Lesson 1 Objectives: Questions: Actions:
Theme: Understanding 1. Share an example of a time when you felt “something deeper” Try to spend time resting in Introduction & that the Eucharist (p.2) was going on in the Mass, even if you may not have fully Jesus after receiving Holy Foundations of is a memorial of understood what was taking place. Communion at Mass. the Mass Christ’s sacrifice Spend some time praying or on the cross 2. Like the woman on the plane, a lot of people don’t understand simply being with Jesus near Pages: 1-17 why we stand, sit and kneel during Mass, (p.2)--what does a tabernacle or in adoration Understanding posture convey? How does your attitude change when you of the Blessed Sacrament. Handout: that Jesus is stand, sit and kneel? What is the role of ritual in our lives? Do wholly and entirely you have a family ritual you can draw from? Develop present in the and distribute Eucharist 3. God makes himself truly present to us through the Eucharist.? a simple one- What does it tell you about Jesus and the Mass? What does it sheet that tell you about yourself and your relationship with God as you outlines the Understanding ponder this truth? discussion that in Holy group Communion Jesus 4. P. 9 states “Indeed, the body and blood of Jesus spoke of at schedule and enters our bodies the Last Supper is his body and blood that was sacrificed on includes any and joins us Calvary, and this is what is made present at Mass.” It is not a necessary together with him metaphor or a reminder, but Jesus truly present. How does this contact affect the way you approach communion? How have you information experienced sacrifice in your life? How does recognizing the Mass as a sacrifice change or add to your experience of the Mass?
5. Jesus—Emmanuel, “God with us”— stays with us in the Eucharist (p.11). How does spending time with someone start to “rub off” on you? Share your experience of Jesus rubbing off on you either from the Mass or Adoration. How does preparing to receive Holy Communion help you? Do you find it hard or easy to rest in the Lord after receiving Holy Communion?
6. People often argue that they can worship God on their own rather than go to Mass. How does the Catechism’s explanation of the Eucharist (p.13) contradict this mentality?
7. P. 14 says, “By nourishing ourselves with the Eucharistic body and blood of Christ, we are gradually transformed by his very life Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org dwelling within us.” How have you experienced this transformation in your life?
Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org Lesson 2 Objectives: Questions: Actions:
Theme: The 1. St. Cyril of Jerusalem says of the cross, “It is a powerful Introductory safeguard…for it is a grace from God, a badge of the faithful, and a Rites Understand terror to the devils…” (pp. 20,21). What is your experience of Pick at least one part of the the sign of the “praying” the sign of the cross instead of “making” the sign of the Introductory Rite and pray it Pages: 17-49 cross cross? How do you see it as a “grace, badge, and a terror?” P. 21 well, with all your heart, during states, “A name mysteriously represents the essence of a person the Mass. and carries the power of that person.” How will this influence the way you use the name of the Lord: Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Understand 2. “The Lord be with you” expresses a profound truth: God is in fact that God is with us. How should this greeting get us into the right frame of mind with us to celebrate Mass? “The Lord be with you” also indicates that God is calling us to a mission and to remain in Him. (p. 26) Sometimes we feel inadequate. Are there occasions when you felt inadequate to serve God? What reassurance does God being with you provide?
3. Why is confession of sins both during the Mass and in the Understand Sacrament of Confession so important? How does focusing intently that we on our thoughts, words, actions, and omissions as sins help us move “confess” our beyond them? Are there some sins that you “let slide” while others sins at Mass we seem to hold on to? Why do you think that is/is not? Are you and are able to let go of your sins once they have been forgiven? absolved of 4. When have you experienced true mercy from another person? venial sins What did you feel? What did you think of that person? P. 39 says, “ through ‘A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise’ (Ps. Penitential Act 51:17). A sincerely sorrowful heart is irresistible to God.” Is there a and Holy time you particularly experienced this mercy? Communion 5. The Mass shifts from contrition to joy very quickly with the singing through the of the Gloria. Why do you think this is? Scripture is full of praise to Priest God yet God does not need our praise although he certainly desires our love. Why do you have a need to praise God? How does praising God help us in a culture that can be very focused on the self? How does including “Father” in the Gloria influence your image Understand of God? (p. 44) Similarly, how does the summing up of Jesus’ true mercy mission in the Gloria prepare us to fully participate in Mass? (p. 46)
Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org Understand our need to praise God
Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org Lesson 3 Objectives: Questions: Actions:
Theme: The Understand 1. Page 53 notes Scripture is "God's own speech." When reading Liturgy of the God speaks to Scripture, or at Mass, have you ever had an experience that God Word us through was speaking to you? What did you think and feel? Listen closely to the Scripture Scriptures and homily at 2. How does the Church use Scripture to enhance our devotion in Pages: 58-84 Mass, and God speaking to Understand the Church's liturgical year (Advent, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter)? What value is there that the entire Church reads the same readings you through them. Note what that the Mass is particular insights came to you a deeply biblical together? *Suggestion: and pray about them. model of 3. How do you react/respond when you listen to the Old Testament Consider worship (often the First Reading) at Mass? What significance is the Old beginning with Testament to Jesus? Why do you think the Psalm is referred to as either the even “The Responsorial Psalm” (p. 61)? Are you able to see how all the or odd numbered readings are related? questions, or preselect 4. We show special reverence when we proclaim the Gospel. Why questions. There do we do this for the Gospel and not for the other readings? How are many in this do standing, singing Alleluia, the procession, candles and incense lesson. (in some liturgies) and making the 3-fold sign of the cross help you receive the Gospel? 5. What is your response to the mentality that Catholics are not biblical? How can you prepare yourself for Mass so that the Liturgy of the Word can have the greatest impact on you? 6. Why are homilies given by an ordained minister and not an eloquent lay speaker? Have boring homilies kept you from attending Mass or being engaged in Mass? What are ideas to help you through this? 7. How can reciting the Creed at Mass strengthen us for the culture in which we live (p.72)? What is the difference between believing something/someone and believing in something or someone (p.75)? What parts of your life are you not surrendering and how can reciting the Creed help you (p. 76)? 8. How does intercessory prayer at Mass help us remember not only our own needs but those of the whole Church? What do these prayers say about how the God and the Church views our needs and woundedness? Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org Lesson 4 Objectives: Questions: Actions:
Theme: The 1. The Offertory transitions us from the Liturgy of the Word to the Offer something (a situation, Preparation of Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Church has been offering bread and trial, special blessing, etc.) the Gifts & Understand the wine since the Last Supper for the Eucharist. Additional offerings and/or your total self (strengths, Preface Offertory (p. 85) were also offered in the early Church to signify offering one's weaknesses, gifts, failings, very self. What can you do during the presentation of the gifts to family, friends, etc.) quietly Pages: 85-101 Understand that make an offering of all that you experience and have? What would during the Offertory. everything we this imply? What would you be offering? Practice alertness and gratitude have is a gift at Mass. from God 2. Everything we have and are is a gift from God. This suggests we all have something to offer at Mass and during the offertory. Why do we offer back to God the gifts he has given us? Have you ever Understand the held back in your offering to God? Why do you think this was so? purpose of What does the offertory say about our participation in the Mass and gratitude the idea of community? How does making an offering help you to grow in sacrificial love (p. 88)?
3. God does not need our gifts. Name a time you offered something to someone, not because they needed it, but because you wanted to say thank you or grow in that relationship? Pp. 89-92 discuss the priestly offerings of the gifts to God. There are several prayers noted--which prayers or actions (mixing water and wine, hand washing, prayers over the offering) by the priest, or what biblical connections to sacrifice--did you find interesting? Who is offering the sacrifice at Mass?
4. P. 96 says, “In the Bible, the heart is the hidden center of the person from which one’s thoughts, emotions and actions originate. All intentions and commitments flow from the human heart. Therefore, when the priest at Mass says “Lift up your hearts,” he is summoning us to give our fullest attention to what is about to unfold.” But St. Cyril acknowledges that this “is difficult because we are fallen and weak.” (p. 97). What are some steps you can take to give God your full attention, especially during this part of Mass?
5. Why is it "our duty and our salvation" to give God thanks as recited in the Preface of the Eucharistic prayer? Eucharist means "thanksgiving"--what does this indicate about the role of gratitude in Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org our lives and at Mass? Can we become saints without gratitude? Speak of the impact of a grateful person you know.
Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org Lesson 5 Objectives: Questions: Actions:
Theme: The 1. We sing with the angels who see God as he is during the Enter into one part of the Eucharistic Prayer Holy, Holy, Holy (The Sanctus). What does this say about Eucharistic prayer more deeply Understand the Mass and the communion of saints? How does kneeling at Mass. Pages: 102-121 the communion at this point in the Mass enhance our worship? Re-read the biblical of saints interpretations of sacrifice, the 2. In the epiclesis (invocation), the priest invokes the Holy Spirit Passover, and Jesus’ sacrifice *Suggestion: by asking the Father to send the Holy Spirit upon the gifts of as the Lamb of God pgs. 108- Consider bread and wine so they will become the Body and Blood of 112. beginning with Understand Christ. In the second epiclesis are communal petitions for either the even the power of the Church. What is the significance of the Eucharist and or odd praying in union Church united in these prayers? numbered with the Church questions, or 3. The Words of Institution “Take this all of you and eat of it for preselect this is my Body…given up for you…do this in memory of questions. me.” The Passover meal was a memorial, meaning to “re- There are live,” and so too the Eucharist. Jesus commands his many in this apostles to celebrate the New Passover with his body and lesson. Understand blood. How is reliving different from recalling liturgically and biblically (p. 108)? the Eucharist as both a reality 4. Jesus was sacrificed for our sin and established the new and and mystery eternal covenant. We are present and Jesus is present, just as he was Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday —past and present are brought together. How do the Liturgy and Scriptures aid us in our faith in this Mystery of Faith? How does the Church’s recognition that the Eucharist is real and also a mystery help you?
5. Jesus came not only to show us how to live, but to offer himself in sacrifice. Why do think some shy away from Jesus being one who offered himself in sacrifice? What would this indicate about our culture or us?
6. The anamnesis or memorial prayers is where the Church tells of Christ’s sacrifice and again offers thanks and petitions on behalf of the people in union with the Sacrifice. We respond with a great “Amen!” Why is this “Amen” so
Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org great? When we respond “Amen” what are we saying?
Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org Lesson 6 Objectives: Questions: Actions:
Theme: Understand the Communion & reception of Holy Take time to prepare to Concluding Rites Communion 1. Why is it important to seek peace with others before receiving receive Holy Holy Communion? How does the sign of peace and Lord’s Prayer Communion. Go to Pages: 122-148 Identify Jesus as help us prepare to receive Holy Communion? How does being in Confession before Holy the Lamb of God right relationship in all your relationships—family, friends, Communion sometime this month. Receive the as it relates to colleagues, the Church, and Jesus—help you to be at peace? suffering “sending forth” with joy and a sense of purpose as called uniquely by Appreciate the 2. The Lamb of God is identified as the “Suffering Servant” God. mission attached sacrificed for us (p.136). How can our sufferings help us connect to the Mass more deeply to Jesus and the mysteries of the Mass? How do you offer your sufferings? What is your reaction to suffering? Do you believe suffering has a role to play in your own salvation? Why?
3. Share your remembrances of your child’s First Holy Communion or your own—feelings, pride, nervousness joy, etc. Why do the little girls typically wear white dresses and the boys dress in suits? In what way does the image of a wedding feast elevate your insights on the Eucharist? What does this say about the intimacy of Holy Communion?
4. Mary was perfectly disposed to receive Jesus into her womb. How do you feel about your “worthiness” to receive our Lord in Holy Communion? How does the prayer “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed” help you prepare to receive Jesus? What role does the Sacrament of Confession play in your reception of Holy Communion?
Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org 5. The Mass, missa or sending forth, has a mission attached to it. We are called or sent by God on mission. P. 148 says, “The more deeply the Eucharist unites us to Jesus, the more we will radiate his life and his love in the world around us. The closing line of the liturgy, therefore, is not an aimless dismissal. It is a dismissal with a mission.” What is God sending you forth to do and be? At home, school, workplace, community? Why is being called and sent on a mission important to us and our sense of purpose? Why is it important to God?
Our theme for year 2 is PRAYER
Upcoming FREE events in early 2014. No registration necessary!
Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org Two inspiring talks that highlight the beauty of prayer and offer insight on how to pray, gathered from two-thousand years of Church experience. Discover how your life can change and grow in new and powerful ways by building a personal friendship with Jesus Christ.
February 3 & 10 – Holy Name of Jesus, Wayzata February 4 & 11 – St. John Neumann, Eagan February 24 & March 3 – Our Lady of Grace, Edina February 25 & March 4 – St. John the Baptist, New Brighton
All Rediscover: faith 2014 Speakers Series talks begin at 7 p.m. and run 90 minutes, including hospitality time. These evenings are a unique opportunity to experience Cor Jesu, meaning "Heart of Jesus", as we worship Christ in community with the Church through Eucharistic adoration, confession, praise, benediction and fellowship. Attendees are invited to participate in whatever manner is most comfortable for them.
March 11 – Cathedral of Saint Paul, Saint Paul March 25 – St. Hubert, Chanhassen April 8 – All Saints, Lakeville All Rediscover: prayer evenings begin at 7 p.m. and end around 9 p.m.
Check out Rediscover-faith.org for details on any of the above events!
Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org Discussion guides and other support materials available on the Rediscover: Catholic Book Club page of Rediscover- faith.org.
SAVE THE DATE for the 2014 Rediscover: Catholic Celebration Friday evening and Saturday October 3&4, 2014 at the Minneapolis Convention Center
Rediscover-faith.org archspm.org Watch and share the 3-part video on DVD or on RediscoverShare.org
The Power of Personal Witness
This inspiring talk will show you how to share your story to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Find out how you can move from relating to others on their faith journey to revealing how God has changed your life to sharing how you are rejoicing in your new life in Christ.
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