As we journey through the National Eucharistic Revival, we are reflecting on the parts of the Mass and what each part is calling us to do and be the other six days of the week. In this episode, we look at the Liturgy of the Word and how the Scripture readings invite us to reshape the narrative of our lives and of the world from one of loss, brokenness, and fear to one of rescue, restoration, […]
Invite children to demonstrate their understanding of the Eucharist by playing a themed game of tic-tac-toe. Use the game as a review during sacramental preparation sessions, or involve children in the Eucharistic Revival by playing this and reading Seven Clues: A Catholic Treasure Hunt in a family session or First Eucharist retreat day. For more resources on preparation for First Eucharist, see God’s Gift.
Pope Francis has announced that the Church will celebrate a Jubilee Year in 2025, with the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.” In preparation for the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis is asking Catholics to prepare by dedicating time in the following manner: 2023: Study the documents of the Second Vatican Council. 2024: Focus on prayer. Now that 2023 is upon us, we would do well to turn our attention to the documents of the Second Vatican […]
In this episode of Pop-Up Prayer, educator and author Fr. Kevin O’Brien, SJ, talks about the need to “keep it real” when it comes to our prayer. Fr. O’Brien practiced law and taught high school before joining the Jesuits in 1996. He has taught theology and spirituality at Georgetown University, Santa Clara University, and Fairfield University, and is the author of the award-winning book, The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Daily […]
When my daughter Catherine was in elementary school, we developed a school drop-off and pick-up ritual. Before leaving the car, I’d look lovingly into her eyes, smile, and trace the sign of the cross on her forehead, saying, “Blessings upon your day!” When I’d pick her up from the after-school care program at the end of the day, she’d often be playing with friends at the farthest corner of the school yard. The playground supervisor […]
When the Church teaches us that the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our lives, it reminds us that God alone, who is present in the Eucharist, is our source of fulfillment. Unfortunately, we often find ourselves seeking fulfillment “in all the wrong places.” For Catholics, receiving Communion is the ultimate acknowledgment that God is our source of fulfillment. In this episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we explore the notion of the Eucharist as the […]
During the National Eucharistic Revival, let’s look at the parts of the Mass to reflect on what each part is calling us to do and be the other six days of the week. In this episode, we look at the Penitential Act, through which we acknowledge that we are sinners and ask for God’s forgiveness. We consider how the Penitential Act of the Mass calls us to embrace our brokenness and open ourselves up to […]
In this episode of Pop-Up Prayer, author Paul Mitchell talks about the need to let go and to allow prayer to be an emptying of ourselves. Paul has taught in Uganda, Chicago, Boston, and Egypt, and studied theology at the University of Notre Dame and the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He is the author of The Examen Book, which uses thoughtful rhymes and beautiful illustrations to introduce children to the practice of […]
We encounter Jesus through the Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. In this lesson, young people will complete activities at 12 learning stations—each sacrament has four stations—that will deepen their understanding of the Sacraments of Initiation. The free lesson plan packet includes instructions for how to set up learning stations that get children out of their seats and moving around doing simple tasks to learn about the symbols and signs used in each Sacrament of […]
Celtic spirituality speaks of “thin places”—locations where the veil between heaven and earth seems especially thin and God’s presence is palpable. I like to think of the sacraments as “thin moments”—those moments when heaven and earth intersect and God’s presence is so real we can taste it. The Eucharist, of course, is one of those powerfully thin moments when we truly taste and see how good the Lord is. That thin moment does not have […]
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