Dear 8B,
As I have sent a letter to all parents this week informing them of the dates of your homework, I thought I would include a post explaining in more detail the work you have been learning about in class. As you know, each week I have been writing up suggested tasks on the board to help you with your written tasks – it would probably be useful to have it here too so that your parents find it easier to help you!
Dear parents,
Thank you for visiting our website! If you have sons or daughters in other years, you can follow the links on the right hand column to the websites for the other years. At the moment, this homework is only applicable for my classes, but hopefully other pupils will also find the links and help given useful.
Sometimes the task might be given briefly, or it might not be clear to you. Please feel free to leave a short comment that I can reply to on the blog so that further details and explanations can be given. I have appreciated those comments and emails I have received already. They help to make this website more useful for the pupils.
Regards,
Mrs Kambalu
The Mass Booklet
By the 15 February, all students should have completed a booklet about the Mass that could be used to teach Year 5 pupils about the Mass. This booklet should include pictures, descriptions of the different sections, and explanations of why certain actions take place. The best booklets will also include comparisons of Catholic Mass with Protestant worship or the worship of other religions, and may also include any extra information that has been researched by the student, for example, photos of their own church or priest, an order of the liturgy from a Sunday Mass, or an interview with a priest.
Each section of the Mass should be on a separate sheet. Each page should contain pictures, a description, an explanation and a personal response, as far as possible. Below are the sections, with suggested tasks that could be completed to achieve each level. This is all based on the work completed in class. If students wrote one paragraph for each point outlined in each section below, that would be a very clear structure.
Front Cover
The title of the booklet is “The Mass” – appropriate images should be included.
Reasons why Catholics go to Mass
A short essay explaining some of the reasons why Catholics go to Mass.
1) What are the best reasons for attending Mass?
2) What are the worst reasons for going to Mass?
3) Do you go to Mass? Why or why not? It may be that you go to a different church – why do you go to church on Sunday?
The Sign of the Cross
1) Draw a diagram showing how people make the Sign of the Cross.
2) Describe, in your own words, how someone makes the Sign of the Cross.
3) Explain why Catholics make the Sign of the Cross (what does it remind them of? Why touch forehead, heart and shoulders?).
4) Do you make the Sign of the Cross? Why or why not? How does it make you feel?
5) Do you think that the Sign of the Cross is a good action? Why is it controversial? What is your reaction to that?
Penitential Rite
1) Write out one version of the Penitential Rite.
2) Explain what Catholics are doing when they say the Penitential Rite.
3) Why do you think it is important to ask for God’s forgiveness at the start of the Mass?
4) “The Penitential Rite is more important than the Sacrament of Reconciliation.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have considered more than one point of view.
Liturgy of the Word
1) Outline the main features of the Liturgy of the Word (you will explain them in more detail in the forthcoming pages).
2) Explain what the “Word of God” is and why it is so important.
3) Explain why you think the Liturgy of the Word comes before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
4) Why do you think lay Christians read the readings and say the prayers rather than the priest?
5) Give an example of a Bible passage that means something to you, and explain why.
Gloria
1) Write out the Gloria.
2) Explain what the Gloria is and when it is not said during Mass.
Readings
1) Describe the readings made during the Liturgy of the Word.
2) Why is it important for Christians to listen to both Old and New Testament readings?
Responsorial Psalm
1) Describe what happens during the reading of the Responsorial Psalm.
2) Choose one Psalm to write out as a Responsorial Psalm. Some suggested Psalms – 1, 8, 23, 133, 150. Choose one verse as the response. This should be repeated by all the congregation in between each verse.
3) Explain why you have chosen that Psalm.
Gospel
1) Describe what happens before and during the Gospel reading (this may include priest, crosses, incense and standing … )
2) Explain why the Gospel reading is treated with such respect.
3) “The Gospel reading is the most important part of the Mass.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have considered another point of view.
Homily
1) Describe what a homily is (this key word was written on the board in today’s lesson, along with a definition for you to copy down).
2) Write a homily based on the readings given to you in class (see me for a sheet with the sentence starters if you have lost yours).
Creed
1) Explain what a Creed is. Give examples of what Christians say during the Creed.
2) Write your own Creed – what do you believe in? Include attitudes and actions as well as beliefs …
Liturgy of the Eucharist
1) Outline briefly the different actions that take place during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
2) Explain what Eucharist means, and why the Eucharist is so important to Catholics.
Offertory
1) Describe what happens during the Offertory procession.
2) What can the gifts represent?
3) Why do members of the congregation bring up the offering?
Preparation of the Gifts
1) Describe the words and actions of the priest as he prepares the gifts of bread and wine.
2) Explain what these words and actions mean (eg why does the priest pour a drop of water into the wine?)
3) Why do you think the gifts should be prepared with care and respect?
The Eucharistic Prayer
1) Write out the Eucharistic Prayer.
2) Explain the Catholic belief of transubstantiation.
3) Compare the Catholic beliefs about Communion to Protestant beliefs about Communion.
4) What is your own response to the Catholic belief of transubstantiation?
Communion
1) Describe what happens during Holy Communion.
2) How should people behave when they are lining up to receive communion? Why?
3) What should people think about as they prepare to receive communion? Why?
4) How do you prepare to receive communion? What do you do after receiving communion?
5) What sort of atmosphere should there be as people are receiving Holy Communion? Why?
6) Compare Catholic and Protestant services of Communion.
7) “Receiving Communion is the most important thing a Catholic can do.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have considered another point of view.
Blessing and Dismissal
1) Describe what happens at the end of Mass.
2) Explain what is means to “Go in peace to love and serve God”.
3) Give examples of how we can serve God in our daily lives, outside church.
4) How does the whole Sunday Mass help us to serve God?
Short Assessment Task
Prepare a short task for the Year 5 to complete that will help them to show that they have understood what they have learnt.
Well done – if you have completed all these tasks, then you will have done very well indeed!!
