We Gather:
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Photo by Mareko Tamaleaaon Unsplash
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We join in many gatherings in our everyday lives.
When we do, we have special rituals or activites for each of these. Below is a list of some get-togethers that you may experience throughout the year. As a family talk about these and some of your favourite traditions that go with them. |
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Photo by David Vilcheson Unsplash
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Special times: Christmas, New Year, Funerals/Tangihanga, Birthdays
Sad times: Illnesses, deaths, break-ups, leaving a place, goodbyes
Happy times: Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, sport
At school: Concerts, assemblies, sports days, Mass, social justice days
At church: Baptisms, weddings, Sunday Eucharist
Sad times: Illnesses, deaths, break-ups, leaving a place, goodbyes
Happy times: Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, sport
At school: Concerts, assemblies, sports days, Mass, social justice days
At church: Baptisms, weddings, Sunday Eucharist
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Jesus and his friends also liked to gather and get together.
They got together for many of the same reasons as we do; but also to listen to Jesus, the Word of God, to be healed, to share meals, to celebrate, and to be blessed. Here are some examples of Jesus hanging out with friends and community. Luke 9:12-17 feeding the multitudes Matthew 19:13-15 blessing the little children Mark 14:17-25 the Last Supper |
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We Listen:
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Our lives are very noisy.
Everyday we have different messages thrown at us from many directions. We hear, friends, TV, family, teachers, advertising, social media and so many more. These messages have the potential to change our lives and how we view our place in this world. TUNE IN! |
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During the Mass we are encouraged to
‘tune into ‘
life giving messages.
‘tune into ‘
life giving messages.
They come from the people we celebrate with, from the Word of God read to us, from the priest, and from the Eucharist.
As a family can you come up with some life giving messages
that you hear when you participate in the mass?
that you hear when you participate in the mass?
We Eat:
Eating together is a central part of our social lives.
The eating is enjoyable and so are the conversations, friendships and sense of togetherness that we experience.
The eating is enjoyable and so are the conversations, friendships and sense of togetherness that we experience.
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Discuss times as a family when you have enjoy shared meals.
(Birthday, Christmas, family dinners etc)
During these get togethers are there symbols and rituals that are part of the celebration?
e.g. Candles and a cake with the song Happy Birthday
Discuss how these rituals/symbols make you feel?
Would it feel right if you didn’t have them?
e.g. Imagine celebrating a birthday with no cake and no singing ...
or Christmas without a tree?
(Birthday, Christmas, family dinners etc)
During these get togethers are there symbols and rituals that are part of the celebration?
e.g. Candles and a cake with the song Happy Birthday
Discuss how these rituals/symbols make you feel?
Would it feel right if you didn’t have them?
e.g. Imagine celebrating a birthday with no cake and no singing ...
or Christmas without a tree?
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EUCHARIST is also a celebration meal!
EUCHARIST means to GIVE THANKS.
We gather together to give thanks and each of us a role to play and rituals to perform.
These rituals and symbols help us to engage with this mystery at a deeper level,
they help us to be present to the reality of Eucharist.
That is the presence of JESUS!
These rituals and symbols help us to engage with this mystery at a deeper level,
they help us to be present to the reality of Eucharist.
That is the presence of JESUS!
The mystery of the Eucharist, is incredibly rich.
It is a remembrance meal, it involves sacrifice, and it is also a source of nourishment!
Eucharist is the food that allows the growth of the Spirit in our lives.
It is a remembrance meal, it involves sacrifice, and it is also a source of nourishment!
Eucharist is the food that allows the growth of the Spirit in our lives.
By sharing in his Body and Blood,
we are united more deeply with Christ and become his presence in the world.
We Go Out:
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Remember that by sharing in his Body and Blood,
we are united more deeply with Christ and become Jesus' presence in the world. |
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At the end of the Mass the priest says to the people:
“Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”
Have you thought about what this means?
As a family discuss different ways you can go into the world and show aroha for others, by living like Jesus did.
As a family discuss different ways you can go into the world and show aroha for others, by living like Jesus did.
