Young people will discover how medieval society in Europe produced traditions that define much of Catholicism today. They will also learn how the Church was a part of everyday life and how society revolved around the Church. I Have Been Anointed Use the unit song before or after opening prayer, during a prayer celebration, at the end of a session, or during special celebrations. Faith Expressed and Lived We should keep ourselves open to receive God's gift of faith and continue to nourish it in ourselves. Mass in the Cathedral The Eucharist is the Church's great offering of thanksgiving to God for the gift of salvation and the Eucharist. The Quest for Salvation Jesus Christ commands us to live in peace and to love all people as our neighbors. We are saved through Jesus Christ and God's grace. Devotions The Church recognizes popular devotions and private prayer as valuable ways to express and develop piety. The stories on these pages follow the last chapter of each unit. They introduce social justice issues from a Catholic perpective. The Church Environment "...the Church needs places where the community can gather together. Our visible churches...are images of the holy city, the heavenly Jerusalem, toward which we are making our way on pilgrimage." —Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1198 Elaborate medieval Gothic churches were designed to help people feel humble before the grandeur and majesty of God. Today’s newer churches tend to be designed with simple windows, a circular, or theater-like seating in order to emphasize the warmth and friendliness of the community’s celebration. The place in which we gather for the celebration of the Eucharist shows how we care about our relationship with God. Having a special place to gather shows that we recognize the importance of the Mass and this relationship. While the church building is the backdrop for our worship experience, what we bring to the liturgy is also important. It is our energy and desire to be present that allows us to be fully present. The Mass is not a solitary experience, we gather to share as community. We can develop greater interest in liturgy if we engage youth in active, fulfilling participation in the Mass. They may be involved as lectors, gift bearers, altar servers, members of the choir, or by their attentiveness and responsiveness to the prayers of the liturgy. The celebration of the Eucharist is at the very heart of our Catholic faith. As catechists, we are called to encourage youth to make the Eucharist a central part of their lives as well. We can offer young people opportunities for communal worship and participation in parish prayer life. Participation in well-planned liturgies adds to a sense of belonging to a larger Church community. • Does the physical environment of my parish church help my worship experience? If not, what can I do to help improve the situation? • Am I actively involved in the Mass, responding to prayers, singing along, really listening to the homily? What distractions keep getting in my way and how can I overcome them? Links A virtual tour of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC www.fordham.edu/halsall/medny/stpat1.html National Cathedral, Washington, DC www.cathedral.org/cathedral/discover/archpage0.shtml Gregorian Chants, Songs of the Spirit http://whyy.org/CHANT.HTML "Splendors of Christendom," tours of cathedrals, churches 198.62.75.1/www1/splendors/splendors.html Books Bringing Catechesis and Liturgy Together Let the Mystery Lead You! In this book Joe Paprocki and D. Todd Williamson explore the intimate, essential link between catechesis and liturgy, emphasize the power of signs and symbols in sharing faith, and much more. Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 1-58595-221-4 Junior High Prayer Services by Themes and Seasons Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 1-58595-106-4 Graced Moments – Prayer Services for Teens Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). Volume 1 ORDER NUMBER: 1-58459-075-0 Volume 2 ORDER NUMBER: 1-58459-076-9 Why Go to Mass: Reasons and Resources to Motivate Teenagers Twenty-Third Publications, 1994 More Faith Facts for Young Catholics – Fun Ways to Teach the Basics of Our Faith Ave Maria Press, 2000 Videos What Do We Do At Mass? (17 min.) Young people provide insights into the Mass. Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 1-56854-346-8 Teen's Guide to Living the Mass (17 min.) Teens who find the Mass boring or irrelevant to their lives will now see what it means to understand and participate in the Church's celebration. Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36044-3 Inside the Vatican (50 min. each) Highlights the priceless treasures, historical figures, and mysterious intrigues which have come to define the Vatican's legacy; 4 volume set. Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-30956-1 Saint Peter's – A Guided Visit to the Vatican Basilica (37 min.) See inside the basilica as a narrator guides you through the history of the works of art viewed. Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 1-56814-153-X Music "Gloria" Chant, "Glory to God" Mass of Creation, "Come to the Table" Blest Are We CD, Levels 7-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36394-9 Blest Are We Audio Cassette , Levels 7-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36454-6 Defining Beauty CD Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 1-58459-089-0 "Jesus, Give Us Strength," Fresh as the Morning CD GIA Publications