Activities for Exploring the Mass

Introductory Rites
We gather together as followers of Jesus Christ at Mass. We lift up our voices in song to praise God. We ask forgiveness for the things we have done and not done because we know that God forgives us. We are a community and join our prayers to the prayers of others to give glory and praise to God.

Listen to music
Help learners become familiar with songs sung at Mass. Play a CD with upbeat Mass songs as your learners arrive for the session. Pick one song and discuss the words and what they mean for us as followers of Jesus Christ. Through the God-given gift of music, we give praise to God. Music reaches the human heart in ways nothing else does. Encourage all your learners to sing at Mass as part of the assembly.

Make a mosaic cross
We begin our celebration of the Mass with the Sign of the Cross. This is an important act of faith for us as Catholics. It reaffirms our belief in God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Sign of the Cross reminds us of all Jesus has done for us out of love. It is a renewal of our commitment to live as followers of Jesus Christ in all that we do.

Have learners make a colorful mosaic cross to remind them to live as followers of Jesus Christ. Each person cuts out a 5” x 7” cross from green craft foam. Then decorate the crosses with self-stick foam shapes such as triangles, squares, and circles of various sizes and colors.

Talk about giving glory to God
At Mass we lift up our hearts and our lives to the God who created us and loves us. Mass celebrates who God is and who we are as the People of God. We praise God as a community with the words of the Gloria. We begin this prayer with “Glory to God in the highest.” We echo the words of the angels to the shepherds when Jesus was born (Luke 2:14). We give praise to God for all that God has done for us.

Talk with your learners about giving glory to God by word and action each day. Help them think of ways to do this throughout the week, such as praying to God, reading and learning about the Bible, helping those in need, and living as Jesus taught us.

Questions for Review - Introductory Rites
The following questions can help learners review the Mass. Select only a few questions for younger children and more for older learners. Also encourage learners to ask their own questions. Write the four parts of the Mass on pieces of poster board, one on each piece. Display each “part” as that part of the Mass is being discussed. This helps students focus on each part of the Mass and reinforces learning.

Q: What is the first part of the Mass called? A: Introductory Rites

Q: Why do we make the Sign of the Cross at the beginning of Mass? A: Because we are followers of Jesus Christ

Q: What is the name of the prayer that begins with “Glory to God in the highest?” A: Gloria

Q: Where did we get the beginning words of this prayer? A: Words of the angels to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus (see Luke 2:14)


Tomorrow:
Activities for Exploring the Mass: Liturgy of the Word

Patricia Mathson has many years experience in faith formation as a DRE and holds a Master of Religious Education degree. She is currently the children's ministry coordinator at Hope Family Center in Des Moines, IA. She is the author of ten books with the latest title 70 Sacrament Starters for Children (Twenty-Third Publications).

Source: CATECHIST Magazine, January 2010
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