Proclaiming Faith

May 4, 2008 (see other dates)
Seventh Sunday of Easter (for the ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington, and the State of Nebraska)

Seasonal Prayer

Activities for Primary Grades

Activities

READING 1 Acts 1:12-14

Reading 1 Reflection
What do God's people do when they are about to do something important? They go apart to a peaceful place and devote themselves to prayer. That is what we see the first Christian community doing in today's reading. We honor the apostles whose names are repeated in Acts. We also honor Mary and the women whose names are not recorded but who were faithful disciples of the risen Lord.

Discussion Questions for Reading 1
When the apostles returned to Jerusalem, they went to a familiar place to pray?the upper room where they were staying. What are your "familiar places" to pray? Sometimes it is helpful to go to an unfamiliar place, like a retreat house, for even a day. Are there any retreat houses in your area? Try to arrange a day or an afternoon for your group to pray there for a few hours. In what other ways will you follow the apostles' example of dedicated prayer?

READING 2 1 Peter 4:13-16

Reading 2 Reflection
Because their values are sometimes opposed to the world's values, Christians are often the target of persecution. But as the reading points out, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing shameful things. When Christians suffer for living by the gospel, they have cause for rejoicing.

Discussion Questions for Reading 2
God intended us to live with one another as a community, to enjoy others' company. But this has a down side. There is a phenomenon called "peer pressure" which can lead even good pre-teens and teens (and adults too!) into things that they would never do otherwise. Why do you think this is so? Why is it so hard to keep from following the crowd? A father once told his son, "Be your own crowd. You'll find out who your true friends are, and you won't be alone for long." Who or what can give you the courage to stand alone if you need to? How can you "be your own crowd"? When is this difficult?

Gospel John 17:1-11

Gospel Reflection
Could anyone doubt how much Jesus loved his friends after hearing the prayer that Jesus prayed at the Last Supper? As he speaks to his Father, Jesus constantly identifies himself with his friends. The disciples have been entrusted to Jesus by the Father. And Jesus has shared everything with them.

On this fateful night before his death, Jesus prays not for the world but for those who have returned his love. He prays that they will experience the same unity he has with the Father.

Discussion Questions for Gospel
Jesus' friends were gifts to him from the Father. They were not perfect, but he loved them anyway. Our friends are gifts from God, too. They are not perfect either, but we are called to love them anyway! Do you pray for your friends? How? When? How do you help your friends? How do your friends help you?

In this prayer, Jesus prayed for you, too. You are not perfect, but he loves you anyway! How can you show yourself as a friend to Jesus?

One way might be to widen your group of friends, and not cut anyone out. We may not be able to be "best friends" with everybody, but we are always called to be kind. Life is not always easy, and some have it harder than others. You do not know what burdens others carry. A smile and a kind word can help a lot. How can you keep your circle of friendship open to others?

Proclaiming Faith Activities for Primary Grades

We Wait and Pray
Right now the whole Church is waiting in prayer for the Holy Spirit to come. Teach the children the following prayer, "Come to our hearts, O Holy Spirit. We are waiting for you!" using these gestures:

Come (hands reaching out in welcome)

to our hearts (hands crossed over their hearts)

O Holy Spirit (arms raised heavenward)

We are waiting for you! (arms fully extended in welcome)

Have the children say the prayer a few times to become familiar with the gestures. Encourage the children to teach their families the gestures and to say the prayer with them each day until next Sunday, the feast of Pentecost.

We Belong to Jesus
Explain to the children that today they will be learning a song about belonging to Jesus. Read the words. When the children have learned the song, have them make up actions to do while singing. You may also want to add your own verses.

We Belong to Jesus (Sing to the tune of "Go In and Out the Window.")

Oh, we belong to Jesus.

Oh, we belong to Jesus.

Yes, we belong to Jesus.

We glorify his name!

Proclaiming Faith Activities

A Time for Retreat
After the ascension of Jesus, his friends made a "retreat" in the upper room. They wanted to be closer to God and to one another. By separating themselves from the busyness of the world for a time, they were better able to see God's plan for them. We all need times of retreat, especially when we are confused, afraid, or about to make a big decision.

Plan an idea retreat for your group, your family, or your friends.

Suggestions are given in italics. Cross out and substitute your own ideas.

Our Retreat Plan

When? On a weekend

Where? Parish hall or retreat center

Director: Youth minister, priest, DRE, team of older youth

Participants: Our family, our group, groups from other parishes

Theme or purpose: A Search for Buried Treasure (finding inner happiness)

Scripture to be explored: The Rich Man (Mark 10:17-27); the Treasure and the Pearl (Matthew 13:44-46);
True Happiness (Psalm 1)

Types of prayer: singing or listening to music; quiet prayer alone; nature walks; Scripture meditation and discussion; illustrating Scripture in art (crayons, paint, or clay sculptures); writing poems or reflections in journals

How do you think a retreat like this would help you?

Praying for a Friend
Like Jesus, we show our love for our friends by praying for them. This way of praying is called intercession. We intercede for people when we ask God to bless them and give them whatever they need. Think of one friend who needs your prayer of intercession, and why. Then write and decorate your prayer here or on another sheet of paper. Don't forget to thank God for your friend.

A Prayer for My Friend

Suggestion:

Jesus, you loved your friends and wanted the best for them.

I, too, want the best for my friend __________.

(He, she) is going through a hard time right now.

Please let my friend know that (he, she) is a valuable person who is always loved.

Thank you for _____'s friendship, Lord.

Help me to be worthy of it.

Help us to help each other grow in you.

Amen.

For Bibles and other scripture resources, please see the Sadlier religion catalog.