Blest Are We

Is that a fact?: The word Baptism comes from the Greek baptein, which means to immerse or to dip, to cleanse. In early practice, Baptism involved immersing the person in the river, often the River Jordan.

Extend the activities for each concept presented in Blest Are We with the following Ideas.


		• As Eucharist means "thanksgiving," focus on other ways of giving thanks in daily life. • Have children volunteer times they have said "thank you" during the past week. • Then, have them think of times they could have thanked someone and did not. • Have children suggest people to whom they could express thanks (e.g., crossing guards, bus drivers, teachers, teacher aides, lunch servers, store clerks, family members). If no one mentions thanking God, add it to the possibilities before ending the discussion. • Challenge your group to say "thank you" to three people in the next few days and to report this at your next gathering. • Discuss how it felt to express thanks to others. Discuss also how people responded to being thanked for something they did.


		• Have children give everyday examples of forgiving one another. • Have children practice asking each other for forgiveness. • Role-play situations may make it easier for children to demonstrate forgiveness and being forgiven.


		• Point out that there are two main parts to the Mass. The first is "Liturgy of the Word." This is when God speaks to us through Scripture. • Ask children what special items are used during the first part of the Mass. These may include the crucifix during procession to the altar, the altar itself, candles, the ambo [lectern], and the book holding the Word of God [Lectionary]. • Talk about the importance of each item mentioned. • The second part of the Mass is "Liturgy of the Eucharist" -- when bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus. It begins with the presentation of gifts. • Again ask what items are used during this part of the Mass. These may include bread [hosts], wine, chalice, paten that holds hosts, cruets [bottles holding water and wine], finger bowl and towel, tabernacle, and perhaps a larger host held up by the priest. • Discuss the importance of each item mentioned. • Discuss the involvement of the community during Mass, e.g., standing, sitting, kneeling, answering prayers, singing, shaking hands, receiving communion.