khiết Tâm Liên Đoàn Nguồn Sống Miền Tây Nam Phong Trào Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể Việt Nam 2012-2013

Đoàn Khiết Tâm Liên Đoàn Nguồn Sống Miền Tây Nam Phong Trào Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể Việt Nam

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church 1100 S Center St Santa Ana, CA 92704

http://www.tnttdmvn.org

Table of Contents Thánh Kinh Chuyên Môn The Resurrection of Morse 56 Jesus and Commission 1 4 Semaphore 57 The Ascension of Jesus 1 6 Square Knot 58 Courage To Faith 1 8 Sheet Bend 58 Hope 1 10 Bowline 58 Charity 1 12 Double Fisherman’s 58 Pentecost – The Holy Spirit 2 14 Clove Hitch 59 St. Peter & Life of the Community 2 16 Tautline Hitch 59 Biography & Conversion of St Paul 2 18 Figure Eight 59 Temptation (The Inner Conflict)2 20 Slip Knot 59 Personal Discipline 2 22 Mooring Hitch 60 Rolling Hitch 60 Constrictor Know 60 Trucker’s Hitch 60 Thánh Thể Square Lashing 61 Saint Paul 1 2 24 Diagonal Lashing 62 The Mystery of the Eucharist 1 26 Tripod Lashing 63 Eucharist and Scripture 1 28 Round Lashing 64 The Mystery of the Eucharist 1 30 Tourniquet Lashing 64 Self-Offering and Praying 1 32 Figure 8 Lashing 64 Examine Conscience and Repent 1 34 Trail Markings 65 God’s Covenant Finding Direction 65 with Adam and Eve 2 36 The Sacrificial Offerings of Abel2 38 The Covenant with Noah 2 40 Songs The Meal of Melchisedek 2 42 Quốc Ca Việt Nam 66 God’s Covenant with Thiếu Nhi Tân Hành Ca 66 Moses and the Israelites 2 44 Ấu Nhi Ca 67 Thiếu Nhi Ca 67 Phong Trào Nghĩa Sĩ Ca 67 Purpose (Mục Ðích) 46 Gọi Lửa 68 Foundation (Nền Tảng) 46 Chào Lửa Thiêng 68 Ideal (Lý Tưỏng) 46 Mang Lửa Về Tim 68 Principles (Tôn Chỉ) 46 Câu Chuyện Tình Thương 68 Ngành Nghĩa Sĩ Khăn & Motto 47 Hay Là Hay Quá Hay 69 Natural Teaching Methods 48 Ðôi Bàn Tay 69 Spiritual Teaching Methods 49 Bé Muốn Lên Thiên Đàng 69 History and Movement 50 Khẩu Hiệu Thiếu Nhi 69 Flag Ceremony 53 Chúa Là Gì? 69 Five Group Formations 54 Em Ra Về 70 Scarf Color 54 Kinh Dâng Ngày 70 Individual Rank 54 Kinh Dâng Đêm 70 Organization of TNTT 54 Kinh Rước Lễ Thiêng Liêng 70 10 Điều Tâm Niệm 55 Kinh Trước Khi Ăn 70 Ten Promises of Thieu Nhi 55 Cheat Sheet 71 The Resurrection of Jesus and Commission Scripture Reading Mathew 28: 5‐10 (The Resurrection of Jesus Christ) Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. Mathew 28: 16‐20 (Christ’s Great Commission) The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Fact Finding The Resurrection The disciples of Jesus were as unprepared for his resurrection as they were for his death. The empty tomb made them fearful and joyful at the same time. Even though Jesus had spoken to them before of his death and rising, they could not believe until they saw the empty tomb and met the risen Lord. Aren’t we the same? We want to see with our own eyes before we believe! The guards brought their testimony to the chief priests and elders who met the news with denial. They were resolved to not believe that Jesus had risen and they bribed the guards in the hope of keeping others from believing. The Great Commission It is the great commission given by the risen Christ in Matthew 28:16‐20. God has given us the gospel of his Son that Christ died for our sins, Christ was buried and Christ was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Through this gospel God caused our knees to bow and our tongues to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we have been saved. But God also wants us to proclaim the gospel to others so that they also may believe and be eternally saved.

4 Thánh Kinh Life Application The Fishing Story It was a clear crisp autumn morning, and Randy had just finished his morning Bible reading. He drew in a deep breath of refreshing mountain air as the morning sun reflected off the surface of the lake. From the cabin’s porch, Randy could see his brother down on the boat dock. He quickly put away his Bible and walked down to the dock to join him. Randy: “What are you doing Billy?” Randy asked. Randy: (laughing), “Billy you won’t catch any fish Billy: “I’m fishing!” that way! You have to put a worm on your hook and Randy looked around and saw Billy’s fishing pole and throw your fishing line into the water.” tackle box lying on the dock next to him. Next to the Billy: “I don’t like touching the worms. They’re slimy. tackle box was a bucket filled with lake water. I hate taking the fish off the hook because it’s hard and Randy:”Don’t you mean you’re getting ready to go I sometimes get stuck by their fins.” fishing?” Randy: (stopped laughing), “Billy, you’ll never catch Billy: “No, I’ve been fishing for about half an hour.” anything by hoping the fish see you are a fisherman. Randy: “Billy, you don’t have a worm on your hook You need to put your fishing line in the water. Come and your fishing line isn’t even in the water. How on, I’ll help you.” could you be fishing?” Billy: (smiling) “It’s simple. You see, I have on my fishing hat and my life jacket. When fish swim by, they will see a fisherman sitting on the dock and jump out of the water and land in the bucket.”

Some Christians have a similar thought process when it comes to reaching others with the Good News of Jesus Christ. You see, some Christians figure that people will see them going to church, helping others, or maybe see the “I love Jesus” bumper sticker on their cars. They believe when others see that they are Chris- tians, they will simply follow them to church. So don’t just look like a Christian. Get to know the people around you, and share with them the Good News about our Lord. Summary • Jesus’ Resurrection gives proof that He is truly God and confirms His teachings. • The resurrection means that you and I are forgiven of all of our sins. • In the Great Commission, Jesus instructs the apostles to continue His mission by preaching the Gospels and baptizing others. • Jesus also calls us to be modern‐day apostles and evangelize to others about the Catholic faith and teachings. Prayer

“Lord Jesus Christ, you have triumphed over the grave and you have won new life for us. Give me the eyes of faith to see you in your glory. Help me to draw near to you and to grow in the knowledge of your great love and power.”

Thánh Kinh 5 The Ascension of Jesus Scripture Reading Acts 1:9-11, Luke 24:50-51 (God’s Ascension) The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given or- ders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convinc- ing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are re- storing the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, be- hold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. Fact Finding The Church Celebrates Ascension The Feast of the Ascension of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on the fortieth day after the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter). Since the date of Pascha changes each year, the date of the Feast of the Ascension changes. The Feast is always celebrated on a Thursday. The Feast itself commemorates when, on the fortieth day after His Resurrection, Jesus led His dis- ciples to the Mount of Olives, and after blessing them and asking them to wait for the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit, He ascended into heaven (body and soul).

6 Thánh Kinh Life Application Who Gets The Glory Instructions: Read each example below. Then circle the ones that give credit or glory to whom it belongs. Put and “X” through the examples where the characters keep the credit for themselves. Sally: Angie! You sang so beautifully today!! And your song had a very good message! Angie: Awww! Thanks, Sally! I really didn’t think I did that good. I worked really hard on it, but it just didn’t sound too good. But thanks! Joe: Dude! You play soccer so well! Way to score three goals for the team!! Harry: Thanks, man, but our team played very well together! We were a good team! I wouldn’t have been able to do it without their help! Jane: What are your plans for the future, Hanna? What do you want to study? Hanna: Well, I want to be a nurse. I’m going to have to study really hard to get into nursing school, but I love to help, so I will be a really good nurse. Joe’s mom: Hey, Jimmy. So, what are you guys doing this summer? Jimmy: Well, we’re going on vacation. My parents are taking us camping. Dad and Mom were both able to get off work, so they want to be able to stay there a couple of weeks! Dad has all these fun activities planned! Andy: Jesse, you are really good at giving speeches! Jesse: Thanks, man, but I know I wouldn’t be half as good if I hadn’t had such a good speech teacher last year!!

Summary • Forty days after Easter, Jesus went to Heaven body and soul. • Jesus’s body was already glorified when He resurrected but His glory was not seen until Ascension. • When Jesus goes to Heaven ahead of us, he gives us hope that one day we will follow Him. • Feast of Ascension is an obligation that all Christians are required us to fulfill every year.

Prayer

Lord, as you ascend to heaven, please send the Holy Spirit comes down on me so that I can have the courage to spread your teaching as well as your glory to the people around me. Please make me understand how important it is to follow your command and make me realize that it is the only way to help me stay closer to you. Amen.

Thánh Kinh 7 Courage To Faith Scripture Reading Colossian 2: 6-7 (Strengthen in the Faith) “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” 2 Timothy 1: 8-9 (Testify about our Lord) “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”

Fact Finding Strengthen in the Faith The supernatural virtues, which guide us to God, are called theological virtues. These are faith, hope, and charity. The Almighty God infuses faith into the soul. God is the cause of faith. Thus, faith is a gift of God. Faith is a theological virtue by which we believe all that God has revealed. Faith enlightens the intellect by imparting knowledge of supernatural truths. The internal act of faith in divine truths involves three things: 1. Belief in a God – that is, belief that God exists. 2. Believing God – that is, recognizing His word as the truth. 3. Belief in God – that is, accepting His word as the rule of life and the way of salvation. Testify about our Lord The external declaration, in words or in deeds, of what we believe, is a true act of faith. One is obliged to declare his faith outwardly (that is, he is obliged to make an external act of faith) whenever the honor of God or his neighbor’s good requires that he should do so. Faith with its extrinsic form of charity is living faith. This is the virtue of faith which is a habit in a man that serves as the principle of good acts. Lifeless or formless faith is not a virtue. St. James says: “Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” In a society with many false doctrines and temptations, we need to strengthen and to stand firm in our faith. The catechism contains all the basic beliefs given to us by Jesus Christ. The chief truths of faith can be found in the Apostle’s Creed. There are “twelve articles” or parts in the Apostles’ Creed, and each part is meant to refute some false doctrine taught before the time of the Apostles or while they lived. All these false doctrines are denied and the truth professed when we say the Apostles’ Creed.

8 Thánh Kinh Life Application Prayer That Makes Things Stand Still Bowls of Pho are served on the table and it smell delicious. Everyone starts to pour Hosin sauce and hot sauce in to add more tastes; bean sprout, herbal vegetables are also added in to give more flavors to the soup. Everyone begins to eat. Tran hesitates for a second. He asks himself: “Should I pray before I eat?” All of his friends at the table are enjoying their delicious soup. Besides, they are not Catholic. Tran says to himself: “If I do not have the courage to say a prayer before a meal in front of my friends at a restaurant, how can I stand firm and declare my faith in front of my enemies during trials.” Tran bows his head, does the sign of the Cross and says the Our Father as he always does at his home before every meal. All of his friends stop eating, drinking, laughing, or talking. They look at Tran with awe and wait for Tran to finish his prayer. Summary • Faith means to believe in God even if there is no proof. • Our faith will be tested by external sources. • We need to keep our faith strong by continually asking ourselves “What is God’s will” and try our best to do His will. • Faith needs to be strengthened by study and practice. We must stand firm in our faith, live, and profess it openly and courageously in all circumstances.

Prayer

Lord, make me stronger, stronger to do the right thing – the Christ‐like thing – the next time I’m in a hurtful situation, stronger to declare my faith in you as the reason for my actions, stronger to even forgive those who insult me. Jesus, give me the courage to live out what I believe in my heart, and allow me the wisdom to know that it comes from you. Amen.

Thánh Kinh 9 Hope Scripture Reading 2 Corinthians 4: 16‐18 (Do Not Lose Heart) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Romans 8: 31 (God Is For You) What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all ‐how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Philippians 3: 10-11 (All I Want…) All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, and to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death, in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life.

Fact Finding Do Not Lose Heart • Despair, which is the loss or abandonment of hope, is a sin, and it leads to other sins. The Resurrection stories in the Gospel are proof that despair and death do not win – that God is at work in the most hopeless of human situations. • Hope also gives a person a sense of purpose in life, especially when one is facing loneliness, anger, frustration, and disease. Although faith leads to hope, and hope leads to love, hope can rekindles the faith lost or weaken. God Is For You • We should pin our hope on God. He is our hope and our salvation. Although everyone or everything betrays us, God is always faithful. Every scriptural promises of a reward and is an implied perception of hope. Besides, Holy Bible has warnings and commands, which tells us to have hope. For instance, in Psalm 61, “Hope in Him, all ye congregation of the people.” All I Want… • Hope is the theological virtue by which we aspire with confidence to grace and heaven, trusting God, and being resolved to use his help. Hope directs the efforts of man to God and eternal happiness in God. Like other theological virtues, we can only attain hope by praying that God infuses us with it.

10 Thánh Kinh Life Application Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed the boy ahead of him had tripped and dropped all of the books he was carrying, along with two sweaters, a baseball bat, a glove, and a small tape recorder. Mark knelt down and helped the boy pick up the scattered articles. Since they were going the same way, he helped to carry part of the burden. As they walked, Mark discovered the boy’s name was Bill, that he loved video games, baseball, and history. He was having lots of trouble with his other subjects and that he had just broken up with his girlfriend. They arrived at Bill’s home and Mark was invited in for a Coke and they watched some television. The afternoon passed pleasantly with a few laughs and some shared small talk, then Mark went home. They continued to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice. They both graduated from junior high school. They ended up in the same high school. Finally the long‐awaited senior year came and three weeks before graduation, Bill asked Mark if they could talk. Bill reminded him of the day years ago when they had first met. “Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?” asked Bill. “You see, I cleaned out my locker because I didn’t want to leave a mess for anyone else. I had stored away some of my mother’s sleeping pills and I was going home to overdose myself so I don’t have to live anymore. But after we spent some time together talking and laughing, I realized that if I had killed myself, I would have missed that time and so many other moments that might fol- low. So you see, Mark, when you picked up those books that day, you did a lot more, you saved my life.” A true story, John W. Schlatter Summary • Hope is continuing trust and reliance on God to give us strength and help. • Having hope is necessary for us to live according to God’s teachings in tough times and challenging moments. • Hope is not something we can attain by ourselves. We need to pray for it and ask God to “infuse” us with hope.

Prayer

Lord, I am losing hope. It all seemed to be going okay. Things were flowing along, and life seemed good. Then, it all fell apart. I am not even sure why it happened, it just did, and then despair and hopelessness followed. I don’t feel like I used to anymore. I don’t have the energy or the desire to do much. I feel kind of numb. I am trying to find a way out of this mess. Saint Paul says we should not lose heart, but what if I already have? I’m having a hard time seeing beyond today’s gloom. Talk to me, God, and help me to climb out of the hole I am in. Rekindle in me a passion for life and for my dreams. Bring someone into my life that I can lean on for a little while until I regain my strength and rediscover my path, the path that leads to hope. Amen.

Thánh Kinh 11 Charity Scripture Reading 1 Corinthians 13: 4‐7 (What is Love?) Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill‐mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. Romans 12: 14‐15 (To Bless, Not To Curse) Ask God to bless those who persecute you – yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.

Fact Finding Reminders about Jesus • Jesus taught his disciples, “You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Mt: 5:43‐48). • In his letters to the Corinthians and Romans, St. Paul emphasizes the teachings of Jesus to love everyone. A great lesson from Jesus is that He loves unselfishly and unconditionally. “Love” or “Charity” • Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. • “Charity” and “Love” is often used interchangeably. (St. Paul used “love”. Catechism of the Catholic Church uses “charity”). Charity is love. However, the virtue of charity means a love that is Christlike. It is patient, kind, unselfish – consistent with St. Paul’s writing in 1 Cor. • Charity is a theological virtue (like faith and hope) so it is not something we can attain on our own. We need God to grant us this virtue and we need to ask for it in prayer.

12 Thánh Kinh Life Application Love, Love, Love Today, we use the word “love” very freely. Sometimes, we may be talking about the virtue of charity while other times we are referring to things that make us happy. Read each of the statements below and put and check in the column to classify it as “Passion love”, “Friendship Love” or “Godly love (charity)”

Love Statement Passion Friendship Godly Love I love my best friend. I love pepperoni pizza. For God so loved the world... I love my brother and sister. I love playing with my classmates. A new command I give you, love one another. I love going to the movies. Love your neighbor as yourself. I love my pet hamster. My mom is always telling me she loves me. I just met the boy down the street, we’re in love. I love all sports, but especially soccer.

Summary • Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. • In the First Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul teaches that charity (love) is unselfish, patient, and kind. • Charity means love, but it is a Christ‐like love: unselfish and unconditionally kind. • We can attain charity through prayer.

Prayer Lord Jesus, you said I was to love my enemies. I have always found this difficult, especially when they treat me differently. I ask you, Lord, to put your mind and heart within me to learn to forgive them even though it is not possible for me to forget right now, as I still bear scars in my spirit and emotions. Deepen in me a spirit of love and forgiveness that will overcome and dispel any thoughts of revenge or getting even. Be with me, Lord, this day as I think of you and how you suffered and forgave your enemies. Fill me with your presence and love, so there is no room in me for anything other than a spirit of goodwill and help me to forgive everyone who has done injustice to me.

Thánh Kinh 13 Pentecost – The Holy Spirit Scripture Reading Acts 1: 6-8 (The Promise of the Holy Spirit) “So when they [the disciples] had come together, they asked him [Jesus], “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 2: 2-4 (The Coming of the Holy Spirit) When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Fact Finding The Promise After the resurrection, Jesus appears to the apostles on numerous occasions. During the forty days, Jesus teaches the apostles and other disciples about the Kingdom of God, the mission of the Church, and their responsibility to proclaim the Word of God. In order to help the Apostles and the disciples with these tasks, Jesus makes a promise to them that He will send the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of love and union between the Father and the Son. Jesus states that John the Baptist baptized with water, but now the disciples will baptize the people with the Holy Spirit. Pentecost Pentecost signifies the coming of the Holy Spirit after the fifty days of Passover. According to Jewish tradition, the Israelite people would journey to the Temple of Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. This was a time of giving thanks to God for the harvest and recalling the covenant that God has made with Moses and the people on Mt. Sinai. For Christians, the coming of Holy Spirit on Pentecost reverses the event of Babel in the Book of Genesis. Sin dis-unites the people from God and de-creates their image from the likeness of God. However, the Holy Spirit re-unites their relationship with God. The Spirit renews and re-creates the faith of the people. After the Holy Spirit came down on the apostles, they were no longer afraid and boldly proclaimed the Good News to the people.

14 Thánh Kinh The Images of Wind & Fire The image of wind signifies the coming of God and the Spirit in the story of creation. “The mighty wind swept over the waters” (Gen 1:2). Jesus also uses this image of wind to show the coming of the spirit to all Christians. In the Old Testament, the image of fire signifies the presence of God: • The “burning bush” (Exodus 3:2) • “The pillar of fire” (Exodus 13:21) • God on Mount Sinai “in fire” (Exodus 19:18) Life Application Discuss with your group What were the apostles doing after Jesus ascended to heaven and before the Holy Spirit came down? How did the Holy Spirit change the apostles? “Agree” or “Disagree” to each of the following statements.

1. You should never kill any human beings. 9. You always pray before you eat. 2. You should never kill anyone even in war. 10. You always pray before you eat, even if it’s in 3. You should always honor your parents. public. 4. You should always obey your parents. 11. You are not afraid to tell your friends that you are 5. You will choose a college that makes your parents Catholic. happy. 12. Jesus is your savior. 6. You will choose a career that pleases your parents, 13. You have told at least on non-Christian friend that even if you don’t like it. Jesus is your savior. 7. You should pray every day. 14. People should wait until marriage to have sex. 8. You should always pray before you eat.

Summary • The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of love and union between the Father and the Son. • The Holy Spirit re-unites the faith of the people with God. • Pentecost was a time of giving thanks to God for the harvest and recalling the covenant that God has made. • The Holy Spirit gave His Gifts to the apostles and they became inspired to fearlessly preach the Good News.

Prayer “Breathe in me, Spirit of God, that I may think what is holy, Drive me, Spirit of God, that I may do what is holy, Draw me, Spirit of God, that I may love what is holy. Strengthen me, Spirit of God, that I may preserve what is holy, Guard me, Spirit of God, that I may never lose what is holy.” St. Augustine Thánh Kinh 15 St. Peter & Life of the Community Scripture Reading Acts 2: 37-39 (St. Peter in Jerusalem) “As the people were listening to the teaching of Peter, they asked Peter and the other apostles, ‘What are we to do, my brothers?’ “Peter said to [the people], ‘Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.’ Acts 3: 2-10 (Cure of a Cripple Beggar) “A man crippled from birth was carried and placed at the gate of the temple called “the Beautiful Gate” every day to beg for alms for the people who entered the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. But Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, ‘I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, [rise and] walk.’ Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong. He leaped up, stood, and walked around and went into the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with amazement and aston- ishment at what had happened to him.” Acts 4: 32,34 (Life of the Community) The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his pos- sessions was his own, but they had everything in common… There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.” Fact Finding Background of St. Peter St. Peter was married and lived in Bethsaida; he worked as a fisherman to support his family. Jesus called both Peter and his brother Andrew to be his disciples. St. Peter’s name was “Simon.” According to the New Testament, Jesus gave him a new name and called him “Kephas” (i.e. rock) that is written in Aramaic, an old Hebrew language.

16 Thánh Kinh The Declaration about Jesus & Denial of Jesus As a disciple of Jesus, St. Peter was the first one to name the identity of Jesus correctly. Remember in Matthew chapter 16. Jesus was asking the disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Mt. 16:15-16). St. Peter denied Jesus three (3) times, and Jesus foretold this fact during the Lord’s Supper. Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times” (Mt. 26:34). The Mission in Jerusalem After the Ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit, St. Peter truly fulfilled his role and duty as a leader of the disciples and of the community in Jerusalem. The message of repentance becomes the central theme for St. Peter. “Repentance is a positive concept, a change of mind and heart toward God reflected in the actual goodness of one’s life” (The Catholic Student Bible, 188). The theme of repentance can be found in Acts chapter 2:38-39 and chapter 3: 19-20. Continuing the mission of Jesus, St. Peter and the disciples healed and cured the sick and the unclean spirit. The people “car- ried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them” (Acts 5:15). Life of the Christian Community In Acts of the Apostles, the life of the community shares the following characteristics: • Adherence to the teachings of the Twelve. • The centering of its religious life in the Eucharistic liturgy. • A system of distribution of goods that led wealthier Christians to sell their possessions to support those who are poor. Summary • Simon Peter came from Bethsaida, a town in Galilee on the shores of the Sea of Tiberias. • From the beginning, the position of Peter in the Church is “that of a rock on which its edifice is built.” • Peter denied Jesus after the Last Supper, but later repented and became the leader of the early Christian community. • Luke indicates that “the ideal Christian community is portrayed as open to the Holy Spirit. They share everything in common, including prayer, meals, and possessions” (The Catholic Youth Bible, 1285). Prayer

Lord God, thank you for raising up Simon, a simple fisherman, to be the rock upon which you built your church. Thank you for the work of grace in his life that enabled him to strengthen and shepherd your church. Jesus, bless those who carry on the role of Peter in your church. Strengthen them always with the gift of the Holy Spirit to proclaim your Gospel faithfully and live it fully. Lord Jesus, enable the Pope to be ever more fully a sign of the unity of all Christians under your headship. Thánh Kinh 17 The Biography & Conversion of St. Paul Scripture Reading Acts 22: 3-4 (The Life of Saul) I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. I persecuted this Way to death, binding both men and women and delivering them to prison. Acts 26: 4-6 (The Life of Paul) All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, a life spent from the beginning among my people and in Jerusalem, all [the] Jews know. They have known about me from the start, if they are willing to testify, that I have lived my life as a Pharisee, the strictest party of our religion. But now I am standing trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors. Acts 9: 3-9 (Saul’s First Conversion Account) On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they let him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank. Acts 9:15-22 (Paul) But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

18 Thánh Kinh Life Application Paul was trained since a child to be zealous about God, and was at first passionate about persecuting the early Christians. “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.” Acts 26:9-10 So what difference does all this make to our lives? The Bible teaches us that everything that happens in our lives is a preparation for what is to come. Have you ever been suddenly aware of God’s presence and calling in your life? ______

Summary • Saul, a Pharisee, persecuted believers of Jesus Christ; tried to stop the spread of Christianity. • Saul – would later become known as the apostle Paul. • God changed Paul to work for the Kingdom of God • to proclaim the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection. • to proclaim the hope of Jesus’ second coming. Prayer

Lord, your apostle Paul said it so well.... “Help me run the good race.” It is you, Lord, who gives me the strength to keep going. It is you, Lord, who calls me to victory. I ask you to give the fierce determination of Paul • to do the right thing even if others mock me • to suffer for you quietly and cheerfully • to love even those I find difficult to love. Arm me with truth, patience, and kindness. If you help me, Lord, I know I’ll make it. With you on my side, who be against me? Amen...and thanks, Lord.

Thánh Kinh 19 Temptation (The Inner Conflict) Scripture Reading Romans 7: 14-25 (The Inner Conflict) “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For, I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” Fact Finding • Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil 3 times. (Mat 4.1-11) • Some people today think, “If God is always willing to forgive me, why should I be concerned about sinning?” Evidently, some people in Paul’s time thought that too. Paul reminds them, and us that faith is in Christ should be a matter of the heart, not simply a mechanical commitment. • Paul reveals his own struggle to do what is right. There is a part of us that wants to do right, and another part of us that wants to do wrong. Even when we try to be good, “evil comes closer and is ready to have its bad way. Why was Paul writing to the Romans? When Paul wrote the Letter to the Romans, he had never visited Rome. He received news that there were many false teachers. One of the reasons he was writing to the Romans was to re-affirm the teachings of Jesus. One of the messages of the Letter to the Romans: faith alone is not enough for salvation. A person also needs to overcome temptations and live a virtuous life.

20 Thánh Kinh Life Application Steve, 14 years old, wanted to check out the websites that his friends are talking about at school. The boys are joking and laughing about these websites. By listening to their conversation, Steve knows that these websites are the ones that have graphic and indecent pictures that he should not check them out. Steve knows that by viewing these websites, it will lead him to participate in other temptation acts that are against the church teaching. However, if Steve does not check out these websites, he is afraid that his friends will think he is not cool. He is also afraid that they think he is not a part of the group members because he does not do what they have asked him to do. What do you think Steve should do?

Summary • To find salvation, we need to follow the teachings of Jesus (and St. Paul) to live a virtuous life and conquer our tempations. • We are not perfect. There are always temptations/inner conflicts in us. • In the face of temptation/sin, we should remain focused on God to seek help from Him.

Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Thánh Kinh 21 Personal Discipline Scripture Reading 1 Corinthians 3: 16-20 (You are God’s temple) “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. In fact, God’s temple is holy and you are that temple. Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written. “He catches the wise in their craftiness, and again the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise that they are futile.”

Fact Finding • In 1 Cor 3: 10-17, St. Paul tells the people of Corinth that whatever they choose to use in building their foundation will show itself in the end. A poor foundation will lead to a poor end. He also re- minds them that they are living temples of God to be filled with the Holy Spirit. • Paul tells us “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their pas- sions” (Roman 6: 11-12).

22 Thánh Kinh Life Application We are living a material world. We wanted to have luxury things and have things that are not essential to our life. Of course, we need to have food, clothing, and shelter to live. However, we need to know when to stop buying things that we don’t need. We can use that amount of money to help out the poor or donate to charity projects. According to the Catholic You Bible, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” and most of the time when we became financially rich, we tend to lose sight of God. How much money do you think you should have? Do you know how hard your parents have worked for the money to support you? If you know how difficult your parents have to earn money to support you, would you still want to have luxury things your friends are having? What do you think you should do to live with what you have rather than to live with what you don’t have? Ask your friends and youth leaders if they can join you to visit a shelter in your area monthly.

Summary • Keep your body holy because it is the temple of Christ. • Discipline yourself so that you don’t commit any acts that are sinful. • We can fight the bad habits in our lives by forming new, healthy habits. • Remember to go to your local priest for confession so that you can receive blessings from God that will help you fight temptation in your life. Prayer

Lord, it is very hard to be a teenager during this time. It is very difficult for me to live simple, to think about the children and people in the world who have nothing to eat tonight. It is difficult to remember that I am very lucky because you have sent people such as my parents, relatives, youth leaders to help me, to discipline me to become a better person. It is difficult to remember that all that I am and all that I have belong to you. You are my Father and you are my Creator. You have given me life and created a beautiful world with many trees, mountains, animals, and all other creatures to make me happy and I kept forgetting to thank you each day. Please help me to remember to give thanks to the Father and the people around me. Amen.

Thánh Kinh 23 Saint Paul - The Patron Saint of Nghĩa Sĩ The Early Years of Saul Paul was born around 10 C.E. He was a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin and probably received a good Greek education. He lived a strict Jewish life and studied to be a rabbi. Saul was a well-educated Jew from Tarsus, a major trading city in Asia Minor (now Turkey). He was steeped in the Jewish tradition, having studied under Gamaliel at the Temple as a boy. The Person of Saul / Paul Acts 22: 6-11 Saul was knowledgeable of and comfortable On that journey as I drew near to with Greek and Roman ways, because of having Damascus, about noon a great light from grown up in a major trading city. His everyday the sky suddenly shone around me. I fell to language was Greek, and he enjoyed the privileges of the ground and heard a voice saying to me, Roman citizenship, including having the Roman “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” name Paul. “Saul, also known as Paul, was filled I replied, “Who are you, sir? And he said with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:9). The changing to me, “I am Jesus the Nazarean whom you of the name from Saul to Paul begins when Paul are persecuting.” My companions saw the begins to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ light but did not hear the voice of the one in the Greco-Roman world. Saul had been around who spoke to me. I asked, “What shall I many Gentiles (non-Jews) in his life, but Saul’s do, sir? And he said to me, “Get up and go first allegiance was to his Jewish faith. As a teacher into Damascus, and there you will be told and leader in the synagogue at Tarsus, he loved the about everything appointed for you to do.” Jewish Law and greatly revered the covenant Since I could see nothing because of the between God and the Chosen People. In his brightness of that light, I was led by hand early career, Saul was a zealous Pharisee, and by my companions and entered Damascus. he saw that Christianity could become a major threat to the Jewish faith. He was notorious for persecuting Christians. This changed when our Lord appeared to him, on the road to Damascus, probably in the year 36. Paul was baptized and then spent some time in the Arabian desert. Roughly three years after his conversion Paul went to Jerusalem and conferred with the authorities there.

24 Thánh Thể The Missionary Journey of Paul Paul returned to his hometown and around 44 went to Antioch to work with Barnabas. He labored there for a year. “Paul’s major insight is that God has made salvation available to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. He also knows that God’s offer of salvation is a free gift, that no one could do anything to actually earn it. Paul took it upon himself to spread the Good News of God’s salvation in Jesus to the Gentiles. During three different missionary journeys, he was instrumental in founding new Christian communities in what is now the Middle East and western Europe. He stayed in touch with those communities through letters, some of which are included as books in the New Testament” (The Catholic Youth Bible, 1293). Tradition tells us that Paul was arrested again under the persecution of Nero and finally put to death in the year 67.

Significance of Paul’s background A Roman citizen, who was known for his enthusiasm in persecuting Christians, is now preaching the words of the very man whom he was after. For this reason, Paul’s preaching was more powerful than that of any other disciple at the time. People doubted whether he was anti-Christian or part of the group. “Paul grew even stronger in his preaching and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that this is the Messiah” (Student Bible for Catholics, 1235). Regardless of his background and how Paul had changed, the Jews planned to kill him fearing that he had too much influence on the audience to which he preached. While in Jerusalem, Paul used his linguistic knowledge and preached to the Hellenists who were Greek-speaking Jews and debated with them. For the same reason that got him in trouble at Damascus, the Hellenists wanted to kill him.

Thánh Thể 25 The Mystery of the Eucharist Reading the Bible Matthew 26: 26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Studying our Faith Mystery: There are two types of mystery: one with a small “m” and the other which we can differentiate with the capital “M”. • The “mystery” that we tend to think of is something that can be solved using hard evidence, such as a crime. • The “Mystery” of the Eucharist that the Church uses is something that the more we know, the more mysterious it gets or something that will never be fully understood by human knowledge. Because we only use human knowledge to explain something that is beyond human comprehension, we will never fully be able to understand the Mystery of the Eucharist, which we believe, is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ’s body, blood, soul, and divinity. Transubstantiation: Can be understood in two words, Transform and substance. So, in the sacra- ment of Eucharist, transubstantiation is the transformation of the substance into the Real Presence (body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ) and not the shape or taste or smell of the bread and wine.

26 Thánh Thể Living our Faith Responding with Love No one truly deserves to receive the Eucharist. However, Jesus shows His love and generosity by allow us to receive His Body and Blood. We need to visit Him often. We come to Him in many capacities: • A cripple to the Savior of the World • A beggar to the Source of Eternal Life • A poor person to the King of the World • A servant to the Master • A sufferer to the One Who Comforts • A creature to the Creator Receiving the Eucharist is important similar to Christ’s incarnation or His death on the cross. Make time in your schedule to visit and adore the Eucharist – respond to His call “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Summary • The Eucharist is a Mystery that we will never fully understand in our human knowledge. But with the grace of faith that is given to us by God, we can fully appreciate and accept this Mystery and thus deepen our relationship with God by receiving this sacrament of the Eucharist. • When we receive the Eucharist, we receive the Body, Blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. • Transubstantiation means that the substance of the bread and wine changes to the body and blood of Christ. However, the physical characteristics (eg looks, tastes) of the bread and wine remains. Prayer

Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more, See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art. Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived; How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed; What God’s Son has told me, take for truth I do; Truth himself speaks truly or there’s nothing true. St. Cyril

Thánh Thể 27 Eucharist and Scripture Sources of Life for the Soul Reading the Bible Luke 24:12‐35 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Studying our Faith There are 4 parts of Mass: • Introductory Rites • Liturgy of the Word • Liturgy of the Eucharist • Concluding Rites

28 Thánh Thể Liturgy of the Word • Begins with the First Reading and ends with the General Intercession (Prayer of the Faithful). Liturgy of the Eucharist • Begins with the Preparation of Gifts for the Altar and ends with the Prayer after Communion. • Liturgy of the Eucharist is when transubstantiation occurs and receiving the Body & Blood of Christ is necessary for the nourishment of our soul. • The Liturgy of the Word is directly connected to the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In fact, these 2 parts of mass are a single act of worship. The word of God is also necessary for our soul. Sometimes we forget the importance of the Liturgy of the Word but It is important to remember that the Word of God is essential for our souls and spiritual growth. The family dinner is one of the most important time for the family to sit down and share a meal and talk to get closer to each other. If the family just ate without a word, it would be very difficult to get closer to one another. The Celebration of the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Word is the same thing. Both God’s body and His Word feed our soul and help us to get closer to God. If one is missing, then the worship would be incomplete just as a family dinner is incomplete if no one talked during dinner. Living our Faith “Our Daily Bread” Jesus is the “bread of life”, says in John 6, “our daily bread”, says in Matt. 6: 11, in the center of the Sermon of the Mount. We often said that we can’t receive Jesus daily because we have no time. However, we will find the time if offered $1,000.00 or just $100.00 The problem is not “time”, but “discerning”. Do we think Jesus is worth more than a million dollars? Do We believe He is really in the Eucharist? If We don’t receive Him daily, discerning, don’t complain if we feel weak, ill, or like death! We pray often the Prayer that Jesus taught us to pray: The Our Father, of Mt. 6 and Lk. 11. On it we ask the Father to give us today our daily bread, and the Father gives it to us, every day. However, most of us place an important role on the bread that we eat daily in order to live rather than the Eucharist, or Jesus himself. We should be reconsidered and put the Eucharist first, because whoever eats the bread that came down from heaven will live forever, unlike the bread that we ate daily and still died. Summary • Holy Scripture (more specifically, Liturgy of the Word) feeds our soul because the Word of God can guide us in our lives. • Holy Eucharist feeds us because Christ is truly present in it. Therefore, we need to receive Eucharist daily, just like we have to eat bread daily in order for us to live. • Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist is a single act of worship because we need both to know God and be closer to Him. If one of the liturgies is missing, then the act of worship is incomplete. Prayer I adore you Jesus, my sweet prisoner of love in the Eucharist, I give you my whole self and I receive your whole self in me. Help me to love with your heartbeat, that of a passionate lover. Use my hands and feet in search of souls, for the glory of the Father, with the power of the Spirit. Thank you for my Love. Amen.

Thánh Thể 29 The Mystery of the Eucharist Reading the Bible 1 Corinthians 11: 26-33 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying. If we discerned ourselves, we would not be under judgment; but since we are judged by (the) Lord, we are being disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. Studying our Faith Receiving the Eucharist The only proper way to celebrate the Eucharist is one that corresponds to Jesus’ intention, which fits with the meaning of his command to reproduce his action in the proper spirit. If the Corin- thians eat and drink unworthily, i.e., without having grasped and internalized the meaning of his death for them, they will have to answer for the body and blood, i.e., will be guilty of a sin against the Lord himself. Prepare physically • Fast for one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Do not eat or drink anything beside plain water. • Keep your mouth/ hand clean. • Wear appropriate clothes. Prepare mentally • Participate in celebrating Liturgy of the Eucharist. • Pay attention when you receive the Holy Communion that it is Jesus himself. Prepare spiritually • You must be in a state of grace. You must have been to confession since your last mortal sin. • You must believe in the doctrine of transubstantiation. Transubstantiation is the transformation of the substance into the Real Presence (body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ) and not the shape or taste or smell of the bread and wine. If we were not properly prepared, we would commit the grave sin of sacrilege.

30 Thánh Thể Living our Faith Examine yourself: the Greek word is similar to that for “approved” in 1 Cor 11:19, which means “having been tested and found true.” The self‐testing required for proper eating involves discerning the body (1 Cor 11: 29), which, from the context, must mean understanding the sense of Jesus’ death (1 Cor 11: 26), perceiving the imperative to unity that follows from the fact that Jesus gives himself to all and requires us to repeat his sacrifice in the same spirit (1 Cor 11: 18‐25).

Summary • Receiving the Holy Communion is receiving Jesus himself. • We need to prepare ourselves for worthy to receive the sacrament. • We need to prepare ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually in order to receive Jesus. Prayer

O Lord, my God, I am not worthy that You should come into my soul, but I am glad that You have come to me because in Your loving kindness You desire to dwell in me. You ask me to open the door of my soul, which You alone have created, so that You may enter into it with Your loving kindness and dispel the darkness of my mind. I believe that You will do this for You did not turn away Mary Magdalene when she approached You in tears. Neither did you withhold forgiveness from the tax collector who repented of his sins or from the good thief who asked to be received into Your kingdom. Indeed, You numbered as Your friends all who came to You with repentant hearts. O God, You alone are blessed always, now, and forever. Saint John Chrysostom

Thánh Thể 31 Self-Offering and Praying Reading the Bible Matthew 7: 7‐12 Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.” Studying our Faith Four Types of Prayer • Prayers of Petition – Asking God for forgiveness and asking God to help ourselves. • Prayers of Intercession – Praying on behalf of others. • Prayers of Thanksgiving – Acknowledging God’s role in our lives and showing gratitude for what He has given us. • Prayers of Praise – Recognizing the awesome power of God and that we are His children.

Practicing our Faith In “The Seven Daily Habits of Holy Apostolic People”, Father John McCloskey suggests that we do the following 7 habits daily to pray: 1. The Morning Offering: Getting up 5‐10 minutes early and offering the day to God 2. Spiritual Reading: New Testament and a spiritual book suggested to you by your spiritual advisor 3. The Holy Rosary 4. Holy Mass and Communion 5. Mental Prayer (Silent): About 15 minutes 6. The Angelus: At noon 7. Examination of Conscience (Brief): At night Keep in mind that we are human and like to take baby steps. Therefore, do not try to do all of these 7 habits immediately, for that is one way to ensure failure. Instead, choose one or two that you prefer, and do them everyday. When your spiritual muscle is warmed up, you can try incorporating the remaining habits, one at a time. In addition, just as exercising is more fun with friends, try to pray with a friend to get more out of it, and at the same time, strengthening your friendship. However, do keep some quiet time for God and yourself.

32 Thánh Thể Living our Faith Sometimes, I start to pray and then I just can’t think of anything to say. Does that ever happen to you? Try the Five Finger Prayer to help you focus. First, put your hands together in front of you as if you are praying. Keep your eyes open so that you can see your hands. 1. The Thumb - Since it is the closest to you, the thumb reminds you to pray for those that are closest to you. Pray for your parents and your brothers or sisters. 2. Index Finger - It is used for pointing. Let this finger remind you to pray for those that point you in the right direction. Pray for your teachers at school, your Sunday School teacher, and your pastor. 3. Tallest Finger - This finger reminds us to pray for our leaders. Pray for the president and other leaders in our government and those who are leaders in our town. 4. Ring Finger - Did you know that this is the weakest of all the fingers? Just ask any one who plays the piano and they will tell you that is true. Let this finger remind you to pray for those who are sick. 5. Pinky - The Bible says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.” Let the little finger remind you to pray for yourself. So the next time you are talking to God, and you can’t think of anything to say, let the “Five Finger Prayer” help you. Summary • Prayer is essential to our relationship with God. • Daily prayer is a habit that needs to be developed and practiced. • A healthy habit of daily prayer will lead us to a deeper connection with God. Prayer

Soul of Christ, make me holy. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, refresh me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Suffering of Christ, make me strong. O good Jesus, hear me. In your wounds hide me, Let me not be separated from you, From the enemy who hates me defend me, In the hour of my death, call me, And tell me to come to you That with your saints I may praise you For ever and ever. Amen. Thánh Thể 33 Examine Conscience and Repent Reading the Bible John 8: 2‐11 Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either, Go From now and sin no more.” Studying our Faith Sin • All of us more or less have a good sense of what “sin” is. It is difficult to accept that even when we are try- ing to be good, there are areas of our life that remain sinful. We may still harbor lusts, or tell lies, or make hurtful comments to others. Conscience • The immediate intellectual perception a person has of his own existence and actions. It’s a judgment of the intellect, dictating what is to be done as morally right, or what is to be avoided as morally wrong in the particular circumstances in which one is now placed. (Catholic Dictionary) • A review of one’s past thoughts, words and actions for the purpose of determining their conformity with, or difformity from the moral law. Directly, this examination is concerned only with the will, that is, with the good or bad intention that inspires one’s thoughts, words, and actions (Catholic Encyclopedia). Repentance • Repentance can be defined as: “A turning away from sin, disobedience, or rebellion and a turning back to God. In a more general sense, repentance means a change of mind or a feeling of remorse or regret for past conduct. As Apostle Paul notes this in Acts 3:19‐20: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you.” Living our Faith How To Examine Our Conscience? To examine our conscience, we need to review the Ten Commandments and the Six Precepts of the Church. Many Catholic churches have guides to help us review each commandment. On the right is an abbreviated list from catholic‐pages.com.

34 Thánh Thể First Commandment Sixth & Ninth 1. Have I willfully doubted or denied any of the 1. Have I touched or embraced another impurely? teachings of the Church (heresy)? 2. Have I committed impure acts with myself? 2. Have I taken active part in any non‐Catholic worship? 3. Have I harbored lustful desires for anyone? 3. Am I a member of any anti‐Catholic or any secret 4. Have I indulged in other impure thoughts? society? 5. Have I watched suggestive films or programs? 4. Have I practiced any superstitions (horoscopes, 6. Have I permitted my children or others under my fortune tellers, etc.)? charge to do these things? Second Commandment Seventh & Tenth Commandments 1. Have I used God’s name in vain by way of profanity? 1. Have I stolen anything? 2. Have I murmured or complained against God 2. Have I damaged anyone’s property through my own (blasphemy)? fault? Third Commandment 3. Have I cheated or defrauded other? 1. Have I missed Mass on Sundays or holydays through 4. Have I refused or neglected to pay any debts? my own fault? 5. Have I neglected my duties or been slothful in my 2. Have I been late for Mass through my own negligence? work? 6. Have I refused or neglected to help anyone in urgent Fourth Commandment necessity? 1. Have I been disrespectful to my parents or neglected 7. Have I failed to make restitution? them? 2. Have I failed in obedience or reverence to others in OTHER SINS authority? 1. Have I knowingly caused others to sin? 2. Have I cooperated in the sins of others? Fifth & Eighth Commandments 3. Have I received Holy Communion or another 1. Have I quarreled with any one? sacrament in the state of mortal sin? 2. Have I cursed anyone or otherwise wished evil on 4. Is there any other sin I need to confess? him? 3. Have I taken pleasure in anyone’s misfortune? 4. Is there anyone to whom I refuse to speak or be reconciled? Summary • Conscience is a review of our own past thoughts, words and actions for the purpose of determining if they follow moral law. • Repentance is turning away from sin and a turning back to God. In a more general sense, repentance means a change of mind or a feeling of remorse or regret for past conduct. • Reconciliation and Repentance does not mean we become perfect. God understands that even at our best, we may backslide at times. However, every time we seek His forgiveness, we will receive it. • Since God forgives us, we are called to forgive others. Prayer You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139 Thánh Thể 35 God’s Covenant with Adam and Eve Reading the Bible Genesis 3: 8-24 When they heard the sound of the LORD God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. The LORD God then called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!” The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me--she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it.” The LORD God then asked the woman, “Why did you do such a thing?” The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; On your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” To the woman he said: “I will intensify the pangs of your childbearing; in pain shall you bring forth children. Yet your urge shall be for your husband, and he shall be your master.” To the man he said: “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat, “Cursed be the ground because of you! In toil shall you eat its yield all the days of your life. Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to you, as you eat of the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face shall you get bread to eat, Until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; For you are dirt, and to dirt you shall return.” The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living. For the man and his wife the LORD God made leather garments, with which he clothed them. Then the LORD God said: “See! The man has become like one of us, knowing what is good and what is bad! Therefore, he must not be allowed to put out his hand to take fruit from the tree of life also, and thus eat of it and live forever.” The LORD God therefore banished him from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he had been taken. When he expelled the man, he settled him east of the Garden of Eden; and he stationed the cherubim and the fiery revolving sword, to guard the way to the tree of life. Studying our Faith • One of the central themes of the Bible is Christ Himself. Christ is the God and Creator of the world and the Word of God incarnate (John 1: 1-3). From the fall to the consummation of redemption, the Biblical message centers on the person of Christ as the Savior of the world. He is prefigured in types, and predicted in prophecy (Luke 24: 25-27). We can also understand the connection between Christ and the Old Testament by studying the covenants in the Bible. • A covenant is a promise between God and man. In the Bible, God makes covenants with many men, including, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. The first covenant was between God and Adam (and later, Eve). God remains true to His promises, but men fall short of the life God intended for them. The covenants are not completely fulfilled until Jesus becomes man. • Before original sin, God and Adam had a covenant. When God created man, He created Adam, the head of the race, first. Then, God created Adam’s home, the Garden of Eden, while Adam watched (Gen 2: 8), giving Adam an example of how he was to work. God trained Adam for family life by bringing all the animals before him and having Adam name them (Gen 2: 19-20). Naming the animals meant more than pronouncing a sound; it meant assigning a “label” to each animal that appropriately described it. Adam learned about each animal and understood something of its meaning and purpose in the kingdom of God. He also saw that the animals resembled himself in many ways but that there was an immeasurable bio-cultural gap between himself and the animals. Adam realized that all the animals had mates, but he was alone. Adam was ready to be given a wife that he would cherish. His unspoken prayer was answered and God gave him Eve (Gen 2: 21-23).

36 Thánh Thể The Covenant with Adam and Eve • God is the absolute lord of everything, who creates all things according to His will and plan. • Adam is the lord of creation under God. He is the original king of the world, though there is formal declaration. Adam and his queen are given dominion over all creation (Gen 1: 28). Adam is also the original priest and prophet, since God speaks to Adam who then teaches his wife the word of God (Gen 2: 16-18). His priestly responsibility is seen in the command to guard the Garden sanctuary (Gen 2: 15), for priests in later times were the guardians of the temple. His responsibility as the first husband and father included farming the Garden (Gen 2: 15) and having children to fill the earth for the glory of God (Gen 1: 28). • If Adam had obeyed God when tested, he would have manifested the faith and love that is the true heart of obedience. For this reason, God tested Adam on what may seem like an arbitrary issue. • The blessing and curse of the covenant were set forth in the two trees. The tree of life would bring blessing if Adam and Eve chose it rather than the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If they chose the forbidden tree, however, they faced the curse of death. • Had Adam chosen life, he and his descendants would have inherited the world and Satan would have been cast out. Presumably, that would have included inheriting the right to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, too. For if Adam had refused Satan’s temptation he would have understood the true meaning of good and evil, the very thing the tree and the test was supposed to teach him. In other words, the prohibition of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was pedagogical. If the lesson had been learned, Adam and Eve would have graduated into a higher status. God’s Covenantal Judgment • God appeared in Person to expel Adam and Eve from the Garden. Judgment included the promise of life in a new covenant, which would provide a representative who could truly take away sin. • Being expelled from the Garden was a form of death because Adam had been created to have fellowship with God. Cast out of the Garden, Adam and the race of men after him hunger for the true Garden of God. • But in judgment there was also grace. God did not destroy the original covenant and destroy the race He created in His image (even though it would have been righteous for Him to do so). God wanted to continue the old covenant and granted man the promise of a new covenant -- the seed of the woman would come and destroy the serpent.

Summary • God created Adam and Eve in his image, his likeness, meaning “sin” free. • God made a covenant with Adam and his queen, giving dominion over all creation. • Adam & Eve broke the covenant by disobeying God. • God still wanted to continue the covenant and prepared for a way to take away the sins of humans. Prayer Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him. In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD. Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4 Thánh Thể 37 The Sacrificial Offerings of Abel Reading the Bible Genesis 4: 1-16 Adam had relations with his wife, Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have produced a man with the help of the Lord.” Next she bore his brother Abel. Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil. In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the soil, while Abel, for his part, brought one of the best firstlings of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not. Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen. So the Lord said to Cain: “Why are you so resentful and crestfallen? If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.” Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out in the field.” When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” The Lord then said: “What have you done! Listen: your brother’s blood cries out to me from the soil! Therefore you shall be banned from the soil that opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce. You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord: “My punishment is too great to bear. Since you have now banished me from the soil, and I must avoid your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, anyone may kill me at sight.” “Not so!” the Lord said to him. “If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold.” So the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight. Cain then left the Lord’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Studying our Faith Why would the Lord reject the best that Cain had produced? • Cain and Abel both brought offerings before the Lord, and the Lord accepted Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s. Abel being a shepherd brought one of the best a first-born lamb (best firstlings of his flock) to sacrifice to the Lord. Cain, being a farmer, brought only fruit of the soil (crops) to offer to the Lord, but no lamb. • Cain knew exactly what he supposed to do. Cain was deliberately disobeying God by not offering a lamb, and his refusal not to offer animal sacrifice (a lamb) was actually a denial of his need for a savior.

38 Thánh Thể Sin can take control of a person, who does not resist sin by living a life pleasing to God. • Sin grew from disobedience (Gen 3) to murder (Gen 4: 8). • Cain’s action was evil. Abel’s offering was righteous, and God confirmed Abel’s righteousness when he accepted Abel’s offering (Gen 4: 4, Heb. 11: 4, 1 John 3: 12). The story of Cain and Abel teaches us about sacrifice. Abel’s sacrifice prefigures Christ. • A sacrifice is an action in which someone or something is offered to God as a sign of love. Sacrificial offering was a religious custom practiced in the ancient civilization. • Prefigure means to foreshadow or show an early indication of a future event. • Sacrificial offerings of Abel to the Lord has a significant symbolic of the price that Jesus would ultimately pay. The blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, at the cross was the fulfillment of that sacrificial symbolism. Abel’s sacrifice prefigures the sacrifice of Jesus. Summary • The story of Cain and Abel illustrates God’s love. God is love (1John 4: 16), and he cares for all his children. As images and children of God, we have responsibility to show our love and care for all our brothers and sisters. • The story of Cain and Abel teaches us about sacrifice. A sacrifice is an action of offering someone or something to God as a sign of love and faith. • Abel’s sacrifice is pleasing and acceptable to God, and it is a prefiguration of Jesus’ sacrifice. • On Calvary, Christ offers himself in sacrifice for the redemption of the human race. • When we receive Communion, we actually participate in the body and blood of Christ, not just eat symbols of them. Prayer The Lord, the God of gods, has spoken and summoned the Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Offer praise as your sacrifice to God; fulfill your vows to the From Zion God shines forth, perfect in beauty. Our God Most High. comes and will not be silent! Then call on me in time of distress; I will rescue you, and Devouring fire precedes, storming fiercely round about. you shall honor me.” God summons the heavens above and the earth to the But to the wicked God says: “Why do you recite my judgment of his people: commandments and profess my covenant with your lips? “Gather my faithful ones before me, those who made a You hate discipline; you cast my words behind you! covenant with me by sacrifice.” When you see thieves, you befriend them; with adulterers The heavens proclaim divine justice, for God alone is the you throw in your lot. judge. You give your mouth free rein for evil; you harness. Selah “Listen, my people, I will speak; Israel, I will testify You sit maligning your own kin, slandering the child of your against you; God, your God, am I. own mother. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, nor for your When you do these things should I be silent? Or do you holocausts, set before me daily. think that I am like you? I accuse you, I lay the charge before I need no bullock from your house, no goats from your fold. you. For every animal of the forest is mine, beasts by the “Understand this, you who forget God, lest I attack you with thousands on my mountains. no one to rescue. I know every bird of the heavens; the creatures of the field Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me; tothe belong to me. obedient I will show the salvation of God.” Were I hungry, I would not tell you, for mine is the world Psalm 50 and all that fills it. Thánh Thể 39 The Covenant with Noah Reading the Bible Genesis 6-9 Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, “Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.” And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Studying our Faith The covenant between God and Noah tells us: • God is the creator of all things and He has the power and authority to destroy all His creations. • God is merciful. Even though He was angry with humans, He showed mercy toward Noah and his family. • A frequent question that arises is why God would destroy creation. But the story of Noah is emphasizing the faithfulness and consistency of God. Although He knows beforehand the nature of man (Gen 8: 21), the greatest gift that comes with creation is free will and the choice we have to choose our nature. However, we are reminded that God will reward and protect those who remain faithful and ‘walk’ with Him, while also punish the wicked. • The gift of free will gives us the freedom to follow God, as well as reject His love. Even so, God shows that He is abounding in love and faithfulness (Ex 34: 6) by not abandoning us to sin. As He remembered Noah and his family, in Jesus Christ, God became our redeemer. Through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, God has shown us the way to eternal life (John 14: 6). • Noah is a new Adam. “And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Gen. 9:1). The destruction of the world by the flood brought an end to the worship system centered in the Garden of Eden. But just as God gave man a new covenant after the original sin, God graciously gave man another new covenant after the flood. • God seals the promise of life by placing a rainbow to remind us of His covenant. In the Eucharist, we are asked to remember Jesus and His life, death and resurrection (Luke 22: 19).

40 Thánh Thể Living our Faith There are many ways to develop a relationship with God and to walk with Him. We can build our relationship with God through prayers, helping others, obey our parents, and any other things that enable us to be like Noah, a good person. We also must learn to communicate with God and walk with Him. Thus, we become the hands and feet of God and the things we do will have his blessing. We also must demonstrate our commitment to God by being good and faithful as they are things that must be developed and sustained throughout our lives.

Summary • The story of Noah reveals a covenant between God and man. A show of faith and commitment is required on both sides. God recognizes Noah’s faithfulness and promises to save Noah and his family. Noah shows his commitment to God through his obedience despite the trials he must go through. • The story of Noah also illustrates God’s unchanging nature. He allows us the freedom to accept or reject His love. From the beginning, He is clear that He will lead the righteous to life and punish the wicked. • God gives Noah clear instructions in order to survive. Likewise, Jesus reveals the secrets to the Father. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14: 6) • As a sign of the covenant, God places a rainbow in the sky. The Eucharist is a reminder for us of God’s promise. In communion, we nurture our relationship with God.

Prayer Dear Lord, help us be faithful and committed to you and your works. Please help us listen, hear, and follow you so that we are worthy to receive your many gifts of love.

Thánh Thể 41 The Meal of Melchisedek Reading the Bible Genesis 14: 17-20 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with them, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh, (that is the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

Studying our Faith This is the first time in the Bible that anyone is addressed by the word “coen”, the Hebrew word for priest. As a “priest of God Most High,” Melchizedek “brought out bread and wine.” During the days of Genesis 14, the priest did not need to offer the bloody sacrifices, for these only became necessary later, when Israel became enslaved and addicted to the gods of Egypt (see Exodus and Ezekiel 20). God’s strategy to break Israel from these idolatrous customs was to make the people sacrifice ceremonially on Mount Sinai the very animals they had worshiped as gods in Egypt. Before this, before the Golden Calf, the pre-Israelites practiced a patriarchal family religion rooted in nature, in which fathers were high priests and their firstborn sons were priests under their authority. What was the sacrifice then that pleased God? Well, here we see it: bread and wine offered by God’s premier priest, Melchizedek. He offered bread and wine to Abraham who had come and paid his tithes. Abraham received bread and wine and then received a blessing. This would become the pattern of the Eucharistic liturgy: worshipers give their offerings; then Christ, working through the human priest, gives his body and blood under the appearance of bread and wine; and then the priest gives the blessing.

42 Thánh Thể Summary • In Genesis 14, the priest did not need to offer the bloody sacrifices. • Melchizedek offered bread and wine to Abraham who had come and paid his tithes. • By making a sacrifice of bread and wine instead of bloody animals, Melchizedek prefigures Christ. • Christ is working through the human priest. Prayer Lạy Thiên Chúa toàn năng, Đấng đã hủy diệt nhân loại vì tội lỗi của chúng và cũng là đấng đã gởi con một của Ngài xuống trần gian và chịu chết cũng vì tội lỗi của nhân loại, xin cho chúng con thấy được sự yếu đuối của chúng con trước tội lỗi. Xin Ngài thương mở rộng lòng chí chúng con để chúng con có thể nhận thấy chính tội lỗi của chúng con. Xin Chúa cũng thương tình cho chúng con biết lánh xa tội lỗi để rồi chúng con đưọc chung hưởng phúc thiên đàng với.

Thánh Thể 43 God’s Covenant with Moses and the Israelites Reading the Bible Exodus 19: 3‐8 Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasures possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.” So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. The people all answered as one: “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.

Observing Pay attention to these verbs that appear in the passage: tell, speak, say. God calls Moses. Moses tells the people God’s message. Moses speaks to the people. These key verbs carry the action of communication between God, Moses, and the Israelites. Studying our Faith • After leaving Egypt, the Israelites were free. God established a covenant with Moses and the Israelites. • As with the previous covenants, the new covenant that was given through Moses did not destroy previous covenants, it was built upon the previous covenants. The covenant with Adam had been priestly, the covenant with Noah was kingly, and the covenant with Abraham was prophetic. The cycle began again with the covenant with Moses. • The new priestly covenant that given greater grace than had been seen in any of the covenants since the fall. God would again dwell with man. A new sanctuary and limited sanctuary access was the essence of the grace of God granted in the Mosaic law. It was neither the office of prophet or king which was the core for Moses and the Israelites; Instead, the priests and the sacrificial system were central. • The law of Moses, like every other covenant, includes the threat of the curse for disobedience. The law was given as a blessing for Israel to lead them in the way of joy, prosperity, and peace. The greatest blessing of the law was the tabernacle, provided by God as a sanctuary, His dwelling place among His people. The promise of the covenant that God would be with His people found concrete fulfillment in the gift of the tabernacle sanctuary, though this too was clearly temporary and the law looked forward to a more permanent sanctuary being established in the future in an unspecified location.

44 Thánh Thể • Moses, by leading the Israelites from Egypt, prefigures Jesus by rescuing children of God. He further prefigures Jesus through the new covenant. By “doing everything the Lord has spoken,” Moses led the Israelites in creating tabernacle where God could be present with His people. Living our Faith What exactly is a covenant? It comes from the Latin word convenire, which means “to come together” or “to agree”. The English term “covenant” involves a formal, solemn and binding pact between two or more parties. Each party must live up to its end of the bargain. By this definition, a covenant is similar to a contract. In fact, modern secular law tends to treat covenants and contracts as virtually identical; whereas in biblical terms, covenants involve much more than contracts. While there are several differences, we can only touch upon two: first, solemn oaths versus private promises; and second, the gift-of-person versus the exchange of property. A contract is made with a promise, while a covenant is made by swearing an oath. In a promise, you make a pledge. A contract is made binding by your signature, your name. In oath-swearing a promise is transformed by invoking God’s holy name for assistance or blessing. The oath-swearer places himself under divine judgment and a conditional self-curse. The oath is thus a much stronger and more sacred form of commitment. Summary • Through Moses, God established a new covenant with the Israelites. • Under Moses’ leadership, new laws were established that focused on the making sacrifices for God. • The Israelites built a tabernacle as a sanctuary for God to dwell among people. • Through his leadership of the Israelites in the new covenant, Moses prefigures Jesus.

Prayer A Prayer of Thanksgiving by David I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything. On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; But the haughty he perceives from far away. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; You stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Amen. Psalm 138: 1-8

Thánh Thể 45 Phong Trào Phong Trào Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể Việt Nam The Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Society

Purpose (Mục Ðích) The goals of the Eucharistic Youth Society are: 1. To educate youths in both social and spiritual life and help them become better people and responsible Christians. 2. To organize and guide all youths and help them become more aware of the Church’s mission to the world by engaging in the spreading or Good News, and be involved in working for the good of society through apostolic services, in serving others.

Foundation (Nền Tảng) The foundation of the Eucharistic Youth Society is: To use the word of God from the bible and the teachings of the church, in order to train and guide the youth in all their works.

Ideal (Lý Tưỏng) The Eucharistic Youth Society accepts Jesus in the Eucharist as the ideal and source for a spiritual life.

Principles (Tôn Chỉ) The principles of the Eucharistic Youth Society are: 1. To live the Word of God and to unite with Jesus in the Eucharist through the life of prayer, of Holy Communion, of sacrifice, and of apostolic works. 2. To love and honor Mary as the Mother of Christ as a model for discipleship. 3. To honor and imitate the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs that has died for their religion. 4. To love, obey, and promote prayers for the Holy Father who is the Vicar of Christ on earth and to pray for the needs of the whole Church. 5. To improve oneself and preserve the Vietnamese culture and traditions.

46 Phong Trào Ngành Nghĩa Sĩ Khăn & Motto

Fact Finding Why do we wear yellow? Yellow has many meanings and symbolisms, both positive and negative. For Nghĩa Sĩ, yellow represents sunrise and sunset. The stage of Nghĩa Sĩ is the period in our lives where we transition from childhood to adulthood. Almost every aspect of our lives change during our time as Nghĩa Sĩ. We grow not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We work our way through high school and begin making decisions for our future. The relationships that we have with friends and family begin to change, and we often take on new roles during our time as Nghĩa Sĩ. Also, many of us receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and become adults in the Catholic Church. Our time as Nghĩa Sĩ is a time of change. The color yellow captures this mood because as Nghĩa Sĩ we will get to witness the sunset of our childhood and experience the sunrise of our lives as adults. What is our Motto? The motto for Nghĩa Sĩ is “CHINH PHỤC”, meaning to CONQUER. The word “conquer” here does not have the military-related meaning of taking over a city or nation. Rather, it means to be courageous in dealing with the challenges we will face as followers of Christ. The ideal of the Nghĩa Sĩ stage is to: 1. Conquer or “take over” the weaknesses that we currently have in order to grow into adults of the Catholic Church. As Nghĩa Sĩ, we are transitioning into adulthood. To accomplish this goal, we need to live according the model of “Chinh Phục” by leaving our childishness behind. We need to have the determination to fight our temptations and bad habits so we can become spiritually stronger Christians. 2. To persuade others to follow Christ. Once we have overcomed our own weaknesses, we have a responsibility to share Christ’s teachings with others and “conquer” their hearts and minds so they too will follow in His footsteps. As Nghĩa Sĩ, we are the immediate future of the Catholic Church. We need to become peaceful soldiers of Christ, showing others the greatness and righteousness of our faith through our words and actions. To truly live the motto of “Chinh Phục”, we all need to follow in the footsteps of St. Paul. Earlier in his life, Paul was persecutor of the Christian faith. With Jesus’ intervention, Paul was able to see in false beliefs and overcame them. He then became of crusader for the Catholic Church and was suc- cessful in converting thousands of people to the Christian faith.

Phong Trào 47 Natural Teaching Methods Fact Finding Teaching Methods of TNTT TNTT has the goal of developing youths into better Christians and more productive members of society. It uses many teaching techniques to achieve this goal, but they all can be summed up into 2 categories: Natural and Spiritual. This lessons focuses on the Natural Methods. Natural Methods and their Importance Natural teaching methods are activities not directly releated to faith or spirituality but serves an important purpose in the education of TNTT members. These methods help develop characteristics that are more practical and applicable in common everyday life. They can also make Biblical and Catechism lessons livelier and easier to understand. Natural methods used in TNTT include (but are not limited to): games, singing/dancing, plays&skits, Morse/knot-tying/scout activities, camping, etc. Games Playing a game can make any lesson more entertaining. They can also help develop and promote positive characteristics. For example, games like “Bắng Tàu” and “Chưởng Chụp Chõ” encourage quick thinking and response. Games like “Tail Grab” promote teamwork. Carefully constructed games can also help students learn and better understand the Bible. For example, not every student will remember the Tower of Babel, but they will retain more information if they play “Xây Tháp”. Singing/Dancing Like playing games, singing/dancing also liven a lesson. However, often times, songs are a useful resource in helping students remember. The fact is that more often we have a song stuck in our heads than a poem. Even if we can’t remember all the lyrics, the melody remains with us and we find ourselves hopelessly singing and humming the song in our minds. When words and melodies are carefully crafted into a catchy song, they can help students retain useful information for years. There are many adults who sometime forget one of the Seven Sacraments, but almost everyone remembers the words to “Frere Jacques”, even though it’s written in a foreign language. Other natural methods and their uses Morse/Knot-tying/scout activities - Helps to instill the value of hard work and promote team unity. Some of these activities are difficult to do but everyone always feel proud when they finish. Also, these activities are tough to do alone and encourage students to work together and help one another. Plays/Skits - Helps develop public speaking skills and courage. Speaking out loud in an audience is considered to be the most common fear (death ranks #2). Encouraging students performance at an early age can help members face this fear and develop a useful skill. Camping/outdoor activities - Helps students learn to adjust to different environments. Helps build relationships. When students have to leave the comforts of home, they find their situation exceptionally challenging. However, through their immersion into nature, they often discover new aspects about themselves and gain a greater sense of personal satisfactions. They also grow closer to Leaders and other students, because leaving our everyday comforts forces everyone to rely on each other.

48 Phong Trào Spiritual Teaching Methods Fact Finding The Core of TNTT The center of TNTT life is the Eucharist. TNTT revolves around the Blessed Sacrament because it allows our members to unite and become one with Christ. This ideal is a wonderful concept, but it has the inherent difficulty of being too difficult to comprehend. To make the religious teachings of TNTT more concrete and relatable, TNTT leaders make use of the spiritual teaching methods. These methods have the goal of helping members perform small actions every day that enhance their spiritual lives. Sống Ngày Thánh Thể All members of TNTT, from Ấu Nhi to Huynh Trưởng, and even priests, nuns, and deacons are asked to live every day as a “Eucharistic Day” (Sống Ngày Thánh Thể). This special “day” seeks to help TNTT members live united with Christ in all of our actions/words, and offer all our efforts, challenges, successes as well as difficulties to Him. A complete Eucharistic Day includes the following 4 components: 1. Morning Offering (Dâng Ngày) - The morning offering is a simple prayer where we tell Jesus that we will keep Him in our minds and hearts throughout the day and perform every action in honor of Him. By making this promise with Christ to start our day, we are encouraged and motivated to peform good deeds because everything we do is for Christ. 2. Spiritual Communion (Rước Lể Thiêng Liêng) - In the early days of the Eucharstic Crusade, members attend- ed mass and received Communion each day. In the modern era, TNTT members only attend mass on Sunday. However, we all still have the need to receive Christ. To help fulfill this need, we can receive Christ spiritually by saying Kinh Rước Lể Thiêng Liêng. 3. The Spiritual Bouquet (Bó Hoa Thiêng) - Many great Catholic men and women have been canonized not by accomplishing great feats but rather through performing small tasks with deep devotion. To follow the examples of these saints, TNTT members can carry out the Spiritual Bouquet. This method consists of keeping track of good deeds that are done throughout the day. These deeds can be grand (saving a life) or small (washing dishes, praying, etc), but keeping a record helps members reflect on their actions. The collection of our good deeds is considered to be an offering or a bouquet of flowers for Christ. 4. Nighttime Offering (Dâng Đêm) - Each night, before sleeping, members say a prayer where they reflect on the events of the day. We show gratitude for all the moments of joy and accept any challenges or hardships that may have occurred, and offer all of it to God. Giờ Thánh Thể In order to unite and become one with Christ, we seek to be in His presence. Eucharistic Time (Giờ Thánh Thể) is a method where members are placed in front of the Body of Christ and engage in song, prayer, and reflection. There are many formats to having eucharistic time. They range from more formal events such as Eucharistic Adoration (app. 60 minutes) to more simple gatherings such as a few people praying together in front of a tabernacle. Regardless of how eucharistic time is implemented, the common goal remains: allow TNTT members to be in the presence of Christ and to connect/share our thoughts with Him. Other Spiritual Methods Biblical Framework - TNTT apply the lessons of Holy Scripture in educating all members. For example, each age group are assigned a different section of the Bible to study. Each training camp has Bible-based theme.

Phong Trào 49 History and Movement Origins of Youth Movement (1850s-1929) TNTT was founded and grew in Vietnam starting in the late 1920s, but its origins can be traced back to 19th century France. Decades before its founding, TNTT’s ideals and concepts had already existed in two French youth organizations known as Apostalat de la Prière and Croisade Eucharistique. Prayer Apostolate (1861-1915) 1852-1856 - Father Henri Ramiere, a French Jesuit, published a magazine called “The Message of the Heart of Jesus” in an effort to promote devotion to the Eucharist through: • Devoting to the Heart of Jesus • Uniting the souls into the Heart of Jesus • Making constant acts of sacrifice for the benefit of the Church 1861 - The Prayer Apostolate was officially approved by Catholic authorities, adopting Fr. Ramiere’s objectives as its statutes. 1910 - With the purpose of promoting Eucharistic devotion among Catholic youths, Pope Pius X decreed Quam Singulari, allowing children 7 years or older to receive Communion. The Quam Singulari decree became the catalyst for the growth of Prayer Apostolate as it began to spread to other nations. Eucharistic Crusade in France (1915-1929) 1915 - Fr. Albert Bassières started the Eucharistic Crusade, directly under the umbrella of Prayer Apostolate. This new branch of Prayer Apostolate served the purpose of mobilizing young people throughout the nation to carry out the tasks of praying, performing acts of sacrifice, attending mass, praying for the country, and praying for peaceful deaths for the dying. The Eucharistic Crusade, or “Đạo Binh Thánh Thể”, is the direct precursor for the youth movement in Vietnam. The Eucharistic Crusade in Vietnam (1929-1975) Entrance (1929) In 1929, during the midst of French missionary work in Vietnam, two priests from the St. Sulpice order were assigned the task of starting a seminary in Vietnam. One of the major results of their work was the initiation of the Eucharistic Crusade in Vietnam, called “Nghĩa Binh Thánh Thể”. Despite the rich traditions that led to this point and the growth that would follow in the later years, the establishment of the Eucharistic Crusade in Vietnam is considered the “birth” of TNTT. Growth and Milestones (1930s) In the decade following its entrance into Vietnam, the Eucharistic Crusade spread throughout the country as local organizations were formed in large cities as well as small towns. With the help of Vietnamese bishops and clergy, it rose to prominence in many dioceses. Also, the organization and regulations of the Eucharistic Crusade underwent some notable changes during this time. Notably, the formation of teams with a leader to remind one another to attend morning mass was carried out, and thus the method of forming teams came into existence. 1931 - The Eucharistic Crusade established in the Hanoi and Hue dioceses. 1932 - Phat Diem and Thanh Hoa dioceses established. Publications and training materials issued. Uniforms, rules, and Offering Prayer of the day were declared. 1935 - The Vinh diocese. The Saigon diocese. 1937 - The Bui Chu diocese. Bishop Hồ Ngọc Cẫn transform the Eucharistic Crusade into a Catholic Action group.

50 Phong Trào Maintenance Amidst Turmoil (1940s and 1950s) After strong growth in the 1930s, the 1940s became a period of great difficulty and challenge for the Eucharistic Crusade. Communism and colonialism grew strong in the North and began to cause division between the North and South. In addition to the problems caused by the changing political system, the country also faced a famine in 1945, causing much pain and suffering for people all throughout the country. The new government authorities made efforts to halt the growth of the organization and restrain its activities. Even though the government was often successful in their efforts, a few parishes were still able to organize conferences to promote morality, share inspirational stories, and send news of various group activities. In 1954, the country was split into North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The North fell under a Communist regime, causing many groups in the North to move south. In the South, local organizations began to blossom and spread to rural areas such as Mỹ Tho, Phú Cường, and Xuân Lộc. However, groups in the North were not as fortunate. Many northern local organizations had their activities limited, if not completely forbidden. Prayer and daily mass still existed, but the organizational structure completely disappeared in the North. Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement (1964-1975) In the beginning years of the 1960s, Western culture made strong waves into Vietnamese society; even effective methods for educating children received special attention from educators. As a result, the activities of NBTT began to require renovation to suit the changing modern mentality of the youth. Being aware of this change in mentality, many local NBTT chaplains began to inject personal innovations into the activities of the groups. Many places permitted the members to hold activities outside the grounds of the church, such as singing, games, and camping trips, etc. 1964 - General Chaplain Nguyễn Khắc Ngữ was appointed bishop, so the Vietnamese Conference of Bishops appointed Fr. Phaolô Nguyễn Văn Thảnh to be his successor. Fr. Thảnh contacted local priests and convened the first Conference of Chaplains. The conference discussed many issues and made some significant changes to the Eucharistic Crusade. Some of the notable changes are: • A name change to reflect the organizations new goals and methods: “Phong Trào Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể Việt Nam”, properly translated as “The Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement” • The Ten Principles (10 Điều Tâm Niệm) • New organizational structure of parish, diocese, country • A new Executive Committee was elected with Leader Peter Nguyễn Văn Liêm as its first president 1972 - Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, chaplains and leaders collaborate to advance TNTT into a new era. Some of the major innovations include a new Anthem, guidelines for training leaders (from Apprentice through Trainer). The “Scriptural Context” and desert camps were adopted to train leaders. The Ten Principles were also revised to a poem format. Perhaps the most memorable history event during this period occurred in 1972. The inaugural “To the Promise Land” Convention (Đại Hội Về Đất Hứa) was held in Saigon. More than 1700 leaders from all over the country came together to share ideas and experiences. The Convention concluded with Eucharistic Adoration attended by the 30,000 members. 1975 - Unfortunately, the joyful flourish of TNTT would not last long. On April 30th, 1975, the North Vietnamese military invaded Saigon and overtook the city. All of Vietnam fell under the rule of the Communist regime. Communities and families scattered, chaplain priests were forbidden to carry out activities, and the progress of TNTT came to a grinding halt.

Phong Trào 51 Origins of Youth Movement (1850s-1929) The New Seeds (1975-1984) 1975 - In the summer of 1975, many Vietnamese refugees had arrived in the United States, but they were still unsettled from the journey. However, by the end of 1975, Fr. Trần Công Nghị established four youth groups in New Orleans. These groups were not official TNTT groups but their activities were similar to and carried the spirit of TNTT. 1977 - The first Eucharistic Youth Group was established at the Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Community in New Orleans, LA by Fr. Trần Công Nghị, who became its chaplain. 1978 - Groups were established in Port Arthur, Texas, Orange County, and San Jose, CA – places where there were the largest Vietnamese populations. 1982 - In December 1982, the magazine “Mustard Seed” of the San Jose, CA group was born. This magazine allowed leaders from all over the country able to connect with each other, and new hope and joys for the movement began from this point. Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Society in the United States of America (1984-present) By the early 1980s, local organizations were formed in Vietnamese communities throughout the U.S. Leaders from different areas in the country were also in touch with each other, sharing their ideas and experiences. However, the organizational structure did not yet exist on the national level. 1984 - On 26-28 July 1984, the National Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Congress was organized in New Orleans, LA. The Vietnamese Eucharist Society in the US was officially established and unified at the national level during the Second Religious Education Congress organized by the Association of Vietnamese Clergy and Religious and the Inter-Association of Vietnamese Catholics in the U.S. Fr. Dominic Vũ Thanh Tường was elected the first General Chaplain in the U.S. At the same time, the Executive Council was elected to a 2-year term with Leader Peter Nguyễn Văn Liêm as the first president. 1992 - After its official establishment in 1984, the VEYS in the US continued its growth through the mid and late 1980s, with new local organizations sprouting throughout the country. In 1992, the second “To the Promise Land” Convention was held in the Los Angeles, CA. Chaplains and leaders from all over the country attended, and a new Executive Council was elected. 1998 - The third “To the Promise Land” Convention was held in Orange County, CA. 2001 - The first “Joshua” Conference was held in Orange County, CA. The purpose of the conference wasto gather Executive Board members of Regional and local organizations to share ideas and experiences. In August of 2001, Msgr. Francis Phạm Văn Phương was elected President of Association of Clergy and Religious and Inter-Association of Vietnamese Catholics in the U.S. This ended Msgr. Phuong’s 25+ year tenure as General Chaplain of VEYS US. Fr. John Baptist Chu Vinh Quang was elected to the position of General Chaplain for VEYS US. 2004 - The fourth “To the Promise Land” Convention was held in Orange County, CA.

52 Phong Trào Flag Ceremony 1. Start letter U formation 2. Make sure uniforms are in order 3. Flag bearers go to flagpole and salute 4. Signal “Nghỉ” and leave the U 5. Quickly salute other HT, formally invite them in 6. Other HT form new line at front of U 7. Call “Thiếu Nhi”, response “Hy Sinh” 8. Call “Chuẩn bị chào, chào!” and salute 9. Formally say: “Mời Cha, quý trưởng và quan khách hướng vế phía kỳ đài để làm lễ chào cờ!” and face the flag. 10. Call “Chào cờ, chào!” and salute 11. When flag is fully raised, call “Thôi” 12. Start solo: “Nòi giống xứng danh nghìn năm dòng giống Lạc Hồng” and everyone sings Quốc Ca 13. Start solo: “Tuổi trẻ Việt Nam đem chúa cho giới trẻ Việt Nam” and everyone sings Thiếu Nhi Tân Hành Ca 14. Formally say: “Lễ chào cờ chấm dứt, xin mời Cha, quý trưởng và quan khách hướng về phía đoàn sinh!” 15. Speech by Cha or Đoàn Trưởng 16. Call “Thiếu Nhi”, response “Hy Sinh” 17. Call “Chuẩn bị chào, chào!” and salute 18. Other HT depart 19. Announcements, rally 20. Call “Thiếu Nhi”, response “Hy Sinh”, “Giải tán”, dismissed

Phong Trào 53 Five Group Formations

Hàng Dọc Hàng Ngang Vòng Tròn Bán Nguyệt Chữ U Column Ranks Transverse Ranks Full Circle Half Circle Letter U Line up Competition Play game Learn lesson Ceremony

Scarf Color Individual Rank Name: Ấu Nhi Response: Ngoan! Color: Green Meaning: Seedling Đội Trưởng Đội Phó Đội Viên Hệ Thống Tổ Chức Name: Thiếu Nhi (Organization of TNTT) Response: Hy Sinh! Color: Blue Trung Ương Meaning: Search United States

Name: Nghĩa Sĩ Response: Chinh Phục! Miền Region Miền Color: Yellow Meaning: Companion Liên Đoàn Church League Liên Đoàn Name: Hiệp Sĩ Response:Dấn Thân! Đoàn Chapter Đoàn Color: Brown Meaning: Knight of the Ngành Ấu Nhi Ngành Thiếu Nhi Ngành Nghĩa Sí Ngành Hiệp Sĩ Eucharist

Name: Huynh Trưởng Subdivision Chi Đoàn Response: Phụng Sự! Color: Red Đội Team Đội Meaning: Sacrifice

54 Phong Trào 10 Điều Tâm Niệm

1. Thiếu Nhi mỗi sáng dâng ngày, 6. Thiếu Nhi đằm thắmnết na, Ðiểm tô đời sống hương bay nguyện cầu. Nói năng hành động nõn nà trắng trong.

2. Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể nhiệm mầu, 7. Thiếu Nhibác aí một long, Tôn sùng rước lễ, nhà chầu viếng thăm. Tim luôn quảng đại mới mong giúp người.

3. Thiếu Nhi Thánh Giá Chúa nằm, 8. Thiếu Nhingay thẳng trọn đời, Nhìn lên phấn khởi chuyên cần hy sinh. Nói làm đúng mực người người tin yêu.

4. Thiếu Nhi nhờ Mẹ đinh ninh, 9. Thiếu Nhi dù khó trăm chiều, Quyết làm gương sáng sứng danh tông đồ. Chu toàn bổn phận mọi điều chăm chuyên.

5. Thiếu Nhi mọi việc nhỏ to, 10. Thiếu Nhi thực hiệnhoa thiêng, Tinh thần vâng phục chuyên lo đậm đà. Chép ghi mỗi tối cộng kinh (biên) mỗi tuần

Ten Promises of Thieu Nhi

1. Thieu Nhi starts every day with a prayer; 6. Thieu Nhi are virtueous and trustworthy; my ritual gives me strength in my life. my words are honest and I keep my promises.

2. Thieu Nhi adore the Eucharist; 7. Thieu Nhi are friendly, kind, and generous; I maintain a personal connection to God. I always look for a chance to help others.

3. Thieu Nhi look to Jesus on the cross; 8. Thieu Nhi are righteous and loyal; I sacrifice for others as He sacrificed for me. I earn the respect of others through my actions.

4. Thieu Nhi honor Mary as their model; 9. Thieu Nhi are brave and endure any thing; I am a good model for others around me. I fulfill my duties no matter what it takes.

5. Thieu Nhi have no task too large or 10. Thieu Nhi are reverent and spiritual; small; I am faithful to God, and I respect the beliefs of I am selfless, obedient, and industrious. others.

Phong Trào 55 Morse

56 Chuyên Môn Semaphore

Chuyên Môn 57 Knots

58 Chuyên Môn Chuyên Môn 59 60 Chuyên Môn Lashings Lashings are used to bind poles together. Lashings are tight and secure if and only if every single one of their wraps are tight and secure. Two people are recommended for this.

Square Lashing The square lashing is used to bind two poles that cross each other. This is the strongest and most frequently used lashing. Each wrap and frap must be worked tight.

Chuyên Môn 61 Diagonal Lashing The diagonal lashing is used to bind two poles that cross each other, but do not touch (such as a cross- brace). Many structures can be built with only square lashings and diagonal lashings. Like the square lashing, each wrap and frap must be worked tight.

62 Chuyên Môn Tripod Lashing The tripod lashing is used bind three poles together in a tripod. Alternatively, you can use this lashing to cross two poles together at an angle less than 45 degrees. If two poles cross at a greater angle, use the square or diagonal lashings.

Chuyên Môn 63 Round Lashing

Tourniquet Lashing

Figure 8 Lashing

64 Chuyên Môn Trail Markings Finding Direction

Skills 65 Quốc Ca Việt Nam Ấu Nhi Ca

Thiếu Nhi Tân Hành Ca

66 Ca Hát Ấu Nhi Ca Thiếu Nhi Ca

Nghĩa Sĩ Ca

Ca Hát 67 Gọi Lửa Lửa Thiêng ơi hãy đến bừng sáng lên trong đêm âm u soi đời tăm tối bao nhiêu âu lo. Lửa Thiêng ơi hãy đến bừng cháy lên, mang cho đời ngàn ánh vinh quang vui hân hoan. Chào Lửa Thiêng Ố ô ô ồ. Ố ô ô ồ. Cầm tay nhau quay vòng bên lửa mới. Lửa bốc cháy tâm hồn ta hăng hái. Đón ánh lửa thiêng, đây đoàn ta chung lời ca bên lửa bập bùng. Bập bập bùng lửa thiêng reo vui, nhạc trầm trầm hòa ca chơi vơi, lửa rực sáng chiếu đêm âm u, anh em ơi ta cùng nhau lên tiếng ca rằng: (vỗ tay 3 cái) Lửa linh thiêng soi màn đêm u tối. Lửa cháy sáng ấm lòng ai lạnh lẽo. Lửa thiêng muôn đời, ta cùng vui đem lửa thiêng soi lòng mọi người. Ố ô ô ồ. Ố ô ô ồ. Mang Lửa Về Tim Màn đêm buông lơi theo ánh lửa dần tàn, tình anh em ta theo ánh lửa tràn lan. Tim ta đây còn khắc ghi bao nhiêu mối tình mặn nồng. Lửa đêm nay tan nhưng lửa thiêng còn cháy âm thầm ngàn đời. Biệt ly muôn phương ta nguyện đem Lửa Thiêng rải rác khắp chốn. Mong mai sau ngọn Lửa Thiêng cháy lên đốt lòng mọi người. Câu Chuyện Tình Thương Có anh chàng anh đi (đi) về làng. Anh gặp đàn em bé. Ra đây anh kể cho câu chuyện tình thương (láy). Có một lần, khi xưa (xưa) thật xưa, do lời Thiên Chúa hứa. Giêsu con một Cha xuống trần làm người (láy). Suốt cuộc đời ba mươi năm làm người vâng lời treo gương sáng. Hai ba năm về sau ra đời dạy lời (láy). Giữa muôn lời, lời này t hật lạ đời, nhưng là lời hay nhất. Yêu thương anh chị em như là mình vậy (láy). Dẫu cho là người mình đầy cảm tình, hay người không ưa thích, luôn yêu thương bằng nhau ấy là lời Thầy (láy). Kết câu chuyện, anh em tay cầm tay, ta nguyện xin Thiên Chúa luôn ban cho tình thương, cho đời đẹp nhiều (láy). Hãy kết thành vòng tròn tròn thật tròn, ta cùng vui ca hát, vang lên muôn lời ca. Ca tụng tình thương (láy).

68 Ca Hát Hay Là Hay Quá Hay Hay là hay quá, hay là hay ghê, hay không chỗ nào chê, Hay là hay quá, hay là hay ghê, hay không chê chỗ nào. Ðôi Bàn Tay Ðôi bàn tay em bé tí xíu. Trông ngón tay của em xinh ghê. Ðây ta phải, đây tay trái, mười ngón tay xinh đều. Ðôi bàn tay em bé tí xíu. Nhưng ngón tay của em xinh ghê. Tay giặt guần, tay giặt áo, và bế em quét nhà. Bé Muốn Lên Thiên Đàng Bé muốn lên thiên đàng nhưng bé hỏng biết làm sao (nè). Bé muốn lên thiên đàng thì bé phải làm thế nào? Bé muốn lên thiên đàng phải mến Chúa à nghen. Bé muốn lên thiên đàng phải yêu hết mọi người. Khẩu Hiệu Thiếu Nhi Cầu nguyên, Rước Lễ, Hy Sinh, Làm Tông Ðồ. Khẩu hiệu Thiếu Nhi em bền tâm tuân giữ. Cầu nguyên, Rước Lễ, Hy Sinh, Làm Tông Ðồ. Khẩu hiệu Thiếu Nhi em chẳng quên bao giờ Chúa Là Gì? Chúa là gì em có biết không? Chúa là Cha tạo tác muôn loài. Chúa là con cứu chuộc nhân gian. Chúa là thánh thần thánh hóa đời em. Chúa là gì em có biết không? Chúa là Cha tha thứ tội tình. Chúa là con ẩn mình trong bánh. Chúa là thánh thần hướng dẫn đời em.

Ca Hát 69 Em Ra Về Ðã đến giờ em ra về. Em khiêm cung tạ ơn Thiên Chúa. Chúa muốn rằng em chuyên cần hy sinh vâng lời ba má luôn. Ðã đến giờ con ra về. Ôi Giêsu lòng con yêu mến. Chúa chúc lành ban ơn nhiều ban cho muôn người con mến yêu. Kinh Dâng Ngày Ngày nay con dâng cho Chúa Xin Chúa thương nhận lòng trí chúng con Mọi cơn gian nan nguy khó Chúng con xin cầu theo ý Đức Giáo Hoàng sớm hôm. Kinh Dâng Đêm Trời đã xế chiều, Giêsu ơi con nhờ tay Mẹ Maria, mà dâng lên Chúa, dâng chúc lời cám ơn, dâng trót cả xác hồn. Các việc con làm, các lời con xin, cùng với mọi khó nguy con chịu trót một ngày qua. Cùng với bóng chiều tà, Giêsu Maria, con hòa ca, dâng về nơi bao la. Chúa ban phép lành, một đêm ngủ an bình, hồn trong xác tươi xinh. Kinh Rước Lễ Thiêng Liêng Lạy Chúa Giêsu Thánh Thể, con yêu mến Chúa. Xin Chúa ngự vào tâm hồn con, và ở lại với con luôn mãi. Kinh Trước Khi Ăn Nguyện xin, nguyện xin Chúa Cả mở tay chúc phúc, cho chúng con dùng, cho chúng con dùng nên các thực phẩm này.

70 Ca Hát Cheat Sheet Semaphore Morse

Five Group Formations AN = Ấu Nhi Codes AA = Â TN = Thiếu Nhi S = / sắc EE = Ê NS = Nghĩa Sĩ Q = \ huyền OO = Ô HS = Hiệp Sĩ X = ~ ngã DD = Đ DT = Đội Trưởng AW = Ă Hàng Dọc Hàng Ngang Vòng Tròn Bán Nguyệt Chữ U Z = ? hỏi Column Ranks Transverse Ranks Full Circle Half Circle Letter U HT = Huynh Trưởng J = . nặng OW = Ơ Line up Competition Play game Learn lesson Ceremony DS = Đoàn Sinh UW = Ư

Knots Square Knot

Bowline Slip Knot

Tautline Hitch

Sheet Bend Fisherman’s Knot Clove Hitch Figure 8 Ấu Nhi Ca Thiếu Nhi Tân Hành Ca

Ðoàn em như những mầm mạ non xanh tươi, Thiếu Nhi Việt Nam đứng lên trong giai đoạn mới. luôn vui cười, luôn ngoan ngoãn sống đời Ấu Theo tiếng Giáo Hội và tiếng Quê Hương kêu mời. Nhi. Nguyện bền chí theo gương Chúa Giêsu Ðược trang bị dũng mạng bằng tinh thần mời. tuổi thơ, dưới bóng cờ, em mang Chúa cho tuổi Tuổi trẻ Việt Nam hăng hái xây thế hệ ngày mai. Ấu thơ. Cùng đi với các Thiếu Nhi. Cùng đi với Chúa Kitô. Thiếu Nhi Ca Nguồn sống Thánh Thể chan hoà, là lý tưởng của người Thiếu Nhi hôm nay. Em Thiếu Nhi ơi, như ngàn tia sáng huy hoàng vào buổi rạng đông đến mang nguồn hơi ấm. Thiếu Nhi Việt Nam quyết tâm trong giai đoạn Em Thiếu Nhi ơi, em đẹp như hoa Hướng mới. Thánh hóa mối trường, rèn những khả năng Dương tươi dịu như hơi gío Xuân đem yên vui phi thường. Bằng nguyện cầu hy sinh và một bầu đến muôn người. khí mới. Tuổi trẻ Việt Nam đem Chúa cho giới trẻ Việt Nam. Em Thiếu Nhi ơi, mắt nhìn em ví như sao trời, nụ cười trên môi xóa tan màu u tối. Em Thiếu 10 Điều Tâm Niệm Nhi ơi, em là chiến sĩ Phúc Âm, gian khổ nguy 1. Thiếu Nhi mỗi sáng dâng ngày, khó chớ nao vui mang đến cho người. Ðiểm tô đời sống hương bay nguyện cầu. 2. Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể nhiệm mầu, Nghĩa Sĩ Ca Tôn sùng rước lễ, nhà chầu viếng thăm. Vui ca lên Nghĩa Sĩ đời đầy diễm phúc. Hồn 3. Thiếu Nhi Thánh Giá Chúa nằm, thanh xuân say niềm lý tưởng cao xa. Vì Nghĩa Nhìn lên phấn khởi chuyên cần hy sinh. ra đi là đi Chinh Phục. Ðường xa bóng Chúa 4. Thiếu Nhi nhờ Mẹ đinh ninh, đang chờ đợi ta. Một đời trẻ trung thành nồng Quyết làm gương sáng sứng danh tông đồ. hậu sức thiêng. Hùng dũng trung thành một dạ 5. Thiếu Nhi mọi việc nhỏ to, trung kiên. Tình bằng hữu, chân thành một dạ Tinh thần vâng phục chuyên lo đậm đà. vững kiên. Tôn quý trách nhiệm sống gương hy 6. Thiếu Nhi đằm thắm nết na, sinh. Nói năng hành động nõn nà trắng trong. 7. Thiếu Nhi bác aí một long, Nghĩa Sĩ Việt Nam sẵn sàng hùng tráng, trong Tim luôn quảng đại mới mong giúp người. sạch hăng hái và quyết tiến bước. Lửa thần nung 8. Thiếu Nhi ngay thẳng trọn đời, nấu tâm can không ngừng. Mầm thiêng ta gieo Nói làm đúng mực người người tin yêu. khắp nơi xa gần. Lý tưởng siêu nhiên thành tâm 9. Thiếu Nhi dù khó trăm chiều, yêu mến. Danh Cha cả sáng nước Cha trị đến. Chu toàn bổn phận mọi điều chăm chuyên. Noi gương nhiệt thành của Thánh Phaolô. Xông 10. Thiếu Nhi thực hiện hoa thiêng, pha lên đường làm chứng Phúc Âm. Chép ghi mỗi tối cộng kinh (biên) mỗi tuần Kinh Dâng Đêm

Trời đã xế chiều, Giêsu ơi con nhờ tay Mẹ Maria mà dâng lên Chúa, dâng chúc lời cám ơn, dâng trót cả xác hồn. Các việc con làm, các lời con xin, cùng với mọi khó nguy con chịu trót một ngày qua. Cùng với bóng chiều tà, Giêsu Maria, con hòa ca, dâng về nơi bao la. Chúa ban phép lành, một đêm ngủ an bình, hồn trong xác tươi xinh. Cheat Sheet Semaphore Morse

Five Group Formations AN = Ấu Nhi Codes AA = Â TN = Thiếu Nhi S = / sắc EE = Ê NS = Nghĩa Sĩ Q = \ huyền OO = Ô HS = Hiệp Sĩ X = ~ ngã DD = Đ DT = Đội Trưởng AW = Ă Hàng Dọc Hàng Ngang Vòng Tròn Bán Nguyệt Chữ U Z = ? hỏi Column Ranks Transverse Ranks Full Circle Half Circle Letter U HT = Huynh Trưởng J = . nặng OW = Ơ Line up Competition Play game Learn lesson Ceremony DS = Đoàn Sinh UW = Ư

Knots Square Knot

Bowline Slip Knot

Tautline Hitch

Sheet Bend Fisherman’s Knot Clove Hitch Figure 8 Ấu Nhi Ca Thiếu Nhi Tân Hành Ca

Ðoàn em như những mầm mạ non xanh tươi, Thiếu Nhi Việt Nam đứng lên trong giai đoạn mới. luôn vui cười, luôn ngoan ngoãn sống đời Ấu Theo tiếng Giáo Hội và tiếng Quê Hương kêu mời. Nhi. Nguyện bền chí theo gương Chúa Giêsu Ðược trang bị dũng mạng bằng tinh thần mời. tuổi thơ, dưới bóng cờ, em mang Chúa cho tuổi Tuổi trẻ Việt Nam hăng hái xây thế hệ ngày mai. Ấu thơ. Cùng đi với các Thiếu Nhi. Cùng đi với Chúa Kitô. Thiếu Nhi Ca Nguồn sống Thánh Thể chan hoà, là lý tưởng của người Thiếu Nhi hôm nay. Em Thiếu Nhi ơi, như ngàn tia sáng huy hoàng vào buổi rạng đông đến mang nguồn hơi ấm. Thiếu Nhi Việt Nam quyết tâm trong giai đoạn Em Thiếu Nhi ơi, em đẹp như hoa Hướng mới. Thánh hóa mối trường, rèn những khả năng Dương tươi dịu như hơi gío Xuân đem yên vui phi thường. Bằng nguyện cầu hy sinh và một bầu đến muôn người. khí mới. Tuổi trẻ Việt Nam đem Chúa cho giới trẻ Việt Nam. Em Thiếu Nhi ơi, mắt nhìn em ví như sao trời, nụ cười trên môi xóa tan màu u tối. Em Thiếu 10 Điều Tâm Niệm Nhi ơi, em là chiến sĩ Phúc Âm, gian khổ nguy 1. Thiếu Nhi mỗi sáng dâng ngày, khó chớ nao vui mang đến cho người. Ðiểm tô đời sống hương bay nguyện cầu. 2. Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể nhiệm mầu, Nghĩa Sĩ Ca Tôn sùng rước lễ, nhà chầu viếng thăm. Vui ca lên Nghĩa Sĩ đời đầy diễm phúc. Hồn 3. Thiếu Nhi Thánh Giá Chúa nằm, thanh xuân say niềm lý tưởng cao xa. Vì Nghĩa Nhìn lên phấn khởi chuyên cần hy sinh. ra đi là đi Chinh Phục. Ðường xa bóng Chúa 4. Thiếu Nhi nhờ Mẹ đinh ninh, đang chờ đợi ta. Một đời trẻ trung thành nồng Quyết làm gương sáng sứng danh tông đồ. hậu sức thiêng. Hùng dũng trung thành một dạ 5. Thiếu Nhi mọi việc nhỏ to, trung kiên. Tình bằng hữu, chân thành một dạ Tinh thần vâng phục chuyên lo đậm đà. vững kiên. Tôn quý trách nhiệm sống gương hy 6. Thiếu Nhi đằm thắm nết na, sinh. Nói năng hành động nõn nà trắng trong. 7. Thiếu Nhi bác aí một long, Nghĩa Sĩ Việt Nam sẵn sàng hùng tráng, trong Tim luôn quảng đại mới mong giúp người. sạch hăng hái và quyết tiến bước. Lửa thần nung 8. Thiếu Nhi ngay thẳng trọn đời, nấu tâm can không ngừng. Mầm thiêng ta gieo Nói làm đúng mực người người tin yêu. khắp nơi xa gần. Lý tưởng siêu nhiên thành tâm 9. Thiếu Nhi dù khó trăm chiều, yêu mến. Danh Cha cả sáng nước Cha trị đến. Chu toàn bổn phận mọi điều chăm chuyên. Noi gương nhiệt thành của Thánh Phaolô. Xông 10. Thiếu Nhi thực hiện hoa thiêng, pha lên đường làm chứng Phúc Âm. Chép ghi mỗi tối cộng kinh (biên) mỗi tuần Kinh Dâng Đêm

Trời đã xế chiều, Giêsu ơi con nhờ tay Mẹ Maria mà dâng lên Chúa, dâng chúc lời cám ơn, dâng trót cả xác hồn. Các việc con làm, các lời con xin, cùng với mọi khó nguy con chịu trót một ngày qua. Cùng với bóng chiều tà, Giêsu Maria, con hòa ca, dâng về nơi bao la. Chúa ban phép lành, một đêm ngủ an bình, hồn trong xác tươi xinh.