By Janet Miller. Copyright © 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved.

CATECHIST’S NOTES

Third Sunday of Advent Year C

Children’s RCIA Resource

HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE

Dismissal Session The Dismissal Session is for catechumens only who are dismissed from worship before the Creed (RCIA #75.3). The Dismissal Session group may gather for the Catechetical Session at another time during the week.

Catechetical Session When the Dismissal Session is immediately followed by the Catechetical Session, parents or other sponsors join the group after Eucharist. Baptized children preparing for confirmation and Eucharist may also join in the Catechetical Session (RCIA #254; Appendix III, #19). Select the session options that fit your time frame.

NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY Sunday’s readings Zephaniah 3:14-18a Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:10-18

Doctrine correlations The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to

the aid of our neighbor; corporal works of mercy include feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead (CCC #2447).

Fire symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit’s actions (CCC #696).

RCIA team notes Children who are not yet baptized may not be familiar with the religious significance of Christmas. If for some reason the children’s catechumenate will not be meeting next week, consider substituting the Fourth Sunday of Advent for this session to help them understand the basis for Christmas celebration.

Children with special needs Bell ringing may trigger children with cognitive processing differences. Keep in mind that some sensitive children may not be diagnosed.

GETTING READY FOR THE SESSION

Items to prepare

check-in sheet and nametag materials poster paper or white board, erasers, erasable markers violet or rose cloth on table or counter for prayer, percussion

instrument Bibles, one set to Luke 3:10, prayer cards Advent wreath, matches, Jesse tree, ornaments chenille stems, bells, song sheets biblical costumes (optional) Sharing Faith questions, copies of “Faith at Home” bags with props, scratch paper, pencils

Gathering Prayer Ritual Use a violet or rose cloth. Place a Bible, candle, and Jesse tree. Use Faith at Home page for the First Sunday of Advent to make ornaments for Ruth 4:8-9; 1 Samuel 1:24-26; Isaiah 11:1; 1 Samuel 1:23; 1 Kings 1:11-14 and 1 Kings 5:5. Print sentences on numbered cards for readers.

Singing option Use music from your faith community resources. The suggestion is a guide available in Gather Comprehensive (GIA Publications, Inc.) or at lyricsmode.com. Bring songbooks or song sheets and music in a player.

Building Community Bring long chenille craft stems and jingle bells. Invite a music minister (optional). Find a hymn of joy in the topical index of a hymnal.

Snack option Send a reminder to the sponsor providing the snack this week.

Engaging the Word Bring biblical costumes (optional).

Sharing Faith groups Put the Scripture citation with the questions on cards for group leaders.

Crossing the Ages Activity option: Skits: What must we do? Have six recyclable paper bags. Label each with a work of mercy. (Feed the hungry. Shelter the homeless. Clothe the naked. Visit the sick. Visit the imprisoned. Bury the dead.) Put various related props in respective bags, such as: 1. nonperishable food items; 2. homeless news article or picture, folded large sheet of cardboard; 3. mittens, hat, scarf, jacket; 4. bandages, thermometer; 5. prison news article, candle for vigil prayer, paper with “prison window bars;” 6. small spade, obituary, cardboard “tombstone.” Bring recycled scratch paper and pencils.

Planning ahead For next Crossing the Ages activity, invite guests and reserve a location (both optional).

CATECHIST’S NOTES

Friends on the Way - Third Sunday of Advent, Year C 2

DISMISSAL SESSION

GATHERING (15 MINUTES)

Catechumens, having heard the Sunday proclamation of the Word, are dismissed from the Mass. Greet the catechumens as they arrive. Have everyone check in and put on nametags. For anyone new, provide nametag materials. Distribute prayer cards to readers to prepare.

GATHERING PRAYER RITUAL

Chime a percussion instrument as a call to prayer. All stand around the prayer focal point.

(†) Light one rose and two violet candles.

We continue decorating our Jesse tree as a reminder that ancient people waited for the coming of the Messiah.

Distribute the six ornaments as indicated below. Invite the readers and the ornament bearers to come forward in order. One member holds up the ornament while the other reads the sentence. Then, the ornament is placed on the tree.

Reader 1 (sandal): Boaz gave his sandal to confirm an agreement. Reader 2 (bull head): Hannah offered her son Samuel, along with a bull, to God. Reader 3 (stump): The prophet said a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse. Reader 4 (instrument): David played a stringed instrument for Saul. Reader 5 (lips): Speaking up, Bathsheba asked for her son Solomon to be named as

king. Reader 6 (temple): Solomon built a house for God.

Invite everyone when you lift a hand to respond, “Sing with joy and gladness.” Prayerfully say the following verses inspired by Isaiah 12.

Indeed, God is my savior. I am not afraid. (response)

Give thanks and acclaim God’s name. Make known holy deeds among the nations. (response)

Sing praise for God’s glorious achievement. Among you is the Holy One of Israel. (response)

Song Suggestion: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You.”

Extinguish the candle flames.

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CONNECTING WITH ONE ANOTHER

Invite everyone to sit in a circle. Introduce anyone new. Invite sharing about their experiences with the “Faith at Home” pages from the previous session.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Sing Joyfully: Give each catechumen three chenille craft stems and five jingle bells. Ask them to thread the bells onto a craft stem, spacing the bells and twisting around the other stems to hold the bells in place. Then, they form the craft into a heart-shape and twist the ends together. (Option: Introduce a music minister to lead.) Teach a joyful song. Everyone uses their bell instruments to make music while singing joyfully.

On this, the Third Sunday of Advent, we joyfully anticipate the coming of Christmas. Long ago, this Sunday was called Gaudete, which means rejoice. The color rose reminds us to be joyful. We express our faith with joy and kindness for all.

RECALLING THE WORD (10 MINUTES)

Have everyone sit with Bibles in a circle. Use the following as a guide. For information, refer to “Insight for the Catechist” and the reflections on the “Faith at Home” page. Always affirm the catechumens’ responses and comment to add to their understanding.

Help the catechumens find Zephaniah 3:14-18. Ask:

Why is God rejoicing and singing?

How can we help one another overcome fear and discouragement?

Have the catechumens find Philippians 4:4-7.

In what ways do you show joy?

Why is being kind a way of showing joy?

When you are feeling anxious or worried, how often do you talk to God in prayer about the problem?

Take a moment and imagine the peace of God guarding your hearts and minds.

After a moment of silence have the catechumens find Luke 3:10-18. Explain:

John the Baptist gives advice to people who came to be baptized. He tells how to get ready for the Messiah.

What advice does John give the crowds? Tax collectors? Soldiers?

What advice has someone given you as you prepare for baptism?

What advice would you give someone to prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus at Christmas?

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Affirm the members’ comments. Summarize:

Most of us look forward to the celebration of Christmas with hope and joy. Unfortunately, many people also have anxieties about this time of year. Maybe they do not have money for buying gifts. Maybe they have family problems that make celebrating difficult. We pray that God’s peace will guard their hearts and minds. We take John’s advice and focus on sharing and doing what is right for others.

PRAYING INTERCESSIONS (5 MINUTES)

We offer prayers for the good will of all. When I lift my hand, please respond, “God among us, hear our prayer.”

Overcome our fears and discouragement, so that your faithful can say joyfully, “Fear not; God is among us.” (Lift a hand for the response.)

Guard hearts and minds; relieve all anxiety; may your kindness be known through us. (Lift a hand for the response.)

Burn away our selfish ways, so that we will be sharing, honest, and fair. (Lift a hand for the response.)

Invite the members to contribute intercessions. Conclude:

God, who guards our hearts and minds, we ask for all things according to your will. Hear our prayers that we offer through Christ Jesus, in whom we rejoice, for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Option: Break for a snack or social time. If the group disperses now and meets for catechesis later in the week, collect nametags.

By Janet Miller. Illustrations by Jim Burrows. Copyright © 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved.

The Catechetical Session follows the Dismissal Session either immediately or at another time during the week. The catechetical session is designed for catechumens and parents or sponsors to grow in faith together. The status of the catechumens never is to be confused with that of baptized children preparing for confirmation or Eucharist, who may join in this catechesis as supportive companions (RCIA, Appendix III, #19).

GATHERING FOR CATECHESIS (5 MINUTES)

Welcome the catechumens, parents, sponsors, and any baptized children arriving from liturgy. If this Catechetical Session is not following the Dismissal Session, allow an additional ten minutes and begin with the Gathering segment in the Dismissal Session. Have those arriving check in and put on nametags.

PRAYING Invite everyone to stand around the prayer focal point. Use the (†) prayer from the Gathering Prayer Ritual in the Dismissal Session, another prayer, or sing a gathering song from liturgy.

ENGAGING THE WORD (15 MINUTES)

Distribute Bibles. Have the members find Luke 3:10-18. Assign everyone a role: narrator, John the Baptist, crowd members, tax collectors, soldiers. Offer biblical costumes (optional). Allow a few minutes to prepare. Then, as a whole group enact the passage. Mention:

Some of the people who came to John were outcasts in their society. Tax collectors and soldiers worked for the Roman invaders and were considered to be great sinners, but they came to John with changed hearts.

SHARING FAITH (15 MINUTES)

Form groups of four to six mixed-age groups with Bibles. (If there are only a few participants, lead the discussion as a whole group.) Print the questions on large paper or marker board or distribute questions on cards for an adult to lead. Circulate to offer support as needed.

CONVERSING ABOUT LUKE 3:10-18

What did John tell the people to do in order to start a new way of life?

What kinds of things should we do to live as John teaches? What did the people think about John? What did John teach about the One who was to come?

CATECHETICAL SESSION

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C

Zephaniah 3:14-18a Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6

Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:10-18

Insight for the Catechist

Traditionally, the Third Sunday of Advent, “Gaudete Sunday,” anticipates joy as the celebration of Christmas nears.

John the Baptist preached to tax collectors and soldiers. People in these careers had sold out to the Romans but came to John with a change of heart.

John tells how to pave the way for ultimate joy. Share with those in need. Be honest and just in dealings. Do not take advantage of anyone or make false accusations. Those receiving a just wage should be satisfied.

The crowds had great expectation, but John points to someone mightier. The One coming baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire to burn out impurities. This is good news.

We rejoice because God’s peace guards our hearts and minds. We have no need for anxiety about anything. Instead, make prayerful requests and give thanks to God.

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With the whole group, conclude:

John the Baptist preached about caring ways. We spread the good news by doing charitable actions and aiding our neighbor. These corporal works of mercy include feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.

CARRYING OUT THE WORD (5 MINUTES)

SUMMING UP

Invite everyone to gather around the prayer focal point. Encourage them to offer insights from this week’s session. Conclude:

Fire represents the energy of the Holy Spirit that burns away what is bad and changes us. Once changed, we live the good news of God’s saving love.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lead the following Advent movement prayer. Invite everyone to copy the motions.

Your redemption is at hand. (Point to someone.) Stand upright and raise your heads. (Stand with shoulders back, head raised.) Strengthen your hearts. (Place both hands across heart.) Prepare the way. (Extend arms outward.) Our Savior comes bringing peace. (Exchange signs of peace.) God is in our midst. (Form a circle with arms around one another’s shoulders.) Shout for joy. (Jump and shout “Rejoice!”)

Go forth from this place with joy about the Messiah’s coming.

And may the ever-living God bless us,

(Make the Sign of the Cross on yourself as a model for everyone.) protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen.

Distribute the “Faith at Home” page. Collect the nametags.

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Crossing the Ages Activity (Optional activity for children and adults together: 20 minutes)

Skits: What must we do? (Catechumens join in a life of charity, RCIA #76.)

(Note: The corporal works of mercy are in Matthew 25.)

Mention:

John the Baptist preached that whoever has food and clothing should share with those in need. Jesus expanded this teaching in what we call the corporal works of mercy. (Briefly explain while showing each bag title.) Feed the hungry. Shelter the homeless. Clothe the naked. Visit the sick. Visit the imprisoned. Bury the dead. These works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of anyone in need.

I will assign groups and give each a bag with props. Develop a skit based on that work of mercy. Be creative. Someone imprisoned might be someone trapped in a war zone. Someone “dead” might be someone who has deadened their body with illegal drugs.

Assign groups and appoint adult leaders. Give each a bag, scratch paper, and pencil. They develop skits based on the work of mercy using the props in bags. Allow about five minutes for planning. Then, have each group perform. Applaud all.

At a convenient time for the family, gather around a dining table or in the living room. Silence all electronics. Place a Bible opened to Luke 3 in the center. Begin with a moment of quiet.

REFLECTING ON ZEPHANIAH 3:14-18A

Fear not! Do not be discouraged. God in our midst rejoices over you with gladness! Shout for joy! God sings joyfully because of you.

How do we, as family, exult with all our hearts?

Record a video of the family singing joyfully, and send it to someone to rejoice with you.

REFLECTING ON PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7

Rejoice always! Again I say rejoice that the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Have no anxiety ever, but pray. Make your requests known to God, and give thanks.

When is rejoicing easier to say than to do?

To what extent are we letting God’s peace guard our hearts and minds?

Since Jesus did not come to a perfect world, to what extent are we causing anxiety by seeking perfect presents, a perfect Christmas meal, or a perfect family?

Using a large piece of cardboard, someone cuts out a shield shape. Paint it gold. After the paint dries, members of the family use permanent markers to write prayers of petition and thanksgiving and requests for peace. Use it for Christmas decor.

REFLECTING ON LUKE 3:10-18

John the Baptist preaches a direct message to those who come with a sincere desire to repent. Share what you have that you do not need. Be fair in your dealings, and do not take advantage of anyone. Be satisfied if you have a good job that pays well. These actions are the first steps in conversion to be followed by baptism in the Holy Spirit who purges out evil. This is good news.

How sincere is the desire for each of us to change and let the Holy Spirit enflame us?

How do we each feel about John’s description of baptism?

What is the good news John preached?

By Janet Miller. Copyright © 2012, TeamRCIA.com. All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this handout for family home use.

Faith at Home Third Sunday of Advent, Year C

Remember Sunday’s Word

Zephaniah 3:14-18a Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6

Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:10-18

Third Sunday of Advent, Year C TeamRCIA.com

The power of fire

The gospel tells about the power of fire. This time of year, fire safety is particularly important. As a family, use the checklist to review fire safety. Then, use the other checklist to evaluate and change, if needed, ways the family is being enflamed by the Spirit.

Fire Safety Checklist

Cooking: Stay focused and never leave hot surfaces unattended. Keep all combustibles, towels, cookbooks, utensils, oven mitts, and loose clothing away from the heat.

Wood Heat: Always use a screen or door. Leave an open space around the stove or fireplace. Never play with the flame or matches.

Candles: Keep away from combustibles and never leave unattended.

Christmas trees: Check lights. Keep a cut tree watered. Keep away from heat sources. Remove when dry.

Fire Detectors and Extinguishers: Change batteries once a year. Establish a date, such as, the November clock change or when setting up the tree. Give detectors and extinguishers as gifts.

Enflamed by the Spirit Checklist:

Reduce Anxiety: Do something to help reduce someone’s anxiety so they can feel the joy of the season.

Bring Peace: Evaluate the holiday budget and omit excesses to bring family peace.

Prayer Action: Finish all shopping and focus on the Holy Spirit and conveying the good news.

The Poor: Donate food and toys at a fire station or other place that collects for the needy.

Provide Warmth: Gather blankets from friends and neighbors and provide them for homeless people to keep warm.