Page 9 - Children Celebrate - Summer 2003

Children Celebrate!
Leaflet Activity
Families are asked to consider how they can establish a peaceful kingdom within their own homes. The children decipher a prayer of praise.
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The Liturgy of the Word
Gathering
Tell the children that because today is Trinity Sunday, the Collect will be a hymn to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Collect
Leader: Invite the children to stand and face south. Mention that to the left of them is east, where the sun rises, and to the right is west, where it sets. While singing today’s hymn, you will use hand movements to trace the movement of the sun across the sky from sunrise to noon to sunset. The hymn reminds us that the Holy Trinity is always with us, during every part of every day. Then lead the children in prayer.
Leader: Lord God, you are Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God our Father, thank for loving us always. Children: Thank you, God the Father.
First Reading
Leader: In today’s First Reading, we see that Moses is not afraid to ask God the Father to forgive his people even after they have committed a great sin.
Read Exodus 34:4b–6, 8–9. Then say, “The word of the Lord.”
Children: Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
The psalm may be either sung or spoken. Before beginning, sing or announce the response.
Leader: Glory and praise for ever! Children: Glory and praise for ever!
Leader: Read Daniel 3:52, 53 and 56.
Second Reading
Leader: In today’s Second Reading, Paul ends a letter to his friends in Corinth by asking God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to bless them.
Read 2 Corinthians 13:11–13. Then say, “The word of the Lord.”
Children: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
Invite the children to stand. Sing the suggested Acclamation or another familiar one. If you choose not to sing the Acclamation, proceed to the proclamation of the Gospel.
Proclaim the Gospel
Leader: In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us why God the Father sent him into the world.
The Lord be with you.
Children: And with your spirit.
Leader: A reading from the Gospel of John. Children: † Glory to you, O Lord.
Leader: Read John 3:16–17. Then say, “The Gospel of the Lord.”
Children: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily
Hold up the shamrock and ask the children the same question Saint Patrick once asked a crowd: “Am I holding up one leaf or three?” Continue by noting that there is no easy answer. The Collins Dictionary says a shamrock is “a plant having leaves divided into three leaflets.” So, in a sense,
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_A__ _N__ _D__
_T__ _H__ _E__ _S__ _O__ _N__ _A__ _
D
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_F__ _O__ _R__ _E__ _V__ _E__ _R__. AMEN.
_T__ _H__ _E__ _H__ _O__ __L_ _Y__ _S__ __P_ _I__ _R__ _I__ _T__
NOW AND
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Leader: Jesus, you came to live with us and save us.
Children: Thank you, God the Son.
Leader: God the Holy Spirit, you are always with us to guide us.
Children: Thank you, God the Holy Spirit.
Light the candle and begin the First Reading.
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SAMPLE
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