Breakout 3.1 Catholic
Scripture

Acts 2:1-6
Pentecost

Luke 1:26-38
Announcement of Birth of Jesus

Mark 2:1-12
Healing of a Paralytic and Forgiveness of Sins

John 6:51-58
Jesus is the Bread of Life

Matt 28:19-20
Commissioning of the Disciples
Catechism

830-31
What does “catholic” mean?

957, 2473
Communion of the Church of Heaven and Earth; Witness

1084
Christ in the Liturgy

234
Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian Faith and Life
Key Concepts

The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus at Pentecost (the birth of the Church).
Centuries of Liturgy, prayer, holiness of life, witness of great saints , the life of and
devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and so much more are woven into the life of
the Church.

In prayer, loving service and sacrifice we worship and honor God. In parish life,
each week we participate in the Liturgy of the Church. At Holy Mass we enter into
the Paschal Mystery.

In the presence of the Holy Trinity we see love made visible before us at Holy Mass
and made present to us in our lives, through the mystery of God himself, the
Source of all goodness.

At the Consecration we hear the words of Jesus making Him truly and substantially
present before us. Through the sacraments He brings us salvation. During
adoration before the tabernacle, we place ourselves in the presence of the Living
God and experience His great love for us.

In Sacred Scripture God reveals to us the kingdom of Heaven. In the Gospel of
Mark (2:1-12) Jesus heals and forgives the paralytic. Through our prayers, loving
service and sacrifices we can help bring others home to Him.
Goal

To have students foster an appreciation for the beauty of the Catholic faith

To have students have a strong sense of God’s presence in their lives

To help students understand that they are not alone in their Catholic belief

To help students understand that the sacraments, especially Holy Communion and
Reconciliation are the essential foundations and ordinary means of being Catholic
and growing in holiness
Environment and Media

Best Friends (1 min)

Catholics Come Home (2 min)

St John Paull II, Pope Benedict XVI and 26 years of World Youth Day (2.5 min)
o

Optional: World Youth Day 2013 (3 min)
The Mass (2 min)
GATHER (15-20 minutes)

Welcome & Introductions
o

View video, “Best Friends” – Henry
Group Discussion
o
Was Henry on a journey? Did he have a mission? What was it? (his
purpose)
o
What was his goal? Did he get distracted? Why?
o
As a Catholic, are we on a journey? What is our mission? What is our
ultimate goal?
o

Do we get distracted? How do we get back on track?
Prayer
o
Lord Jesus, help us on our journey to follow the path that leads to
happiness. Show us the wonder of your love, in your Holy Mother Church. If
we should wander off the path, may we always look to your Church to find
our way home to You. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us.
PROCLAIM (20-30 minutes)

Teaching
A. Pentecost – Birth of the Church (Acts 2:1-6)
1. Holy Spirit changes our lives
2. From the time the Church was born:
a) Sacred Liturgy – Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
b) Prayer, Holiness, Theology of Saints (Augustine, Aquinas) St
Augustine’s Principle
c) Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:46-48)
d) Note: Refer to the Corporeal Works of Mercy Poster (Mt 25:3536)
3. Let’s look at the history in brief of the Catholic Church
a) Video: Catholics Come Home
B. We Worship and Honor God
1. In prayer, loving service and sacrifice
a) In parish life throughout the world we participate in the Liturgy
of the Church at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
b) We enter into the Paschal Mystery
c) In the presence of the Holy Trinity we witness perfect love
before us at Holy Mass and in our lives through the Mystery of
God Himself, the source of all goodness, love, joy and
happiness
d) In the Creed we profess that Jesus is consubstantial with the
Father
e) We profess one, holy, catholic and apostolic church handed
down to us through St Peter (1st Pope) and the Apostles
f) Today the leader of the Church, Pope Francis is our Persona
Christi; on earth as he shows us the way to Christ and His
Kingdom
2. Let’s look at the universal Church and the young Catholics of the
world gathering to celebrate their faith
a) Video: World Youth Day
C. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
1. Epiclesis, Consecration
a) We ask God the Father to send the Holy Spirit to make the
bread and wine holy
b) The words of Jesus “This is my Body” change the bread and
wine and make him truly and substantially present
transubstantiation (Jn 6:51-58)
1. Jesus says it over and over that He is the Bread of Life
2. Why would some of his disciples leave if he was only
talking “symbolically”?
3. Who stays with Jesus? Why?
c) Through the sacraments of the Church, Jesus brings salvation
to us all. He is with us always (Mt 28:19-20)
1. Video: The Mass
d) During adoration whether in procession @ 40 hours or in quiet
time in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, we place ourselves in
the presence of the living God and open our hearts to Him
who through the incredible gift of the Incarnation has shown
His great love for us and his desire for us to be with Him in
Heaven. (Refer to CC Beatific Vision; Lk 1:26-38)
e) Proclamation of the Kingdom (OPTIONAL)
1. Read and discuss (Mk 2:1-12)
BREAK (20-30 minutes)

Small group discussions
o
What is something you learned about the Catholic Church and its history
that I didn’t know?
o
How will it affect in me in my journey?
o
How will it affect the journey of my family and friends?
o
What can I do to make the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass more meaningful in
my life?
o
How can I discover the joy and full richness of life?

Reflection time/journaling (if wanted/time available)

Testimonials from teens or others
o
Faith sharing opportunities with the whole group
SENDING (15-20minutes)

Recap of the evening – bringing the pieces together
o
Ask one of the students to summarize the key points for the evening. Follow
this up by having the catechist tie up any loose ends. The purpose is to
make sure the goals for the evening were met

Activity or media presentation

Commitments, promises, missioning, resolutions
o
Ask the students to think about a resolution for the week that has been
inspired by the evening’s session, such as…

Attend Holy Mass with a new sense of reverence, awe, and
participation

Pray to a Saint for the strength to be in prayer every day, and live your
Catholic faith


Ponder the great magnitude and mystery of the Catholic Church
Concluding prayer
o
Ask for any special intentions of family and friends to be prayed for by the
whole group
o
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer