Session Overview for Catechists, Monday 10/23/2023
Slides * Catechist Guide
Introduction to the Session (15-20 minutes)
Opening Prayer — “Glory Be” as Embodied Prayer (5 minutes)
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Presentation on the Mystery of the Trinity (5-10 minutes)
- The Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is a Mystery of our faith
- What various saints have to say about the Trinity
- Symbols mean different things in different contexts
Instructions for Breakout (5 minutes)
SEAL: Example given QUICKLY in the large group
- Photo(s): safety seal on a bottle, zip ties, sealed envelope, wedding rings
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (will have 15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss)
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-5 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like this symbol
Breakout (30 minutes) led by each catechist
WIND: Black Table with Mr. Keenan Fix
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: tree bent by wind, sand dunes
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: electric fan (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-5 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like the wind
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
OIL: Blue Table with Mr. Dan Richlen for Mrs. Stella Peters
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: car engine; applying body lotion
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: motor oil, hand lotion (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-5 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like oil
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
DOVE: Green Table with Ms. Rachel Hohner
- Photo(s) & video shown by catechist: dove in flight * many doves being released & flying away
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: model bird, feathers (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss)
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-5 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like a dove
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
FIRE: Orange Table with Mr. Scott Michaels
****THESE ARE THE MATERIALS THAT VIRTUAL STUDENTS SHOULD USE WITH THE ZOOM****
- Photo(s) & video shown by catechist: lit candle in a dark room; people around a campfire
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: lit candle (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-5 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like fire
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
BREATH: Pink Table with Ms. Janet Fernandez for Mrs. Karina Chan
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: checking for breath during CPR; blowing dandelion seeds
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: blowing bubbles (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-5 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like breath
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
OIL: Purple Table with Mrs. Roine Dryer-Michaels
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: woman spraying perfume; priest swinging incense censer
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: perfume samples, scented oils (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-5 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like oil
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
WATER: Red Table with Ms. Leticia Solache
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: desert landscape; desert oasis; seascape; coral reef
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: seashells, pitcher of ice water and a cup (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-5 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like water
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
FIRE: Yellow Table with Ms. Isabel López
- Photo(s) shown by catechist: muffins baking, meat grilling
- Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: ashes (5 minutes to show & discuss)
- Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
- Exodus 3:1-6 (and 7-12)
- 2 Kings 2:9-11 (and 12-15)
- Acts 2:1-4
- Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-5 posters per table group)
- Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like fire
- Take-home tokens given at end of class!
Drawing Conclusions (20-25 minutes)
Group representatives report back (15+ minutes, or 2 minutes for each group)
Homework Assignments & Closing Prayer
- Textbook, read/do pages 6-7
- Journal, read/do pages 44-47
Closing Prayer to the Holy Spirit, textbook page iv
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.Let us pray:
Lord,
by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.