| |
|
|
| |
|
Key
Words
SIGN – tells us something we
need to know; points us towards a
direction or goal
|
SYMBOL – means something really
important (Signs can also be symbols and
vice versa)
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
LEARNING OUTCOME
Children know and understand some signs of
love for God and neighbour which they either see
or show themselves
|
|
|
|
|
CATECHIST BACKGROUND NOTES
Today we celebrate
World
Mission Sunday.
Children are encouraged to show solidarity with children
worldwide, especially the poor. They can do so through the dual
action of prayer and
sharing.
Jesus gives us the greatest
commandment: to love God and neighbour wholeheartedly. Children can be
brought to an understanding of this message by first of all reflecting
on their own experience. There are many signs which express our
love for God and neighbour. Children can be invited to show
special signs of love by
praying for children
in the world and by sharing
with them
A PDF
version of this liturgy is available
for downloading and printing. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
DISPLAY:
Bible, globe, crucifix, candle (symbol of prayer), collection
plate (symbol of shared giving), bunch of flowers
|
|
| |
GATHERING:
Place Bible on display open at Matthew 22:34-40. Introduce the
theme: Signs (of Love):
 |
When did you last
feel that someone loved you? How did you know? (Signs)
Demonstrate some signs to children (a yawn, a frown, a smile, a
wave, a clenched fist, a handshake, a pointing finger, a hug).
Briefly talk about what each sign means.
|
|
|
Why do we have signs?
Which one do you like? Why do you like it? Which one don’t you
like? Why not? |
(A SONG: “If you’re happy and you know it…”)
|
|
| |
PROCLAIM THE WORD
Read a simplified version of today’s Gospel or use the following
adaptation which may be dramatised.
|
Narrator: |
When Jesus was in Jerusalem some Pharisees came to see him.
One of them asked Jesus:
|
|
Pharisee: |
Jesus, what is the most important thing we must do?
|
|
Jesus: |
The most important thing we must do has two parts: the first is
you must love God with all your heart and the
second is you must love your neighbour as yourself.
|
|
Narrator: |
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
|
|
Everybody: |
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. |
|
|
| |
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
|
Catechist: |
Today Jesus is giving us a rule of life. Can you remember any
of Jesus’ words? (Love God and neighbour). There are many ways in which
we can express our love. These are called signs of love. |
|
|
Look for signs of
love and friendship (hug, kiss, stroke, handshake, smile, wave…)
These tell us that
someone likes, appreciates, greets, accepts, encourages or loves us. We
can use the same sign when
expressing our love.
|
|
|
Look for signs of love for God and prayer (sign of the cross, sign of
peace, kneeling down, closed eyes,
clasped hands…) These express our love for God.
|
|
|
Look for signs of love and sharing (giving presents, sharing toys,
food…) What can we share? See activity sheet |
|
|
| |
PRAYER
(light candle and explain this symbol)
|
Catechist: |
Let us be still and tell God we are sorry for the times the
signs we used were not friendly or loving.
|
|
PAUSE |
Let us pray for peace and forgiveness. |
|
PAUSE |
Let us pray for all children in the world to live in peace and
friendship.
Now let us share peace with each other through this beautiful sign of
friendship (SIGN OF PEACE). |
|
|
| |
GOING FORTH
Let us go out and live in peace and friendship with each other and with
children everywhere. Let us take a flower now and give it to someone we
love as a sign of this love.
|
|
| |
Mission Together focus this year is Ghana.
For more information and free materials please use
the order form.
|
|
