233 pp. Veritas Publications. To purchase this book online, go to www.veritas.ie
THE BOOK
This is a comprehensive collection of ready-to-go Liturgies of the Word for every Sunday of Cycle A, as well as the major feast days. Whether setting up a Family Mass from scratch, or looking for fresh ideas, this book gives you:
THE AUTHOR
Bernadette Sweetman is a primary school teacher with a Masters in Religious Education (Primary). She lives in Co Dublin with her husband and daughter.
CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Is this the book for you?
2. Getting the most out of the materials in this book
3. An outline of the contents of this book
A. Getting Started
1. Team work!
2. Location and space
3. Practical considerations — being realistic
4. Creating the sense of the Sacred
5. Maximising the liturgical experience
6. Parts of the Mass
B. Setting the Scene — The Liturgical Year Cycle A
1. Seasons and Feast Days
2. Colours and Themes
C. Background Information on Readings
D. Liturgy of the Word
I. Advent
II. Christmas
III. Lent
IV. Easter
V. Ordinary Time: Feasts of the Lord in Ordinary Time; Sundays in Ordinary Time
VI. Some Major Feasts
E. Appendices
Appendix I: Mass Responses and Everyday Prayers (English/Gaeilge); Signing
Appendix II: Additional Prayers and Services
Appendix III: Dramatisations of Gospel Readings
Appendix IV: Penitential Rite
F. Recommended Resources
INTRODUCTION
1. Is this the book for you?
This is the book for you if:
2. Getting the most out of the materials in this book
The materials offered in this book are suggestions. You can:
The aim of Our Family Mass is to provide a ready-made resource for the Liturgy of the Word and to offer advice on the practicalities of operating a Family Mass, thus allowing more opportunity and time for the preparation of, involvement in and enjoyment of the liturgical experience.
3. An outline of the contents of this book
In Section A, Getting Started, we provide a useful checklist for optimising your preparations for a Family Mass. From the organisation of a Family Mass team to the practicalities of space and time, this section will help you to focus and make a positive impact on the establishment (or revival!) of your Family Mass.
Section B, Setting the Scene, gives information on the liturgical year, Cycle A. At a glance, you can view the different liturgical seasons – when they occur, what celebrations and themes they include and what colour is associated with each one.
Section C, Background Information on Readings, is a section you might not find too easily elsewhere! It is very useful for thematic liturgical preparations, homily ideas, or just for your own education. We have provided descriptions of each book of the Bible, Gospel or Epistle that features in Year A, including location in the Bible, authorship and date, and the context in which it was written.
Section D, Liturgy of the Word, forms the main part of this book. Grouped in liturgical seasons, here you will find a ready-made liturgy for each Sunday of Year A, as well as some other major feasts. The contents of each liturgy are presented as follows:
Colour
Suggested Decor
Theme
Entrance and Gospel Processions
Welcome
Introduction
Introductions to First Reading and Gospel
Homily Suggestions
Prayer of the Faithful
Reflection/Thinking Prayer
There is also an overview of each season, which acts as both an introduction to and summary of the themes, celebrations and activities included.
In Section E, Appendix I, ‘Mass Responses and Everyday Prayers (English/ Gaeilge), Signing’ is a handy reference guide to small but significant aspects that can be incorporated into any Mass, family or otherwise.
Appendix II, ‘Additional Prayers and Services’, includes some ideas that could enhance your family liturgy by referring to other events outside the liturgical year. These include celebrations and feast days not present in Section D, Liturgy of the Word, prayers for special times of the year such as the beginning and end of the school year, Mothering Sunday and Father’s Day.
Appendix III, ‘Dramatisations of Gospel Readings’, provides real opportunities for children to participate in the liturgy whilst conveying the Gospel message for the benefit of the whole congregation. Different styles of drama are included, from mime to role-play to tableau. Drama can enliven a liturgy but it should be used intermittently so as to maximise its impact; it would be unrealistic to expect children to perform a drama on a weekly basis. Consequently, the option of dramatisation is included in a selection of the liturgies, rather than in each and every one. These are conveniently located together in this appendix.
Appendix IV, ‘Penitential Rite’, presents thematic adaptations of the Kyrie Eleison (Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy). These are grouped according to the seasons of the Liturgical Year and will help to prepare the congregation for a fuller and more meaningful participation in your Family Mass.
The last section, Recommended Resources, gives details of books, primary and post-primary resources, CDs, DVDs, retailers, organisations and websites that can be of further assistance in meeting your needs when planning your Family Mass.
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
| Colour | Purple |
| Suggested Décor | Images from reading/Gospel, Lenten garden/rockery, banner reading ‘connect’ |
| Theme | Our common origin in God; following Jesus to overcome temptations, and to ‘re-shape’ ourselves as good Christians |
| Entrance Procession | Candles, clay, banner reading ‘ Connect’ |
| Gospel Procession | Candles, Lectionary |
Welcome
Welcome to our Family Mass. It’s time now to quieten ourselves and make ourselves ready to celebrate the Eucharist together.
Theme
Reference to Lenten Garden/Rockery/Faith Friend (where applicable — see overview pp. 55-7).
This week we have entered the Season of Lent. As we prepare for Easter, we remember that we are creations of God. The clay we bring to the altar reminds us that we are all from the same creation. Just like when we play with clay, making shapes and moulds, we can build ourselves up to be good followers of Jesus. Beginning this week, we look at what we can do to be better Christians.
Introduction to First Reading
Today we listen to the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. In the beginning they were good friends with God, but they broke a promise and their friendship changed. Their close connection with God was damaged because they chose to do something that God asked them not to do. Listen to our reading to find out what happened.
First Reading
A reading from the book of Genesis (2:7-9, 3:1-7)
Then the Lord God took some soil from the ground and formed a man out of it; he breathed life-giving breath into his nostrils and the man began to live.
Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man he had formed. He made all kinds of beautiful trees grow there and produce good fruit. In the middle of the garden stood the tree that gives life and the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad.
Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the Lord God had made. The snake asked the woman, ‘Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?’
‘We may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden,’ the woman answered, ‘except the tree in the middle of it. God told us not to eat the fruit of that tree or even touch it; if we do, we will die.’
The snake replied, ‘That’s not true; you will not die. God said that, because he knows that when you eat it you will be like God and know what is good and what is bad.’
The woman saw how beautiful the tree was and how good its fruit would be to eat, and she thought how wonderful it would be to become wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it. As soon as they had eaten it, they were given understanding and realised that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves.
This is the word of the Lord.
Introduction to Gospel
Jesus had many friends. But sometimes he needed to spend time alone. One such time, Jesus went into the desert. There, he had to make some decisions. He could choose the easy way – to be selfish; or he could do what was right and good. Jesus always did what was right. Let’s listen together to the Word of God in the hope that we can follow Jesus’ example.
Gospel
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (4:1-11)
(This reading requires three people)
Narrator Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After spending forty days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry. Then the devil came to him.
Devil If you are God’s Son, order these stones to turn into bread.
Jesus The Scripture says, ‘Man cannot live on bread alone, but needs every word that God speaks.’
Narrator Then the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, the Holy City, and sat him on the highest point of the Temple.
Devil If you are God’s Son, throw yourself down, for the Scripture says, ‘God will give orders to his angels about you; they will hold you up with their hands so that not even your feet will be hurt on these stones.’
Jesus But the Scripture also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Narrator Then the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their greatness.
Devil All this I will give you if you kneel down and worship me.
Jesus Go away, Satan! The Scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only God.’
Narrator Then the devil left Jesus; and angels came and helped him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Song
‘Connected’ from Alive-O 4 or ‘Wilderness’ from Alive-O 3.
Homily Suggestions
Refer to Lent as the time during which we prepare ourselves to be our best selves for Easter – liken it to ‘keep fit’ for our feelings, our thoughts, our behaviours, our spirits and souls.
In relation to the First Reading, chat about friendships and how they can be damaged, perhaps through arguments or misunderstandings. Sometimes we can grow distant from each other, not talking, not playing together, not visiting each other, etc. It is as if the connection is broken. Emphasise Lent as a time of rebuilding our connections with each other – remembering the importance of forgiving and saying sorry. Bring attention to the banner ‘Connect’.
Jesus is our friend too. Suggest that the congregation examine the state of their relationship with Jesus – do they talk/pray? Do they think of Jesus? Lent can be a time for us to rebuild our friendship with Jesus too – a good start is to pray.
In reference to the Gospel, examine the image of the desert or wilderness. Bring attention to the focal object – clay. Emphasise that it is good to have quiet time, silence, peace – we can attune ourselves to God in our quiet times. Also refer to the loneliness that we might be unaware of, e.g. our neighbours, especially the elderly. Ask the congregation to think of ways that they can connect with each other to help others not to be lonely.
Explain the word ‘temptation’. For younger members of the congregation, refer to ideas of ‘selfishness’, as well as the idea of ‘giving up/ giving in/taking the easy way’. Lent can be a time for practising putting others first. For example, in Toy Story 2, Buzz and his friends risk everything to rescue Woody. They put his needs first.
Expand on the activities during Lent – giving up/avoiding temptation/doing something extra. Offer some suggestions for the congregation to try.
Refer to the Lenten Garden/Rockery/Faith Friend (if applicable).
Explain why purple is the liturgical colour of Lent.
Prayer of the Faithful
We pray for our families and friends. Help us to think about each other and not just about ourselves. Help us to heal any hurts in our relationships.
We pray for our Church, our Pope, the clergy and the religious orders. May their relationships with Jesus be renewed during this Lenten season.
We pray for our leaders. Help them to bring unity and peace to all people around the world.
We pray for the lonely, for those who feel lost in this world, and for anyone who needs strength when faced with temptations. We ask that you give them strength and purpose.
We pray for our parish. During this season of Lent, guide us in our work to connect with each other so that no one feels left out in our community.
Reflection/Thinking Prayer
Lent (1)
Lent is like the visitor you’d
Forgotten was coming, and then
She turns up, each year, like the daffodils.
‘Hello! It’s me – I’m back again!’
She always comes on a Wednesday
With ashes on her forehead – a sure sign
That as far as my day-to-day living’s concerned.
It’s that time of year – spring-clean time!
‘What’s that? What’s this doing here?
You’d really be better to throw out that lot.
And this … I thought we got rid of it last year!’
Easter Sunday morning she’s gone out that door
Like a bird that just upped and flew.
And as I stand and look around me I smile,
‘Cos my life is shining like new!
1. From Alive-0 5 pupil book, p. 28, taken from Connecting School and Parish: An Alive-0 5-8 Handbook for Classroom Visitations (Veritas, Dublin, 2007), p. 72.
