Page 8 - Lessons and Activities on What Makes Us Catholic

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THE ALTAR
Objective
To engage the imagination of the learners as they understand that the altar represents Christ and the body of Christ
Background for Catechists
In his general audience on February 5, 2014, Pope Francis, speaking about the Eucharist and the layout of Catholic churches, observed that in the “center...we nd the altar,” which is “a table that has been prepared and that makes us think of a banquet....”
e General Instruction of the Roman Missal (nos. 306–308) reminds us that only what is re- quired for the celebration of Mass is placed on the altar. is includes the Book of the Gospels (at the beginning of Mass, before it is taken to the ambo), the Roman Missal, and the chalice with the paten. e candles and cruci x are placed near or on the altar (assuring that they do not interfere with the people’s clear view of the eucharistic action on the altar).
Catholic teaching articulates that the altar symbolizes both Jesus Christ and the body of Christ (all of us). e members of the church “are the living stones out of which the Lord Jesus builds the Church’s altar” (Dedication of a Church and an Altar, no. 2). e design of the altar, then, is an expression of the uniqueness of the community that gathers around it.
Materials
□ Scissors
□ Markers or crayons □ Copies of the handout
Lesson Starter
Ask: What is one of your favorite places in your home? When relatives and friends gather in your home, where do they often end up? (Hopefully, some children/youth will say the dinner/kitchen table.)
Lead the children/youth to realize that a family table, our altar, is in our church home too. Use the information above to describe what is placed on the altar.
Activity
Distribute copies of the handout, along with markers or crayons. Invite the children to draw a picture of the altar in their church. Remind them to include the required elements. en ask them to draw the people who are present at the altar, along with other details that describe their parish church.
After the children nish, draw them together to share their pictures. Invite them to share about the altar and the celebration of the Mass in the parish.
Prayer Together
Nourishing God, we gather around many tables. At our family table, deepen our care for
each other. As we celebrate at your altar,
make us more aware of who we are, called
to be the body of Christ in our world.
Options
▪ Engage the children in building an altar, using cardboard boxes or other materials.
▪ Children/youth might write an explanation of the design of their altar.
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