Kick it off! Best scouting Year Ever!
EUCHARIST: Jesus gives His Body and Blood to us in the form of bread and wine that we may be nourished and strengthened. Luke 22:19-20 "Then, taking bread and giving thanks, He broke it and gave it to them saying: 'This is My Body to be given for you'...He did the same with the cup...'This cup is the new covenant in My Blood, which will be shed for you.'"
Goal: As a Scout, how does the Eucharist unite me with my Christian past, and strengthen me for the present and future.
Do the following and discuss with your AAD Group/Counselor: a) When was the last time your family, including aunts, uncles, and grandparents, gathered for a special occasion (e.g., Thanksgiving, Christmas, family reunion)? What happened during the gathering? What was talked about? Was there a meal? b) Did you hear the adults telling stories of events that happened in the past? Share some of these stories and tell why you think the stories were important. c) Did you sense a feeling of unity among the adults or the youths? What activities were happening that demonstrated this sense of unity or oneness within the family? d) Were there any disagreements? How did this affect the family unity?
Why do you think that a Scout troop/Venturing crew is called a unit? Is unity there? Share some stories about how unity in the Scouting family is expressed. Discuss with your AAD Group/Counselor.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke record a family gathering that the apostles celebrated with Jesus. Today we know this as the Last Supper. Read one of the following: Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-25, or Luke 22:7-23. How was the Last Supper like your family celebration? Discuss the following with your AAD Group/Counselor: a) What happened during this gathering? What was talked about? Was there a meal? b) Was there any telling of stories of events that happened in the past? Why do you think these stories were important? c) Was there a sense of unity among the group? What activities were happening that demonstrated this sense of unity, or oneness, within the group? d) Were there any disagreements? How did this affect the unity of the group?
Read Exodus 12:1-14, 12:21-36. During the Last Supper, were the apostles and Christ simply remembering the Passover, or were they participating in the Passover? When you celebrate Thanksgiving, are you simply remembering the first Thanksgiving, or participating in the Thanksgiving? Have a discussion with your AAD Group/Counselor on this matter.
After Jesus' Ascension, the early Christians continued to celebrate this Passover/Last Supper/Eucharist on a regular basis. (Historical background is given on Christian persecutions in Rome (64 A.D.), Ireland (1604), and Japan (1638), where the Eucharist continued to be celebrated despite persecution.) a) What do these historical facts say about the power of the Eucharist? How do you see that power experienced in your parish family? Discuss this with your AAD Group/Counselor. b) After completing the discussion above, share with your family why we as Catholics come together at Sunday Mass or Sunday celebration in the absence of a Priest.
Even in the Old Testament, God had concern for feeding His people (Exodus 16:4-15). Jesus continued to express this concern in John 6:1-15. Read and compare these two passages with your AAD Group/Counselor.
In John 6:26-35, 47-59 Jesus explains the real power and meaning of bread. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, Saint Paul also speaks of the meaning of the Eucharist and the necessary preparation in receiving the Body of Christ. Discuss with your AAD Group/Counselor your understanding of the power and meaning of bread.
This Bread is often referred to simply as Communion (Holy Communion). Looking carefully at the word Communion, what is its relationship to the Bread of Life?
You will find three code tables in Appendix H. Find which code table works with this passage and use that table to decode the whole message. Over each number below, place the corresponding letter from the correct code table.
Match column A to column B and discuss with your group how the Mass is similar to a family meal. (Altar, Chalice, Paten, Corporal, Purificator, Bread, Wine, Hands, Altar Cloth — matched to household meal equivalents.)
Do the following: a) Read Genesis 22:9-13, Exodus 24:3-8, and Hebrews 9:11-15. Compare and discuss these readings with your AAD Group/Counselor. b) Earlier readings in this chapter concern the Last Supper. The table in these readings was, in fact, called a table. However, we today often refer to it as the altar. Why was the name changed?
Frequently in Scripture, Saint John refers to Jesus as the Lamb of God or the Sacrificial Lamb. Discuss with your AAD Group/Counselor the relationship between the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12:21-27) and the Lamb of God.
The Passover Lamb was sacrificed on the altar in the Temple. What was the altar of the Lamb of God?
Read Luke 9:23-26. What does Jesus mean when He says each of His followers is to take up his cross daily? Do a good turn today in a spirit of sacrifice.
You will find three code tables in Appendix H. Find which code table works with this message and use that table to decode the whole message. Place the corresponding letter from the correct code table over each number below. a) Discuss with your AAD Group/Counselor how you carry this presence of Jesus to others through service. Think back to service that you have already done as a Scout and Christian. b) Under the guidance of your Counselor, do something to bring Jesus' presence to a person or people other than your family. It should demonstrate your ability to bring the presence of Jesus into their lives.
Having been nourished by the Lord Himself, the Catholic Christian should, with active love, eliminate all prejudices and all barriers to brotherly cooperation with others. The Eucharist is a Sacrament of unity. It is meant to unite the faithful more closely each day with God and with one another. Think about it. Now ask yourself: Are all Christians actively eliminating prejudices and barriers to brotherly cooperation? What are you doing as a Scout in this regard? Discuss your thoughts with your AAD Group/Counselor.
Do the following: a) In the Seek and Find below, there are nine articles used at a Eucharistic meal (Mass). See if you can find all nine (9). b) With your AAD Group and Counselor, visit a church and the sacristy and explain each item found in the Seek and Find above and describe how it is used in Mass.
List three things that you can do to make your celebration of the Eucharist meaningful for you and your family and a better expression of unity with the parish family. a) _______ b) _______ c) _______
As a group, pick three things from all your lists and do them.
The beginning of this session is dedicated to reviewing Baptism Session 2 Homework and completion of Section 2.
Read the Youth Manual Section 4
Read the Counselor Guide Section 4
Space
Snacks
Safety
Make sure you have a retreat plan for each of the scouts
Communicate BOR and Awards Mass as often as you can.
New American Bible – Standard Edition
Catechism of the Catholic Church
None
Faith Response #1-b - This requirement requires a trip to the Church sacristy – plan ahead
Bring paper and pens for Faith Response #2
Gathering Attendance
Prayer
Session 2 Homework
Requirements A 1 ,2,3,4(Assign as Homework),5,6
break
Requirements B 1,2,3,4,5 (Assign as Homework)
break
Requirement C Plan and Perform prayer service. Baptismal promises #57 and 58 on page 48 of the youth manual. Use water candles and prayers from this session.
Cleanup, Have the boys make sure everyone is ready to go and the room is neat before dismissal.
Prayer Dismissal