Grade 2 Lessons on the Mass Lesson 1 . Getting Ready for Mass Lesson 2 . Walking inside the church Lesson 3 . Mass Begins – the Introductory Rite Lesson 4 . Introductory Rite, continued – the Penitential Rite Lesson 5 . Liturgy of the Word Lesson 6 . Homily Lesson 7 . Creed Lesson 8 . Prayer of the Faithful Lesson 9 . Liturgy of the Eucharist Lesson 10 . Liturgy of the Eucharist, continued – Eucharistic Prayer begins Lesson 11 . Liturgy of the Eucharist, continued – the Consecration within the Eucharistic Prayer Lesson 12 . Communion Rite begins Lesson 13 . Communion Rite, continued – preparing to receive Jesus in Holy Communion Lesson 14 . Prayer after Communion and Concluding Rite Lesson 15 . Your First Holy Communion Mass Lesson 1 Getting Ready for Mass The word “Mass” means sent. We come to hear God’s word and to be fed by Him so we can then take Him from the church with us and bring Him to others we meet. Jesus then calls to us to return again each Sunday to hear more and to be blessed once again so we can keep going out to bring Him to others. Ways to get ready for Mass: Think about where you are going – To God’s house To meet Jesus…for a while just in His spoken word and then, one day soon, in the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion) Dress nicely…in something you might wear to a big family party or to go out to dinner at a nice restaurant with mom and dad Fix your hair…brush or comb it to make it look nice Think about – Sitting and standing still Trying to sing Listening to what is read, prayed, said by the priest Folding your hands when kneeling and standing Bowing your head when you hear Jesus’ name mentioned Trying not to talk out loud in church except to respond to the prayers…whisper if you need to say something to mom or dad Lesson 2 Walking inside the church This is a time to be very quiet. You are going into a special, holy and sacred place. This is where Jesus lives. He is in the Tabernacle – the special place behind the altar with a lighted candle next to it. He waits for us to come and spend time with Him. Things to do: Stop talking as you walk in the door Dip your fingers in the holy water font and bless yourself – Reminder that you have now entered God’s house Reminder of your baptism and being made a child of God Go quietly with mom and dad to where they want to sit Before you go into the pew, turn and face the altar and Tabernacle and genuflect – bend your right knee to the floor while looking at the altar and tabernacle, and then stand up again…doing this with respect and reverence for Jesus Remind children of how to bless themselves. Teach children how to genuflect. Say a quiet prayer or just look at the altar/crucifix/Tabernacle for a minute or two before Mass begins; or just listen to the music being played before Mass begins Posture: Kneel up straight with your hands folded or sit quietly. Lesson 3 Mass Begins – the Introductory Rite Review: Walk quietly into the church Dip fingers in the holy water and bless yourself Genuflect before entering the pew Sit quietly before Mass begins Introductory Rite Mass begins with the altar servers, lector, deacon and priest processing (walking) down the center aisle. Music is usually playing and everyone sings. The priest will genuflect or bow in front of the altar and then go around to the other side of the altar and reverence it (usually a bow, and then kisses the altar). Entrance Song: Everyone stands and sings Greeting: Priest reminds us that we are gathered with Jesus and one another to praise God, to learn from His own words, and to be fed by Him according to our needs Priest will often announce if the Mass is being celebrated for a special intention Priest and all begin by making the Sign of the Cross (how we begin everything that we pray) Priest then greets all gathered by praying something like – “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” all respond, “And with your spirit.” Posture: Stand up straight with hands folded, listening to/looking at priest Lesson 4 Introductory Rite, continued – the Penitential Rite Review: Walk quietly into the church Dip fingers in the holy water and bless yourself Genuflect before entering the pew Sit quietly before Mass begins Standing up straight with hands folded Look at the person speaking and listen to what he/she is saying Penitential Rite: This is one way to ask God to forgive us the things we do wrong and thank Him for His mercy before we participate in the rest of the Mass and receive Holy Communion. Priest asks us to remember our sins and ask God’s forgiveness – we do this silently All pray together the Confetior (“I Confess” prayer) or similar prayer – priest starts and we respond Then, all pray the following after the priest says it first – “Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.” All pray together the “Gloria” (“Glory to God in the highest…”) – to praise God for the blessing of His mercy and forgiveness just received: Prayer of joy, confidence and hope Song the angels sang when Jesus was born Followed by the Opening Prayer: Priest says, “Let us pray”…moment of silence…prays aloud People respond “Amen” at the end Posture: Stand with hands folded, looking at/listening to the priest Sit down along with priest after opening prayer Lesson 5 Liturgy of the Word Review: Walk quietly into the church Dip fingers in the holy water and bless yourself Genuflect before entering the pew Sit quietly before Mass begins Standing up straight with hands folded Look at the person speaking and listen to what he/she is saying This is the part of the Mass where the readings are proclaimed (read aloud). These are stories of how God works in the lives of His people – from many thousands of years ago to this very minute today, and well into the future. [The first two readings end with the lector saying “The Word of the Lord” and we respond “Thanks be to God”. ] 1st Reading from the Old Testament – about the people who lived before Jesus was born a Psalm response (usually sung) 2nd Reading from the New Testament letters – about the first Christians who lived after Jesus died and returned to heaven “Alleluia” verse – usually sung with all people standing with hands folded and ready to listen to the Gospel reading to come Gospel: from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John – the stories of what Jesus Himself said and did when He taught the people for 3 years during His public ministry (the Good News) Priest/deacon: “The Lord be with you” People: “And with your spirit.” Priest/deacon: “A reading from the holy Gospel according to …” People: “Glory to you, Lord”, while making the Sign of the Cross one time each on your forehead, your lips, and your heart (to ask that God’s word be in your mind when you think, on your lips when you speak, and in your heart when you pray and always) Gospel is read while all stand and listen. At the end, the priest/deacon says “The Gospel of the Lord” and we respond “Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ”. Posture: Sit quietly for the Readings, looking at/listening to the person reading Stand for Gospel with hands folded, looking at/listening to the priest or deacon proclaiming God’s Word Sit quietly after the Gospel is finished Lesson 6 Homily Review: Walk quietly into the church Dip fingers in the holy water and bless yourself Genuflect before entering the pew Sit quietly before Mass begins and where appropriate during Mass Standing up straight with hands folded Look at the person speaking and listen to what he/she is saying Making the Sign of the Cross 3x before the Gospel is read; why done We now sit quietly and listen to the priest or deacon talk to us about what we just heard being read. The reason for this is to help us understand what we heard so we can take what we just learned and use it to help other people know Jesus like we know Him. Posture: Sit quietly and try your best to listen Lesson 7 Creed Review: Walk quietly into the church Dip fingers in the holy water and bless yourself Genuflect before entering the pew Sit quietly before Mass begins and where appropriate during Mass Standing up straight with hands folded Look at the person speaking and listen to what he/she is saying Making the Sign of the Cross 3x before the Gospel is read; why done This is the prayer that says what we believe as the People of God. [There are two Creed prayers – the Nicene Creed prayed at each Mass and the Apostles’ Creed prayed most often with the Rosary.] We say that I believe: In one God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (the Blessed Trinity – 3 Persons in 1 God) That Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born (like us) of the Blessed Virgin Mary, suffered and died on the Cross for us, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven That the Church is one (united), holy, catholic (universal – for everyone), and apostolic (comes from the time of the Apostles after Jesus went back to heaven) In the Communion of Saints (in heaven, waiting in Purgatory to go to heaven, and us here on earth), the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body (at the end of time), and life everlasting Posture: Stand with hands folded Bow slightly when we speak of how Jesus was born and became a human person like us Lesson 8 Prayer of the Faithful Review: Walk quietly into the church Dip fingers in the holy water and bless yourself Genuflect before entering the pew Sit quietly before Mass begins and where appropriate during Mass Standing up straight with hands folded Look at the person speaking and listen to what he/she is saying Making the Sign of the Cross 3x before the Gospel is read; why done After praying the Creed together, the priest will ask us to join in praying for the needs of the Church, the world, and each other.